ISSUE 2: MAY / JUNE 2012
BRINGING YOU THE VERY BEST OF INDIE FROM AROUND THE GLOBE! 1
MIM SHOP GREAT INDIE GIFTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
OUT GE K C CHE AT RAN S GRE OODIE E R U G O DIE THE TIM N I OF E ALL IN AT: M/SHOP ONL .CO
MAG KEIT
MA
MAG
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Howdy Friends! HIP HIP HURRAY, WE HAVE MADE IT TO ISSUE TWO! EXHAUSTION ASIDE, WE ARE THRILLED WITH ALL THE FEATURES IN THIS MAY / JUNE EDITION OF MIM! WE HAVE A WEALTH OF DIVERSITY, FROM PIN CUSHION CRAFTERS, LO-FI ROCKERS AND STOP MOTION ANIMATORS TO MARS CONSPIRACIES, TREE LEAPING AMBUSHES AND WISHFUL STARS. IT’S ALL IN HERE! WE ARE ALSO VERY EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW AGONY AUNT, A JACK RUSSELL WHO GOES BY THE NAME OF COMET. SHE’S HERE TO ANSWER ALL YOUR RECYCLING QUESTIONS IN THIS ISSUE! PLEASE CHECK IT OUT AND EMAIL US YOUR THOUGHTS! HOPE YOU ENJOY! MAGGIE & THE TEAM MIM
Contents
ART & CRAFT
FASHION
6
39
MUSIC
16
SPACE
26
COMICS
32
BOOKS
FILM
43
HANDMADE
49
EDIBLES
53
AGONY AUNT
3
36
56
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FREE DOWNLOADABLE EP WE ALL LOVE FREE THINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE FREE DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC GIFTS FROM MIM’S UNDERGROUND RADIO VAULT. VOLUME TWO INCLUDES OUR FAVOURITE PICKS OF THE SUMMER BROUGHT TO YOU BY INDIE BANDS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE. CLICK THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY! HOPE YOU ENJOY! MAGGIE & THE TEAM MIM
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THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS A SAD DAY TO BE YOU (From the LP The Cactus Blossoms) thecactusblossoms.bandcamp.com
THE LOWGROUNDS MARY IN AUGUST (From the EP Dickeyville Gallery Sessions) thelowgrounds.bandcamp.com
We begin with country duo The Cactus Blossoms. They draw from a wellspring of influences to bring us their unique brand of country music.
Hailing from Maryland, US, The Lowgrounds are well versed in the traditions of folk and roots music.
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JACK PINE & THE FIRE GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE (From the LP Jack Pine & The Fire) jackpinefire.bandcamp.com
THE BEERS CASSETTE CATATONIC (From the EP The Beers) thebeers.bandcamp.com
Jack Pine & The Fire serve up a raw blend of blues, folk and country which should serve them very well in the future.
The Beers may be a band in their infancy but what they lack in experience is more than made up for with catchy, surf pop magic.
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IN THIS ISSUE WE FEATURE A WEALTH OF EXTRAORDINARY ART & CRAFT TALENT. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF LISAS, EACH FABULOUS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT AND A PORCELAIN PIN CUSHION CRAFTER WHO WILL GIVE YOU AN EXCUSE TO START SEWING...
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ART & CRAFT
LOU LOU & OSCAR’S
LISA AARON EMBROIDERY IS AN ANCIENT ART FORM AND IS NOW EXPERIENCING A RESURGENCE. LISA AARON IS USING IT TO CREATE A RANGE OF DELIGHTFUL SOFT SCULPTURES. WE CHAT TO HER ABOUT INSPIRATIONS, CRYPTOZOOLOGY & TIME TRAVEL...
“I love the work of contemporary artists who use thread in unexpected or startling ways”
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ART & CRAFT: LISA AARON
SCOTLAND
MIM
“The ability to travel back in time as an observer and have absolutely no effect on the outcome of history”
SCOTLAND
MIM: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK? LISA: Haphazard! Actually, that is the word a customer used to describe my work. It is an aspect she liked and responded to and she went on to commission a piece for her wedding. I think that my embroidery work does have a naïve quality; some of my creatures are quite unknowing too. I hope that my work elicits an emotional response, that it has a simplicity and that it is very well made. I want my pieces to last as objects so that they can build up and carry a history. A lot of ‘stuff’ is so throwaway; I would love it if my son passed on the creatures I have made for him to his children. MIM: WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY BASED? LISA: I live in Morningside in Edinburgh. It is pretty genteel and I have noticed a change in my work since I moved here. MIM: WHAT IS IT ABOUT EMBROIDERY THAT YOU LOVE? LISA: People have practiced the art of embroidery for thousands of years; hands have been working with the same stitches and techniques since ancient times. It is wonderful to feel that sense of continuity when I work with a needle and embroidery thread. Embroidery has been enjoying a resurgence. I love the work of contemporary artists who use thread in unexpected or startling ways, who ask questions about its history and explore its social significance. Not to forget that it is just a beautiful medium, so tactile. MIM: WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START MAKING CREATURES? LISA: In 2008 I moved to a small island off the coast of France with my husband and 2 year old son. I had been reading design & craft blogs for a few years before the move and began to have ideas for projects of my own but doubted my ability to construct a 3D object. Perhaps it was the relocation from the city to a rural space or the adjustment to ‘toddler time’ I had to make with my small son that allowed me to close the gap between my imagination and my fingertips. I had also fallen in love with the soft sculpture work of artists such as Nicole Licht (Astulabee). I wanted to make thoughtful creatures too. So, I taught myself to sew and began to create. MIM: WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU? LISA: Whatever I am reading at the time feeds into my work, not always obviously but usually a trace of an atmosphere. The written word, fragments of text and half-remembered lines of poetry. Cryptozoology, the Polar regions, hybridity, the amazingly generous makers I have met over the years. There are so many sources of inspiration but never enough time! MIM: IF YOU COULD BE A SUPERHERO, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT YOUR SUPERPOWERS TO BE? LISA: Casting altruism aside, I would choose just one superpower quite selfishly. The ability to travel back in time as an observer and have absolutely no effect on the outcome of history. I could watch every performance of the Ballets Russes, travel to Constantinople during the Ottoman Empire, swim in seas teaming with life. A tourist of time I suppose. MIM: FINALLY, WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND WHERE CAN WE BUY YOUR GOODIES? LISA: I am concentrating on finishing a small collection of creatures for the opening of the new Lou Lou & Oscar shop. I took a silversmithing course last year and hope to complete a tiny collection of silver things for a new venture, Little Wolf Kiosk, very soon. Hannah Zakari stocks a limited range of creatures online and in store too!
Mim: These beautifully made lovable creatures will certainly be cherished by generations to come! Thanks Lisa! 9
LISA FALZON WE WERE BLOWN AWAY WHEN WE CAME ACROSS LISA FALZON’S GORGEOUS ARTWORK. WE HAD TO CATCH UP WITH THE MALTESE, MULTI TALENTED DESIGNER TO TALK VIRTUAL PALETTES, THEATRICAL HEADPIECES & IRISH LANDSCAPES...
