Wink Magazine: May 2012

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Inside this Issue:

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

Wink Music Project

Maude Couture Carolina Baker

America’s Next Top Model:

In Harmony Tonya Ramsey

Naima Mora

CurleeBikini Mallory Curlee 3 Thimbles Hannalei Taylor

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Photo credit: Ozon Wilson

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TICKETS ON SALE NOW! JUNE 2012 www.columbiastyleweek.com

contents

MAY 2012 ISSUE

• DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT •

Maude Couture - 8 Carolina Baker

In Harmony - 14 Tonya Ramsey

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CurleeBikini - 16 Mallory Curlee

3 Thimbles - 20 Hannalei Taylor

Eclat Tailoring - 26 Design & Alterations Robert Rison

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Local

29 Fashion Camp

Design

30 Design on a Whim

Talk

32 True Blue

Music Project Issue 36 America’s Next Top Model - Naima Mora: Galaxy of Tar 40 Can’t, Kids 42 Death of Paris 46 DJ Gldfngr 48 Wendell Culbreath 50 I am Carpenter

52 56 58 60 62 64

Dylan Dickerson Kemp Ridley Ned Durrett and the Kindly Gents Ramphastos Sun Dried Vibes The Screw Job MAGAZINE

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Dear Readers, I know, I know, it’s been awhile since we last saw each other. Change and growth are sometimes a slow process, but slow and steady wins the race! This deluxe double issue is over 60 pages of fashion and music featuring Charleston designers, Columbia bands, and the ever fabulous…Naima Mora, winner of America’s Next Top Model cycle 4.

Over the last 12 months we have excitedly witnessed the growth of Columbia’s arts and fashion community. With that growth comes the city’s first official 5 day, 5 night fashion week, Columbia Style Week presented by Audi Columbia. With sponsors like: Audi, Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, 104.7 WNOK, Wink Magazine, Lawson Roberts LLC, Paul Mitchell the School Columbia, Ruth’s House, and many others, we look forward with hopeful eyes towards the future of the fashion community in Columbia.

While many in Columbia have gotten on board with the vision, Columbia Style Week has also reached out to companies and designers all over the USA and are successfully bringing these entities to the Capital City for the first time. Never before has there been a 5 day / 5 night fashion week in Columbia and we are proud to be a part of such a great project.

Also included in this issue is the Wink Music Project, featuring some of our favorite locals in the Columbia music industry. From Wendell Culbreath aka “The Dubber” to Death of Paris, we are proud to showcase some of Wink’s favorites.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Wink and we thank you for your continued support. Be sure to drop in and visit us at our new location in the Tapp’s Arts Center on Main Street.

Your Editor in Chief, Alicia Zeigler

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designer spotlight

by Brittney Nigro

What initially inspired you to start designing?

Naturally, my family inspired me to start designing (as a child). I am the youngest of three children so I had plenty of hand-me-downs to work with and my parents gave me license to explore my ideas. I had one very fashionable grandmother and the other was an incredibly talented crafter and sewer. My grandmothers provided endless instruction and praise; and together formed my design values, appreciation of patience and inspired persistence. It was my sister and grandmother who ultimately pushed me to move to NYC (three days after college graduation) and that is where all of the inspiration came into fruition (at F.I.T.).

So clearly, my inspiration as a designer has been a family affair!

Were you always interested in designing ecofriendly garments? Yes. Obviously, my roots are in eco-friendly garment, recycling hand-me-downs and repurposing the linen closet were certainly my first design loves. Even as a child and teenager, I primarily valued fun and individuality in dressing…I wanted to look different (which was not difficult in my crazy getups) so I have always been a vintage and thrift store re-inventor. However, after design school, I developed a disconnect between my professional and personal style. I needed to be a very commercial designer for my first job, but at home I was still dreaming of my eco-thing. I knew years before I started Maude Couture that it would be an eco-business. I wanted to bring my values back into my design, and starting my own company gave me that opportunity. Reuniting my love of design with my passion for all things eco has been such a wonderful experience. I feel so grateful to get to do what I love with materials that I value.

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What is your favorite ‘green’ product to work with? It is always changing. It is very important to me to push my ideas of “green” into new materials.

My favorite fabric from my last collection was a striped indigo hemp & organic cotton blend. My favorite this collection is my staple hemp/silk charmeuse which is unbeatable luxury for bridal. My next favorite product will either be the organic cotton lace trim that I sadistically sew into fabric (row by row by endlessly tedious row) for maude couture or perhaps the upcycled, vintage textiles I am working in for my REmaudeALL project.

“This collection is pure fun...”

Where did you gather inspiration for your collection? This collection is pure fun. I am showing a collection of wedding and party dresses inspired by a dress that I just designed for Fabulous Frocks of Charleston and Atlanta. It is called the “Same” dress and it is simply a great, tailored dress that can be worn many different ways. The collection I am showing plays around with that concept…our ideas of “same” and “different” in the context of one dress, one look, one girl, one song…It will be fun!

If you had to describe your collection in one word, what would it be and why?

Same. What else can I say; it is the “Same” dress.

(Oh, but it will look different! I can hardly wait!) The show is sort of an Ode to Repetition and a mockery of sameness…through it I am celebrating the creativity of the individual.

“celebrating the creativity

of the individual.”

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How have you prepared for the upcoming Charleston Eco-Fashion event?

How much time do you have? The truth is that it is an incredible amount of work. I designed nine dresses to be shown eleven ways and bought the fabric (some new and some much hunted-for vintage textiles). My seamstress and I each sewed up four of the basic dresses. Then I made another wedding gown, two couture ball gowns, a couple more skirts, some crazy gloves, chalkboard paddles, my own dress and the contents of 100 favors for the gift bags. I selected models, hair styles, make-up, music, etc. I worked with a fabulous, local eco-jewelry designer, Carole Tinkey, to borrow upcycled metal earrings to complete the feel. I booked two photographers, a videographer and an assistant for the show. Then comes the organization of line ups and finales and who puts what on and takes what off and when…it is a LOT of work. And I LOVE it!!

I must say that working with a pro like Katie Kern of Circa PR really takes the edge off of preparing for an event like this though. As much as I have to control my collection, I know I can completely relax about the actual event and all of the process, press and production of, and before, the event because Katie is in complete charge. She makes it look easy, but I know better!

What has been your most memorable moment as a designer?

I know I should say my first show, but it was before that. My most memorable moments were when I was accepted to Parsons and F.I.T. for design school. That was the moment I went from “wanting to be” to “becoming” a designer…it was a real turning point to be “accepted” by my dream schools.

Any future endeavors or plans for the future?

Of course! I am launching the “Same” dress with Fabulous Frocks next, I am working on another exclusive for Charleston Tuxedo’s launch this summer, I am consulting on a local RTW line, I am getting my REmaudeALL project up & running, and it is never business as usual at Maude Couture! “Maude” is on a mission… so stay tuned!

-Along with the neon hues was the tangerine tango which is no doubt a highlight in the catalog. These wedge sandals are entirely covered in luxurious suede and features a slim buckle ankle strap.Kibardin grew up in Siberia (where goat-covered boots might come in handy), was discovered by a modeling agent in Moscow, decided to try his luck in Paris, got a gig working with Karl Lagerfeld, and fell in love with fashion.

“The beautiful people! The beautiful clothes!” he rhapsodizes, thinking back to his days with Gucci and Romeo Gigli in the late nineties.

Now he works with Reem Acra, Chado Ralph Rucci, and J. Mendel, and last December, he was named creative director of Bruno Magli, a special honor, he says, for a non-Italian. But lest you think that Kibardin is really just a mainstream guy, please bear in mind that he is also the fellow who made high-heeled guitar-inspired shoes in collaboration with pop artists Chicks on Speed, and that a pair of jewel-studded stilettos, brandishing hot-pink rubber tentacles, sits next to a pair of velvet loafers in his showroom. “I was up all night putting the needles in,” he laughs. The best thing about slingback pumps that make this footwear a fashion staple is its no-fail versatility. Whether it’s for casual, corporate or evening wear, you can always run to your slingbacks for an easy fashion fix. Hence, it is recommended that you have them in a variety of colors in your shoe rack. peep-toes in tangerine tango are a breath of fresh air.

Photo credit:

I. Wilson Baker, Virgil Bunao and Cyle Suesz

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Wink Was There: Charleston Eco Fashion Event Wink Magazine was the official media sponsor for the Charleston EcoFashion Event held in in Charleston SC by Katie Kern of Circa PR. Our eyes feasted on beautiful, Earth-friendly fashion from Curlee Bikini, 3 Thimbles, and Maude Couture. Kudos to Katie Kern of Circa PR for another fabulous event! To learn more about this fabulous annual event, visit www.charlestonecofashionevent.com

PHOTO CREDIT: JAY HOOKER FOR WINK MAGAZINE

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designer spotlight

In Harmony

What initially inspired you to start designing? Lifetime changes in life, a trip to Bali and getting in the magical world of batik making. I wanted to do something with the beautiful pieces of colorful silk batik I made together with a couple talented Indonesian artists.

Were you always interested in designing eco-friendly garments? I was probably born hugging trees and talking to trees. I lead a conscious life, teach yoga and meditation. There is no other way of creating for me other than the conscious way. For me, clothes are a creative outlet and an instrument of conscious education. Clothes are like food; everybody needs clothes.

What is your favorite ‘green’ product to work with?

Fabrics like raw silk and linens.

Where did you gather inspiration for your collection?

Nature, life, beauty of simplicity, relaxation, comfort, the desire to express that less is more, and the need for effortless style for myself and friends.

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Tonya Ramsey

by Brittney Nigro

If you had to describe your collection in one word, what would it be and why? Delicious What has been your most memorable moment as a designer? Collaboration with my partner and designer Catherine Bello from Madrid. She has been designing for decades for Zack Posen, J. Mendel, Jesus Esposo, and other New York and European fashion houses. Also, it has been an incredible learning experience trying to produce my collection in Bali, Indonesia. I make it in the United States now.

Any future endeavors or plans for the future? Yes! To continue find tuning in harmony timeless pieces in a sustainable way while bringing my message of less is more across the world. Next year, I plan to sell it not only online at www.goinharmony.com (www.goinharmony.com/slowfashion.htm) but also in several eco-conscious fashion shops across the us and Europe.

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designer spotlight

CurleeBikini Mallory Curlee

by Brittney Nigro

What initially inspired you to start designing? I’ve always loved clothing. As a young child I used to remember strangers and people I’d newly met solely by what they were wearing. For me the art of design officially began with altering vintage and thrift store clothing into something truly unique.

Were you always interested in designing ecofriendly garments? I became interested in the eco fashion industry towards the end of design school... I’ve always had a great affinity for the environment and as eco fashion was just barely starting in 2007-08, I became highly devoted to helping grow this movement/trend into a truly successful industry of its own.

What is your favorite ‘green’ product to work with? I still am most inspired by vintage clothing and remnant fabrics. I love rescuing and reinvigorating these items and materials that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Where did you gather inspiration for your collection? Definitely outdoors and through travel... I love exploring new land, cultures, food, etc.

How have you prepared for the upcoming Charleston Eco-Fashion event? I just launched a new website for CurleeBikini, completely redesigned to include our first “Build your own Bikini” online store. We specialize in custom-sized, custom-designed swimwear and through this online store a client can build their own customized bikini which is then handmade-to-order.

What has been your most memorable moment as a designer? The very first fashion show I participated in at Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week was a huge milestone for CurleeBikini... we’ll be doing the same show at Charleston Eco Fashion Event this weekend - only it will be even better!!!

Any future endeavors or plans for the future?

The next few years we are focused on really growing the eCommerce realm of the business. There’s a lot of marketing to be done going forward, including bigger and better fashion show events each year. Additionally, we are aiming high to continue spreading the eco fashion word and to build some strong environmental partnerships with a select group of our favorite environmental organizations!

