Issue13 by WeMerge, Inc.

FREE TAKE 2

Local Arts & Entertainment Magazine

Fall 2011 www.WeMerge.com

Support The Scene

Craig McInnis

embarking on a journey

Read The Feature Story Inside

DMAC

Getting Crafty

The True Do-it-Yourselfers pg. 16

The Heavy Pets Embracing Their Softer Side

GreenRoom

always looking for NEW talent

Miguel Paredes Miami Wynwood District pg. 44

Hair on Fire look hot when you leave & CELERY Support The Scene, or There Will Be No Scene To Support!

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Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support

Letter

from the Publisher W

hen we started this magazine, I don’t think anyone expected it to grow into the monster that you now hold in your hands. The way the growth of this magazine has taken off, it’s as if we started it with the guy who sold Jack his bean stalk beans. With that said, let me explain a little about the stuff we got going on. We recently had some requests for bigger spreads and more artwork. With so many amazing artists in the local area it was hard to choose who would be our featured artists. As a motto here at WeMerge “We help those who help themselves.” So, on a side note to all the artists out there, make sure you have your images in high resolution and a short bio is handy in case a magazine sends you an email asking you to be a feature in their next issue. You never know when your turn is going to be. The trick is being prepared. Our growth has also brought new opportunities for local photographers to bring their images to our readers. With more events then any one person can handle, we decided to bring on more photographers to show “you” the reader, the images that make up these spectacular events. On pg. 12 you will read about a Brotherly Love Productions event, then on pg.26 you will read about the Vans Warped Tour and see images from our new photographers, on pg. 42 the FL Flow Fest will light up your night, on pg. 46 is an upcoming event for some hardcore music, on pg.61 and pg.74 there are two craft show events, and on pg.79 there is a SteamPunk show that’s going to be having cash prizes. WeMerge will also be having a release party near the end of Sept. and an Arts & Performance Show near the end of Oct. Visit our Facebook and website to keep posted on those events. www.WeMerge.com I would also like to discuss our very talented staff here at WeMerge. The amount of work and dedication that was put into this issue has blown me away. Not only has our current staff stepped up, but our new team members have shown to be true believers in our cause. I’m very proud to be associated with such incredible people. Without them there would be no WeMerge. No one person can be responsible for such a name, it takes more then one to merge, that’s why “WeMerge.” Finally I would like to thank our readers. With the constant feedback that we receive on a daily basis, we are able to make this magazine the most popular source of new talent in the local area. We hope that we have satisfied your crave for more art and bigger images. If there is anything else you would like to see more of, please continue to email us at Info@WeMerge.com t “Support the scene, or there will be no scene to support.” Thanks,

Dwayne Adams President/Publisher WeMerge Magazine 4

We Can’t Change the World, but We Can Change Our Ways

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Artwork by Paul Caprio - Vote for him in the Who’s Next Gallery on pg 40 WeMerge Magazine - www.WeMerge.com

16 Get Crafty The True Do-It Yourselfers Publisher: Cover Artist: Managing Editor: Assignment Editor: Contributing Writers:

Dwayne Adams Craig McInnis Elon Meles - Elon@WeMerge.com Ashley Lombardo - Ashley@WeMerge.com Allisha Goncalves, Brian Breslaw, Ashley Lombardo, Matt Beck, Seth Schere, Kyle Willis, Elon Meles, Karen Reinstatler, Alex Wall, Casandra Tanennbaum, Alan Pincus, Amanda Linton, Nancy Brown, Ghost Writer, Felipe Goncalves, Adam Smith, Sabina Sauce Dwayne Adams - Dadams@WeMerge.com Creative Director: Graphic Designers: Luis Samaniego, Rob Smith Julio Salvat - www.auxiliumstudios.com Web Designer: Kris Starry, Elon Meles, Allisha Goncalves, Photographers: Tim Breaseale, Valyn Calhoun, Adam Smith, Omar Amador, Natasha Kertes Vaughn Reynolds - Vaughn@WeMerge.com Event Coordinator: Alexandra Aloia, Bethany Lee Auchter Proofreaders: Michele Barenfeld - Michele@WeMerge.com Research: Account Executives: Mark Epperson - Mark@WeMerge.com Holly Metzger - Holly@WeMerge.com www.WeMergeTV.com Videography: Official WeMerge DJ: DJ Stevie D - DJStevieD@WeMerge.com Official Food Truck: PS561 - www.PS561.com Justin Rotkowitz - www.synergymedia.us Custom Fonts: Copyright©2011-12 WeMerge, Inc. All rights reserved to WeMerge, Inc. All content included in this magazine: text, graphics, logos, icons, & images, are the property of WeMerge, Inc. and/or its content suppliers (writers, photographers, illustrators, and others) and protected by US and international copyright laws. No content is allowed to be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from WeMerge, Inc. WeMerge Magazine contains the opinions and experiences of other people and the publishers do not necessarily approve, agree with, and/or condone those opinions or actions. WeMerge, Inc. cannot be held responsible for these opinions or actions. We provide a community service to our readers. All collaboration or verification of event postings are the responsibility of the reader prior to relying on such information for any action that may be taken on their behalf or on the behalf of others. For all legal issues call our lawyer.

26 Warped Tour

Sticky, Muggy, & Intensely Sunny South Florida

32 Heavy Pets Embrace Their Softer Side

34 Hair on Fire

Great Service, Sexy Hair...Why Pay More

44 Miguel Paredes A Miami Wynwood District Artist

Special Thanks to Michele, you have been a true supporter of this magazine. Without you, there would be no us. Nicci “Bean” Loren for helping with imagination. All the haters for giving us motivation. Psalms 119:121 AYIN. And last but not least, the Bonus Red Dot for always being an extra free bonus. God bless our troops who risk their lives for us everyday. A marine told me the other day when I have a problem to improvise, adapt, overcome. Those words resinated within me and helped me overcome many walls. “A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.” — Will Rogers

Editorial: Any questions or comments about an article, photo, or illustration in WeMerge Magazine, please email Info@WeMerge.com Comments & Suggestions: We welcome and appreciate your feedback. Any suggestions or comments that you would like to submit to the editor, please email Editor@WeMerge.com Having an event? If you would like us to add you event to our website, email Info@WeMerge.com If you would like WeMerge to host an event, please email us at Events@WeMerge.com Issues: If you would like to request a current or back copy of WeMerge, or the entire back issue set, pleas email us at Info@WeMerge.com

63 JabrJaw & DJ Dee Dubbs The Particular Pair That Never Sleeps On Success

68 WeMerge Graffiti The New Era South Florida Graffiti Expo

WEMERGE ADVERTISING If you would like to advertise with us, send an e-mail or give us a call. We will send you some pricing and distribution information.

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76 Kris Starry

Playful and Free-Spirited, Yet Filled With Loads Of Emotion

(561) 305-2070 Promote your business, website, art, & music to 20,000+ readers in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach & parts of Martin County WeMerge Magazine - www.WeMerge.com

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WeMergeCover Artist

Craig

McInnis W

hat is art? If you ask this issue’s featured artist, Craig McInnis it is, “embarking on a journey to transfer new images from my brain to the canvas.” In Craig’s case, there truly is no other kind. He expresses his creativity through absolutely every avenue, not only bringing images from his brain to the canvas, but also displaying these new images for the masses. Most people who have ever been to a local art show now own a Craig McInnis Art piece. His Artwork is Everywhere.

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His seemingly endless list of services rendered includes, but is certainly not limited to: commissioned canvas paintings of all shapes and sizes, digital illustrations and intricate cartooning, logo design and computer graphics, set design and props, massive murals and imaginative concept art, extraordinary special F/X makeup, detailed tutorials and personalized consultations. Oh yeah, did I forget singer/songwriter/ heavy metal rock star?! Craig was in a touring heavy metal band, GoneMad, singing and screaming up and down the east coast in his roaring twenties. He currently writes and performs with funk/soul group, Speaking Volumes, as well as providing music for other talented local acts. Craig also enjoys getting involved artistically with the community. His his tremendous contribution to Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds grows larger and larger each year, providing everything from set design to the utilization of his F/X makeup skills. With support from his wife, Raquel, family, and friends, the Art Institute graduate and valued part of the WeMerge family continues to take his artistic game to the next level. The sky is the limit for this humble jack-of-all-artistictrades and WeMerge has been happy to be along to document the ride. For more on Craig and to view and purchase his artwork, go to

craigmcinnis.com

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WeMergeClowns

(note to reader: all answers to be read in a southern drawl) Where do you work presently? Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The place got Big ‘ole Thril rides, games, prizes, live music, fire dancers, food and drink, three scare zones and three indoor haunted houses with over 16,000 square feet of FEAR, BABY! Best place I ever werked.

Were you abused by a clown when you were young? Or maybe a bull? Or both? Mostly abused by my Daddy. He was a worthless drunk and by the time I was 12, I had kicked his ass ‘bout 10 times. Since then I done a good job of becomin’ the abus-ER. You wanna test it?

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You must have really big balls. They are not only HUGE but filled with gasoline. Ask yer Mamma.

How much do you get paid to put your life on the line every night? I get paid handsomely cuz I am a top shelf entertainer. I won’t say what it is, but it’s better than a congressman, and I actually work for my dough.

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Can you ride a bull? Can you ride a mechanical bull? I don’t ride ‘em, I punch ‘em.... and.... Mechanical bulls are for sissys... that’d be like the difference between a Harley and a Vespa.

Would you let your children follow in your footsteps in such a dangerous profession? I ain’t havin’ kids... there’s already enough booger eatin’, mouth breathin’ nuggets runnin’ ‘round. This world needs mass sterilization. If I had kids they would most likely be criminals, just due to genetics.

Why are you dressed like a clown? There is nothing funny about being impaled. The clown bit started when I was a kid. I dressed up as one the first time I went prankin my neighbors on Hallow’s eve. We need more clowns out there... and I think... every human being IS a clown... and me kickin’ a Bull’s ass IS funny.

Is it off putting to know that thousands of people hope and pray that something terribly gruesome happens to you on a nightly basis? Nothing bad ever happens to me. I am a pro... and as far as hopin’ and prayin’, I hope the same for everyone else in this stinkin’ world. I thrive on conflict and people’s distaste for me. If I run into you at Fright Nights, something gruesome WILL happen.