“I also love incorporating photo textures and parts of photos into my painted work”
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ART & CRAFT: LISA FALZON
MALTA
MIM
MIM: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK? LISA: Hmmm... my work is 1 part cute, 1 part weird, 1 part dark. Sometimes it’s weighted more to one part than the others, but you most commonly get an element of each in all my pieces. You also get a dose of humour with a good bunch of my works… not all though! MIM: WHAT TECHNIQUE DO YOU USE?
MALTA
LISA: I work digitally mostly, or at least, my ‘Meluseena’ work which is what I’m most known for online is entirely digital. I use a Wacom tablet and ‘paint’ as you would with a pencil, only on screen and using a virtual palette. I also love incorporating photo textures and parts of photos into my painted work so as to give my figures and landscapes a weird, part-real part-not appearance. MIM: YOU ARE LIVING IN IRELAND BUT ARE MALTESE; DOES THIS ADD A CERTAIN DYNAMIC TO YOUR WORK? LISA: I suppose it must inform my work in some way, as it informs me as a person. I know my work tends to flit around without any anchor; sometimes it looks one way, sometimes the other. I lived in France for a while before moving to Ireland, so I’ve seen Europe from very Mediterranean and continental to Ireland’s peculiar green landscape so I suppose it has put elements of all of that into my work.
“...although I always created fashion items for myself, I never thought to make them for others” MIM: WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU? LISA: I am mostly inspired by ideas… a phrase, a lyric. I then think of how to visually express this phrase or idea. It’s a kind of problem solving, much like an illustrator’s approach to creating art that compliments a text. Only I usually make up the text myself. MIM: YOU ALSO CREATE GORGEOUS THEATRICAL HEAD PIECES. TELL US ABOUT THESE! LISA: I started my Moth and BayLeaf line in late 2010 and work on and off on one of a kind or commissioned headpieces for this accessory line business. I kind of stumbled into headpiece making by accident because although I always created fashion items for myself, I never thought to make them for others till I worked in a dance troupe who needed costumes for an event. It happened really organically. MIM: SO WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’D BE DOING IF YOU WEREN’T DESIGNING? LISA: I’d be writing! But that’s a cheat kind of reply because I do write now anyway, so it’s not really an alternative career but rather a parallel one. I think I’d have turned to fashion photography because that’s another thing I enjoy doing. Or maybe I’d own a really decadent world-famous club where it’s always night-time and everyone’s incredibly eccentric. MIM: FINALLY, WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR LISA FALZON AND WHERE CAN WE GET OUR MITTS ON YOUR STUFF?
Lisa’s Wearable Art
LISA: I’ve got lots of stuff underway! I am working on new stuff for both Moth and BayLeaf, my accessory shop as well as Meluseena, my art print store. The best way to learn about new projects and things though is to follow my blog. I regularly have giveaways and competitions and notices of sales, so it’s a good one to RSS to if you are so inclined.
Mim: Wow, this girl’s work is absolutely stunning and packaged so beautifully. Thanks Lisa! 11
MIM
ART & CRAFT: SAWAKO HAYAKAWA
SAWAKO HAYAKAWA WE LOVE THE SIMPLE BEAUTY OF CERAMICS HERE AT MIM. SO WHEN WE CAME ACROSS THESE JAPANESE PORCELAIN PIN CUSHIONS AND PENDANTS, WE JUST HAD TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEIR CREATOR...
“I love incorporating photo textures and parts of photos into my painted work”
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JAPAN
MIM JAPAN
“I want to fuse clay and wool more. I like those materials so much”
MIM: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK? SH: It’s like pursuing the usefulness of the useless. That is KAWAII. I am always looking for something weird and cute. MIM: WHAT TECHNIQUE DO YOU USE?
MIM: WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?
SH: I use my original plaster mould. I make most of my work from porcelain soil. After a first firing, I glaze the pieces, generally using my favourite pale green colour glaze. After a second firing, I stuff raw wool in each piece using a needle felting technique.
SH: As a child, I wanted to be a cartoonist. I loved Manga’s so much! And I still do. MIM: WHERE DO YOU SELL YOUR LITTLE CERAMIC PENDANTS & PIN CUSHIONS?
MIM: WE LOVE THE SIMPLICITY OF YOUR WORK. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?
SH: I’m selling my creations on Etsy. I’m also putting a few works in stores in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. (Neither of them have a shop on the Net) and you can see more pics of my works here.
SH: I like movies, music and cats. My work is sure to have all those influences. In the movies, for instance, various impressive clips are preserved on my mind. One day, one of those suddenly emerges and leads to the creation of new work. Or, I like music such as alternative rock, indie rock and folk music. They uplift my feelings, and it surely leads me to a better work. For the cats, I find cuteness in their casual gestures on a daily basis. I am always fascinated with that. That way, all these things provide a bit of inspiration to me so that I can expand my world.
MIM: FINALLY, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE? SH: I want to fuse clay and wool more. I like those materials so much. In the future, I will create something other than the pincushions. I will continue to make KAWAII creations. I would like to communicate with people throughout the world through my work.
Mim: These porcelain sweety pies make us go all gooey! They’re simply charming. Thanks Sawako!
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WWW . BAUBIE SUNSHINE .COM
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MUSIC THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF GREAT MUSIC BEING PLAYED BY INDEPENDENT BANDS RIGHT NOW. THIS ISSUE WE CATCH UP WITH THE BEERS TO DISCUSS THEIR LO-FI DEBUT EP AND WE GET NOSTALGIC WITH DAVID JACQUES’ VINTAGE KEYBOARD SOUNDS. WE ALSO ROUND UP THE BEST NEW INDIE RECORDS OF THE MOMENT...
VINTAGE KEYBOARD SOUNDS
THE BEERS INTERVIEW
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MUSIC: REVIEWS
OUR FAVOURITE INDIE MUSIC OF THE SEASON
“You can almost smell the warm apple pie drifting by your window”
FROM: Minneapolis, US RELEASED: 07.10.2011 STYLE: Country / Folk / Western / Swing
THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS - THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS [LP] Having risen to prominence after winning 2010’s Minnesota State Fair duet contest, Brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum (both Vocals / Guitar) set about building a band of stalwart musicians around them. Like a modern-day Louvin Brothers, The Blossoms are authentic, stone country, not unlike the music of the Grand Ole Opry in its heyday. The Cactus Blossoms draws from a wellspring of influences such as Hank Williams, the Everly Brothers and Gram Parsons. All of the touchstones of country are here, whether it’s heartache (‘A Sad Day To Be You’) travelling songs (‘Blue Railroad Train’) or Outlaws (‘Lost John Dean’) but the record is not derivative. Instead, these simple songs are beautifully arranged and performed. From the Brothers tight harmonies and Liz Drapers constantly plucked Upright Bass to Mike Russell’s masterful fiddle and the dreamy, fluid steel playing of Randy Broughten, The Cactus Blossoms stands as a wonderfully faithful take on this musical genre. You can almost smell the warm apple pie drifting by your window.