If you had to describe your collection in one word, what would it be and why? Adventurous

www.curleebikini.com

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Photo Credit: Cameron Jordan

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designer spotlight

Thimbles Hannalei Taylor

Photo credit:Michelle Butler of Trendy Bride

What initially inspired you to start designing? I have always been immersed in some kind of art. I dabbled in everything from painting and sculpting to interior design.

Fashion design is the art that excites me and moves me the most.

Were you always interested in designing eco-friendly garments? The “eco-friendly seed” was planted when I was assigned a sustainable design project in college. We researched eco-friendly manufacturing and production then applied it to our own ideas. I guess it stuck.

What is your favorite ‘green’ product to work with?

I have a few. I love bamboo knit jersey...it’s so soft and cool against the skin. Organic cotton sateen has a beautiful luster and feel as well.

Where did you gather inspiration for your collection?

I watch a lot of old classic movies. There are so many design details in the garments of these movies that translate beautifully into modern, sophisticated simplicity. I’m also inspired by the fabrics themselves. They all have a bit of personality to them.

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If you had to describe your collection in one word, what would it be and why? Special—because it’s debut is at an eco-fashion event. This collection is right at home.

How have you prepared for the upcoming Charleston Eco-Fashion event? Sketching and drawing notes on everything! Filling my “idea board” so I can make sense of the ideas and directions that pop into my head all day.

What has been your most memorable moment as a designer? Charleston Fashion Week. It was the first time I was really rewarded the fruits to my labor. It put fuel in my fire.

Any future endeavors or plans for the future? I have a few things lined up on my calender. Soon after the show, I’ll be reaching out to boutiques to make 3THIMBLES accessible to shoppers here in Charleston.

Photo credit: Michelle Butler of Trendy Bride model: Jessica Durant Photo credit: Gregg Lambton-Carr model: Sabrina of Robin Lee Models

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benefiting:

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WINK WAS THERE: Columbia Style Week Directors held a press conference announcing the preliminary line up and launch of ticket sales for Columbia’s first official 5 day, 5 night fashion week. Armed with a proclamation from the Mayor and the City Council, and the support of local designers, retailers and supporters, CSW Directors are ready to enhance the fashion scene in Columbia. Footage from press conference aired on WISTV, WLTX, ABC COLUMBIA and articles were written in several publications. To learn more about CSW 2012 or to buy tickets, visit www.columbiastyleweek.com.

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designer spotlight

Eclat Tailoring, Design & Alterations

Robert Rison

I began my career in dressmaking and Design in 1994, almost immediately after I entered the Air Force and went direct duty to Las Vegas NV, Nellis AFB due to my high entry scores I forgoed the normal technical school and went direct to my assignment at Headquarters with 5 star Top Secret Clearance. I graduated high school with honors at the age of 16 and had an art scholarship to Marion College in Florence but I joined the Air Force because I was ready to live this life!

My mother was so mad, since I eventually had to tell her because she had to sign the authorization for me to go in at the age of 17. Once settled on the base I met my long time friend Anthony King (Artist). We then began doing the club scene and doing our best to abide by the new President Clinton “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy”. It was fun crazy. But immediately I began meeting all the fun and fabulous dancers, performers and female Illusionist on and off the Vegas Strip. I then showed some of my designs to a few of the performers and then began doing costume gowns and dance wear for several of the performers.

My main stay clients became the female impersonation illusionist from the LGBTQ Community.

After about a year and a half I was asked to do Diana Ross by Kenny Kerr in his show Boy Lesque. I did it three times and was just not into it. Way too much makeup, but I have to give it to the girls who love doing it. Kenny then asked me to be his personal wardrobe dresser and costume designer. I also meet Frank Marino and did several gowns for

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him, but I had to keep this from Frank because those two still to this day have an ongoing dislike of each other. I still continued to make my red carpet style gowns and performance dress’ for my female illusionist friends. We (me and Tony King soon became known as the designer duo Éclati!. Instead of being called a Robert, they started calling me Éclati! All at the same time from 1994-1996 we were doing our combined artwork of Acrylic and oil on canvas and Art gallery shows. And, I was busy promoting my 2- New Thought books on several new age radio shows and magazines (revise editions of the books will be out late next year). This is how we were asked to be on the cover of the local Art Magazine The Las Vegas BUGLE Magazine in 1994, then again in 1998 from all of our combined art works and efforts. I then opened my first clothing Boutique, called Éclat Boutique in the Spring of 1996 in the new Galleria Mall, right next to Dillard’s (see pictures). That was fun and lasted from 1996-1998, this gave me the courage to begin doing more normal wear for the average person. At that time my sister RozieJ, whom I call my Donatella. Because I admire Versace and Donatella so much and it’s always great to have a strong women on your design team. She relocated to Las Vegas in March of 1996 to assist me in the day to day operations and do the necessary tailoring and alterations.

Since I was still in the Air Force till 1998.

She was so excited, because she began meeting the local celebrities. She even met Mike Tyson his then wife, Janet

Jackson, Latoya Jackson and Mike Tyson and his then wife, because they came into our store. During that time we showed our boutique line at the annual Magic Fashion Week in Vegas in 96, 97, & 98.

We decided to close the store because all the mall merchants discovered they were being over charged for rental space and we all initiated a class action lawsuit. We were all being charged nearly 70% per month for space in a new construction mall that had not developed sound foot traffic determinations. With the help of the City of Las Vegas we were able to regain those lost payments. I left the Air Force in 1998 and Rozie, went on to perfect her tailoring and seamstress skills by working under the tutelage of several large name European tailors in the local Las Vegas area. I took a break from retail and went incognito and took a position in customer service at Sprint Central telephone, and continued to do my costume designs for several Vegas Headliners and my off Vegas Strip performer friend clients.

In 2000, we (me and Rozie) decided to leave Vegas. I because of an intense relationship breakup and Rozie just was getting a little homesick. I then took a design internship position assignment in Dallas, Texas with Clothing Designer Anthony Mark Hankins. That allowed me to gain additional confidence to turn costume designs into wearable art fashion. Anthony was thrilled and amazed at my drawing ability. Then in September of 2001, I relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Believe it or not, I arrived there and checked into my hotel room on September 11.

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I thought it was a morning movie on the television. But when I woke up and it was still on the television, that’s when I went into my Air Force mode and thought the US was under attack.

So, I became patriotic and used my new Business Degree to get a position as assistant supervisor at the 911 call center in Broward County, Ft. Lauderdale Florida. I then found and purchased a condo on the beach (that I still use as a showroom and 3rd residence) and hit the night life promoting my Art and Design work. Following the plan we used in Las Vegas for getting into the entertainment portion of the LGBTQ Community. Then, I decided to become Dual State and came to Columbia, SC my home town. I felt I could not only get a larger studio space at a lower price point, but help bring fashion and style to the Capital City. All at the same time using my Florida location as a spring board showroom. But before I did this I closed (covered everything with white sheets) up my condo studio and took a much needed Mecca to Tibet, China, Tokyo and Japan to ground myself spiritually! I have just finished my latest book which is based on my experiences on that Mecca sojourn. I just approved the gallies and the book is at production right at this moment. The book will be available in April, 2012.

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But, I am getting ahead of myself, In 2007, I came to Columbia, first I purchased a 2 story cottage style home in the WhiteHall area of Lexington for me and my mother (something I promised I would do when I was 16 years old).

Then, resigned from Broward County 911 and I secured a position at Bellsouth (now AT&T), but continued to go back and forth to Florida to do costumes for my Female Illusionists friends. I then purchased the condo Live/Work space at 605 Lady Street in November of 2009., Opened as a Studio Showroom for one year to test the waters, Then in January 2010, my sister Rozie J came on board and we proceeded to make and put out our first annual made to measure collection in September of 2011 on our website. All at the same time continuing to do my artwork collaborations with my long time artist friend Anthony King in San Diego, California, where he has an art studio on Polk St. Currently we are preparing an art piece collection that will coincide with the Columbia Style Week Showing. Many of my close friends and clients still today ask me why did I not relocate to Hollywood California Red Carpet City or New York Seventh Ave/ Fashion Dr. mecca’s. And I tell them “ because Hollywood and New York really no longer has a strong hold on fashion and society exclusively, plus I enjoy the tropical southern climates. I do not enjoy the “putting on airs’ attitude of

Hollywood, especially the many empty people there that I call “shellies” since they lack substance inside. Besides most of the big movers and shakers of the Big Screen reside in other states like Denver, Washington, Florida and the Mid-Western States that have more of a Creative Creationist Class of People and that is what Columbia, SC and Ft Lauderdale, FL offers me. Additionally, the Columbia, Charlotte, and Miami airports rival those of Hollywood and New York. That is why I so often quote that the world really is my Home.

Because “The World is Just an Airport Away”..right?

FASHION CAMP AT USC RETURNS WITH TWO SESSIONS IN JUNE, AN EXTENDED AGE RANGE (10-18), AND A CATWALK COLLABORATION WITH COLUMBIA STYLE WEEK After the resounding success of Fashion Camp at USC last June, the creative camp is coming back to Columbia’s University of South Carolina with an extra week and an expanded age group. Kids from age 10-18 can register on the www.hrsm.sc.edu/fashioncamp website and get a $45 discount for bookings made before April 30.

The beginner camp - June 4-8 - coincides with the first ever Columbia Style Week (www.columbiastyleweek.com) so the lucky campers (aged 10-18) will be modeling the clothes and accessories they make on the professional catwalk on June 7. Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology is providing hair and makeup services so that the Level 1 Fashion Campers will look their absolute best. The first three days of camp will be concentrating on sewing skills, design, cutting out, using several types of sewing machines (some generously donated

by Singer - www.hrsm.sc.edu/fashioncamp/sponsors.html) and getting everything ready for show time. Day five is presentation day, with various experts from the University of South Carolina and Columbia’s fashion industry providing fascinating fashion facts and demonstrations. Speakers include KatieLynn Gadow (jewelry), Karina Williams (design and lifestyle), Karen Edwards (fashion law), Jason Ayer (fashion photography), Shay Williams (Sheen Magazine).

Level 2 runs June 11-15 and is for dedicated design divas who have already graduated from Level 1 Fashion Camp this year or last year or who have had previous experience making clothes on sewing machines. Already several graduates from last year are signed up and places are filling quickly. Again, the 10-18 age group applies and everyone will model their clothing collection on the last day at a fabulous family and friends’ fashion show with professional make-up and hair, photos, cameras, lights!

You can see wonderful professional photos taken last June by visiting photographer Jason Ayer on www.hrsm.sc.edu/ fashioncamp/gallery.html.

FASHION CAMP Ayer is returning both weeks this year to provide perfect pinups of all the debutante designers as well as insightful tips into the world of fashion photography. Katielynn Gadow, a Columbia jewelry designer, is going to be talking about her elaborate jewelry designs as well as teaching tips on techniques.

Also, visiting lecturer, Karina Williams will be inspiring the campers with tales of her own foray into fashion construction as well as life skills in the realm of health and fitness.

Both weeks, every camper will create an entire outfit to take home - a dress or skirt and top, jewelry, hair accessories, bag and anything else they can invent from the wide range of fabrics, notions, trimmings, flowers, sequins, beads, braids and feathers. All the raw materials, lunch, snacks, drinks, hair and makeup and photos are included in the camp fee as well as a tote bag with sewing start-up kit.

Camp Leader, Louise Hudson has been a professional designer in the UK, Canada and now the States for the past 25 years and has prolific career and industry perspectives to confide. “This is the ultimate creative summer camp to inspire the designer in everyone and it’s the only fashion camp of this kind in the area,” she says. Unlike regular sewing classes, Hudson teaches on sergers - the more professional machines which produce neat, machine-cut bound seams which even hold on stretch fabrics. She also teaches rolled hems which give the frilly flirty look normally restricted to store-bought clothing.