What does it feel like to have a bull horn up your ass? Again... ask yer Mamma.

Were you a regular clown before joining the rodeo? No. I don’t make balloon animals or play pin the tail on the ass... I was a short order breakfast cook at this dump in Macon, Georgia. I cook a mean egg... that’s how I got my name.

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Have there ever been any deaths in the ring? That would be no laughing matter. Death is hilarious. And yeah, I seen people split their wig fallin’ off a bull.. or gettin’ their melon trampled... way I see it, if yer gonna ride a bull, ur askin’ to get stomped. It’s a dumb “sport” and I’m glad I got me front row seats to the violence.

What happened to your eye? My Momma poured Drano in my eye when I was four.

Do rodeo clowns milk the bulls before they go out? Yes, and if you swing by the next rodeo I will give you a hands-on demonstration. In fact... c’mere, lemme show you right now.

Do zombie clowns come out of the ground? You seem to be extremely fascinated with zombies. I suggest you interview one to find out this answer and any other pressing “zombie matters” that yer concerned with, Hoss.

Do you brush your teeth? Ever?

Are there female rodeo clowns?

What fer? It’s a damn waste of time. These chompers work fine... and the ladies love the amber glow of my smile.

I known a couple...but they ain’t got the nads to do what I do...

What kind of underwear do you wear?

No, I got me a plush double wide on five acres. 12” TV, VCR, icebox, barker lounger and two pet Gerbils. Jealous?

I’m flyin’ commando Chief... wanna check out my gooey bag?

Do you sleep in a barrel?

Do you eat horse meat?

Are rodeo clowns related to killer clowns from outer space?

I eat all kindza meat. Horse is tasty.... but I do prefer squirrel and chipmunk.

Not to my knowledge. I am however related to Bill Clinton.

If a rodeo clown zombie eats a regular rodeo clown, does he find it tastes funny?

If you had to pick, who is your favorite clown?

I hate that joke.

The clown from the movie, “IT.” Tim Curry’s a bad mamma jamma. t

Do you paint your face or is it permanent? Ev’ry once in a while I gotta “re-up,” but I leave it on all the time. I got no business that don’t require clown face.

Do you eat cotton candy? How you think my grill got like this, champ? I love sugary treats, sometimes I suck on sugar packets while watchin’ Maury Povich.

What’s your favorite food? Eggs, over easy, so you can still see the beak floatin’ in the goop. I am also a big fan of funyuns.

Were your parents Rodeo Clowns? No, my Momma was a 5-cent whore and my Daddy was a professional bum.

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WeMergeStories

Oleander and Mint

Silas

Mint could not stop throwing up. The smell was bad, but the sounds that the body gave up in the fire were worse. She watched Oleander feed limbs of pine and man into the flames. As she watched him, in between heaving whatever was left in her onto leaf litter, she wondered what all this meant. What kind of man was Oleander? Oleander was sweating so hard. His hands were burning, calluses building and bursting under the friction of the old saw handle. The bone gave way faster than he imagined, but the old saw problem of sticking mid cut reminded him that when it seems easy, something always comes up. Oleander welcomed something familiar thinking about that. It seemed so unusual to get hung up in the saw, and he paused to remember how in the middle of all this he could

Peripheral vision is for prey. Silas had none. His world was in front of him, detailed and tunneled. Sometimes he would fall over a tricky root or an overgrown vine that was outside of his tunnel. For a time this was frustrating until Spring was almost over. Silas stumbled over a rock, which was always more painful than the normal obstacles, and on the way down his time slowed to snap shots of a wolf falling. Each photo of his fall was a different season rain fell, gusts of wind, snow, heat. His body compensated in the air like usual, but this time he Was hyper aware of every shift. All his questions about lust stopped for a moment. Silas realized that he had not been quiet in months. There had been a constant humming in him like an interstate just out of sight. Silas reached ground and his ankle didn’t hurt. He sat there and thought what had just happened. He thought about how to think in the future so it wouldn’t be so loud. But its not that loud, he thought, more dull than anything. Silas found himself walking again,

be amused by the memory of muscle memory. The sweat was hot over the fire, and as he stalled to remember, he looked up. Above them, between the pines, the stars were thick and the night was as clear as any he had ever met. The wind was all around him. He couldn’t feel it, but he could see it in the pine tops moving against the sky. Oleander looked at Mint, who was looking at him, and he could not stop the smile that came from somewhere between the ground, those stars, and everywhere there was to be.

Rye

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he wanted to replicate the quiet. His new awareness of the highway made it more like living under the flight path of an airport where the planes hung like toys over your house, big engines droning. Constantly. Silas wanted to fall again but he couldn’t now. Each hazard of the forest was a moment of hope followed by the realization that it was the hope itself that was ruining whatever hope he had of replicating perfection and that this was spiritual irony. It used to be so much more quiet. Not knowing much about wolves, Silas found himself without words. There was nothing to say anyway. The questions stayed longer in silence. Trying to find that space when thoughts were gone, Silas moved along old migratory routes. He could not see the packs behind him reawakening to the runs that development stole. They loped easily with him leading. He found that field without meaning to, saw meaning in that, and stretched out for a rest. The pack spread evenly among the older trees, waiting for him to rise. WeMerge Magazine - www.WeMerge.com

Saphron and Abraham Somehow Saphron complicated engineering. It was a knack he had down. Abraham came online in whirs and hums, still loading relevant data. He could not help but want the robot awake. The house felt warmer when Abraham was on. The robot was waiting for programs to install when he decided to alter his own coding on several areas that seemed inefficient. Saphron watched with pride while his creation found free will, believing that everything was operating as planned.The cold was hard on the wind. It blew through everything that Saphron was wearing. The jacket felt like glass against his skin and tears were burning on his cheeks. The field looked as frigid as he felt. Abraham was nowhere. The grasses were dead and flat in the wake of Fall’s arrival. Looking across the land, only the tree stood out. It sat tall and bare, exhausting Saphron as he walked against the weather toward the space it commanded. When he got there, all that way crossed, the WeMerge Magazine - www.WeMerge.com

data flooding him under panic that was humming above the currents, there was nothing to see. Saphron sat hard against the tree. The wind went clinical, howling hard under the bright grey sky. He heard the tone sequence. It was coming from the other side of the trunk. A flash of heat filled Saphron as he leapt up and came around the side of the tree, the bark burning his hands. Abraham was everywhere. Pieces scattered around the robot’s limp torso. An arm, a series of circuits, and clutched in the limb still attached, a crushed ball of Caribou heart. Even in that cold, the stink was all over the ground. Saphron wondered how he did not smell it before. The tones were fading, and as he tried to make sense of the scene, Saphron realized that he was not alone. Love was in his chest. It hurt against his eyes, it hurt in his breath, it opened in his stomach. Saphron was there with what mattered to him. Even in pieces, Abraham was still around. He forgot to be cold as he picked up his friend.

Cicily and

Sea Whip

Cicily sits on a rowboat built for failure. She doesn’t try to decipher the horizon that is now just blankets of snow. That is not why she is here. The ocean rides itself in to swells that build and stand proud over each other. Sea Whip is below and only knows the Pacific as heavy and slow. She has never been this close to air. Her mind drifts and rises like the swells that tear across the surface.

The Journey The journey starts with a single murder, and this journey has begun. As Oleander and Mint flee their home in the Appalachians, we meet a mostly metal robot, a concerned inventor, a creature from the depths of the sea wrestling with her place in evolution, and a crew of characters that somehow meet because of an unintentional death off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Love, murder, engineering, and evolution send this cast of lonely creatures into each other’s orbit finding out that time was always waiting. When Mint woke up she wondered what Oleander was doing. He was hours into his day when she swung her legs over the side of the bed. She moved around the kitchen while he walked through the cold wind rushing the channels between old growth and the stills that burned hidden along his route. She liked the way he smelled on those mornings. He reminded her of medicine and campfires, and she smiled when he opened the door. t

Oleander and Mint.com Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support 11

WeMergemusic

By Matt Beck

Productions otherly Love , founder of Br otos by Adam E. Smith ph

wise man - and South Florida music biz veteran once asked me why the hell I would consider getting into independent music promotion - alerting me to the fact that as a promoter, you’re the last to make money and the first to lose it. When we started Brotherly Love Productions a little over four years ago, we weren’t quite sure where it would lead. Energized by a deep love for the live music experience and an enthusiastic and malcontent community, we set the simple goal of “bringing the hottest up-and-coming regional and national live acts to South Florida while supporting the local underground music scene.” Which is much easier said than done. You’d think that, being the 8th largest U.S. metropolis with 5.6 million residents, South Florida would rival other like-sized music scenes like Philadelphia, Atlanta and San Francisco. However, the 110 mile stretch that ranges just 5-20 miles wide doesn’t provide a central downtown area for the masses to mingle. Instead, we have countless beach barrios with their own unique venues and vibe that instill the quaintness that I’ve grown to embrace and enjoy, but the perception of a lacking scene to connect to. The peninsula isolates us in two ways: a) it’s a long way for national acts to travel for one gig, and b) it is even further and more daunting for our homegrown talent to get out. Luring the touring talent down and keeping the local area artists nourished surpasses a simple juggling act. Maintaining relationships with stages from Stuart to Key West while booking acts from the four corners of the country and feeding an audience with an omniaural diet is more like being the ringleader of a sun baked circus. The show must go on! That’s what they say, right? Sometimes in this business, things happen that you can’t possibly plan for. One of our first gigs was at City Limits… the newer, indoor one. We brought Suenalo and their “afro-latin baby-makin’ descarga funk” up from Miami, knowing they’d be a hit on the hip Atlantic Avenue of Delray Beach. How could we ever guess that someone would pull the fire alarm? The building was cleared, inspected and reopened, but the power remained off for a considerable time. We looked to the band in desperation, sothey picked up their horns and copious percussion instruments and lead a procession through the club. Peaking atop the upper balcony, they played down to the crazy crowd before returning to the stage simultaneously with the electricity. Fast forward a few years to the same building and another big BLP show. This time we have Jacksonville’s electronic-fusion gang, Greenhouse Lounge, joining the SoFlo fold with electrosoul outfit, Aquaphonics. Imagine if the 10-piece Suenalo, who I agreed to pay accordingly, had only showed up with four players. It only makes sense that I’d express concern aside 12