“we had to check that these guys actually wrote it”
FROM: Maryland, US RELEASED: 18.01.2012 STYLE: Country / Roots / Folk / Gospel / Hymn / Western
THE LOWGROUNDS - DICKEYVILLE GALLERY SESSIONS (EP) The wandering, poetic nature of The Lowgrounds debut EP conjures an image of a hazy forgotten summer many years ago. The group consists of Ganesh Kumarachandran (Guitar / Mandolin / Harmonica / Vocal), Peter G. Brown (Banjo / Guitar / Vocal) and Andy York (Upright Bass). ‘Mary In August’ opens with a melancholy mesh of gently plucked guitar and banjo notes that is reminiscent of ‘September’ by Ryan Adams. Speaking of Adams, Kumarachandrans voice sounds like a cross between him and Michael Stipe. In contrast, Brown’s voice is similar to Glen Hansard. But instead of sounding like imitators, the rural, old-time feel of these songs suggests that The Lowgrounds are well versed in the traditions of folk and roots music. In fact, closing song ‘Pillar of Faith’ sounds so much like a western folk hymn, we had to check that these guys actually wrote it. They did. So sit down and let The Lowgrounds take you back to a simpler time of honest values and expansive countryside’s.
“first rate stories of goldsmiths, miners and preachers”
FROM: Ottawa, Canada RELEASED: 02.12.2011 STYLE: Country / Folk / Roots / Alternative
JACK PINE AND THE FIRE - JACK PINE AND THE FIRE [LP] Gareth Auden-Hole (aka Jack Pine) sounds remarkably like Ryan Adams on his groups’ self-titled debut long player. The record is a rootsy affair like Adams Heartbreaker, but where that album is largely sorrow-filled, Jack Pine… is a more upbeat jaunt through the hills & mountains of a time gone by. Auden-Hole’s mandolin weaves an intricate musical tapestry with John Showman’s fiddle and the rhythm section of Tim Watson (Drums) and Martin Newman (Bass) are extremely reliable and tight. The LP’s dense sound was created with the addition of pickers Anders Drerup (Guitar / Pedal Steel / Vocals), Andre Desroches (Guitar / Tenor Guitar) & Stuart Rutherford (Dobro). The songs meanwhile are first rate stories of goldsmiths, miners and preachers and Auden-Hole’s account of these individuals never sounds fabricated. The thick mesh of harmony (with help from Kelly Prescott, Paulie Roberto & Tara Porter), plucked string instruments and fiddle paint an exciting picture and the groups raw use of blues, folk and country should serve them very well in the future.
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MUSIC: REVIEWS
“a glorious evocation of what it feels like to be young in the summertime”
FROM: Columbus, US RELEASED: 01.01.2012 STYLE: Pop / Surf Rock / Lo-Fi
THE BEERS - THE BEERS [EP] The Beers may be a band in their infancy but what they lack in experience is more than made up for with catchy, surf pop magic. Standing in contrast to the overproduced mainstream industry of today, their debut EP was recorded over three days onto 4-track in an empty house in Ohio. The band consists of college goers J.D. Bourke (Guitar / Vocals), Duke Vonderahe (Bass / Vocals), Colin Field (Guitar / Keys) and Robenalt Brothers John (Guitar) & Michael (Drums). The opening riff of “Cassette Catatonic” is simple but charming and is vocally reminiscent of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. The goodtime surf beat of “Black St” is perfect sunshine pop while “Bright Side” is a glorious evocation of what it feels like to be young in the summertime. It seems that The Beers have cottoned on to the secret of writing excellent indie pop songs. Going by this, we can’t wait for their debut album.
FORGOTTEN GEMS: LOST MUSIC BY OVERLOOKED OR DISBANDED INDIE GROUPS
“a chaotic storm of glorious noise”
FROM: Dublin, Ireland RELEASED: 02.04.2001 STYLE: Alternative / Rock / Folk / Acoustic
THE FRAMES - FOR THE BIRDS [LP] By the time this LP came out independently in 2001, The Frames had already released three albums over the course of the previous decade. All had been put out by major labels but The Frames decided it was time to start again and make the album they always envisioned. For The Birds is that album and it is one of the best Irish records of all time. Recorded largely in Kerry and Electrical Audio in Chicago, this record is the rawer, folksier brother of their other masterpiece, Dance The Devil. The songs are magnificent, from the opening beauty of “In The Deep Shade” and the tumbling percussion of “Lay Me Down” to the banjo / drum machine mash up of “Fighting On The Stairs” and the distortion drenched “Early Bird”. However, two songs stand above the rest. The suffocating feel of “Santa Maria” explodes in a chaotic storm of glorious noise and is surely one of the most haunting the band ever recorded. “What Happens When The Heart Just Stops” meanwhile, is simply exquisite, a moving lament of hushed vocals and mournful trumpets which herald its emotional release. This is one to save from the fire.
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FIND IT ALL AT
MAKEITMAG.COM/MUSIC 19
MIM
MUSIC INTERVIEW: THE BEERS
THE BEERS
U.S.
LO-FI SURF POPPERS, THE BEERS, STOP BY FOR A CHAT ABOUT THE MAKING OF THEIR SELF TITLED DEBUT EP. WITH CATCHY 60’S STYLE TUNES THAT ANY INDIE BAND WOULD BE PROUD TO CALL THEIR OWN, THE BEERS ARE ONE TO WATCH IN 2012...
“We individually record ideas like chord progressions or melodies on cell phones or with laptops’ on-board mics as the ideas come to us”
MIM: WHAT’S ONE THING WE‘D BE SURPRISED TO HEAR ABOUT EACH MEMBER OF THE BAND? JD: I’m a public accountant. Duke: I can shotgun a beer in less than a second. John: I have an impressive collection of Pez dispensers. Michael: I ran the New York and Boston Marathons. Colin: I have a patent pending for towels that secure around the waist with Velcro. MIM: HOW DOES YOUR MUSIC DIFFER FROM OTHER MUSIC OUT TODAY? BEERS: Maybe we’re playing more traditional rock n roll and don’t do anything electronic-related. MIM: DESCRIBE YOUR SONG WRITING PROCESS. BEERS: We individually record ideas like chord progressions or melodies on cell phones or with laptops’ on-board mics as the ideas come to us. Then we come up with lyrics and arrangements from the basic sketches when the group is together and jamming. MIM: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE RECORDING PROCESS FOR YOUR DEBUT? BEERS: The recording process consisted of us hanging out in a big empty house for three days and hashing out the lyrics and arrangements. Once that was together and we played the song a few times through, we ran all our instruments through a mixer and recorded everything together on a 4-track recorder. Some of the instruments used were a really neat 12-string electric that someone found under a couch, a MIDI controller and a very fancy-looking telecaster. It cost nothing to record or mix the EP, which has made us no money. MIM: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE BANDS MUSICAL INFLUENCES? BEERS: Everybody seems to like bands from the Woodsist label like Real Estate and Woods. We play a cover of “California Sun” by The Rivieras/Ramones. Panda Bear, David Bowie, Lou Reed. MIM: IS THERE A DEBUT ALBUM ON THE HORIZON AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEAR FUTURE? BEERS: Our plans are to record an LP and play a bunch of shows in the American Midwest this summer. After that, no one knows. We might change our name to The Ravines.