With much quicker and more professional results than regular sewing machines, Hudson thinks the camp could be the start of an engrossing new hobby which will also help campers save money on their wardrobe in the longterm. “Not only will the kids learn how to make clothing, but they will also start to look at bought clothes in a different way,” she says. “Everyone knows how irritating it is when something on sale is not in your size - with a few new skills, my campers will be able to buy any bargains and re-scale them to fit perfectly.”

Fashion Camp could also inspire a new design direction for further education and career path. It is held at the Coliseum, 700 Assembly St, Columbia in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. The exposure to university life and sneak-a-peek at the retail department could be just the inspiration South Carolina kids need to enter the wonderful world of fashion, design and retail. Go to www.hrsm.sc.edu/ fashioncamp for details, photo gallery and registration forms.

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If Whitney McGregor pursued the career path she studied in college, her life

would consist of stuffy boardrooms discussing international trade. While abroad in France, McGregor realized that art and design was always something she enjoyed, but that passion was placed on the backburner for her business school education.

Instead, her life is now colored with striking fabrics and surrounded by old knickknacks begging to be refurbished. Her interior design company—Whim Home— reflects her philosophy of functional yet beautiful designs, which contain inspiration from a plethora of sources and please each one of her unique clients.

Interior design wasn’t always a clear career path, but blogging some personal inspiration as a hobby turned into something much greater than she expected.

The Avarice—avarice.blogspot.com— began to gain notoriety, and McGregor saw this creative outlet as a sign to continue designing. She started styling her own home, where she realized the potential of her talents. “I think my big moment was decorating my little girl’s room,” McGregor explains, “Her room is really organic, I knew she was going to be so sassy, and it just turned out really well. That’s how I decided—this is it. My heart is set on this.”

Design on a Whim

by Brittney Nigro

With an open-minded perspective and love of design, McGregor began Whim Home—on a whim. She found her calling without intending to and is enjoying the transition into a new career. She says, “You have to do what you’re passionate about, and if you do that, you’ll always be happy.”

Ever since the opening of her company in 2011, she has been busy catering to her clients’ needs and expanding her expertise to please them. McGregor describes her “goal is to try to understand what they want, what they like, and to really make them happy in their home.” When approaching a new project, finding the right balance between a room’s aesthetic and functionality is also something very important to her. She believes in formal rooms with an informal approach, and doesn’t agree with the ‘my home is a showroom’ mentality. As she says, “I like things that are beautiful and comfortable. But with every client, I think my style evolves. I end up learning more from them, than they do from me sometimes.”

Willing to put aside her personal preferences, McGregor designs spaces for varying types of people, styles, and budgets. She is a frequent patron of thrift stores and a strong believer in buying things second hand, which is her number one tip for designing on a budget. She also recommends, “making your bed every morning, using lamps to enhance the lighting, and a new coat of paint. A good background can give something such context, where things make sense together because of a strong color.”

Plans for her future include growing more cliental and opening a storefront someday, so she can have a space to showcase her unique DIY projects and collected treasures from which she draws inspiration. She believes that “you have to be inspired and happy by things that surround you...it’s truly life improving.”

To find more about Whitney McGregor and Whim Home, visit her website at www.whimINTERIORS.com.

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TrueBlue Dear Blue, My Doctor told me to stop wearing heels due to a car accident I had as a teenager. I’ve had problems and pain for the last teen years but I can’t stop wearing heels! Help!

I’m only twenty eight and I don’t want to wear flats or old lady heels, shouldn’t I choose fabulosity over my doctor? #t2young2beold

I found out recently that my husband has been talking to another woman regularly on the phone, they work together and text A LOT! He declares nothing is going on but admits to flirting a little. He has cheated on me in the past and I vowed to leave him then. Should I believe him? #helovesmehelovesmenot

Dear 2 Young,

Dear “he loves me”

In a short answer no. Certainly I understand your dilemma and I trully sympathize with it, however your doc is right, wearing heels all the time will more than likely cause permanent damage to your knees that could result in surgery or chronic pain as early as your forties!

This is a very tricky situation...Clearly there is a bigger issue than some random texts, and that issue is TRUST. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t really think the phone calls or text messaging is appropriate. It’s not uncommon for harmless flirting to go on in the work place, however it should really end there. The fact that there has been some infedelity, only makes this more inappropriate. While I think it’s very important for your husband to steer clear of any questionalble circumstances, I think it is equally important for you to decide once and for all whether you trust him or not. I can’t tell you whether or not you should believe him, only you know if he has earned back that trust. I will tell you this though; the two you should have some very serious dialougue Very Soon. #talkischeap xoxo Blue

Having said that however I think MOST things are okay in moderation, I doubt heels for short periods of time, especially when you’re not going to be on your feet are that bad, though I am no expert! I strongly suggest that if you’re going to continue with your footwear rebellion you invest in some super cute, well constructed flats and low heeled shoes. The shoe movement has come a long way and there are some really stylish options out there for every day wear, even red bottoms come in flats! Save the heels for specail occasions and holidays! #notyourmamasshoes

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Dear Blue,

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Dear Blue,

Dear Shaggy,

I”m thinking about going natural but I’m not looking forward to cutting off my hair. Can I cut my hair shorter and get it trimmed as my “natural texture” hair grows?

Or do I have to start from scratch? #hairtodaygonetomorrow xoxo Blue

Sadly I don’t know that there is really any good news for this dilemma. The only solution that I am aware of is regular professional grooming, which can become costly. Short of shaving your canine bald I’m not sure that shedding can be contained. Dare I say the dog just actually move outside? #doggoneit xoxo Blue

Dear Hairy While cutting off all of your hair is probably the easiest way, you could also go other routes including the the one you mentioned. Going “natural” or wearing your natural hair texture sans chemicals is an increasingly popular trend amongst African American Women though not a new one.

One popular way to allow your chemical relaxer to grow out without putting stress on your tresses is to wear braids for a period of time, this method often allows for quicker growth. I suggest you talk to your current stylist as well as a natural hair care stylist to find out which method is besgt for your hair type. Good Luck! #crowningglory xoxo Blue

Dear Blue, My dog sheds all over the house. We have tried combing her daily and we have to swifter daily, but I still find myself covered in dog hair and lint rolling myself like crazy all the time. Is there anything we can do to contain her shedding? #theshaggydog

Dear Blue, We have heard for years that you aren’t supposed to wear white after labor day. Where did this come from, and is it okay to wear white after labor day now? #fashionpolice

Dear Fashionista, The fashion rule that dictates the error in wearing white after Labor Day and before Easter is actually quite an antiquated one, that is broken on the regular. It is very difficult to pin point the exact origin of this unwritten rule but it undoubtedly originated in the south as an ettiquette rule. I do know that this particular rule primarily applies to white shoes and heels which are traditonally considered a spring/ summer color for accessories. In 2012 I think it’s safe to say that people pretty much so whatever they want with little regard to so called fashion rules. So whatever your personal choice is I’m sure you’ll be safe. #dowhatchalike xoxo Blue

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Artist:

America’s Next Top Model Naima Mora: Galaxy of Tar Can’t, Kids Death of Paris DJ Gldfngr Wendell Culbreath I am Carpenter

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Dylan Dickerson Kemp Ridley Ned Durrett and The Kindly Gents Ramphastos Sun Dried Vibes

The Screw Job

Letter from the Music Editor Cherished readers of Wink Magazine, I like doing it in the car driving fast down the interstate, on the beach next to a fire at night, in the park amidst shady trees, in strange-smelling public bathrooms with more graffiti than clear wall space, in the kitchen with a glass of wine, with lots of people, and, of course, in bed. I like it loud or low, fast or slow, delicate or hard and uncensored, and every way in between. For those of you whose minds went straight to the gutter, I’m talking about listening to music. Clearly.

One of my favorite things about music is that there is a context for it. A song is always culturally and historically specific, a representation of the piece of time and of the place from which it came. Part of what makes the artist’s product important is the events and emotions that affect it, and for me, listening to music is akin to overhearing a slice of conversation about those specific happenings and feelings. Research, talking with the artists, and familiarizing yourself with the time are all ways of piecing together the conversation. It is a hunt to make sense of things and learn new perspectives, and it is the reason why I began the Wink Music Project in the summer of 2011.

I would like to say that I was one of those kids that grew up listening to classic rock or songs from the 1920s or the hits of the hippie era. But truth be told, my parents’ musical taste was and is kind of all over the place. Considering the abundance of Billy Joel, country, and pop I heard for the first decade of my life, I think that their sporadic preferences are about the only thing I have in common with them. Besides, appreciating diversity is important, and I have always been anthropologically inclined.

Perhaps that is why, in a time and place where coerced conformity is all too frequent, I feel an obligation to stand up for the rich underground musical culture that Columbia has to offer. Believe me, Columbia has a sound all its own, and just because it isn’t on the radio doesn’t mean it’s not worth listening to.

I believe that fashion does not stop at clothing, but is all around us whether it be in the jewelry people wear, the architecture of a building, or the music people create. Differences are what make things memorable, unique, and they are what make my pursuit of local sounds worthwhile. To all the musicians and artists in Columbia, thank you for giving me so many differences to discover. This one’s for you.

Emilie Johnston

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l e d o M p o T t x e N s ’ a c i r e m A eig

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Naima Mora

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We had the pleasure of meeting you a few friend. What tattoo did we get? A skull and weeks ago at Tapp’s Art Center. What were cross bones of course! you doing in Columbia? It was a pleasure indeed! I want to apologize again for being so With your mother Theresa being a jazz short. I had just flown in on the Red Eye flight vocalist and your father Francisco being a from Los Angeles, where I live now, and shot the graduate of the Berklee School of Music whole day with Columbia based photographer and an accomplished jazz percussionist, Ozon Wilson. He’s a great talent and invited how has music influenced your life? Music me in to shoot. After taking a look at his work and being very impressed, I graciously accepted.

The shoot was amazing! The images came out beautiful and I am very proud of them. We had just wrapped when we passed each other in the hall!

How has your life changed since winning ANTM Cycle 4? That’s a funny question... my life really hasn’t changed per say. Its just the life I lived. It is quite different than what I had imagined it would be several years ago! ANTM was a launch board for an amazing career that I have worked very hard to nurture and grow within. I thought I was going to be a dancer for sure. When I saw my first ballet, I knew that is what I wanted to do in my life- inspire people the way I had felt when I watched the dancers on stage. I pursued ballet and that is how I ended up in NYC. But things worked out a little differently than I had planned. However so, I have been given countless opportunities to have a positive and encouraging impact on people’s lives and that was always the main goal for me. Life changes on a daily basis. We live and we learn hopefully and we go from there.

Do you still keep in touch with any of the girls from your season? If so, who? Yes, I actually speak with K-Len very often. We are still very good friends. She still lives in NY and before I moved we actually got a pair of matching tattoos. We both love ink and it was really amazing experience to share with a close

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has influenced me SOOO MUCH! I am so grateful to have had the parents I was blessed with. I remember my father would always wake my twin sister and I up in the mornings with some world music playing very loudly!

Something from Mali or Cuba or Brazil or Belgium. And my mother was always singing around the house. She still opens up to sing for everyone at family gatherings and parties. It was really amazing have musical parents. Life had more color growing up and I was exposed to all these different cultures from around the world through music! I inevitably became a musician myself.

I understand you are now lead vocalist for “Galaxy of Tar” (formerly Chewing Pics) . How did the musical influence of your parents contributed to your decision to sing? At what age did you start singing?

Well Galaxy Of Tar is actually a continuation of the work I was writing with a band mate of mine in Chewing Pics. So they’re two different projects completely. Elias Diaz V. is my musical counter part and when Chewing Pics broke up a few years ago, we decided to keep writing and working together. Galaxy Of Tar is the result of that work. We are writing a new album now in Los Angeles where we relocated last year. I guess it was quite natural for me to fall in to music.