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from not making much of a parade. This same concern can be felt if the crowd is thin or out of control. It can also be felt when a venue doesn’t represent itself as assumed it would. On this night, the venue’s struggling management felt threatened by my concern and became convinced the night would flop; thus deciding to drastically alter the course of the evening, upsetting fans and bands alike. It quickly became clear that this would be our last event here (under this management anyway), but there was no doubt what must be done as the party

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raged on! I was assured by text that those 200+ heads proved to need more than one bartender and would have probably paid the $10 cover as well… We believe that it’s important to stay consistent and do things for the right reason. If we abide by those two simple principles, opportunities will arise and the scene will blossom. We support the scene first and foremost - above any venue, band, fan or even Brotherly Love Productions - because if you don’t support the scene, there will be no scene to support! t

Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support 13

WeMergeArt

Cary Polkovitz W

ith a slight twinkle in his eye, a few wrinkles, and one of the most charismatic smiles around, Cary Polkovitz adds welcomed warmth to the Palm Beach art scene. His pleasant personality is in stark contrast to his rather stunningly dark paintings. He is an art director by day and then makes the seamless transformation into a modern day renaissance man at night, demonstrating his talents by painting live at various

By Nancy Brown

shows around Palm Beach. He is also an alum and current participant of Art Nouveau Events, taking no prisoners when it comes to his enthusiasm for every spectacular themed art event. His last Art Nouveau Event was based around vintage Hollywood, and he certainly did not disappoint. He pulled inspiration from cinematic genius Alfred Hitchcock and truly made scenes from “The Birds” and “Psycho”, come alive. Cary’s devotion to art and

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to the scene as a whole is undeniable. “Between the Art Nouveau Events shows and Art/Heart, as well as Art Rock and the rest, the exposure and the support is just addictive. When you get feedback, it just makes you want to do the work all the more.” Cary’s art is currently featured in Art/Heart at Green Room in Ft. Lauderdale. For more information about Cary Polkovitz:

www.Facebook.com/CaryPolkovitz t

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Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support 15

WeMergeCrafts

By Amanda Linton – Amanda@SugarCircus.com

Craft: [kraft, krahft]

an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill.

I was born into a family of makers, bakers, and true Do-It-Yourselfers. Women who could make something out of nothing. My mom’s family is from the country. When they wanted a new dress, they made it. When they wanted a cake, they baked it. These things were considered luxuries, and with a family of six, most everything you wanted was a luxury. My mom kept up the tradition of making and baking, and being crafty just became part of our family’s fabric. My childhood was filled with endless ideas and supplies to keep my little hands busy creating. We would regularly cook up fresh batches of play dough and my dolls always had newly sewn dresses from my mom’s scraps of fabric. My Barbie Dream House was even made from cardboard boxes complete with lampshades made out of upside down tooth paste caps. We were resourceful crafters for sure! Crafting regularly with my mom when I was younger is no doubt why I love all things handmade. The desire to share that love of crafting is why I started my Indie craft fair, Stitch Rock, in 2007. Stitch Rock was born out of love for all things handmade and the desire to show people that anyone can be crafty. I wanted to pay homage to the craft shows I grew up attending at churches and community centers by offering items made by the same old school crafting techniques, but with a new school flare. I did a lot of research and found there were people in my area making cool stuff, they just needed a place to come together. After lots of brainstorming with my creative and crafty friends, I had a plan and couldn’t wait to share it. I didn’t even care if I lost money putting on the craft show. I just wanted to bring people together and encourage them. I wanted to create a place and eventually a community that would inspire others. The first show was a huge success with lots of happy vendors and shoppers. I shopped until my little heart was content and met so many talented people who had been searching for a show like Stitch Rock. I was hooked and I knew this had to be an annual event. Now five years later, Stitch Rock has become a staple in the crafting community and I couldn’t be more proud of what it has turned into. Hundreds of crafters apply each year and I’m always amazed at the quality of the items for sale. You can find semi-precious jewelry to dresses made of out rock-n-roll t-shirts. There truly is something unique for everyone, but most importantly it has become a great place to meet new friends and connect with other creative people. Having thousands of people in one place enjoying the same esthetic is a match made in crafty heaven! Stitch Rock has not only become a successful show, but has proven to be an inspiration for other people to start crafting! Many of those first

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time shoppers have now returned as vendors, and nothing makes me happier than to see them peddling their wares. It has always been about supporting and encouraging others to do what makes them happy and Stitch Rock is giving people an outlet to do just that. The response has been so positive overall, that I have created three other sister shows to give even more people a chance to get involved. There is Art Rock in West Palm, Downtown Open Market in Boca and Retro Indie Market in Boynton. Running these shows has become my full time â&#x20AC;&#x153;real jobâ&#x20AC;?, but I still make time to get crafty with my own projects, too. t

www.RockTheStitch.com www.ArtRockRocks.com www.DowntownOpenMarket.com www.RetroIndieMarket.com

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Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support 17

WeMergeArt

Amanda Valdes B

orn in Miami and raised in Palm Beach Gardens, Amanda Valdes has broken new ground in the West Palm Beach Art Scene with a vision that appeals to the masses. Picking up a paintbrush at the age of two, she began painting with all of the whimsy and fantasy that she still does today. Amanda found herself at a crossroads at the age of 19, while attending the Art Institute for graphic design and supporting herself financially as a makeup artist. When an injury prevented her from working and continuing her studies, she began to paint again and it wasn’t long before her passion took over. She quickly traded in a blush brush for acrylic and the rest, as they say, is history. It’s hard to mistaken the artist when encountering one of her many provocative characters. Her work mostly focuses on female identity and the way that she expresses herself through her creations. Only two male characters have been painted to date, one of which was inspired by a real life romance between her mother and an old flame. Her paintings are primarily Acrylic on canvas, but she has been known to incorporate watercolor, spray paint, and other mediums as well. She is influenced by society’s trends, music, fairytales, medieval centuries, Greek mythology, and the Elizabethan era. Her inspiration can also be found in music and lyrics by various artists when naming her paintings. Amanda Valdes has a strong presence in the South Florida art scene and is looking forward to expanding in other markets across the world. She was recently commissioned to paint a second original large-scale mural inside of one of West Palm Beach’s oldest nightlife establishments, Respectable Street Café, in celebration of their 21st and 22nd Anniversaries. The first mural took 5 ½ days to complete, and the second stretched over 10 days and is viewed by hundreds of people on a nightly basis. In addition to her mural work, she has been honored as the first female-featured artist at Urban Outfitters in Palm Beach Gardens. More displays of her artwork can be found at Howley’s Restaurant and Monarchy Nightclub in West Palm Beach, LF Stores in Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, and Ft. Lauderdale, Bond Street Salon and DaDa Restaurant in Delray Beach, Bear and Bird Boutique & Gallery in Lauderhill, and The Vagabond in Miami. “I like variety, originality, and spontaneity. My work is constantly evolving and my goal is to continue to reflect my views of the world, while sharing those views with as many people as possible.” –A. Valdes t

www.AmandaValdes.com

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Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support 19

WeMergeGraffiti

Photography by: Tim

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From

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Classrooms by Seth “Brimstone” Schere, info@brimstone127.com

ip Hop culture consists of 4 main artistic elements, Rappin’, Breakin’, Writin’ and Deejayin’. The 5th element: Knowledge, Wisdom and Overstanding, unites all the elements under one umbrella known as Hip Hop. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, young Hiphoppas were usually taught the rules and ropes of Hip Hop culture by a mentor. During this early period of Hip Hop, the elements were approached from a pluralistic standpoint. Although Hiphoppas were often known for one or two of the four main artistic elements, they still learned about and participated in all of them. A BBoy (dancer) would have a tag, a rhyme and a scratch to match. More recently, Hip Hop has taken on a singular approach. Most Hiphoppas engage in just one of the four main artistic elements with very little knowledge of or connection to the other elements. For example, an MC no longer learns about Writing (Urban Art), BBoying or Deejaying. The MC focuses on improving his/her rap skills, but may have little knowledge of the history and foundation of emceeing. This may lead to the mastery of one’s own style in a single element, but disconnects the artist from the pluralistic foundation of Hip Hop culture. There are benefits and disadvantages to both the singular and plural approaches to Hip Hop. The “Hip Hop Pluralist” experiences the culture in its entirety and is empowered to be a carrier of the culture. Similar to a jack-ofall-trades, he/she has the ability to perform basic skills in every element. The downside to this, however, is that in the digital age, many fail to acknowledge that years of experience in the culture cannot be acquired overnight by using DIY tutorials. The Hip Hop pluralist may spend many years building skills

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and knowledge in any one element while he/she devotes time to learning, studying or practicing the other elements simultaneously. The singular approach is quite different. The Hiphoppa focuses on only one of the elements, which allows him/her to become engrossed in it by devoting many hours of practice, study and research. This approach lacks a unified overstanding and is often mentorless. This is made possible because resources such as books, movies, lectures, the internet and courses are readily available. These sources were previously scarce and in many cases nonexistent. The disadvantage to learning Hip Hop in a singular fashion is that the Hiphoppa usually has a limited knowledge of the foundation and origins of the culture. In the absence of a well-versed mentor or teacher, the singular Hiphoppa experiences Hip Hop only partially. The best way to experience Hip Hop culture is to get out and participate in it. Go to a jam, be surrounded by and participate in all of the elements. Get a mentor or teacher who is well versed in all areas of the culture, not just one or two. The pluralistic Hiphoppa is more likely to be exposed to a broad Hip Hop network by seeking knowledge in all of the elements. This outreach will allow him/her to dig deeper into themselves, their community, and the world. We do not live on this earth alone, so why become isolated, singular individuals? Let Hip Hop serve as a microcosm of how we should live – We are a plural people in a singular world – let’s act like it. t

Breakin @ Propaganda, Lake Worth

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JeanPaul Mallozzi was born and raised in Queens NYC, and received a scholarship to attend the Rhode Island School Of Design (RISD). He graduated with a B.F.A in Illustration and Fine Arts. He currently resides in Miami,FL trying to avoid the sun on a daily basis. For freelance work, purchasing originals, commissions, prints, or just random goodness, contact: jeanpaulmallozzi@gmail.com t