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MIM U.S.
Mim: Forget the electronic jiggery-pokery, The Beers are on a mission to reinject rawness into rock’n’roll. Godspeed!
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VINTAGE
MIM
MUSIC FEATURE: VINTAGE KEYBOARD SOUNDS
U.S.
KEYBOARD SOUNDS WHEN WE ASKED DAVID JACQUES, THE CREATOR OF VINTAGE KEYBOARD SOUNDS FOR AN EXPLANATION OF HIS VINTAGE ORGAN SAMPLES, WE WERE THRILLED TO ALSO OBTAIN AN INDEPTH HISTORY OF ORGANS AND SAMPLERS FROM THEIR EARLY ORIGINS TO TODAY. A WEALTH OF INFORMATION FOR ANY MUSICIAN OR MUSIC LOVER OUT THERE...
“One of the most famous examples of the Mellotron sound was the flutes in The Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever” MIM: CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR BACKGROUND IS? DAVE: I have been a musician since I was 12 years old. Growing up in the 60’s allowed me to experience some of the greatest creative movements in rock and progressive music. I have played in bands from the mid 60’s until today. I also became enamoured in composing music for theatrical productions. I use combo organs, mellotrons and synthesizers to create unique sounds and textures in my compositions. Through my work as a composer in the theatre, I found a new medium to express my art and that was lighting design. Lighting is the visual expression of music. Over the past 30 years I have created lighting designs for some of the world’s most famous theatres and opera houses. I now teach professional lighting design at California State University Long Beach. MIM: HOW, WHEN AND WHY DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF CREATING THESE SAMPLES OF CLASSIC VINTAGE KEYBOARDS?
Mellotron MK 2 22
DAVE: Years before synthesizers came onto the popular music scene, keyboard players used Hammond and combo organs to create distinctive sounds for their bands. Along with my Hammond C3, in the 60’s, I played several combo organs in my bands, including the Vox Continental, Farfisa Compact, Gibson G101, and Elka Panther. All these organs had distinctive sounds. Just by listening to Ray Manzarek’s keyboard artistry with The Doors, you can hear the difference between the Vox Continental (which he played on the first two albums) and the Gibson G101 (which he played on later albums). Although lighter than Hammond B3’s, these “compact” organs were in no way “light”. Most would weigh 60–70 lbs. and were beasts to move around to gigs. Therefore, a keyboardist had to decide which combo organ to use. And that limited the musician’s sound to that particular organ. For instance, if you wanted to sound like the early Doors, you had to choose a Vox Continental. But then you could not replicate the sound of Pink Floyd (as Richard Wright played a Farfisa Compact Duo).
MIM
Also, another exciting musical instrument appeared in the early 60’s: the Mellotron. This unique device was created as a home entertainment instrument where a home musician could re-create the actual sounds of the orchestra. Basically the first analogue sampler, the Mellotron used hundreds of recording tapes to playback instruments that were prerecorded on these tapes. So if you wanted to hear a violin playing an A2, you selected a switch to choose the violin sound, then played the A2 key and that would activate a tape of the recording of a violin playing an A2. It was only a matter of time before rock bands discovered the Mellotron and started using it in popular recordings. One of the most famous examples of the Mellotron sound was the flutes in The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever”. In addition, bands like The Moody Blues, David Bowie, and King Crimson would feature the Mellotrons’ unique violins, brass, and flute sounds in their music.
U.S.
The Mellotron was a lo-fi device. When you hear its distinctive sound, you can definitely tell that it is a Mellotron and not a good recording of a classical string section. This lo-fi quality gives the Mellotron its unique, eerie sound. This instrument was not only extremely expensive, but was heavier than a Hammond B3! Plus it was not designed for a rock tour, so musicians who took one on tour experienced horrible breakdowns. There are stories of Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues digging into the rear of his Mellotron Mark II to restring the tapes during concerts. King Crimson toured with three Mellotron Mark II’s due to the instruments unreliability on the road. As a musician playing cover versions of The Moody Blues and King Crimson, I was distressed that it was impossible to recreate these sounds without a real Mellotron. Even a Mellotron 400, the touring version of this instrument, was prohibitively expensive and unreliable. So like many of my contemporaries, we used organs or early synthesizers to poorly imitate these sounds.
Hammond B3 Organ “I marvelled at its pristine condition. Not only did it look like new, the Mellotrons tapes were in amazing sonic condition”
Vox Continental Combo Organ
Many years later, digital sampling came into the world of music. Similar in concept to the Mellotron, these samplers enabled musicians to play back recorded sounds of real instruments. But for many years the recordings used were from actual acoustic instruments, and not the unique sounds of the combo organs and Mellotrons that we grew up with. Fast forward to 2002, when I was contacted by a musician who was selling an actual Mellotron that was built in the early 1970’s. I purchased it and had it shipped from Texas to my home in Los Angeles. At the time, I owned three Hammond B3 organs and began collecting vintage combo organs. I was also composing music for several theatrical productions along with playing keyboards for several Los Angeles based rock and blues bands. To help with my composing, I purchased a Yamaha Motif ES. Although I was using the Motif as a music workstation, it was also a powerful sampler. I decided that I could use some of the sounds created by my combo organ collection in my music, so I set about recording these sounds into my Motif. When my Mellotron arrived I marvelled at its pristine condition. Not only did it look like new, the Mellotrons tapes were in amazing sonic condition. I loved playing this instrument in my studio, but I knew that every time I played a key, the pressure pad would press down on the tape and it would drag across the tape head. Realizing that this physical action would eventually degrade the tapes, I decided to sample it. I soon decided to use my Motif in performances with my bands. I quickly realized that I could have the sounds of all my studio instruments at my disposal with one keyboard. I could recreate the actual sound of The Doors, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, The Animals and countless other classic rock bands in live performance. In addition, I could create my own music with classic sound textures that are only available with these vintage keyboards. One night I was talking to my wife, and we discussed making these sounds available to other musicians. I told her that other sample sound companies were charging exorbitant prices for their sample sets and no one was offering the non-processed, original vintage sounds that I loved. So I decided to experiment and sell a sample set of Mellotron sounds on EBay for $20. Well, sales went off the charts! So I expanded my offerings to samples of my three Hammond B3’s organs, Farfisa Compact, Gibson G101, Elka Panther and Vox Continental. Soon after that, I started my website and offered several combo deals for my samples. Believing that my samples should be affordable to the average musician, I now offer my complete sample set for $50!