As Elias and I have been friends for a while, he actually over heard me singing some little song and asked if I wanted to work on some music with him and another friend of ours to

Photo credit: Ozon Wilson

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Photo credit: Ozon Wilson

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form Chewing Pics. Chewing Pics was fun and a great time to experiment. Once the band broke up, I knew that being a vocalist was something I really wanted to pursue. So I have actually been training very hard over the past couple of years and I work everyday on music. I think this work ethic came from my father. He studies music and new albums every single day of his life. And my mother is always singing. I suppose mom + dad = me.

I just watched your music video “Never Cease Us From Motioning Air”. When you are performing, do you have an alter ego like Mariah’s Mimi or Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce that takes over or is that all Naima? Haha! No not at all. In a way I think that those “alter egos” are marketing ploys... With that said however, I do know that when I perform and when every performer takes the stage there is room to be completely vulnerable and expressive. More than you can be in ordinary day living. Its part of being an artist. And being a scenic artist means that when you perform, you actually dig deep to reveal the most human parts of you as much as you can in an artistic platform. Who I am on stage is simply a continuation of myself and a very truth and honest view of who I really am.

What can we look forward to in the next 6 months from Galaxy of Tar? Well we’ve been writing A LOT of new music and working really hard on offering a great follow up to our debut EP “Pneuma”. We’ve been getting very inspired by the desert and life on the west coast. We’ll be featuring a new line up of musicians which is very exciting! It offers new perspectives on approach to the music Elias and I write and new players also give different colors to the sound scape. So in short, new album soon and lots of touring!

Between music and modeling, is one a greater love than the other? They’re different loves for me... But all an extension of myself. I love fashion and visual creativity. I have been blessed with a great career modeling and a part of telling that story. I help to create something visually stunning and that is exciting for me always! But it is definitely always within pop culture ideals of beauty. Music on the other hand, offers me the opportunity to create my own art and express everything I want to with out restraints. I can be ugly and wild and cry and laugh all within the time it takes to perform a set or write a song. I get to decide that all of me is beautiful, even the ugly and share it with whoever is willing to listen.

After winning ANTM, did you find your height to be a factor in your modeling career? No, I am actually standard height for modeling. Five feet, nine inches tall.

There are alot of aspiring models here in Columbia, particularly at my agency, what advice would you give to young men and women trying to make a name for themselves in the modeling industry? Be fearless! Let go and explore the unknown parts of yourself. This makes a great model. Being able to express what they really feel through expression and movement. It what makes you stand apart!

Work hard and never give up!

What is on the horizon for Naima Mora? Well besides Galaxy Of Tar and the music I am creating with Elias, I am also releasing a book this year! It has always been a dream of mine to write a book and publish it. Not sure if you know, but my back ground is in creative writing/english. It was my major in college. I get to write a lot of course with Galaxy Of Tar and paint stories with my lyrics, but I also wanted to be a literary person. Through the book I want to encourage young people towards living healthy, happy, successful and fabulous based on my life and experiences in the fashion industry. I thought it was really important to for me to take my experiences and translate them into something that could actually help people towards believing in themselves!

My twin sister, who is now sailing the South Pacific photographing the world, shot the cover of the book! She is one of my best friends and it was an amazing experience to share with her. She also contributed to the graphic design lay out.

The release date is coming up soon too! Everyone can keep up to date with all of my happenings on Twitter @naimamora Thanks so much for all your interest, I really appreciate it!

Who are you currently signed with and what was the last modeling assignment you booked? The last modeling job I did was actually with Ozon in Columbia. I don’t work with a modeling agency any more though. I still model quite a lot, but not as much I have in previous years as I am focussing a lot more on music now a days.

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Can’t, Kids is a Southern-Gothic-Depression-Era-Cheerleader-Metal band that formed in a frenzy & a series of ongoing fits of lunacy during November 2010 when members Adam Cullum & Jessica Oliver moved into an extra giant old house with their friend Brielle. All three tenants are now convinced that aforementioned house is indeed haunted.

Why the name? Sometimes people who have children will Hair Product you can’t live without: MOUSSE... have text you “can’t, kids” if they are unavailable for hang times.

An inbox full of these is just part of getting older, I think.

you seen my hair?

How did you all meet? Adam & I met in a Chinese take-out

in Charlotte, I guess? It’s not super huge, but it’s got a pretty cool reputation & has been an awesome punk club since the 70’s. They guys who work there are wonderful.

restaurant when I was 17 & he was 23. I asked him to be my date to the prom. He did. I’ve got pictures if you don’t believe me.

Biggest musical influences? It’s like a combination of church camp, straightedge hardcore, & math rock. But we hate math rock. But, oh well.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be?

R. Kelly... Henry loves him.

Which label do you want to sign you and why? Any. It

Who’s the smartest? Henry.

would make recording a lot easier. I don’t know. K Records?

Kurt wanted it ,too.

Favorite local venue? Shredquarters, duh.

How do the fans contact you? Talking after shows, facebook,

What school did you/ do you attend? I went to Winthrop.

also my phone number is all over the internet...oops.

Adam went to USC. Henry told me last week that he went to nursing school for 1/3 of a semester.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? Jess & Henry. “All of em! All of em!”

Ladies: tell me 3 items in your purse: I recently downsized,

Craziest thing you have ever done at a show? One time

so not much, but a giant lipsmacker, 1.75 in change, and a photo of Tripp La France from his Club Life interview.

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Biggest venue you have ever played: The Milestone Club

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I broke some dishes at a house show & the plate shards cut

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some people. I felt bad, but it turns out they were into it.

Sorry, Brittany & Woody.

Song” because he just gets to drone out an E. Currently, Adam & I really love playing one of our new songs, “Julie”.

Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show? What is your biggest goal in making music? Not getting Once, I pool hopped at a hotel after a show with my friend Grace & this band from Asheville. It was pretty fun, but we got yelled at & had to run home soaking wet. It was like high school all over again.

boring/bored.

Who still has their natural hair color? Henry & Adam

How has your song-writing changed since you began?

Describe your sound in three words: Appalachian cheerleader metal.

What’s your favorite sex position? That’s icky!

It’s pretty much the same. Adam writes most of the songs, & I help him fill in the gaps, then we arrange the songs by just jamming them for a few days, & then Henry add’s new depths to it all with bass parts, & then Adam & Amy write cello parts together. When it all comes together, I’m usually really surprised at how smoothly it all works.

Who can play the most instruments? We can all play

Starbucks or Starsucks? We like coffee. All the coffee.

Do any of your moms listen to your music? My mom & dad and Henry’s mom & sister have attended some of our shows. They’re sweeties!

multiple intruments, but I’d say that Adam is probably the most prolific, breadth & depth-wise. Henry plays guitar, bass, saxophone, banjo, mandolin & a mean power drill. I stick mostly to guitar & drums. I’m learning the accordion.

IT’S SO HEAVY! Adam can play everything.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had playing a show?

We recently played the Fork & Spoon Thanksgiving Potluck at New Brookland Tavern. Our friend Amy play cello with us, & it was the most fun I’ve had in a while. I think we have a really solid group of people to work with. The Fork & Spoon guys are do a lot of really neat things for music in Columbia & I’m extra glad that we had the chance to play.

What is your least favorite thing about being involved in the music industry? Meeting neat people.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in music? Having the resources to record something that we can be pround of.

Do you know who your number one fan is? Our roommate, Brielle Hayes. She’s also our hypeman, our best friend, & an amazing visual artist who makes our lives so much better just by being around every day.

Do you care what people think about your music? Yes, to a certain extent. If we didn’t care about what people think about it, we wouldn’t play it out. At least, that’s my opinion.

No one wants to work really hard on something & then get a negative response. During the writing process, however, I think we focus on just making something that makes us happy for a little while. There are a lot of inside jokes. It’s sort of like listening to Adam & I having a conversation in a foreign language. When someone gets one of the jokes & tells us after a show, that is the BEST feeling.

Life philosophy? “You could swing an ax into the side of your house, but why bother?”

probably. or wherever is convenient & cheap.

Where are most of your fans located? Good question.

Favorite song to play? Henry loves “The Happy Hippies

Where do you get most of your clothes? Thrift Stores, Anything else you want to let our readers know? Book us on shows! Don’t even ask first.

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Death of Paris began in 2009 when co-founders Jayna Doyle and Blake Arambula began writing together, but since welcoming guitarist Patrick Beardsley, bassist Patrick North and drummer Bryan Bass into the fold in late 2010, the band has made the process of touring and promoting the band a full-time job. Riding high on their debut album, which was recorded in Los Angeles, CA at Killingsworth Recording Company with producer David Baker, the band took 2011 head on, spending nearly a month on the road in January. During the 3 week acoustic tour of the Southeast, the band played in many malls, coffeehouses and bars, paying their dues with opening slots and getting their symbolic foots in doors along the way. Upon their return, the band became anxious to tour once more, this time playing as a full band. In an ambitious move, they put together over a month’s worth of tour dates, sending them as far north as NYC and as far south as Miami as they spent the better parts of June, July and August on the road. Over 3,000 miles, many new fans and one blown tire later, the band returned back to their hometown of Columbia, SC, having received press and radio play up and down the East Coast for their efforts. The band has played venues that run the gamut from 70 capacity acoustic coffeehouses to 3000 capacity venues like Township Auditorium and House of Blues. Most recently, the quintet performed during the Fall for Greenville annual festival, which brings in close to 150,000 people yearly.

Their song “East or West” was picked as the best song of 2011 for ListenUp MB, a Myrtle Beach-based music blog. Later in the year, ListenupMB chose the band’s album as an editor’s pick in it’s “101 Albums That Defined our Region in 2011”.

Throughout the end of the year, the band also engaged in a remix competition for their song “Connect the Dots,” letting DJs, producers and other musicians from across the globe try their hand at the song and win prizes in the process.

In the meantime, the group is writing and rehearsing new material for a future 2012 release to accompany more festival appearances, prime opening slots and more extensive touring.

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Why the name? When coming up with the name, we wanted it to mean something, to be something that we stood for, something dear to us. “Death of Paris” can be broken down like this.. Paris is seen as the city of love, lights, romance, etc, now imagine that city in ruins. It’s all symbolism for the ‘death of romance,’ the death of something you loved and respected. I think with younger generations now and really all across the board that people don’t believe in love like they used to, and don’t take the time to explore it. Old school chivalry, romance, and ‘the chase’ have taken a backseat because hookups and quick fixes are so easily available. “Death of Paris” is a reminder of the state we’re in today, the death of romance and honesty with one’s self. And we’re writing songs that explore that on a universal level.

the same stage myself was something I had always dreamed of. We also always have a blast every time we play the Radio Room in Greenville. And playing the outside stage at Art Bar at Music Crawl is still one of my most favorite memories.

What school did you/ do you attend? Blake, Patrick and I all went to USC.

Ladies: tell me 3 items in your purse 1) A stack of Death of Paris business cards 2) MAC lipstick in Russian Red 3) fortune cookie: “your current plans are going to succeed if you stick with them”

How did you all meet? Blake (keys/guitar) and I (Jayna, Hair Product you can’t live without: Garnier Fructis Curl vocals) had been together in a previous band - and when that band broke up we were both graduating USC and having some pretty intense quarter life crises. We found ourselves writing when we were most stressed and realized if we kept turning to music, then we need to keep going. So we started up Death of Paris and without any other members pulled in yet, we went out to Los Angeles to record and then came back to start a band. We played several shows feeling several people out but nothing was working.. Then all at once we met the right people and everything came together serendipitously at the end of 2010/beginning of 2011- Pat (bass) was a bartender for a bar that Blake DJ-ed, Patrick (guitar) was a regular at the coffee shop where I work and a fellow employee introduced us after I had mentioned we were looking for new members, and Bryan (drums) came out to meet us while we were on the road during our January Acoustic Tour after responding to a CraigsList ad that we posted.