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Lee Ginton is a talented 17-yr-old artist and photographer, born in Israel, now living in South Florida. She has had a love of all things artistic for as long as she can remember, with her strong passion for photography coming into focus in her early teens. By the time she reached High School, Lee realized it was something she wanted to pursue

at the next level. Her photography shows the world from an adolescent perspective, eloquently reflecting the emotions that she shares with her teenage peers. She favors both high fashion and conceptual photography. Her unique point of view helps express the innocent beauty she finds in life and her art. She also loves fat kitties. t

Lee Ginton Retail prices: Bird Dress $110, Jumper: $120 - PinkSlipThreads.com

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Sticky, M calves lipe Gon n Meles a and Fe h is es & Elo ll lv A y ca B n o G a h is y All Photos b

t was that time of the year again, Warped Tour time! The South Florida Farigrounds and Cruzan Amphitheatre prepared for the festival that rocked West Palm Beach on July 30, 2011. Warped has been touring the US and making kids happy since 1994. From its humble punk beginnings it has become a staple in every south Floridian teens life, and has grown on a massive scale to be the best collaborated show to see. Nothing else compares. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always in the sticky, muggy, and intensely sunny South Florida summer but worth suffering the heat for. Warped Tour is an all day festival featuring around 85 bands from all different genres of music. This year it sought out to have new vendors featuring a free water refilling station, and an $8.50 Warped Food Deal giving discounts on meals inside the venue to help us survive the all

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day onslaught of moshing and running from stage to stage to catch the bands play. No matter how strong the heat, it brings me back every year. Most kids are enjoying the show and at the same time making plans for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event because it is just that essential. So many awesome bands played; some old and some new. This was my third year going, (my second consecutive) and it gets better every time. We were sweating, dancing and moshing all day long to our favorite bands and we all seem connected. Everyone is there

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Muggy, & Intensely Sunny South Florida to have a great time and watch the biggest and brightest play to the rowdiest crowd ever. nce the gates open, you grab a schedule and then head out to a stage to see the first bands play and from there itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s literally nonstop until the last band. The bands this year were always smiling, entertained by the crowd giving it their all. The Black Veil Brides stage presence was just awesome and they rocked it like no one else. We Came As Romans, August Burns Red and Asking Alexandria were one of the main bands that had the crowd echoing their choruses. Surely, the most remarkable moment at the whole

fest, was seeing the multitude gathering for A Day To Remember. They certainly drew like no other band. The crowd moshed so intensely that they created a dust cloud that blanketed the entire place. It was epic seeing The Devil Wears Prada because, as a fan of their music for years now, I saw them live this year for the first time and it all came together for me. The crowd just rioted throughout their entire set even thought we were all exhausted from the long dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer heat. It was just the right way to end another great year at Warped Tour. For those of you who missed it we hope you can make it for next year. You will not be disappointed. t For a complete list of all bands that played 7/30/11 at Cruzan Amphitheatre and for more info visit:

vanswarpedtour.com

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Warped through the ages Brian Breslaw powernap@wemerge.com

“What’d you do this summer?” A question of the ages. Well, I’m middle class so I didn’t go to Spain or France. I went to Warped Tour. A music fest I’ve been attending since ‘95 and I guess I’m proud of that? So first off, the humor in my attending the Warp these days is that the Warp is a grenade-launching-stealth-bomber-jet and it’s targeting kids ages 14-21. And when I say targeting, I mean it’s under their beds, it’s behind the car seat, it’s watching you while you sleep, it’s the hot laptop on your legs...that kind of targeting. So at 31 years old, I’m not exactly their prime target, which is probably why I find this fest the most entertaining/humorous. The reason I STILL attend, primarily, would have to be due to my history with this culture and punk scene. And although the bands that you’ll see today sound nothing like they did in ‘95, it’s still fun to see what the new school kids are listening to while they bang their heads against the wall. Doors open at noon. That means you’ll be hungover and in line at 7-11 to buy a case of Miller High Life by 10:30. Yes, you have to pre-game. Beers are $8 a pop once you get inside. So, now you’re a little buzzed and you may or may not get patted down by security because of 9-11, R.I.P. The first thing you’re gonna hear is distorted ripping guitars, double bass drums thrashing, and a 22 yr. old white kid with long black hair screaming bloody murder into a mic. This is awkward at first, but you’ll get used to it. At this point you hope that’s just the local metal band and the talent will progress throughout the day. But it won’t. It’s pretty much what every band will sound like for the next 10 hours. Yep, 10 hours of hardcore punk under the blistering unforgiving Florida sun. There is almost no relief from the noise and heat you’re about to endure on this Saturday adventure. It is then, that you will realize how intoxicated you will need to become in order to make this day a “good time.” Around 4 or 5 p.m. is when the “warp” will kick in. You’re drunk, making friends, passing bowls in the pit. What will also come as a surprise is that you’ll find yourself almost enjoying the music. You really don’t have a choice. Every band has those same lines, “I wanna see you guys jump around”, “put your hands together”, “start this fuckin pit.” So you kinda roll your eyes and laugh, but you also join in at the same time. Especially because the music is 8 billion decibels. For me, it’s altogether a nostalgic experience. Seeing the teens run around in their homemade t-shirts from stage to stage to watch their favorite bands. It HAS gotten to be a much more coorporate event. But that’s to be expected. The kids today have a much larger sense of security then we did 15 years ago. But for me, that takes away a lot of ‘the edge’ that the tour used to carry with it. t

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Francis Ledbetter

Francis Ledbetter Hustles Hard! Not only does he put in a full day of work busting his ass for Kaplan University International Marketing Department and moonlighting as a concierge for the upper echelon of the elderly in Aventura, he is the mastermind and artist behind “Ignorant Art On A Sticky Note.” The miniature masterpieces come from a complicated young mind that draws inspiration from coffee shops, his cat, college football, beer, friends and music, in no particular order. “Its amazing how much you can learn about life, by just waiting for stuff to happen.” Simply crafted and splashed with color, the illustrations catch your eye, eventually drawing you to the captions containing points of view and opinions that many share, but few are fearless enough to let them flow freely. While the 3x3 canvasses often take less than five minutes for Francis to create, the imagery and message were molded from hours, days or even years of keen observations by the well respected and all around upstanding citizen of the artistic community. Committed to his career, his education and his girlfriend, art often takes a backseat in his bigger picture planning, but the talent and drive is there, anxiously waiting to be unleashed. For more on Francis and his unique artistic contributions go to

squirreljunkie.com. t

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Abril Andrade

versized eyeballs are the center of attention in the wicked world of Abril Andrade’s imagination. Her art is most commonly referred to as “creepy cute.” The first thing I thought of when I saw Abril’s artwork was the Canadian Band, The Birthday Massacre. The big eyes are, in fact, creepy and cute. Her use of vibrant colors leaves a vivid design etched in your mind, which you take with you, much like the way the image of a light bulb shines beneath your eyelids after blinding your eyes closed. Her surreal little critters peer at you, giving you the feeling you are not only being watched, but that the character on the canvas is about to take to life, and either dance you a jig, or stab you in the face. Although menacing, the creatures Abril brings to life so well on canvas are simultaneously adorable in appearance, much like the dolls which attacked Barbarella in the classic Jane Fonda film. It is not surprising that her works resemble dolls, for she became enamored by dolls and figurines as a small child and this seed grew into an integral part of her art today. IAlso intriguing are the reflecting white dots in the eyes of her characters. Every piece seems to have these white flecks in common. Cute babylike faces evoke your inner child and all of the fears you may have felt as a child, as well as the beauty in what you once feared, for it no longer has any hold over you; your transcendence into adulthood negating the hold your former bogeymen may have had over you in the past. Even though she was accepted to and attended a fine art school, Universidad – Lleida, in Lleida, Spain, her adorably dark style was already infused within her when she discovered the Gothic subculture as a young teen. She loves to paint.

She has been quoted that she paints every waking hour. She can also handle herself in other mediums as well, including sculpture and the crafting of ornaments and Chinese pu-pots. We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Abril to ask her a few questions: WeMerge: What do you like and dislike most about your artwork? Abril: I like, of course, the eyes. I try to have them stand out more than the rest of the painting. And I dislike hands. I have a hard time paintings hands; they never end up like I want them and I have to go back and work on them a few times after everything else is done.

WM: I know you create from inspiration such as children’s books, etc. Do you ever draw on/from emotion? Abril: Every day, events and life are a part of my inspiration when I paint, and if one day I’m a little blue or something, it does reflect on my art. Things look darker, more melancholic compared with other works. WM: You have a lot of tattoo work. Has your work been tattooed on other people? What is the freshest piece of yours that someone has on them? Abril: I get a lot of messages asking permission to get a piece tattooed. For someone to like my work and want to have it on their bodies for the rest of their lives is a big honor. The last piece I’ve seen is a tattoo by Matt Griffith of my painting The Ax Girl.

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By Kyle Willis – kyle@notjustapen.net

WM: Has there ever been a piece you just couldn’t bring yourself to part with? Abril: There have been a few of them, those special ones that you work and work on, and when you think it’s done you go back to see it and touch up here and there; and you might have given a little more love than other pieces. Yes, its definetly hard to let go. Usually that happens when I do commissions, but it’s not my painting, its someone else’s so I have to let it go. WM: If you were asked for advice by an artist just starting to realize that they had talent, what direction would you offer them? Abril: I would say practice. What I do and what has worked very well for me is to look at one of your favorite artist’s work and try to figure out how they did it; how they got the colors so bright or the contrast of shadows. Look it up close. Its funny when I go to an art gallery I’m always looking so up close my face almost touches the canvas to see the brush strokes and lines. Its funny, people just stare at me. Abril may paint a seemingly shy line of characters, but don’t let her fool you. She is no stranger to attention. Her art has been featured in many magazines and rests in the collections of appreciating owners across the globe. Stop by her website, www.abrilandrade.com, or add her on MySpace, www.myspace.com/zachiel. She will gladly accept your request and do her best to get to know you. But be warned: ask for a free sketch or tattoo and you will get nunchucked. You’re barking up the wrong tree. Abril supports her family with her art and she has no problem letting people know that, along with being her passion, art is also her livelihood. Abril resides with her husband, Matt Griffith, their beautiful daughter, Lucy, and an adorable Chihuahua named Seven. t

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The Heavy Pets Embrace Their Softer Side By Adam E. Smith

n a music climate defined by push-button producers and popularity through obscurity, the art of building a sound from the ground up has not only become an uncommon approach, but more of an archaic methodology for the modern musician. Marketing has always been the name of the game in mainstream music, but even the counter-culture has bought in for better or worse. The power of a grassroots approach to touring and evolving, via time vested in hard work, has been replaced by social media saturation and big label bombardment. Despite the odds against, the true artist still has a place for those that pay attention and can ultimately thrive under the aforementioned principles. When the third wave jam band scene erupted in the wake of genre heavyweight, Phish’s, second hiatus, a void opened in the landscape for young music troupes. Among them, a fortuitous Fort Lauderdale quintet of rock mavericks that go by name The Heavy Pets.