Gibson G101 Combo Organ 23
MIM: WHAT HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE IS REQUIRED TO RUN YOUR SAMPLES AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW TO USE THEM?
“the sounds of these organs and Mellotrons should be 100% authentic. I wanted the most accurate sound possible”
DAVE: First off, you need either a hardware or software sampler. Any sampler that imports Wave or AIFF files will play my samples. The samples can even be imported into and played from GarageBand with a third party software program by SonicAmigos called Polyphontics GB. This program allows you to create a new GarageBand instrument from wave files! I have formats for the most popular samplers that are truly plug and play. If using other hardware samplers, it is just a matter of importing the wave files and saving them as a sample instrument in your keyboard. This is a very easy process and only has to be done once. The samples live in the hard drive or other memory device in the keyboard.
MIM: WHAT IS THE PROCESS THAT GOES INTO MAKING A SET OF THESE SAMPLES? DAVE: I believe that the sounds of these organs and Mellotrons should be 100% authentic. I wanted the most accurate sound possible. Therefore, I plugged the output of these instruments directly into the Yamaha Motif ES. There are no intermediary sound processing devices used. I use extremely high quality cables and make sure that there was not electrical or mechanical hum that was leaking into the recording. After the recordings are made, I do absolutely NO post production on the sounds. Sure, some of the Mellotron sounds are slightly out of tune, but that is how the Mellotron was originally created. There are also some sonic abnormalities that are on the original tapes. These could have been cleaned up (like other Mellotron sample companies do), but then they no longer sound like a real Mellotron.
Many musicians use VST software instruments that play from a software sampler triggered from a MIDI keyboard. Again, it is a very simple process to import my samples into these programs. My customers have a choice of receiving a DVD of my samples or being able to download them immediately via digital download. When a customer purchases my samples from Ebay or www.vintagekeyboardsounds.com, they receive an email from YouSendIt with a direct download link for the samples. For these customers the shipping cost is refunded. For those who like a physical disk, then a DVD is shipped out to them within 24 hours.
MIM: CAN YOU GIVE THE ENTIRE LIST OF SAMPLES YOU HAVE CREATED AND WHICH ONES YOU WILL BE DOING IN THE FUTURE?
MIM: IS THERE ANY NOISE FROM YOUR SAMPLES? CAN YOU NAME ANY NOTABLE MUSICIANS WHO ARE USING THEM?
DAVE: Presently, I offer two sets of Mellotron samples (Set A is Three Violins, Choir, and Cello, Set B is Flutes, Brass, and Choir), Hammond B3 organ (three organs and Leslie combos included), Gibson G101 combo organ, Vox Continental combo organ, Elka Panther combo organ and Farfisa Compact combo organ. I will soon be offering a Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, a Wurlitzer 200 Electric Piano, a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass and a Hohner Clavinet.
DAVE: My samples are professionally produced on top of the line sampling and recording equipment. The only noise you hear is from the original instrument being recorded. My samples have been purchased by hundreds of professional musicians for recordings and professional tours. My biggest customers are keyboard players in The Doors tribute bands as they can now recreate the exact sound of their hits. Although I really don’t keep track of the hundreds of musicians who use my samples
Farfisa Compact Combo Organ
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MUSIC FEATURE: VINTAGE KEYBOARD SOUNDS
U.S.
MIM U.S.
Elka Panther 300 Combo Organ
and some very famous bands have asked me not to reveal them in articles, I can say that The Band of Horses and Bob Dylan use my samples on their tours. You can also find some great examples of my samples on YouTube. One of my customers posted these amazing videos of my Doors sounds: When the Music’s Over (Part 1) When The Music’s Over (Part 2) Light My Fire Love Me Two Times MIM: ARE THERE ANY DOWNFALLS OF YOUR SAMPLES? DAVE: Due to the high quality of the recordings, the samples do take up a considerable amount of memory. Unlike other sample companies, I send long loops of every key of every sound. For my Mellotron samples, I recorded the entire seven to nine seconds of each tape! Older samplers that use floppy disks cannot handle these samples. But the customer may choose to use fewer files and stretch them over several keys. This lowers the memory required.
Mim: Wow! All these glorious retro sounds for such a great price. We’re definitely gonna get our grubby paws onto these! Thanks Dave!
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SPACE
WHAT OH WHAT IS OUT THERE? THIS ISSUE WE CHAT TO PHILIP TINSLEY FROM THE ALUSKAS TO FIND OUT ABOUT MARS CONSPIRACIES AND FACTS...
MIM
SPACE: MISSION TO MARS
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“a blood red dot traces a looping path across this starry backdrop” MARS This month we continue our exploration of the solar system with Mars. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun (the third is Earth) and it is named after the roman God of War. The association with the God of War is probably due to the red colouring of the surface which looked like blood to the ancient civilizations who gazed upon it. It is also where the nickname, The Red Planet, arises from. Like the Moon, Mars holds an important position in our culture; both pop culture and ancient culture are teeming with references to the Martian planet. Picture the night sky being littered with familiar objects such as the stars and the Moon, then a blood red dot traces a looping path across this starry backdrop. With this image of Mars as a foreboding omen, it is easy to understand why it crept into the consciousness of ancient Earthlings.
The same hysteria gripped Ecuador in 1949 when a Spanish language version was broadcast for the first time, only in this case, the panic transformed into anger when it was revealed to be a work of fiction, leading to riots in which the radio stations headquarters were burned down by a furious mob who had to be dispersed by the Police and Army using tanks and tear gas. The Red Planets’ influence on our culture is not simply accounted for with ancient observations however. To the contrary, the more we learn about Mars, the stronger its hold on us becomes. There is evidence that water once flowed across the planets now barren terrain and that frozen water still exists underground. The presence of water is a strong indicator that life may have existed or may still exist on the planet. With further investigation, we may find clues to the life forms that once inhabited Mars or perhaps the ones that still do, though they will probably be more like bacteria then the little green men we have imagined over the years. It’s time now to delve a little deeper into the Red Planet and explore some intriguing conspiracies and interesting facts about our celestial neighbour.
In more recent pop culture, it has always been the threat of a Martian invasion that haunts our dreams. When an adaptation of H.G. Wells science fiction novel “The War Of The Worlds” was broadcast on American radio on October 30th 1938, it caused widespread hysteria. Many listeners had missed the announcement that it was a fictional drama, instead believing that the staged news reports of an alien attack were true (the extent of this panic has since been debated).