Shaping Spray Gel otherwise I’m sure I’d have a ‘fro.

Biggest venue you have ever played: The Township Auditorium - 3200 capacity! We recently opened up for locals Weaving the Fate (aka Villanova) in August. It was nuts to play at a venue that size - but instead of being overwhelmed by a venue that size, I felt more comfortable than ever.. it was a great experience and we got to meet so many great people that night.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be? That is a really tough question.. but I would have to say No Doubt.

I’ve been such a huge fan all my life, even had Tragic Kingdom on tape. They’ve paved the path for girl fronted bands of our generation. Gwen Stefani set the bar so high and kills it onstage every time, even now. And to be able to share a bill with them would mean we’ve equally made a name for ourselves and that would be the most rewarding feeling ever.

Biggest musical influences? I know that the band differs Which label do you want to sign you and why? Interscope, on musical influences since we all come from very different music backgrounds, but I think that works to our advantage since even more influence is being brought to the table. I would say overall I, personally, have been most inspired by Metric, Goo Goo Dolls, No Doubt, Third Eye Blind, Jimmy Eat World, Garbage… everything in the 90s is still very close to me. Of course I would be wrong to deny Mariah Carey, I played the Music Box album daily when I was a little kid.

Who’s the smartest? HAHA who’s the smartest of the band?! Of course I am - I’m the only woman in the band!

But that’s really a tough one.. we are all really full of random unpopular fun facts.

Favorite local venue? House of Blues in Myrtle Beach is really really hard to top, playing there was surreal since I grew up in Myrtle Beach getting to see some of my biggest influences and favorite artists play that stage.. and then getting to play

Columbia or Island/Def Jam. I grew up with big, big dreams.

And I really respect and admire the artists on those labels, they are among the most successful artists in the music industry, and I want to earn a spot among them.

How do the fans contact you? We love feedback and response and meeting the people who are giving our music a chance. We are very active on Twitter (@deathofparis), Facebook (facebook.com/deathofparis), YouTube (youtube. com/deathofparis) and Tumblr (deathofparis.tumblr.com) and we love to interact with fans on each of those sites daily.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? We don’t kiss and tell :) Craziest thing you have ever done at a show? We keep our shows pretty loose, we never know what’s going to happen so there’s no point in choreographing every little move. If there’s MAGAZINE

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something I can climb on or around the stage, I usually go for it. Blake can say some incredibly cheesy stuff during shows and one time I felt the need to throw water on him.. Our guitarist Patrick is like 6’3” and he sometimes wears platform boots to appear even taller and then stands on his amp.. The most awkward thing that’s ever happened was when I kicked my shoes off on stage and one flew off full force and hit a woman in the face. Other than that we are still finding our onstage personas and getting comfortable with those, so the craziest is yet to come…

Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show?

Partied with the House of Blues staff and crew - I can’t elaborate details, but there was Dizzy Bat, Honey Whiskey, and Sombreros.

Who still has their natural hair color? Bryan and Pat. I’ve been dyeing mine shades of red, purple, and pink since 9th grade. Although brown today, Patrick still has pink hair in his license photo. Blake is getting more and more grey hair every day..

Do any of your moms listen to your music? Hell yea!

When our mom’s come out to shows they will drive up to park blasting our music and singing along.. which is equally awesome and embarrassing. But yea, all of our moms and families are very supportive of the band and fans of our music.

What’s your favorite sex position? Damn, wasn’t expecting that question. However, sex is actually a reoccurring theme in our music - and as far as position goes, we’re flexible. We were stupid enough once to say “We put the ‘O’ in D_P.” Any fetishes? We like to do it onstage.

Song you lost your virginity to? I hope someone someday loses their virginity to our music. That would be awesome.

Who can play the most instruments? Blake would be royally pissed if we didn’t say him. We had this write-up once that described Blake as a “multi-instrumentalist” because he tackles both rhythm guitar and 2 keyboards - he has since really taken the description to heart and we tease him every practice about not really needing any of us for shows cause he’s a oneman band. But we’re all multi-instrumentalists actually.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had playing a show? I think we would all agree: our first of two shows played this past summer at House of Blues in Myrtle Beach. It was a Myrtle Beach Rocks! show and we were the featured headliner. That night changed our lives - it was such a big deal for us to be playing that stage, to have made it so far so soon as a new band and to be asked to headline our first show at House 44

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of Blues?! We had so much support and love from everyone surrounding that show, and the audience was the best crowd we’ve ever had played to - everyone was so into it and sharing in the special moment with us. It made us want to work even harder to get to the next level so that we can continue playing life-changing shows like that.

Do you know who your number one fan is? I’ve had a hand written letter given to me by a 11 year old girl named Hailee. In the letter she explains how we’ve inspired her to want to do music and how she looks up to us. When I read it initially, I couldn’t help but tear up knowing that I could possibly affect someone else, it hadn’t really occurred to me yet the gravity of having the ability to serve as an influence and inspiration to someone else because I’ve been out there following my own influences and inspirations and somehow I’ve had this moment of passing that on. At our latest shows, we’ve had an insane amount of people come up to us and tell us these incredible stories about how we’ve inspired them to do something different in their life, to not give up guitar, to not stop writing music, etc and it’s really made me value this newfound role as a role model and inspiration to others and I’ve really started to make sure that I am sending the right message out to all of our new fans and old ones, too. We have this incredible fan-base that’s been growing with us since we started going strong earlier this year and it’s made me push forward to hold up my end of the deal, to make them proud and not let them down because I’ve made a difference to them so far.

Life philosophy? Don’t ever give up on what you’re passionate about, and don’t ever ever settle, no matter what. It’s not worth it. We only live once and we won’t get a second chance to do it over again, so I believe very strongly that people should be living for themselves and following their true passions - no matter the consequence or struggle, if it’s what you love and you were born with that love, then you are meant to chase it.

No questioning or second guessing, just chase what you love, go after what inspires you, and share it with the world.

Where are most of your fans located? We have the strongest concentration of fans in Myrtle Beach, for sure.

Blake and I actually grew up in Myrtle Beach so we still have a very strong and unbelievably loyal fan-base there. We aren’t dogging Columbia, though! They are a close second, and the fans here have been so equally good to us. We’ve also had an incredible response from New York City and Orlando since touring this summer, so we are looking to tour the East coast again so that we can keep the fan-base growing!

Favorite song to play? We probably all have the most fun playing “Narcoleptic” live. It’s such a badass, high energy, straightforward rock n roll song that we just all get into it and

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lose it. But as a singer, I really look forward to the time in our set when we play “Oubliette” because it’s such an emotional song for me and I really feel like it’s a singer’s song. Another favorite is our cover of 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up.” That song really tends to move people and I love being able to make that connection during a show.

What is your biggest goal in making music? I want to make music in order to connect and communicate. Everybody experiences the same heartbreak, betrayal, passion, and curiosity on some level and I aim at writing songs that explore those so we can bring a room together. I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re feeling something that someone else hasn’t already felt. And I want to write music that can help people and serve as therapy - something you play to get over someone, something you play while getting ready to go out with friends, something you play to get inspired. I write music as therapy for myself and for others, cause we’re all in this together.

Describe your sound in three words. Energetic.

Mysterious. Fresh.

How has your song-writing changed since you began?

It has changed tremendously! When we started DOP, Blake and I wrote all the songs just the two of us. In comparing it with our old band, it was the first chance that I had the opportunity to take the risk and write lyrics that exposed my personal life. I wasn’t just writing what I thought other people might want to hear in a song - I was displaying my life in our songs and completely throwing myself out there. It was scary but well worth it. We just recently started writing new material as a band since we got home from tour in August and it has been quite an experience. Going from writing songs between 2 people to then writing something that both pleases and includes ideas from 5 people started out as a challenge.

But we’ve actually worked together really well once we pushed past the first time we got together to write. Our new material is very strong because we are much more confident in ourselves and are starting to really hone who we are as individual artists and as a collective band. I’m pushing myself to take more risks vocally and lyric-wise and it’s working out great - we are really excited to start sharing the new songs!!

Starbucks or Starsucks? I work at a coffee shop, so I’m biased. I love coffee. Coffee is coffee. Starbucks!

at this point is not knowing what they’re looking for.. Is it enough to be myself? Do I need to create a caricature to sell?

We’ve come to a point as a band where we’re looking to take another step forward towards our goals and it’s difficult to maneuver because we don’t know where to start and it’s a well known fact that breaking in to the industry at all is dependent for the most part on chance - and being in the right place at the right time. This is a tough question! All the reasons why I hate the music industry are also all reasons why I love it in the first place.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in music? Balance. Between doing what you love and having to pay bills in order to survive and keep doing what you love it has been overwhelmingly difficult. It makes you realize why so many bands give up, realistically going after your dream takes a ton of work, time, dedication, drive, and patience, not to mention finding the perfect part time job that allows you time off to tour and supplies enough money to keep the power on so we can practice. But then you realize, we’ve come too far to stop - eyes on the prize, eyes on the prize.

Do you care what people think about your music? Of course we do! Duh! We write music for people. And we want to know what people think about our music, good or bad.

Any feedback is good feedback because we can learn from what people think. We know that not everyone is going to like us, and that’s fine, no harm in that. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and taste in music, and that’s totally fine.

Where do you get most of your clothes? H&M, Topshop, thrift stores… I like one of a kind things and I like to pick up pieces while we’re on the road so that everything in my closet has a story and is almost like souvenirs from the places I’ve been.

Anything else you want to let our readers know? We love Wink and are so excited to be a part of this issue! We’re really thankful and endlessly appreciative for all the support and luck we’ve had in 2011. There really aren’t words to even describe how excited we are for the future of Death of Paris, and we hope that everyone reading will take the time to share in this with us and stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter!

What is your least favorite thing about being involved in the music industry? I don’t really have much to complain about as far as the music industry goes - I know it’s all political and hard to break into, but I get that and I respect the industry because of that. You’ve got to be good and you’ve got to earn it. People that have it handed to them are not going to last anyway because fans eventually see through that, I think. For me, I think the most difficult thing about the music industry MAGAZINE

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Winking at DJ GLDFNGR of ColumbiaRedHot.com

by Emilie Johnston

Drip Coffee. 9 o’clock on a chilly Wednesday morning, and I’m kicking myself because I went with my humanitarian urge not to stereotype the guy wearing the old school headphones as a DJ. Needless to say, my plan not to embarrass myself back-fired slightly, but that was okay because Fred—or DJ GLDFNGR, as you might better know him—is a down-toearth type with a knack for finding immediate humor in the fact that I called him from two tables away to confirm our appointment. He said, “Hello,” I heard the echo reverberate in my phone, and we both turned our heads in amused recognition of my interview foul. True story.

With an introduction like that, I should have known from the get-go that this wouldn’t be any conventional interview.

But then again, Fred isn’t a conventional DJ. After 10 years of dropping beats in the city he now calls his home, he is a certified Columbia local. Like any artist worth his knickers, he not only sticks to his roots, but he also travels regularly throughout the Southeast to play his remixes of top 40s hits for adoring fans and newcomers alike.

Sound too conventional for you? Just wait until I get to the part about how he got started. But first, I must pay homage to the fact that while some of our conversation was about his

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music, most of it consisted of a string of impassioned rants about the state—or rather, city—of Columbia’s night life. On the chance that you’ve spent the last few years here under a rock and have yet to hear about DJ GLDFNGR, perhaps you may be more familiar with the online forum columbiaredhot. com, which Fred started a few years back in an effort to unite music lovers of all genres and get them out of their comfort zones.