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For the past six years, the band has brewed a strong local buzz that has spilled beyond the region. They are multi-talented, motivated and seem to live for the music beyond the normal artist’s call of duty. These principles are aligning as they cut Swim Out Past the Sun (an introspective acoustic record featuring new-grass pioneer David Grisman), embark on yet another extensive East Coast tour and push a spectrum of side projects in their “spare time.” I spent a few evenings with The Heavy Pets’ guitarists, Jeff Lloyd and Mike Garulli, at their studio while listening to Swim Out Past the Sun. As the album played we discussed making an acoustic album, working with David Grisman and what the future holds for the band. WeMerge: Although some of the songs on the record are in The Heavy Pets live rotation, these are entirely new takes. Where did the idea for an acoustic album come from and what was it like doing something so different?

Jeff Lloyd: We are such an aggressive band, typically, that it’s an idea that we have always toyed around with. Many of our songs are written and first shared with the rest of the band on acoustic guitar. We use a gaggle of effects and synthesizers live, so we thought it would be fun to strip things down and let the tunes and individual performances shine in a fresh new light. WM: This album has the infamous longtime Jerry Garcia collaborator, David Grisman, aka Dawg, sitting in on three tracks. How did that opportunity come about? How was the experience working with him? JL: We were recording the album out in California and our producer, Scott Mathews, thought that a few tracks would fit well with Grisman. He made the call and things fell into place. He came in and laid down his parts after hearing them a few times. Most of what you hear is his take on what would go well with the song, and he basically improvised it into the recording.

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Pet Projects

Mike Garulli: Recording with him was an incredible experience and having him appear on our record is a tremendous honor. He taught us much and simply crushed his performances on our tunes.

Fat Mannequin is the acoustic outlet of guitarists Jeff Lloyd & Mike Garulli, along with bassist, Justin Carney. Lather Up! is the jazz/groove trio of keyboardist Jim Wuest, drummer Jamie Newitt & bassist Carney. DuBBle James is the live instrumental/dubstep project of Wuest on keyboards/gadgetry & Newitt on drums. The Ginger Bakers are the power trio alter ego of Lloyd, Carney & Newitt.

WM: David Grisman is not the only person who got to play on the album. Who else did you collaborate with?

l Art Accomplice

JL: We also had the pleasure of working with Shana Morrison (Van’s daughter) on vocals and Michael Kammers who wrote, arranged, and recorded the horn parts for “Lantern.”

Mark T. Smith is a celebrated American painter best known for his colorful, complex paintings and his passion for the application of art into the fabric of everyday life. His first commission came at the age of 22 from Walt Disney World. Other patrons include MTV, VH1, Absolut, Budweiser and AT&T. His paintings hang on the walls of Elton John, Jay Leno and Neil Diamond to name a few.

WM: Speaking of collaborations, you guys will be on Jam Cruise in January, which stops in Haiti. As musicians in South Florida, a region densely populated with a Haitian community, how important is it for you to support their relief efforts there? JL: We are donating a portion of the proceeds from Swim Out Past the Sun, as well as organizing several fundraisers for Positive Legacy, for this cause. Jam Cruise ports in Labadee, Haiti for this reason, and we want to use this unique opportunity to help. WM: The new album has some really beautiful cover art. Where did that come from? MG: That is actually a painting done by Mark T. Smith. Our drummer Jamie (Newitt)’s dad is an art teacher at a school in Delaware that Mark attended, and they have remained in contact and collaborated over the years. He agreed to continue that artist-to-artist relationship with the next generation and give us this to use for our cover. WM: What can we expect from The Heavy Pets in the future? JL: Expect the new record to surprise you and, of course, a lot more touring. We are also currently hard at work on yet another album

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- a self-produced double-disc recorded in our own studio in Delray Beach, FL. Going above and beyond by contributing proceeds to Haiti from record sales while on the road, The Heavy Pets have moved beyond simply being a band and are now a local institution. This is the same band that played their first show by finagling a spot at a Fort Lauderdale apartment complex pool after Hurricane Wilma, a show played to a crowd that needed an outlet to escape the aftermath of that vicious storm. The very genesis of the band has evolved to reach a more expansive rendition of living the creed of fan and philanthropy coming first. The Heavy Pets will return to Florida on October 9th for the Langerado Music Festival in Sunrise before wrapping up the tour with the official Swim Out Past The Sun record release party at The Stage in Miami on October 22nd. t

Music Can Matter

Positive Legacy, the nonprofit arm of Cloud 9 Adventures who produces events such as Jam Cruise and Holidaze, creates meaningful opportunities to inspire musicians and fans to participate in humanitarian and environmental service outreach projects together, bettering the lives of those who inhabit the communities visited while traveling and attending music events around the globe.

The Heavy Pets Fall Tour: 9/1 - Brass Lantern - Reading, PA 9/2 - River Street Jazz Cafe - Plains, PA** 9/3 - Tuna Fest - Morrisville, PA 9/4 – Mount Snow Brewers Festival - Mt. Snow, VT 9/5 – Evolvefest Music & Yoga Festival - Vernon, NJ 9/7 - Blockley - Philadelphia, PA 9/8 - Westcott Theater - Syracuse, NY** 9/10 - Catskill Chill Music Festival - Hancock, NY 9/15 – The 8X10 - Baltimore, MD** 9/16 - Wormtown Music Festival - Greenfield, MA 9/17 – Nectar’s - Burlington, VT** 9/18 - Matterhorn - Stowe, VT 9/22 – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern - Cleveland, OH 9/23 - Stage on Herr - Harrisburg, PA 9/24 - Mojo on Main - Newark, DE** 9/29 - Daniel Street Club - Milford, CT 9/30 - Jillian’s - Albany, NY** 10/1 - Stir Fry Music Revival - Wind Gap, PA 10/8 - Double Down Live - Gainesville, FL 10/9 - Langerado Music Festival - Sunrise, FL 10/13 - Roxy’s - West Palm Beach, FL 10/14 - Green Parrot - Key West, FL** 10/15 - Green Parrot - Key West, FL** 10/16 - Fury Sunset Cruise - Key West, FL 10/22 - The Stage - Miami, FL – Swim Out Past The Sun Album Release Party **Denotes Swim Out Past The Sun Pre-Release Party Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support 3333

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Special thanks to the hair dressers: Natalia, Joanne, and Nanette and our beautiful models: Itzel, Michele, and Sheila. We would also like to thank Kris Starry of StarryNightPhotography.net for the amazing photos. Gari you are the best!

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ow with TWO convenient locations, Hair On Fire Salon is your full service hair and beauty destination. Offering classy and sexy designer cuts and brilliant color services at incredibly affordable prices! Specializing in 100% organic coloring and certified Keratin treatments, their highly trained and extremely accommodating staff of stylists and color experts work hand-in-hand with you to help fulfill your every hair care and style desire. They will pamper and please, sending you home with whatever simple, sexy or sophisticated style you seek. No matter what the moment calls for, one thingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for sure: you will leave there looking HOT!!! Walk-ins welcome 7 days a week, but feel free to call for an appointment or consultation. t

GREAT SERVICE, SEXY HAIRâ&#x20AC;ŚWHY PAY MORE?!

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Blessed to experience the light, love, & positive energy

Photo By: Natasha Kertes

he people that had the pleasure to know Troy Longhurst were blessed to experience the light, love, and positive energy that shinned brightly throughout his messages and everyday life. Troy owned and operated his video production company, Focused Vision, from 2002. He produced and directed images worldwide for Kodak, Motorola, Cops, as well as countless other TV Shows and music videos. He performed under his persona Telle Crooks. Telle Crooks “is a state of mind, a way of life... Free identity... Positive people making this world a better place.’’ Troy and I founded the record label, Death Proof, to put out Web Three. Troy was a walking advertisement, living and breathing our dream, and stopping at nothing to achieve our goals. The irony that surrounds Troy being taken from this planet is truly shocking, sobering, and devastating. As I sit here writing this, reminiscing, remembering, and reflecting on what he/we stand for, i can’t help but to be drawn back to my quotable from the Summer 2011 issue of WeMerge Magazine. The first line of the article reads... “Don’t kill yourself. Don’t kill people.” I never thought I was talking to us. “Death Proof” - Creating something that can outlive our physical time in this world. To leave something behind that can affect people even after we are gone. A true movement strong enough to live forever. They can’t kill our ideas. That’s Death Proof. “No more Pain. Know more Love. And now... No more Guns.” Troy Ashley Longhurst is my brother, friend, business partner, rock, and hope. I never imagined doing any of this without him. I/we are committed to keep his dreams and aspirations alive by carrying on and finishing what we started. Troy had so much more to offer and was robbed of that, taken too soon. One bullet stopped our world from spinning and altered so many of our lives. No one wins. But we cannot be bitter. Troy would not want that. Keep it movin’. For life does go on and the world does continue to spin. I hope I can be the voice of everyone when I say this is a new book that has never been read before. Never even written. This is the first chapter. Not the end. Everyday is a new page. “Team Green Light” stand up. No more brakes. We will be aware and drive safely, but we have no more time to stop and wait. The love that Troy has left behind combined with the unbelievable amount of love we have for Troy is so great, that if we all come together we can bring his light to the darkness in the ways he always dreamed. “Keep Dreaming ‘bout a better day...” “Until we meet again...” - William “Web Three” Bachelor “Death Proof” t

Tribute Video: Youtube.com/WebThreeMusic Youtube.com/DeathProofFilms Youtube.com/TelleCrooks 36

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PHOTO BY OMAR AM

ADOR PHOTOGRA

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PHY

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The Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next Gallery