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SPACE: MISSION TO MARS
“Images were sent back to Earth supposedly showing a cylindrical U.F.O. approaching”
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MARS CONSPIRACIES RED FACE ON MARS Many conspiracy theorists claim that Mars was once home to intelligent life, using images from Mars surface to bolster their claims. The most famous of these images is the mysterious face on Mars, which depicts a very human looking face reminiscent of ancient Egyptian structures. More detailed images revealed it to be merely a trick of light but are the enhanced pictures just evidence of a cover up? Mars’s moon Phobos also provides more fuel for the conspiracy of Martians. It has been suggested that Phobos is an artificial satellite and that it is almost completely hollow. Conspiracy theorists believe it was placed in orbit centuries ago by the inhabitants of Mars. This conspiracy has been aided in a way by astronaut Buzz Aldrin who declared that instead of returning to our own moon that we should explore Phobos, especially the strange monolith on its surface which is nearly 85 metres across. RUSSIAN PROBE SABOTAGED In July 1988, the Soviet Union launched two unmanned probes Phobos 1 & 2, named after Mars’ moon. The purpose of these probes was to study Mars and its two moons Phobos and Deimos. Phobos 1 was lost before it ever got to Mars; this was reportedly due to a radio command error. Phobos 2 however, achieved orbit around Mars. This was the first step in the mission, the main aim of which was to align itself with the moon Phobos and drop off two scientific instruments to closer study it. Phobos 2 was operating normally until it attempted to draw closer to the mysterious moon. Suddenly all communication was lost but just before communication went down, several images were sent back to earth supposedly showing a cylindrical U.F.O. approaching the probe and a strange elliptical shadow passing over the surface of Mars. Were the two probes sabotaged by Martian intelligence? Interestingly, Mars missions have an unusually high failure rate leading some scientists to joke about the great galactic ghoul that eats Mars probes. BARACK OBAMA TELEPORTED TO MARS IN THE 80’S You may want to read the title of this particular conspiracy theory again to make sure your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you… you read it right the first time though. It does say Barack Obama teleported to Mars in the 80’s. This claim was made by American lawyer Andrew D. Basiago (who apparently has done his own fair share of time and space travel). He has stated that his trips to Mars with president Obama took place during a top secret C.I.A. mission, which operated out of a classroom in a college based in California. The men were teleported to Mars using what was known as a jump room. Chillingly, one of the senior Chrononauts (as they were known) was alleged to have told Barack Obama “your task is to be seen and not eaten”.
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MIM “It is basically spiralling into mars and will eventually crash into the planet”
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MARS FACTS Once again it’s time to come crashing back down to Earth (via logic and reason rather than the jump room) with some interesting Mars facts. TALLEST VOLCANO Mars is home to some interesting geographical features, including Olympus Mons, a large volcanic mountain. It is the tallest known mountain in the solar system stretching 22km above the surrounding Martian terrain, making it three times taller than Mount Everest. Mars is also home to one of the largest and deepest canyons in the solar system. The Valles Marineris is more than 4,000km long, 200km wide and 7km deep. It completely dwarfs the Grand Canyon here on Earth. COLLISION COURSE Phobos occupies a very close orbit around Mars. The radius of this orbit decreases by approximately 20 metres every century, bringing the tiny potato shaped moon ever closer to destruction. It is basically spiralling into mars and will eventually crash into the planet. Other predictions say the planet will be ripped apart by the forces at work on it and may even form rings around Mars. There are differing estimates regarding the length of time this will take to happen, ranging from around 7-10 million years. Some predictions even put it as high as 50-100 million years but on an astronomical scale, even 100 million years would be considered a short period of time. THE RED PLANET Much more so than the other planets of the solar system, we readily associate Mars with its distinct reddish colour. Mars is often referred to as the Red Planet, which leads to the obvious question, why is Mars red? The short answer to this question is rust. The surface of the planet is covered in a fine dust which is rich in iron oxide. Iron oxide is more commonly known as rust. There are many theories as to where all this rust came from. The most popular theory is that early in Mars life, it had flowing water. This water carved its way through the rocks on Mars surface which are rich in iron. The oxygen in the water combined with the iron to make iron oxide, so in other words, the iron was rusted. This rust has since been spread all over the planet by wind which can cause planet-wide dust storms. The dust that hangs suspended in the atmosphere can also give the Martian sky a red hue.
Mim: So are you saying that Barack Obama is a Martian? Weird & wonderful reading. Thanks Philip!
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A bittersweet, Illustrated tale about a bodyless boy who struggles with being so different. 30
GEE whizz! isn’t that terrific! 31
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COMICS ARE A SPECIAL ART FORM THAT WE WANT TO CELEBRATE AND AS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW WE LOOOVE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS. SO WE’VE DECIDED TO COMBINE THESE TWO THIS ISSUE. WE FEATURE AN ACORN FUELLED AMBUSH, A BERSERK TUNA EATING POODLE AND A STAR WHO NEEDS A REMEDY FOR THE BLUES...
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COMICS & BOOKS
AMBUSH
IT’S NEVER NICE TO BE AMBUSHED, ESPECIALLY IF IT’S BY AN UNEXPECTED TREE DWELLER! THIS COMIC IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MELISSA MENDES, AUTHOR OF FREDDY STORIES, A XERIC-AWARD WINNING ALL-AGES GRAPHIC NOVEL.
MELISSA MENDES 34
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COMICS: MELISSA MENDES - AMBUSH
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POODLE GOES
BERSERK
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POOR POODLE, SHE IS VERY GOOD UNTIL SOMEONE FEEDS HER TUNA! SOMETHING STRANGE OCCURS - A BOUT OF TRUE BERSERKNESS! PART TWO OF THE BERSERK WORLD OF MISHI BY MIM’S OWN, BAUBIE SUNSHINE!
BAUBIESUNSHINE.COM 35
LESLIE PERRINE
MIM
BOOKS: STELLA’S BIG WISH
U.S.
EVERYBODY FEELS SMALL AND INSIGNIFFICANT SOMETIMES BUT WE KNOW A GREAT REMEDY FOR WHEN THE BLUES HIT YOU. LESLIE PERRINE’S BEAUTIFUL NEW BOOK, STELLA’S BIG WISH, WILL CERTAINLY MAKE YOU SMILE...
“it’s about the fact that everyone feels small sometimes and wishes they could be different”
MIM: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOU & YOUR BACKGROUND? LP: I grew up in Michigan and have always been a midwesterner. I went to a state college not knowing what I was going to study and started off in the Physics department planning on majoring in Astronomy. I’ve always loved science and faraway places but my real passion has always been writing. Even as a kid, I wrote and illustrated my own stories all of the time. So finally I caved and became a creative writing major. It wasn’t until after I moved to Chicago (5 years ago) that I started self-publishing my own work and with that, I taught myself to draw so I could illustrate my books. Currently, I live in Chicago where I work part-time as a nanny, part-time organizing the Chicago Zine Fest and part-time on my own creative work.