You see, as Fred so concisely puts it, Columbia is a city of cycles. In the fall, there are lots of people. Over December, the place is practically a ghost town. Then, in the spring, returning students slam right back into the clubs. All this fluctuating of people makes it awfully hard for artists to play shows, as they have to repeatedly win over crowds, and it takes longer than usual to form a solid fan base. Add to that the extreme and irrational hesitancy of Columbia natives to brave new venues to listen to new music, and you hit a social wall.

The solution: columbiaredhot.com. If there is a show you want to go to, but none of your cliquish friends are willing to join, you can go to Fred’s forum and find a buddy who wants to go that same show. It’s a simple way to meet new people

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and experience new music. Not to mention it’s an ingenious method to promote Fred’s gigs and get his own name out.

Fred’s other solutions to improve night life in the proverbial arm pit include more bars charging covers and charging more for drinks. Dollar drinks might be great on a college-student budget, but let’s face it. Nobody expects a quality drink for a measly four quarters. His logic is that if a bar advertises how cheap it is, people are more likely to think that the bar itself is cheap and therefore not a quality venue. Now, back to the college students, for which Columbia has created a wonderfully inviting atmosphere. Because the city is so focused on the college kids, it often neglects the post-grads, who actually make more money, and are just as open to a night on the town as most of the people in school. Fred confided, “For any city to thrive, you have to have a decent day life in order to have a decent night life.” Perhaps being more welcoming to post-grads looking for jobs wouldn’t be a bad start.

If you’re beginning to wonder what all this talk about Columbia night life has to do with Fred as DJ GLDFNGR, don’t worry. I did too. His explanation: The night life shapes his music.

But Fred’s critique of the city after dark continues. It’s not just the bars that need more respect, but also the DJ scene here. He has noticed, with worried eyes, the sky-rocketing number of DJ’s in the past couple of years. Everybody is trying to be a DJ now, especially with the rise of dubstep; and while it may be helping people to embrace DJ-ing as a form of art and entertainment, it has the unfortunate side-effect of also decreasing the value and respect for them. In short, anyone who ventures down to an Apple store or onto Amazon can get the equipment, in its most minimal and unrefined form, of course, and slap on the label “DJ.” Consequently, undiscerning bars take true artists less seriously and see them as a disposable form of entertainment.

After that night, young master Fred went home and began to play. With sound, of course. And back then, it wasn’t so easy. For one thing, it was certainly less affordable. Now, if you want to try your hand at DJ-ing, all you need for the purpose of dabbling is a single computer. Then, you needed headphones, needles, turntables, mixers, and of course records. Keep in mind that the records alone were anywhere from $7 to $13 a pop, which means that this was no cheap endeavor. Furthermore, once you took the time to learn all of your instruments and get a grip on the craft, you had to haul all of that stuff to the bar to play your gig. These temporal, financial, and physical burdens created a system perfect for filtering out those less serious about DJ-ing, something we take for granted with the newer generation. Back then, pure passion was what separated the boys from the men. Now that the burdens of the past have been significantly decreased thanks to technological advances, Fred believes it is even more important that potential DJ’s spend time to practice meditation and retrospection on their product. It takes time and experience to know that “you don’t play a 2 o’clock song at 10 o’clock.” As for himself, he disclosed that it may sometimes take a month for him to create an hour of music.

Despite his biting criticism of Columbia, Fred is not without hope. Lacking a firmly grounded music scene means there are tons of possibilities for the city to find an identity. His comment that “Columbia right now is a blank slate” resonates with a realistic optimism that only a well-seasoned DJ like GLDFNGR can get away with. If he can offer us a positive outlook on the future, I think we, the citizens of Columbia, owe it to him, the rest of the true DJ’s, and ourselves to get out, get about, and get rowdy.

Back in the day, things were different in the DJ game. Take Fred, for example. (This is the part where I tell you about how he got started.) It was the late ‘90s, and he had been party hopping with some local DJ friends, which is how he became interested in the trade. Cracker Jack’s was the club, mostly an after-hours joint where the waiters and bartenders went for a good time after work. It was also the first venue to witness Fred do his first DJ gig, which was impromptu, I might add, and largely the result of pressure from one of Fred’s DJ friends. Poor Fred. What else could he do but suck? But, as he says, “that’s the bug that bit me.”

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An Exclusive Interview with THE DUBBER

Winking at Local Music Artist Wendell Culbreath Don’t get me wrong: it’s not that I don’t enjoy writing about how to throw the perfect cocktail party or how to be a bargainsavvy recessionista. It’s not that I didn’t love every minute in attendance at Charlotte NC Fashion Week. It’s just that nothing quite hits home the way sitting down in a coffee shop and talking with somebody as truly genuine as Wendell Culbreath, the sole member of Columbia’s THE Dubber. I was lucky enough to snag the first interview with him after his recent return from Europe.

So I had to ask, for somebody that’s now been to Europe, of all the places in the world, why choose to settle for the past six years in the armpit of South Carolina?

It turns out that Culbreath’s parents resided a little over an hour away in the town of Edgefield, and he started making trips down to visit his mother after his father passed away.

At the time, he was living in his native Washington, D.C., which he reflected has lost much of its underground scene of punk and go-go music when they began to succumb to the corporate forces that dominate most of the country.

That brought me to my next question. What was the story behind the name THE Dubber and its curious all-caps article?

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by Emilie Johnston

In his younger days, Culbreath migrated out to Los Angeles, where he played in a reggae band called The Dubbers of King Selassie. For those of you that aren’t with the name, Haile Selassie was the king of Ethiopia and is considered a Jesus Christ-like figure in the Rastafarian religion. The name was rather appropriate, since the unit was headed by two Rastafarian dub poets. While in the band, Culbreath played the guitar, which he still does today. He was also, he confided, the unofficial band leader, which is how they ended up moving out to D.C. As is often the case with moving, the transition was tough for his bandmates, who had never left L.A. before. Going from constant 80 degree weather to a place with actual seasons was the least of their worries. They also struggled with the change from a city where everything was all “smoke and mirrors” to a place where people are more blunt and straight-forward. Not long after they arrived, the members of The Dubbers of King Selassie left Culbreath to his hometown.

Like many artists, Culbreath struggled financially. At one point, he was even homeless. This was the lowest point he had ever reached, and he stopped performing for three months. That is, until he decided to collaborate with a young

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lady to perform in a talent show. Fortunately, he had never ceased writing lyrics and songs. He describes the talent-show performance as life-changing. After his friend was done performing, she gave Culbreath the floor. In his own words, “I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, everything I needed and didn’t need was right in front of me.” He had found a new direction in his life.

This sparked a number of subsequent performances and recordings, and pretty soon he decided that he ought to come up with a name for himself. At this point, Culbreath wasn’t very fond of “Wendell Culbreath” as a name for a performer.

Since he was the only remaining member of The Dubbers of King Selassie, he decided to capitalize the first word to emphasize this. The result: THE Dubber.

Culbreath also took into consideration the meaning of the infinitive “to dub,” which means to rework. He likes to think of himself as being the bridge to combine all genres of music, all of which, he stressed, he listens to. His rule is that as long as it sounds interesting, he will listen to it.

“Music inspires emotion, so whatever makes that spark in you, that’s what you dig.”

On the same token, Culbreath confessed that he is sick of people trying to put his sound in a box, which promptly led us to talk for at least ten minutes about Americans’ infatuation for the pleasure immediacy. (While I will spare you the details, know that we returned to this subject multiple times throughout the interview.) He takes all the music he listens to and reflects them in his music, which he refers to as the genre New World Music. This is also how he came up with his album title Global Warming Now that he’s begun to travel the world, it begged the question: How did the Walk ‘Em Down European Tour even happen?

Simple. Or at least that’s how Culbreath made it sound. He just decided he wanted to do it, so he did it. It’s what he refers to as “word power,” or the belief that whatever you say or even think will happen, whether it is positive or negative. A quick divergence onto the topic of how waking up with a negative attitude in the morning is the worst decision ever, and we were back on track to talking about how, when he went to Europe, he only had one connection. He had been playing with the idea of traveling to Europe or Japan, and when he learned of his French tie, Europe won the game. Allegedly, the nice man who helped Culbreath out with a gig in France first learned about him on Facebook when he posted a music video onto a woman’s wall. After touring America for three years and receiving many positive responses, his confidence was up enough to make the trek.

While in Europe, he played three shows in London, which was impressive enough to earn the spot as his second favorite city in Europe. He was there for two weeks and appreciated that the people were genuine, proud of themselves, and generally happy. To all the singer/song-writers out there, he recommends paying a visit to A Spice of Life. However, the first venue he played in London was The Gallery Café at an open mic. Despite being late and almost unable to perform, it earned him a gig at his first official show in the city. Currently, he also has three shows lined up for when he returns to Europe.

Naturally, Paris won the position as Culbreath’s favorite European city, but not without some bias, as he admitted it was the first city he played internationally before he was THE Dubber. As he told me, “Everybody had swag.” It was also the place where that nice man I mentioned before had arranged a paying gig for Culbreath, which went so well that one man approached him afterwards to say that he had finally seen a performance by an American with an original sound. Another added bonus is that after having made the trip to Europe, he feels as though he has achieved a newfound respect from people who may not have given him much attention prior to his departure.

Directly, we went on a tangent about how the value of music has lessened, which resulted in this gem of a quote: “The artist’s job is not to support the arts. It is to create the arts.”

He related that he had once tweeted this and posted it on facebook, causing a storm of responses.

With that said, Culbreath mentioned that he was not above sending every single facebook friend an invite to his show in France as an act of self-promotion, a feat he rarely executes and something that is vital for any artist who doesn’t want to starve—at least, not to the point of hospitalization.

Culbreath also had some useful advice for struggling musical artists, mainly that you should be playing shows and practicing non-stop and always maintain professionalism and a good work ethic.

As the afternoon coffee rush began to die down, he left me some information regarding his newest album, which he is to begin working on this month. If all goes as well, it will be released in March, at which time he plans to embark on his second tour of Europe. Culbreath feels that this will finally be his year, and if his suspicions about word power prove true, then I have no doubt that he is right.

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A once solo project of Steven Cathcart, I am Carpenter became a band in 2006 and has gone through two complete line-up changes and 13 members, yet has continued to make music. Cathcart writes mainly about life stories and events that have taken place. They released two albums in the fall of 2011, one called “home to Harbor,” which is more or less a concept album loosely based around the last two years of Cathcart’s life, and the other being “my God Clara,” a story about a girl that doesn’t fully exist. Our show buddies include Rova Zettella and Sound on Film.

Why the name? I came up with the name so long ago, I’m not really sure what it means to me anymore. It’s taken its own path really since then.

How did you all meet? I (Steven) scouted out all the members who have come and gone and its really all been a matter of good timing more than anything. just people come and show up when its needed.

Biggest musical influences? Midlake, Of Montreal, Why?, The Pale.

Biggest venue you have ever played: Indie Community stage at cornerstone. Maybe 3000 people.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be? I’d say Why? All the bands we love don’t match out style though so it would be difficult.

Which label do you want to sign you and why?

4AD, It’s the best.

Who’s the smartest? Our drummer, joe is an accountant in real life ha.

How do the fans contact you?

Favorite local venue? There’s no such thing as a favorite local venue for us, but Columbia is always great. Haven’t really had a bad show there.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? Everyone in the band is taken. shame shame.

What school did you/ do you attend? I’ve bounced 50

around from college to college but plan on graduating next year from Piedmont.

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Normally in person or via Facebook

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Craziest thing you have ever done at a show? I’ve smashed

Life philosophy? “Wanna live on the stage, wanna play the

a few guitars but one time I almost smashed my guitar ON TOP OF my drummers brother in law. Had no idea he was there and the emotions snuck up on me, almost killed him.

guitar, and I wanna get paid.”

Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show?

Where are most of your fans located? Atlanta and Tennessee.

Kicked all my bandmates out and started over, ha.