Vote for Your Favorite

ere, in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;W

from artists w

email us and t

a free 2-page spread

have your work shown

Gabriel Velasquez - Inner Path

Christopher Brennan - Baxter

Xibie Corea - Jorge

Gina Bentivegna - Puc

Paul Caprio - Bird

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Who’s Next Gallery,” we provide you with some samples

we are considering for the next issue. We invite you to

tell us which artist’s work you like best. The winner gets

in the following issue. Also email us if you would like to

n in the Who’s Next Gallery. t editor@wemerge.com

ckerUp

Enrico Morales - Bent Between Dimensions Henriett Michel - Inspiration

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his November, poi spinners, hoop dancers, staff spinners, yogis and other aficionados of dance and flow arts from around the Southeast will descend on downtown Delray Beach for three days of madness and magic. It’s called Florida Flow Fest, and it’s the hottest new event to grow out of the internationally emerging flow arts movement. In its first year, Florida Flow Fest is bringing enough heat to inspire, instruct and uplift this entire state of the art! What are Flow Arts? Flow arts are forms of movement and dance that utilize props to enter a state of flow, described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi as an exhilarating transcendent way of being in which effortless control and peak skill seem to erase a sense of time. As contact juggler, Richard Hartnell, describes, “In the circus arts, we call this object manipulation… for me, the flow arts began as a hobby and over time they became something more like a spiritual practice.” Flow arts props include poi, staff and hoops; dancers manipulate props to add to the expressive qualities of their dance. The result is an awe-inspiring visual spectacle of improvised movement that inspires an audience to reconsider its own kinetic possibilities. The festival promises workshops for beginners through experts in a variety of flow art disciplines. Organizers are bringing world-renowned spinners, movers and shakers together to present workshops over the three days. The master workshop instructors en route to South Florida bring decades of combined experience in teaching and performing. Hoop dancers include: the “mother of modern hooping” Anah “Hoopalicious” Reichenbach, as seen in the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent season 1, numerous music videos cameos and profiled in film festival favorite documentary, “The Hooping Life;” Julia Hartsell and Rainbow Michael Haynes of Synergy Firehoops; hooping phenom, Brecken Rivera; Poi and staff spinner, Lester Mooney, from the world-renowned

performance group Fire Groove; and Zan Moore, creator of the technical poi-spinning series “Encyclo-poi-dia.” Contact-juggling master and Flow Toys artist-in-residence, Richard Hartnell, and local yogi extraordinare, Troy Mills, will also lead master workshops in their distinctive specialties. Local studios and movement arts groups like Delray Acro on the Green, Groovolution Dance Studio in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth’s Downtown Dance and Delray Beach-based Capoeira Karkara will lead mini-workshops alongside flow arts instructors from around the state. Cory Oliver, a contact juggler, and Groovolution Dance Studio instructor is one of many local flow artists eager to work with the movement arts community at large during this event. “I’m really looking forward to being a part of South Florida’s first major flow arts festival. I’m excited to see the community come

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um – hoopso

Tannenba by Casandra

together and to be both teacher and student.” Tickets are already on sale for this first ever local flow arts extravaganza, and include unlimited workshops, round-table discussions, jams and parties throughout the weekend. Fire By The Palm Productions and Pyro-Fusion will also produce an epic performance by the hottest fire dancers around, 8pm Friday November 4th, FREE to the public, at Old School Square. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy and learn from the peak performers and innovators in cutting edge movement art techniques, right here in your own backyard! Catch yourself in the spin of things this fall. Visit www.floridaflowfest.com or find us on Facebook for more information. t

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WeMergeArt

Miguel Paredes

elebrated Miami-based pop and multimedia artist, sculptor and urban realist Miguel Paredes is pleased to announce his involvement as a judge in this year’s BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series. The artist is set to help BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, Russell & Danny Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and Complex Media launch a nationwide search to identify the finest undiscovered talent in the field of visual arts. June 8, 2011 marked the kickoff of the 2nd Annual BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series, when the next wave of artists seeking their national breakthrough were invited to enter the competition. With the impressive range of talent showcased in last year’s program, including nearly 2,000 artist entries and over 175,000 fans from across the country voting to select their favorite works, the expectations of this year’s candidates are exceedingly high. “The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series has established itself as a platform for emerging artists who seek to shape our contemporary cultural landscape—artists who look to defy boundaries with the power of their imagination,” 44

says Russell Simmons, Chairman of GlobalGrind. com and co-founder of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. “With the extraordinary success of last year’s program, I am excited to see what emerges from this year’s roster of talent.” This year, submissions will be reviewed by the program’s esteemed panel of judges, including Rush Philanthropic Vice Chairman, Co-Founder and artist, Danny Simmons, program curator, Andre Guichard, and other curators, and museum heads from around the country, including cutting edge artist, Miguel Paredes. Miguel Paredes’ involvement as a judge in The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series is a reflection of his ongoing philanthropic outreach to aspiring artists and enthusiasts. His participation in Wynwood’s monthly Art Walk allows Paredes to reach potential collectors, art lovers and artists alike in a social and welcoming environment. In the coming months he will use Wynwood’s 2nd Saturdays Art Walk as an avenue to search for young talent. Paredes encourages artists to take advantage of the opportunity presented with The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE

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Artisan Series as it allows them to expose their work in a way they would not ordinarily be able to and potentially gain national exposure. “As an artist, it is an honor to be a judge for this year’s BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Artisan Series. I am looking forward to meeting many of South Florida’s great undiscovered talents and I’m equally as excited to be a mentor and review their work,” says Paredes. “The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and Bombay Sapphire are providing emerging artists with an opportunity of a lifetime.” Following the submission phase, the panel will invite select artists to display their work at a sequence of gallery exhibits, taking place from September thru November in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Two artists will be chosen from each semi-final to compete in the finale during Art Basel Miami, one of the world’s premiere art events. Following the Art Basel finale, co-hosted by Russell Simmons, they will have their work installed at Rush Arts Gallery and Resource Center in New York for the month of February 2012. WeMerge Magazine - www.WeMerge.com

About

Miguel Paredes

Paredes, a New York native, is an Urban Realist who combines cutting-edge techniques of street art, pop art and Japanese animation to create his own genre of trend-forward pieces. Drawing inspiration from pop icons such as his own mentor, Ronnie Cutrone, Andy Warhol’s immediate assistant at The Factory during the notorious pop artist’s most productive and prestigious years, Warhol himself, and Keith Haring, Paredes has created his own unique and explosive style. His combination of street graffiti, landscape and pop art has propelled his crossover from street walls during his days as a student at the prestigious Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and Art in the ‘80s, to becoming a highly regarded creator of fine decorative art, prized by collectors from Los Angeles to Seoul.

Clowning : 40” x 40” Acrylic & Oil on Canvas : 2009

Pulgha Flight in Oil : 54” x 54” Oil on Print 2011

Paredes

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, now Miami-based, has become one of the local art scene’s most prosperous artists. “Pulgha World,” an 18x26 mosaic mural donated by the artist on August 2010, is a colorful landmark located in the heart of Wynwood Arts District, and his nearby new solo space, Miguel Paredes Fine Art Gallery, opened on February 2011 to rave reviews. Furthermore, he recently became the first Miami-Dade resident to ever receive simultaneous proclamations from the City of Miami Beach and Village of Pinecrest honoring his artistic donation to the Miami Design Preservation League’s Art Deco Welcome Center and support of historic preservation, devotion to the city and positive impact on the community. The artist is also well-known for his iconic, Japanese anime-inspired digital series, Pulgha™ & Birds.In this delightful collection, Pulgha™, a magical flea, and her friends the spirited Birds, Yori & Kosue, join forces for good. An original, branded cartoon series based on these creations is being represented by the William Morris Endeavor Agency and a new collection of fine oil paintings is being developed. Moreover, Paredes continues to make his mark by further expanding his inspirational environment while simultaneously showcasing his works at local, national and international shows, including Artist-In-Residence at the iconic National Hotel during Art Basel Miami Beach, 2010. For more information, please visit: www.miguelparedes. com t Support the Scene or There Will Be No Scene to Support 45

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WeMergeFilm

By Alan Pincus

hey say it’s not what you know, but who you know. They are the urban masses running the gauntlet of subjugation, being consumed by the never ending maze of contacts and connections. Allowing the tail to wag the dog. The dog being the product of an artist’s work, and the tail being the means by which he gets to share it. You can thank the curators of the L-Dub Festival, Kenneth Mark Greenbaum, owner of Majik Robot Films and Festival director, and Tracy Holstein, Festival co-founder and Stonzek Theatre Manager, for their commitment to keeping this non-profit festival open to film makers of all levels of experience and all financial situations. Kenny has mentored, believe it or not, an 11 year old who is submitting a film. Kenny started an on-air news program in the North Grade Elementary School, which has, in its first year, produced an 11-year-old film maker.