MIM: WHY DID YOU WRITE STELLA’S BIG WISH AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT? LP: I started Stella’s Big Wish in November of 2010 when my niece Stella was born. It took me a full year to finish and I gave it to her this year on her first birthday. I often like to tell stories of unlikely friendships / relationships and how they affect our lives. With Stella’s Big Wish, it’s a relationship between a star and a boy that wished upon her. The two characters learn from each other that they don’t need to be big to impress their friends; they just need the right friends. I suppose it’s also about the fact that everyone feels small sometimes and wishes they could be different. I hope my niece is able to be happy with who she is and maybe having this little book will help!
“I did all pen and ink for the illustrations. I first pencilled the image then used a tiny brush and India ink to create the images” 36
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MIM: CAN YOU TELL US WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCES YOU? LP: I’m influenced constantly by things in my life. I have a large group of amazing, creative friends who play music, make zines, perform shadow puppet shows, draw comics and do crafts etc. The list goes on and on. I think being around creative people is a huge drive to keep creating things. Most of my stories are influenced by friendships and relationships because I think that is the most interesting part of being a person. I’m also influenced by nature and animals. I think animals and other natural bodies have traits that personify human emotions and personalities and I often find it more interesting (and fun) to write from the point of view of a slug or a star or a whale. As far as inspiration, I try to read anything and everything that challenges what a story can be and how we use language.
U.S.
MIM: WHAT TECHNIQUE DID YOU USE TO CREATE THE ILLUSTRATIONS? LP: For Stella’s Big Wish I did all pen and ink for the illustrations. I first pencilled the image then used a tiny brush and India ink to create the images. It ended up being much more challenging than I realized to get the black really black and I ended up having to do several layers on each drawing just to get the blacks dark enough to be a night sky. I had never drawn with a brush before and it was definitely a learning experience.
MIM: YOU ALSO MAKE COMIC ZINES. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THESE? LP: I’ve written several mini-comics and a few fiction zines as well. My mini-comic bananaslug! was the first story I wrote purely through illustration which was really challenging for me coming from a writing background. Others I’ve written started with a story and then I added illustrations into the book form of them. I love the look and feel of books and try to think of how the end product will look and feel as I am creating a story. Aurthur and the Whale was the first book I made and I used to hand embroider each cover on felt! I have since learned there are certain time and work constraints that self-publishing creates.
“Aurthur and the Whale was the first book I made and I used to hand embroider each cover on felt!”
MIM: WHAT BOOK / COMIC DO YOU WISH THAT YOU’D WRITTEN? LP: Every time I read a Moomin (Tove Jansson) comic or book I think, “Wow, I wish I could do something this simple and amazing.” She’s pretty incredible. For the most part, I’m happy doing my own thing though. I try not to judge my own work against others too much!
MIM: WHERE CAN WE BUY YOUR BOOKS & ZINES? LP: My books are available on Etsy, the artist site The Quickest Flip and Quimby’s Bookstore. You can check out my blog for upcoming dates of my east coast reading tour (where I’ll have zines for sale) and I’ll also be at the DC Zine Fest July 28th.
Mim: We love the message in this book and the sweet, contrasty illustrations! Thanks Leslie!
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FREE DOWNLOAD OUT NOW
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FASHION
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OH WE DO LOVE A GOOD FROCK! FASHION IS SO IMPORTANT TO US HERE AT MIM! THIS ISSUE, WE CHAT TO THE MARVELOUS IRIS & EVA FROM GEOMETRIC FASHION LINE, THINGS LIKE DIAMONDS...
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FASHION: THINGS LIKE DIAMONDS
THINGS LIKE
GERMANY
DIAMONDS
WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO COME ACROSS A PAIR OF GIRLS RESPONSIBLE FOR A FASHION AND ACCESSORIES LINE THAT WAS SIMPLE, STYLISH AND GEOMETRIC. WE CATCH UP WITH EVA & IRIS FOR A CHAT ABOUT THEIR LINE...
“The only way to get a dress like this was to make it myself”
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MIM: CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU BOTH? E&I: We are two girls who love to craft and design and one day we realised that we both like the same things. And now we are THINGS LIKE DIAMONDS.
GERMANY
MIM: RANDOM GEOMETRY SEEMS TO HEAVILY INSPIRE YOUR CLOTHING AND JEWELS. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS? E&I: Somehow we are addicted to geometric shapes. MIM: YOU USE BLOCK PRINTING ON YOUR CLOTHING, WHICH IS AN ANCIENT & BEAUTIFUL TECHNIQUE. CAN YOU TELL US WHY YOU CHOSE THIS MEDIUM? E&I: Once I wanted to have a really cute dress with an all-over print but due to the fact that I’m still studying, I couldn’t afford it. So the only way to get a dress like this was to make it myself. Screen-printing was also too expensive and so I did it by block printing and somehow I got stuck on it.
“I can’t imagine a life without designing or expressing my creativity” MIM: IF YOU WEREN’T DESIGNING, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’D BE DOING? IRIS: That’s a tough question. I’m studying chemical and biological engineering at the moment. This obviously has nothing to do with design though. Designing for me is a way to express my creativity. I can’t imagine doing something else to express myself. EVA: I can’t imagine a life without designing or expressing my creativity. So I think I have no idea what I would do instead… maybe I would be an Astronaut! MIM: SO GIRLS, WHERE CAN WE BUY YOUR FAB WARES? E&I: You can get them on our website and on our Etsy shop!
Mim: We love the simplicity of these designs. We N&D: We wrote the story 50/50, (it wouldn’t have been the same without either of us) and Natalie story by herself. wantillustrated it all,theThanks Eva & Iris! X
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ONLY 2% OF ALL DONATIONS WILL BE SPENT ON DONUTS, WE PROMISE! MAKEITMAG.COM/SHOP 42
MIM
FILM WE LOVE A GOOD FILM HERE AT MIM. THIS ISSUE WE FEATURE A CHAMPION ROLLERSKATING BANJO MAN AND A JEALOUS CAT THAT MET HIS MATCH...
WE CHECK OUT JENNIE LENNICK’S NEW STOP MOTION, JOHN
WE CHAT TO NEXT DOOR FILMS ABOUT THE MAKING OF EIGHTY EIGHT
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EIGHTY EIGHT
MIM
FILM: EIGHTY EIGHT
UK
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER AND EIGHTY EIGHT YEAR OLD CHAMPION ROLLER SKATER, SWIMMER AND BANJO MAN PROVES JUST THAT. WE STUMBLED UPON THIS TEAR JERKING DOCUMENTARY FILM AND JUST HAD TO FIND ITS MAKERS. WE CATCH UP WITH NEXT DOOR FILMS, THE CREW RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, TO TALK IDEAS, AWARDS AND THE UNIVERSAL THEME OF AGING...
“The theme of aging is universal, as we all have to face it. He reminds us to value our youth and live passionately” MIM: WHO MADE EIGHTY EIGHT AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT? NDF: Three of us made the film: Sebastian Feehan, Josh Bamford, and Hannah Bone. It follows champion roller skater, cyclist and swimmer Ralph Settle, who refuses to let old age get the better of him. Now 88 and a widower, everyone on the streets of Cornwall knows him as “The Banjo Man”.