Favorite song to play? Fights,

Who still has their natural hair color? Everyone except

What is your biggest goal in making music? Eh, I don’t

Eli, our guitar player.

Do any of your moms listen to your music? Eh, the

know if its goals, We just want to have fun and play, We all are just in it until we can’t be.

moms don’t give shit unless its country here.

Describe your sound in three words. New, Smart, Filthy.

What’s your favorite sex position? Anything rough.

How has your song-writing changed since you began?

Any fetishes? Nope Song you lost your virginity to? The sound of being thirteen years old in white suburbia.

Who can play the most instruments? (Steven) actually teaches music at a private school. Everything except woodwinds.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had playing a show?

I was a kid, now I’m an adult.

Starbucks or Starsucks? Fuck coffee, tea all day!

What is your least favorite thing about being involved in the music industry? The moving of equipment, ha.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in music? Making a single, a radio friendly, open to all audiences single.

One of our older shows at a common bond art show, fucking flawless.

and no, you like it? Awesome. You don’t? Awesome.

Do you know who your number one fan is? My bulldog,

Where do you get most of your clothes? From other

he loves this shit.

Do you care what people think about your music? Yes

friends, just keep passing them around.

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How do the fans contact you? dylandickerson@gmail.com, Or just talk to me in person.

Why the name? I perform under the name Dylan Dickerson because Lee Garrett told me it sounded good.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? Can’t say.

How did you all meet? Not applicable.

Craziest thing you have ever done at a show? I smashed a guitar on stage when I was 14 and a punk rocker.

Biggest musical influences? This changes all the time but The Minutemen are always pretty high on the list. I listened to a record called Ray Barbee Meets the Mattson Two when I first started playing by myself. That record solidified my decision to go electric.

Who’s the smartest? Not applicable Favorite local venue? I miss the Elbow Room. They had a good name.

What school did you/ do you attend? University of South Carolina

Who still has their natural hair color? My hair Do any of your moms listen to your music? My mom likes my music. My dad does too.

What’s your favorite sex position? Not applicable.

Any fetishes? Not applicable.

Hair Product you can’t live without: Shampoo

Song you lost your virginity to? Not applicable

Biggest venue you have ever played: Ever heard of Wembley Stadium? Just playing.

Who can play the most instruments? Not applicable

If you could open for anyone, who would it be? I’d open for the Rolling Stones just to make my dad happy. He has been sporting the forty licks logo on his arm for a while now.

Which label do you want to sign you and why? I like Fat Possum a lot. On a more local level, I think Fork & Spoon are doing some great things. I would like to work with them.

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Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show? I live in a pretty bad part of town. I feel like going to sleep in my neighborhood is crazy enough.

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What’s the most fun you’ve ever had playing a show? Playing with Peter Wolf Crier and Young Mumbles at El Burrito was a really good time. The Strangers Magazine release party was a pretty different show experience then I am used to but I really enjoyed it. The crowd was really focused on the music and it was pretty flattering.

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Do you know who your number one fan is? Without a doubt, Raymond Coty. My roommate and longtime bandmate Marc Coty’s dad.

Life philosophy? Hakuna Matata.

Where are most of your fans located? My hometown isn’t interested in local music. Thankfully, Columbia operates in a completely different way. So I guess the answer is Columbia Favorite song to play? I’m always most excited about whatever song is the newest. So right now it’s a song that I’ve been calling “There is Comfort”.

What is your biggest goal in making music? I’m just happy to be doing it. When I was a kid I just wanted to write one song that people appreciated. I’ve been treated so well by the people who have come to see me play that I’d say I’ve met that goal.

Describe your sound in three words: “TOO DANG LOUD” How has your song-writing changed since you began? It’s a lot better than it used to be. I have an entire catalogue of silly songs from when I started out that no one needs to hear.

Starbucks or Starsucks? Not a fan of coffee.

I’ll take a Dr. Pepper.

What is your least favorite thing about being involved in the music industry? You are forced to be a business man.

That has taken some getting used to.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in music?

It can be challenging to write about people who will most likely hear the song when it is finished.

Do you care what people think about your music? It is always validating when someone tells me that a song reached them somehow but I don’t write with the intention to please anyone but myself.

Where do you get most of your clothes? I have three older brothers so I was raised on hand-me-downs. Now I am the tallest and lankiest brother so I shop wherever I can find clothes that fit. A few years back I gave my older brother a pair of pants I outgrew. That was pretty memorable for me.

Anything else you want to let our readers know? If you want to hear some of the music that I have been talking about you can get it for free at www.dylandickerson.bandcamp.com.

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Why the name? Thomas and Trey decided in middle school that they wanted to have a band and name it in Kemp Ridley.

When we all started playing together, we liked the name, but they wouldn’t tell the rest of us what it meant. One day I (Cam) was sitting in the break room at work and glanced up at the educational video playing on the TV about sea turtles to see the species named the “Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle.” The secret was finally out – we’re a band named after a turtle.

How did you all meet? Thomas and I lived on the same floor in the Capstone dorm at USC our freshman year. I met Cayla through my suitemates – they went to high school together and she hung out in our dorm frequently. I had a class with Trey that year and found out that he and Thomas went to middle and high school together, so the three of us started jamming on occasion. We eventually found out Cayla played guitar and had an amazing voice, so we started trying to write songs with her as well. Early sophomore year, she introduced us to Turner, her lifelong friend, and the lineup was finally complete.

Biggest musical influences? We all come from so many different places musically. On our first record, you can tell that we were all over the map when it came to songwriting – each song was going in its own direction. With our latest material, we’ve settled into an indie-pop feel with heavy rock and folk influences. Now, we’d probably point to Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, former local band Marry A Thief… maybe The Shins? I don’t know.

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Who’s the smartest? Everyone in our band is extremely intelligent, which leads us to over think our music a lot of times. If we had to pinpoint one person, I’d say Trey mainly because he’s the only one getting paid to go to school.

Favorite local venue? New Brookland Tavern, though Art Bar has been really great to us lately.

What school did you/ do you attend?

We’re all seniors at USC. Ladies: tell me 3 items in your purse: iPhone, car keys, hair ties.

Hair Product you can’t live without: Long-term Relationship shampoo Biggest venue you have ever played: We’ve played a few big festivals. The stage at St. Pat’s in Five Points in 2010 was probably the biggest size-wise. Highest profile gig I think would be when we played Hootie and The Blowfish’s Homegrown Weekend this past summer in Charleston.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be? You’ll get a different answer from each band member. I’d say consensus would be Grace Potter or Radiohead.

Which label do you want to sign you and why? To be honest, none. We’re an independent band and plan on being one for quite some time. We’re not overly concerned with the business of music and want to keep playing on our

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own terms. If someone looked to sign us, we’d take the offer very seriously and do our homework to make sure we weren’t getting screwed.

know some listeners might overlook that, but the ones that don’t can get even more enjoyment out of our material.

Describe your sound in three words. Indie-pop/rock.

How do the fans contact you? They can head to our website, www.kempridleymusic.com. From there you can get our email address, go to our Facebook page, head to our YouTube and Bandcamp pages and follow our Twitter account. We’ve made a huge effort to have user-friendly, clean interfaces online for our fans to interact with us.

How has your song-writing changed since you began? At the beginning, we all tried to write songs for the band to play, which is why we never really had a defined genre or style. Now we let Cayla do the grand majority of the writing and the rest of us help build the songs from a full band standpoint.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? Currently, none of us.

Starbucks or Starsucks? Starbucks. Their bathrooms are generally immaculate.

Craziest thing you have ever done at a show? We played a slightly metal/punk rock version of “Frosty the Snowman” at a Christmas Parade and kicked a stuffed snowman into a crowd of small children. They were terrified.

What is your least favorite thing about being involved in the music industry? Having to jockey for position with other bands in the scene. We’d rather just become friends with everyone, but a lot of people are so driven by their goals for stardom that they don’t really mind douching you out of the way.

Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show? Traveled through downtown Newport News, VA. If you’ve never been there, you’re better off.

Who still has their natural hair color?

All of us. We don’t play that.

Do any of your moms listen to your music?

All of them. Huge fans.

Who can play the most instruments? Trey. He can hold down guitar, bass, drums, keys and dabbles in trumpet and banjo.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had playing a show? Unsure really, there have been so many good times. One show at The Oasis in Charleston sticks out – we threw T-shirts that weren’t ours, into the crowd; we’d gotten them as freebies at another show. The people were very confused.

Do you know who your number one fan is? We have a few candidates, but I don’t think we could narrow it to one. We have so many awesome fans.

Life philosophy? We play music for fun, first and foremost.

Where are most of your fans located? We have large sects of fans in Columbia, Charleston and scattered about Virginia – basically in all of our hometowns. We’ve started to develop a following in Greenville too, which is really cool.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in music?

Keeping any hype surrounding you is tough. When we first started playing, we drew large crowds because people were excited to see Cayla finally playing with a full band. After the novelty of that wore off, we had to work hard and gig often to earn any sort of credit in the scene. Sometimes things are on a roll, other times they aren’t. We just try to keep level heads and keep having fun.

Do you care what people think about your music? To a degree. Obviously we want people to like what we put out, but if they don’t it’s alright – that’s their opinion. As long as we’re producing music that we like to play as a group, we’ll be satisfied.

Where do you get most of your clothes? Thrift stores. Jos. A. Bank. Target. Forever 21.

Anything else you want to let our readers know? We’re gearing up to record our second album/EP this December and have set up a Kickstarter program to help fund it. Head to our page (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1539381982/ kemp-ridley-new-record) to watch our videos and donate if you’d like. We try to make them as ridiculous as possible so as to entertain the masses.

Favorite song to play? “Small and Quiet.” Some of our best moments as a band have been playing that song.

What is your biggest goal in making music? To continue to refine our sound to be as sophisticated and fan friendly as possible. We put a lot of work into arranging our songs so that the instrumentation is really interesting musically. We MAGAZINE

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When passionate vocals come together with honest lyrics and musicianship, the offspring is a sound that is captivating and infatuating. Ned Durrett discovered this sound growing up as a child in the outskirts of the Blue Ridge Mountains in gorgeous South Carolina. Being born of two musical ministers it was easy for Ned to pick up the reverence for music necessary to learn an array of instruments including guitar, double bass, harmonica, and mandolin. It was this same reverence for music that engulfed him with the desire to create new music and songs that have yet to be shared with the world.

In the summer of 2010 Ned Durrett released his first collection of songs with his five song album called “The Carolina EP”. Shortly after, Ned joined with Mike De Kozlowski and Cameron Powell to form Ned Durrett and the Kindly Gents. With this recording and others soon to come, Ned and the Gents are taking all of the necessary steps to create a life long career in pouring their hearts out on stages and reaching audiences through their overtly sincere songs.

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Why the name? We love the idea of portraying southern chivalry through our name and being kindly gents felt like the most fun and original way to do it. It was mostly Mike’s idea so we have to credit him for that because we never do.

How did you all meet? We met through friends that wanted us to start music together, and luckily they got what they wished for.

Biggest musical influences? Our biggest musical influences are bands and musicians that aren’t afraid to combine genres like ray charles and company but also bands like avett brothers and ray lamontagne that aren’t afraid to dive deeper into their heritage and where they come from.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be?

Avett Brothers or the Black Keys.

Which label do you want to sign you and why? We’re really happy being independant but if the right one comes with the right offer we would think about jumping on board.

How do the fans contact you? Through Facebook mostly, but we’re looking to open up more contact via email list soon.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? Jerry is the only one single right now, so ladies take your best shot now.

Who’s the smartest? Mike, more than likely, even though I’m sure Jerry could give him a run for his money. We all think real good in our own way.

Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show? 4am rendevous at the ATO frat house at Georgia Tech. We’re not allowed to tell you what happened actually.