All this is being done without any grants or outside funding. Hey, all you philanthropists, how would you like to be nurturing (with money) a prodigy like this? At the festival, this talented young filmmaker will be able to correspond with filmmakers, directors, writers and actors of all levels and locations. The L-Dub is a local festival, but has in its 2nd year already attracted an international allegiance. As of publishing this article, the L-Dub Festival has commitments from across the country and England. Last year, 55 film makers submitted their work. This year there will be 4 hours of student showcase, and meeting rooms for after-hour film discussions. Im sure Kenny’s prodigy will be holding center stage there. How lucky we are to be a part of a community who’s patronage is based solely on talent, where the purveyors of this endeavor gain fulfillment by exposing talent. Their only goal is to cajole the artist to achieve,

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and giving him the platform to display it on the entrance for this opportunity is not in some upper floor of some sisiphean skyscraper, but rather on ground level of a quaint street in a small town which now has an internationally known address. And an infinite possibility factor. For the first time this year, the L-Dub Festival will be giving a Community Spirit Award. It’s recipient, Garrett M. Brown is not only a well known and respected actor/director/writer, but is also a patron of the arts. He has mentored many a young talent through his eclectic relationships with the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York and the LA Project (East-LA), of which he is chairman of the board, and the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) Youth Theatre, which he helped create. It is fitting that he be the first recipient of this award as he encompasses the essence of community spirit. t

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History of the Lake Worth Playhouse

he Lake Worth Playhouse occupies the former Oakley Theatre, the oldest building on the Register of the Art Deco Society of Palm Beach County. The original structure was built in the Moorish Art Deco style, but later modified to Streamlined Moderne, a stylized Art Deco form. In the early

1920’s, brothers Clarence and Lucian Oakley arrived in Lake Worth from Illinois with the specific intention of building a movie palace. If you look up at the theatre’s Pecky Cypress beams supporting the ceiling, you can still see the initials “O” and “T” that stand for Oakley Theatre stenciled there. Municipal records reveal that the original building permit was secured in April, 1924. The theatre first opened its doors on November 3, 1924, with local newspapers proudly touting its $150,000 cost indeed a very high price at the start of the Depression. On opening night, patrons were treated to a showing of a silent movie, a concert featuring the new $10,000 Wurlitzer pipe organ (with built in piano) and a five piece orchestra from Fort Lauderdale. Also appearing on stage were students of the Grace A. Thomas School of Dancing. On September 16, 1928, a devastating hurricane ripped through the area. The Oakley Theatre was virtually demolished. But the Oakley brothers wouldn’t let go of their dream, and plans were soon made to rebuild. The Lake Worth Herald proudly reported that the theatre would reopen on January 10, 1929. Then, the full weight of the Depression struck South Florida. Sadly, Lucian Oakley committed suicide in 1931 as a result of financial troubles, and brother Clarence Oakley died of a heart attack one year later to the day. Some say their ghosts still wander the halls of the theatre, WeMerge Magazine - www.WeMerge.com

and ghostly laughter has been heard coming from the auditorium. Over the ensuing years the theatre changed names and ownership many times. Eventually it became derelict and was shut down. The Lake Worth Playhouse was incorporated on December 1, 1953 by a representative group of Lake Worth citizens, including Richard Sorgini, Sr. who still practices law in Lake Worth and continues to support the Playhouse.

In October 1975, the Lake Worth Playhouse purchased the Oakley Theatre building and began muchneeded renovations. The first official production of the Lake Worth Playhouse in its new home was “The Last of Mrs. Lincoln.” Currently, the Lake Worth Playhouse employs a small staff, which is supported by an ever growing roster of talented and dedicated volunteers, and produces a vibrant season of musicals and plays and special events on the main stage as well as classes and programs for adults and children of all ages. This year, the Playhouse introduced a new and exciting Concert Series featuring local professional musicians. The Playhouse’s Stonzek Theatre runs independent films 365 days a year, and has fast become a popular destination for film buffs. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Lake Worth Playhouse, please contact us at 561-586-6410. And don’t forget to check out our website at www.lakeworthplayhouse.org for constant updates. There’s always a lot happening at the Lake Worth Playhouse! t

ocial S e h ist T f Rise o tworking Art Ne

ne of a new breed of Artist/ Producers, Tibet Ellor directs his musical acrobatics using a full complement of multimedia platforms and recording gear. Tibet- a songwriter and producer- often composes and produces everything himself. “I’m definitely hands on. I see every project from start to finish,” says Tibet. His particular specialty is producing music for the R&B and Hip Hop genres. He also composes the occasional Reggae and Dance track. “I don’t subscribe to traditional methods of composing and recording music. I’m an artist first.” “Life’s an opera, so I create a score of my experiences.

Experiences are the driving force behind my art. When creating, I try to strike a balance between simplicity and depth; organic, yet intricate, the right vibe, but very vivid. Sometimes it’s in the writing, other times it’s the choice of instruments or samples and how they’re orchestrated. I do what ever it takes to deliver the message effectively. I’m very interested in collaborating with others. I love working on projects. It gives me a great opportunity to meet great people and create something special.” Social Networking extends into Tibet’s creative routine. “Many days I spend far more time at my computer, networking, when I should be composing. Social networking is great. I enjoy meeting new people on-line. Music is a great ice breaker. Sometimes I’ll receive a friend request with a message saying, I came across your profile and I really enjoyed your music, please accept my friend request.” Visit Tibet Online at: Reverbnation.com/tibet Facebook.com/tibet.ellor

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Pink Slip Thre

ads by Karen Re

instatler

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Le’Tron’s Fa shio

Speaking Volumes. These talented local bands filled the room with their original soundtracks for a show you wouldn’t have wanted to miss. Lauraly Atria (Dead Clothing), Le’Tron Harris (Le’Tron’s Fashions) and Karen Reinstatler (Pink Slip Threads) showcased their wearable art and designs by taking over the runway at this year’s event. The show started out with a radically amazing body bag dress by Dead Clothing, then moved on to a vibrant, funky-fresh tutu by Le’Tron’s Fashions. The closing act was a bunny hopping through the forest, dressed up 19th Century style in Pink Slip Threads. The level of creativity was endless. To witness such amazing talent and passion for fashion from three local designers was an extremely eye opening experience. Each

ns by Le’Tro

n Friday, July 22nd, 2011, Red Eye played host to some of South Florida’s most talented and emerging young artists. ArtServe’s Main Event “Red Eye”, is an innovative and exciting event aimed at promoting fresh, underground art. The exhibit is an energetic and creative concept that offers artists in all disciplines, an open forum of expression. This is the only exhibit I know of that enmeshes gallery art with street art. “Red Eye was named because of its multimedia nature, representing all forms of creativity and artistry going on at the same time…meant to visually stimulate, such that it leaves one’s eyes bloodshot and red from over-stimulation. I think we do a great job accomplishing that!!!” says Amber VanBuren, of ArtServe Ft Lauderdale. It was a night filled with fun activities and exciting entertainment. One the highlights of the night was the fashion show. Models walked the catwalk to the sounds of De Revo, Half Head, Marvlec, and

Pink Slip Threads by Karen Reinstatler

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collection brought a true force of fierce fashion that is lingering amongst us and rising. This was ArtServe’s Sixth Annual celebration of South Florida’s culture, creativity, and coloring outside the lines. In the midst of all the awesomeness, the large gathering of guests filled the rooms in awe of all the talented local artists featured that night. It was amazing to be completely surrounded by so many different forms of art in one location. Being part of the Red Eye was truly an honor. Fashion is art, and the Red Eye proved it. t

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WeMergeFashion

ICONIC YOUTH

t’s noticeable how, in the past couple of years, an interest in taking on fashion as a professional career has become more and more popular. You not only have to have talent if your plans are to stick around and impact people with your designs, but you need drive to suceed. Alea Zeigler is a 22-year-old from Palms Coast, FL. With an indescribable style and charisma all her own, she has the ability to turn anything she wears into something never before seen. Zeigler is a true artist in so many ways and is just beginning to blossom in her career as a fashion designer. Zeigler went to Daytona State College in early 2009 for makeup and hairstyling, and her interest for fashion grew more as she developed a perception of what makes an overall “look.” In late 2009, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL where she enrolled in the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to study for a degree in fashion design. In her teens, she was very angry and found comfort in expressing herself artistically and listening to punk music; “I’d wear all black and rip my fishnets”, says Alea, who found a lot of inspiration in music by The Misfits and admits it’s a great part of who she is today. Often conservative in appearance, Alea manages to conceal that dark and rebellious punk style, all the while maintaining a very unique look over all. Zeigler is not afraid to wear anything and loves to take risks and be innovative with her designs, transforming classic pieces and shapes into very sensual garments. She works with raw silhouettes that accentuate the body, in new, but appealing ways, and on the other end of the artistic spectrum,

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By Sabina Sauce

something very conservative with a darker, more exotic twist. In the past year, Zeigler participated in a few local fashion shows, such as The Food and Wine Event and The Red Dress Fashion Show. One of her pieces was a very elegant and romantic cotton and velvet red dress, which drew its inspiration from the dramatic love story of Romeo and Juliet. She combined that with her very particular selection of an unordinary fabric combination that gave her piece an amazing finish. Zeigler has also developed a swimwear collection inspired by the Miami club scene, with a selection of brightly colored lycra and funky cover-ups that are perfect for a pool party or just a regular day at the beach! Long story short, her designs rock and they aren’t something you’ve seen anywhere else before. Zeigler plans and dreams to become a world famous fashion designer, but more than anything she wants to make people happy with her designs. She wants to make them feel beautiful and confident, without sticking to a specific market niche. “I’m young, so by nature it’s what I want to create. It’s easy for me to create things for people my age, but I like trying to reach out to the others as well.” Zeigler is an incredibly gifted and creative person with such a positive and inspiring outlook on beauty and life. Her art is honest, eye catching and genuine, and it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if we started to see and hear more about her. t

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WeMergecomics

od doesn’t ask you to pick sides. God makes you responsible for your choices. - Jack Springheel, “The Devil Inside.” Staff writer, Alex Wall, caught up with Miamiborn graphic artist, Dennis Calero, and television actor, Todd Stashwick, to discuss their collaborative web project, viral comic sensation The Devil Inside. The duo’s brainchild debuted at San Diego ComicCon in 2010 and features the Devil, himself, depicted as an unwilling prison guard to Hell’s inmates. WeMerge: What was the inspiration for “The Devil Inside”? Todd Stashwick: I usually play the bad guy on TV, and I was at home watching an episode of Supernatural and I thought, “The villain always dies,” and I wanted to create something where the bad guy would live. Sort of an anti-hero. I’m a huge fan of Doctor Who, so I wanted to bring a darker, American version of that, in a sense. So he has a kind of companion, Sophie, who is a counterweight and foil to his choices. WeMerge: So, how did this union behind “Devil Inside” come to be? Dennis Calero: For Heroes, I drew some comic panels for a web component, and one of them was of Eli, Todd’s character. And somehow, through one way or another, I came across him on Twitter and I realized that he was using my drawing of him as his profile avatar, so I dropped him a line and we got to talking about our mutual interests, and this idea sort of sprang to life. WM: The main character, Jack Springheel –are we to believe he’s the same one from the bible? TS: We drew heavily from biblical mythology, but it’s