Favorite local venue? We love the atmosphere of the white mule. People really listen there and take the time to truly listen to the musicians.

Who still has their natural hair color? Luckily all of us Do any of your moms listen to your music? Absolutely theyre our biggedt fans.

What school did you/ do you attend? University of South Carolina. Go cocks. Amen.

Biggest venue you have ever played: Auditorium at Virginia Tech. I think it fit about 800 or 900

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Ramphastos started in William Flourance’s apartment bedroom with just him, a handful of his favorite songs and his laptop. His music is the combination of familiar 50s diner jukebox favorites and dizzying, liquid rave music. Flourance goes for a raw, underproduced sound that relies on hypnotic filters and detuned pitch adjustments to make old familiar melodies sound uneasy. He has put out two full-length digital releases through and a debut music video along with a handful of carefully bizarre RnB remixes in 2011, and is planning for a cassette (yes a tape) to be released with an all new collection of songs in 2012

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Why the name? Ramphastos is the scientific equivalent to naming a project Toucans, which almost got me sued.

How did you all meet? I met my laptop when we were both about to go to college in 2008. We’ve lived together since.

Biggest musical influences?

Star Slinger, Jamie XX, R. Kelly, Red Stripe Lager.

Who’s the smartest? Me. Favorite local venue? New Brookland Tavern What school did you/ do you attend?

University of South Carolina for about six more months.

Hair Product you can’t live without: Shampoo Biggest venue you have ever played: 701 Center For Contemporary Art If you could open for anyone, who would it be? Drake Which label do you want to sign you and why? Whatever label would pay for me to sample whatever I want or bear the burden of the lawsuit that would ensue if they didn’t clear the rights.

How do the fans contact you?

They hit me up on twitter. Sometimes we get lunch.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? I AM DEF SINGLE (Ladies only) Craziest thing you have ever done at a show?

Pour beer all over my self, or crowd surfed.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had playing a show? When I had a projector playing abstract footage behind me when I opened for Stepdad.

Do you know who your number one fan is? About six of them are Delta Zetas.

Life philosophy? Don’t talk about it, be about it.

Where are most of your fans located? Either less than 10 miles away or in Barcelona.

Favorite song to play? “Waterfront” What is your biggest goal in making music? I don’t really have goals.

Describe your sound in three words.

“That sounds familiar” How has your song-writing changed since you began?

I realized you don’t have to write music to make music. I played guitar and sang for years and barely got anywhere.

People said I was gifted but compared to this new project I would say I was cursed.

Starbucks or Starsucks? No Star please. Just bucks and sucks.

What is your least favorite thing about being involved in the music industry? People saying that CDs are dying but every time anyone wants to hear your stuff they ask for one.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in music?

Trademark law.

Who still has their natural hair color? Me.

Do you care what people think about your music? Of course. Any serious musician who says they don’t care about what people think about their music is lying or isn’t actually serious.

Do any of your moms listen to your music?

She tries so hard.

Where do you get most of your clothes? Most of them used to be my Father’s.

What’s your favorite sex position?

Anything if Otis Redding is on.

Anything else you want to let our readers know? I have a difficult time tolerating people who talk trash about music but don’t write any.

Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show?

Nasty things to nice people.

Any fetishes?

Nothing better than a slender girl in black tights. Sue me.

Song you lost your virginity to?

Probably 17 Years by RATATAT Who can play the most instruments? Me.

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Sun-Dried Vibes is a groove-based, reggae/rock hybrid based out of Rock Hill, SC. Composed of 3 members, the band mixes an infectious, blue-eyed reggae with a postive and organic lyrical style. Many listeners and followers find the group to be comparable to Rebelution, Pepper or Sublime. The ensemble joined forces in July of 2010 and are quickly taking the southeast by storm. With an indescribable passion and loads of talent, Sun-Dried is sure to have you “feeling the vibe” in no time.

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Why the name? Zach Fowler (vocals/guitar) had the idea to start a reggae band that was called “Sun-Dried” something.

While on an acoustic tour in 2009 with Alex Winchester (drums), they tossed around a few ideas and after a couple weeks on the road, decided to go with the name “Sun-Dried Vibes”

Who’s the smartest? Each of us have our specialties. Together we are all geniuses.

How did you all meet? Zach Fowler and Evan Tyler (bass) met and began writing music together in 2006. They played together in the group, Zach Fowler & The Essentials based out of Columbia, SC. They met Alex Winchester at a gig in Rock Hill, SC where he and his band Jettison Drive were opening for ZF & the E. When The Essentials split, Zach and Alex linked up to do shows together and after a few months, called Evan and formed Sun-Dried Vibes

What school did you/ do you attend? Zach went to and graduated from the University of South Carolina. Evan attended Coastal Carolina for a year and Alex attended Clemson University for a year.

Biggest musical influences? The positive vibe, life, love and happiness. Artists like Pepper, Rebelution, Passafire, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Iration, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, Jason Mraz, Incubus.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be? Oh man, so many to name. #1 pick to open for someone would have to be Pepper.

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Favorite local venue? Our Favorite Venue in Charlotte, NC has got to be The Gin Mill. In Rock Hill, SC, it’s gotta be The Money. Haha.

Hair Product you can’t live without: Hair Ties!!

Biggest venue you have ever played: Amos’ Southend, Charlotte, NC

WINK MAGAZINE MUSIC PROJECT

Which label do you want to sign you and why? Either LAW or Stoopid/Controlled Substance Records. Those are the top dogs in the reggae/rock scene.

How do the fans contact you? Facebook, Twitter, E-mail. We keep up with those pretty regularly.

Our readers want to know who among you are single/ available? All three of us are single.

Describe your sound in three words: Reggae – Pop – Rock How has your song-writing changed since you began? We have all certainly developed into playing reggae music. We all started in different areas (funk, acoustic/folk, rock) but have all followed our hearts and ended up in the reggae genre.

Zach has been evolving into a beautiful lyricist and Evan and Zach have developed a beautiful song-writing ability together over 5 years.

Craziest thing you have ever done at a show? Our Halloween show at The Chop Shop in Charlotte, NC, we let everyone in attendance get on stage with us for our last song. There were over 150 people on stage going wild while we jammed out!

Starbucks or Starsucks? Starsucks.

Craziest thing you have ever done AFTER a show? One time in Washington DC, we partied til 5 or 6 am after the show, and then decided to continue partying in the car, ALL THE WAY BACK TO CHARLOTTE, NC. Needless to say we had a lot of fun.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in music?

Exposing yourself properly, being professional at ALL TIMES, and getting noticed by the right people!

Who still has their natural hair color? All three of us.

Do any of your moms listen to your music? Evan’s Mom (Mama J) is a huge fan and supporter of our music. Alex and Zach have supportive mothers too, but we think Mama J takes the cake on this question.

What’s your favorite sex position? All of them are great!

Even missionary!

What is your least favorite thing about being involved in the music industry? MONEY!

Do you care what people think about your music?

Constructive criticism is a must!! We love to hear what people think of SDV! Where do you get most of your clothes? Thrift Stores, Other Bands, or somewhere in the mall.

Anything else you want to let our readers know? We have much love and respect for all our friends and fans out there!

We embrace a positive and organic lifestyle and we hope you all will give us a listen and feel the positive vibe!

Any fetishes? We just met… Let’s take it slow…

Song you lost your virginity to? Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley Who can play the most instruments?

Hmmm, we are all tied at 3!!!

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had playing a show? Amos’ Southend on October 15th with Three Legged Fox and Matt Irie. Amazing show!!! Search for it on Youtube!

Do you know who your number one fan is? WINK Magazine is our #1 fan! Or maybe Tyler Boone. Haha.

Life philosophy? “The positive vibe is the reason I’m alive.”

A song lyric of ours, and a tattoo that all three of us have.

Where are most of your fans located? In North and South Carolina.

Favorite song to play? Wrecking Ball.

What is your biggest goal in making music?

To spread love and positivity.

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The Screw Job

by Emilie Johnston

Columbia Venue Shortchanges Band 2012 will be the year of new music. Maybe. The end of 2011 and Columbia’s annual Music Crawl in November saw an explosion in new acts, among them The Sea Wolf Mutiny’s soothing rhythms and eclectic sounds as well as the folky foot-stamping, rollicking music of Those Lavender Whales. Meanwhile, old favorites, like Junior Astronomers and kemp ridley, continue to crank out far-from-adequate new material. Now more than ever, making your way to a bar down Harden Street or in West Columbia, or just to somebody’s house are becoming increasingly popular in correspondence to the throngs of music enthusiasts scouring the city for a new favorite band and a good time.

Of course, sudden waves of new music tend to make for good business in bars. While some venues offer free entertainment— think jazz at Speak Easy—the standard cover ranges from five dollars to twelve, depending on how early you get your ticket.

The caliber of the show usually determines the price, so when Dylan Dickerson, formerly of Old Canoe, played with a better known act at The Elbow Room a few months ago, they were asking for a sum in the twenties. In a recession, door fees like that can be discouraging, but consolation derives from the belief that the bands playing are getting a fair cut of that money. But that is sometimes not the case.

Having so many musically gifted friends and being involved in media have given me more than my fair share of being the “plus one” on the guest list. But recently, I’ve been rejecting the opportunity in favor of paying the cover based on the idea that every little bit of cash is a contribution to the bands.

One such occasion, I smilingly handed over the twelve dollars to see David Bazan at my favorite and most-frequented local venue, who was playing with Pan, a post-rock get-up that easily cuts the mustard on being the local band I’ve seen the most.

While talking to three of the four Pan members out back, they excitedly told me that this would be one of the highest paying shows to date, not to mention the ridiculous bar tab they got for free. They spoke of saving the money, touring nationally, internationally, living the dream.

What, then, happened to the remaining 35%? We could only guess. The place had been packed, and every person there had paid over ten dollars to get in. It didn’t add up.

For a few minutes, I listened to the guys discuss what they should do.

The critical question was this: should they demand the rest of the money and thus risk earning a bad reputation and losing the privilege of being booked in the future; or should they comply, be grateful for what they got, and risk being too accepting of being financially screwed over in the future?

They chose the second option. And why shouldn’t they have? Columbia bars have a nasty habit of playing favorites.

Considering behavior like that, it is not hard to see why a house show thrown by Jessica Oliver of Can’t, Kids would be more appealing to musicians and their fans than going to a bar. While house shows are not always paid, when they are, it seems more likely that you can trust the ethics of the hosts since they are not in it for business purposes.

There is a reason that Columbia, smack dab in the middle of the cosmopolitan and artistically-centered cities Charleston and Charlotte, is known as the arm pit of South Carolina, and it is not for lack of local talent. Being a native of Charleston, I can say with utmost certainty that one of the biggest differences that Columbia pales in comparison is due to the lack of reverence given musicians by those who book them. It is not enough to give band members a seemingly endless supply of watered down drinks and 65% of the money that they were promised. I can assure you that no matter how much liquor you give them, they will not forget being screwed over; that even though they may say nothing to you, I will not be so passive. To the bars of Columbia that have been guilty of shortchanging your musicians, I suggest making 2012 the year that you take them seriously. Otherwise, you might end up screwing over yourselves.

But when the fourth member came out to rejoin us with the envelope of cash in his hand, the look on his face was not one of dreamy-minded approval, but rather of sobering dismay. Half in disbelief, he told us that they had only given him 65% of what they said they would.

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May 17, 2012 5:30 - 8 pm

The Hall at Senate’s End (320 Senate St. Columbia, SC)

To register, go to womeninphilanthropy.com Space is limited

Power Purse THE 9TH ANNUAL

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Power of the Purse is an official Columbia Style Week Pre-event

Admission: $40

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Honorary Chair: Karen Blackmon

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Diamond Sponsors AT&T Harriot Hampton Faucette

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Women in Philanthropy is a partnership of United Way of the Midlands and Central Carolina Community Foundation.

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