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safe to say that Jack is representative of many incarnations of the devil. And he’s tired. He’s come to this point where he wants to know what his other options are. He sees humans choosing, and he wants that freedom of choice. But once you begin to read through the comic, you find all sorts of allusions embedded in there to different mythologies that we drew on. WM: Is Jack immortal? How does his identity transcend to his human form? TS: He can’t be omnipotent, because then there’s no threat, but he does retain a degree of his powers, which we describe in certain physical and chemical terms. He’s less a demi-godlike figure than he is the appointed blue collar warden of the underworld. Except he’s had an awakening of choice. WM: One of the things I enjoyed the most about this comic was how much detail is paid to the dialogue. It’s very purposeful. Does that come from a frustration with contemporary comics or media? DC: Particularly when I think of my nephew, who is getting older and starting to read, I’ve become more concerned with the lack of stories that engage crucial literary elements. So many stories out there in video games, comics, television, even movies, are just action without subtext. WM: What is the best part about working on a web comic, as opposed to some of the more commercial avenues you’ve both taken in the past? TS: Being in control of our own work, by far and

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Todd Sta

shwick an

d Denn

is Calero

- “The D

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away, is the best part. We are the final authority on the entire project. WM: What kind of fan following do you have? DC: Todd has a faithful following from some of his shows, a lot of female fans, and we self-promote everything through Twitter and Facebook, primarily. Each of our episodes gets about 20,000 hits now, and as of July 2011, we’re up to about 800,000 overall. WM: If you had your way and “The Devil Inside” went to television, who would you like to have direct it? TS: If I could have anyone I wanted, I think Rob Zombie. Patty Jenkins for the pilot. Dennis Calero is a comic book illustrator whose work for Marvel, DC, Acclaim, and other big names has garnered him several awards, including a Harvey Award nomination. Actor Todd Stashwick is widely known for his television roles in The Riches, Heroes, $#*! My Dad Says, and Burn Notice. t

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hile many other dynamic rapper/DJ duos take a break from the grind during the hot and humid summer months, relaxing with their feet up and a cold brew in their hands, there is a particular pair that never sleeps on success and puts in the footwork 24/7/365. Rapper/producer Ryan Britt and DJ Dan Wilkes. Otherwise known as Footwork4self recording artists Jabrjaw & DJ Dee Dubbs. This has already been an exciting year, jam packed with non-stop action and adventure. It kicked off with a January homecoming of sorts for Jabrjaw, returning to his home state of Minnesota for some sold-out shows on the frozen tundra. Dee Dubbs was also on the road solo for some New York action and a cushy cruise ship gig. Aside form their monthly YO! Props talent showcase at Lake Worth live music haven, Propaganda, Spring brought even more South Florida shows, including a raucous record release party for their highly anticipated full length album, Eastern Specifics. While the album was getting one hyped-up review after another, they decided it was time to add the visual component to the musical masterpiece by turning to their video arsenal. With help from close

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friend and fellow hip hop head, Dominic Koury, and the Footwork4self Records and Management team, the video production soon began to flow freely. First down the pike was the video for fan favorite, ‘Funk Keeps Banging’, shot on Biscayne Bay. The classic boom-bap rhythm played nicely with the vibe of the beautiful South Miami backdrop. Up next was the ‘Motormouth’ video. The first of a six part series, written, produced and directed by Jabs himself, the artistic exhibition has lauded rave reviews from some of the most highly respected havens for hip hop opinion. To close out the summer heat was the production for ‘Driftin’, a Meta4heads track with producer and FW4S label mate, Shawn Wayne. Jabs put together another solid showing, sure to delight the audio-visual senses. So, if dropping a full length studio album, making show stops around the country, putting on a monthly local talent showcase at Propaganda, performing along side indie legends Blueprint in Miami and Blockhead in Lake Worth, rocking the Vans Warped Tour in West Palm, producing and recording three dope videos AND constantly grinding in the studio to perfect their craft doesn’t count as putting in the work, then yes, Jabrjaw and Dee Dubbs are two of the laziest dudes in the business. The reality is that the Funk Keeps Bangin and it won’t stop as long as Jabrjaw & Dee Dubbs are at the reigns. For more on Jabs, Dubbs and the rest of the Footwork4self family, please visit their website at fw4s.com and their YouTube channel for all the latest music videos and live event coverage. t

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WeMergeMusic

Teens Merge

By: Ashley Lombardo

hen I stop dismembering myself, you’ll tear yourself apart.” Though the name may seem broad and imprecise, the People are not. Instead of choosing a commercial hook, line, and sinker to describe, utilize humor, or to taste sweet on the tongue (so the public can swallow), the members of ‘People’ chose simplicity. Modest and obtuse, the name ‘People’ seems to rise above spit-balled ideas like ‘Wet Dreams’, their premature attention-grabbing title. This decidedly indie-rock quartet is comprised of Vince Peters on the drums, Joey Cerrito slappin’ the bass, Jon Hafer on guitar, and Jesus Arteaga on both the guitar and pipes. But the indie-rock genre is not a perfect fit for these Deerfield dwellers, it’s difficult to categorize their work, since they don’t follow the “intro verse chorus verse outro” technique most artists are accustomed to.

The Name of the sound

People T heir sound contrasts with the majority of local bands who are playing heavier, more hard-core music. Their edge most definitely stems from their constancy to compile tricky parts with challenging pieces on each instrument, layered somehow into shadowy, robust coherence. But it’s easy to believe they can throw down and puke up such complicated, rugged but soulful harmonies, knowing that the members are not amateurs, but were involved in previous projects, such as Jesus and Vince’s former group, “Old Friends.” The boys draw their inspiration from similarly non-commercially ambitious bands like Modest Mouse, unexpectedly successful in the mainstream. As well, they look to Pornos for Pyros, Tokyo Police Club, Surfer Blood and

Maps and Atlases for influence, alongside an affection for 60’s rock. When asked how the members conduct themselves in the birthing of their music, and their respective roles such as joker or male dominant, they responded with “no clowns, no leaders just sheer democracy.” Gotta love products of the land of the free. Goodlooking and unpretentious with aspirations to tour, the band can be summed up as they please; “We’re four dudes that like to wear jeans, shirts, sometimes we wear socks. We’re pretty normal guys, except we like making crazy rock-n-roll music.” So far, they’ve released two EP’s, the first self-titled and the second dubbed “A Better Way to Live.”

Friends: If I wake Up in a different place...

Favorite Song T

heir current favorite song to play is off their first album titled “Friends”, where their closest friends and fans pump up and scream out lyrics like “If I wake up, in a different place, in a different time, will I be myself?” Their words are a poetic reflection of their views and experiences in the world, those 64

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both perplexing and understood. They have a beautiful ability to parallel their thoughts on intangibilities, such as change and life and death, with imagery: “Bad thoughts hang around like birds on electric lines.”

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eP download?

s veterans of performances at establishments such as Rocketown, Sweat Records, Solid Sounds, and Villa 221, People’s favorite place to play is known as “The House,” a non-professional home owned by a generous local named Jared. The cozy little place near Boca Mall opens it’s door and moves it’s coffee tables and couches again and again to make room for People and others to showcase their progress, and to provide a music haven for the community lovers. And they keep coming back. Impressively, the band just purchased their own place, a warehouse they’re in the process of fixing up and getting ready for shows. Their next step is to A) get a van, then B) get out there. And their future looks bright according to Jesus, asserting “we got shows coming up, we got shirts and EP’s on the way, and we’re humble, easy going dudes that have a serious drive and ambition to take this band as far as we fuckin’ can.” t

Vince Peters on the drums, Joey Cerrito slappin’ the bass, Jon Hafer on guitar, and Jesus Arteaga on both the guitar and pipes.

Their EPs can be downloaded for free at peoplefl.bandcamp.com, with other channels at facebook.com/peoplefl, peoplefl.tumblr.com, and soundcloud.com/peoplefl WeMerge Magazine - www.WeMerge.com

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WeMergeArt

The brainchild of Candace Meyer, Dre FX and their two close friends and fellow artists, E. Grizzly, Harlowe and now Zac Knudson. This 4,500 ft² former welding warehouse, located in the historic Wynwood Art District in Miami, has been serving as living space and working space for the talented group and notable events such as Multiversal with Kazilla and their New Years Extravaganza “EPIC,” with Juan Basshead and Friends. It transforms into exhibition space, concert space, party space and even outer space! WeMerge is spreading the word and the public is buzzing. Stay tuned for exciting things to come from Grey Area and its Grand ReOpening at Art Basel in December. t GREYAREAMIAMI.COM 130 NW 24th St. Miami

Dre FX

Harlowe Deadacrobats.com

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Candace

Meyer

Whether it’s art, music, modeling, or one of her creative entrepreneurial endeavors, Candace Meyer is making moves on a daily basis. Aside from her bold move of taking Grey Area, or her “creative womb” as she likes to say, from imagination to reality, this multi-talented, multifaceted, self-proclaimed dreamer keeps the creative juices flowing by writing, producing, recording and engineering her original music and performing whenever she gets the chance to sing and spit lyrics onstage. Her modeling career is also taking off and there is no real limit to where she’ll go! CANDACE305.COM

Zac Knudson

Zac Knudson, or “The Glass Artist” as he is fondly known in the esteemed local art community, has a strong appreciation for a certain member of the animal kingdom, the bee and its accompanying honeycomb patterns. “Nature’s supreme worker” shows up in a lot of his excitingly eclecetic and often eccentric work, as well as in a recent addition to his tattoo collection. He is a constant contributor to Grey Area and his close friend, Candace Meyer’s cause. Recently, he expanded his Coral Springs glass studio to house a Steampunk Gallery, where members of this unique genre can show their wares. From fancy A-List projects, such as Color Splash host David Bromstad’s living room, to painting a mural on his best friend’s wall, Zac never fails to delight the visual senses. MYGLASSARTIST.COM

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roject Audio Inc. is here to provide our clients with unparalleled service. We utilize our team’s professional background and experience in the

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Kris Starry

StarryNightPhotography.net

is a very talented individual that was taking photographs before she knew this could and would be her profession. Since she was given the green light by the gods, she has been on a fast track highway, snapping and capturing amazing photographs along the way. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to imagine her without her trusty camera in her hand. Her photography is an inside

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view to the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of all her favorite things, telling delicate and elegant stories of beautiful moments captured in time. Her photographs are playful and free-spirited, yet filled with loads of emotion that keep you wanting more. Most noted for her wedding and engagement photos, Kris pulls together a greater uniqueness with each couple by bringing them into

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their own lovable realm, to generate amazing photographs that tell their own love stories. She is constantly changing and forging the path forward by expanding on new exciting projects. Kris Starryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is only starting to blossom and bare the fruits of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to come. t

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