FILM: Eighty Eight MAKERS: Sebastian Feehan, Josh Bamford, & Hannah Bone DURATION: 11.24 Minutes CAMERA: Canon 550D and Edirol EDITED ON: Final Cut Pro
MIM: WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM? IS THIS THE FIRST SHORT FILM YOU’VE MADE? NDF: We were looking for subjects to make a short about. So we posted a status on Facebook to see if anyone knew of any interesting stories. We soon received a message back from a friend in Cornwall that told us all about Ralph. We were immediately drawn to his story, so went down to meet him in person. It was our first short film together. 44
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MIM: YOU SEEM TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD EYE FOR FILMMAKING; CAN YOU TELL US WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU? NDF: I think everyday life inspires us. That’s what we really liked about Ralph’s story. At a glance it might seem like Ralph is just another old man going about his existence, but when we delved deeper we found a message unique and life affirming. That’s inspirational.
UK
MIM: RALPH SETTLE (BANJO MAN) REALLY TUGGED AT OUR HEART STRINGS. DO YOU THINK THIS MADE HIM CONNECT SO WELL WITH THE AUDIENCE? NDF: He is an amazing character and we definitely think that helped connect with the audience. He’s very familiar to us. People would sometimes come up to us and say that Ralph reminded them of someone they knew from where they lived. Perhaps in a way he represents us all. The theme of aging is universal, as we all have to face it. He reminds us to value our youth and live passionately.
“We really enjoy going out and meeting new subjects, learning about someone’s life” MIM: WHAT DID IT COST TO MAKE THIS FILM? NDF: It was not an expensive film to make as we had our own kit. It must have cost about £300. MIM: EIGHTY EIGHT WON BEST UK STUDENT DOCUMENTARY AT THE 2011 SHEFFIELD INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL. THAT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE; CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT? NDF: Yes, we couldn’t believe it! It was the first film festival we had ever entered or even attended, it was also our first award. They had kindly invited Ralph to attend the festival too, paying for his train and putting him up for the week, so he was there enjoying it all, and came up with us to collect the award. We really enjoyed the festival, and to win was amazing.
MIM readers get a special preview of Eighty Eight by pressing play and using the password EightyEight
MIM: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO MAKE THE FILM? NDF: We had originally planned to make a film that intertwined three different stories, but once we had spent time with Ralph we quickly realised that his story was the strongest, so returned a week later to film. It took four days. MIM: WHAT EQUIPMENT DID YOU USE AND HOW WAS IT EDITED?
PLAY
NDF: We used a Canon 550D and Edirol with a shotgun mike. We used Final Cut Pro to edit the film. Nowadays it’s so cheap and easy to make a film; the main challenge is to find a unique and engaging story. MIM: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE FILM MAKING PROCESS? NDF: We really enjoy going out and meeting new subjects, learning about someone’s life. Documentary filmmaking is particularly fun because you never quite know what kind of film you will make. The process is organic and the story will grow out of the adventure it takes you on. That’s what’s amazing about real life stories; it constantly surprises you and takes you in new directions. MIM: CAN YOU TELL US ANY INTERESTING FACTS RELATING TO THE FILM? NDF: Ralph is really into tarot cards and we filmed him giving a reading. MIM: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU? NDF: We are in the process of starting our own production company Next Door Films. We have just returned from Saudi Arabia where we have been shooting our latest documentary about two street artists trying to express themselves in a conservative society; we will be returning at the beginning of May to finish it. Eighty Eight won a £20,000 prize package from Panavision, which will be going towards a fiction film we hope to shoot in the summer. We have other projects in the pipeline too, from music videos to documentaries. We want to grow as filmmakers, and hopefully expand our portfolio of work. Check out our website Next Door Films and our Vimeo Page!
mim: This is a wonderful little piece of film making about a truly inspirational character. We can’t wait for the next one! Thanks guys! 45
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FILM: JOHN
JENNIE
U.S.
LENNICK ANIMALS DO FEEL LEFT OUT WHEN NEW BABIES COME ALONG SO YOU MUST REMEMBER TO SHOWER THEM WITH EXTRA LOVE OR ELSE THEY MIGHT RUN AWAY AND GET SHOT! WE CATCH UP WITH JENNIE LENNICK TO CHAT ABOUT HER NEW FILM, JOHN...
“When he arrives, home is different and his family doesn’t want him back. In the end, the thing he was jealous of destroys him” MIM: CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO? JL: I am an artist who grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota but now live in San Francisco, California. I moved to California two years ago to attend graduate school at the San Francisco Art Institute, where I will receive my MFA in May. I currently work at a library and volunteer at an art centre for adults with developmental disabilities. MIM: YOU HAVE MADE A SHORT FILM, JOHN. WHAT IS IT ABOUT? JL: John is about a cat that is well loved by his family but feels very dissatisfied and jealous when the family has a new baby. Around the time of the baby’s birth, a tornado comes, which destroys the family’s land and barn, and the cat sees this catastrophe as an opportunity to run away. He runs away and meets different kinds of creatures and sees different places, but in the end realizes he doesn’t really know what he’s running from. He decides to return home. When he arrives, home is different and his family doesn’t want him back. In the end, the thing he was jealous of destroys him.
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JL: I like that it gives me the opportunity to give life to my sculptures. The technique is not very enjoyable for me, I actually hate it, but in the end it is magic because I get to animate an inanimate object. There is really no other medium like it, in which a lifeless thing is suddenly able to dance. I hate working on them, but I love them when they’re done. Every single animation I’ve made I swear it will be my last, but in the end for some reason I always go back. I approach animation in an intuitive way in which I think of the movement of the body and how it would translate to the movement of a little sculpture if it were alive. I am able to give them life bit-by-bit, and shot by shot.
MIM
Check out Jenny’s film, John by clicking play below.
MIM: YOU MAKE STOP MOTION ANIMATION WHICH CAN BE PAINSTAKING. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THIS TECHNIQUE?
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PLAY
MIM: CAN YOU TELL US WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU? JL: I like to look at other animators; Jan Svankmajer, Nathalie Djurberg and Allison Schulnik, as well as other artists like Marcel Dzama, Jon Pylypchuk, Mike Kelley, and Paul McCarthy. I am also inspired by pets and the relationships we have with them, childhood, and horrific things disguised as sweet. MIM: WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD? JL: I wanted to be an archaeologist. I think that the love of archaeology and the mystery that comes with it sparked my interest in art and art history, which I pursued in my adult life. MIM: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU? ARE THERE ANY MORE FILMS IN THE PIPELINE? JL: Well, I will have my MFA in a couple weeks! After that, I will begin making new sculptures and sets for my next animation, which will be a story of a little girl that meets a man who she thinks is a ghost.
Mim: This film is perfectly weird and you know we love weird here at Mim. We can’t wait for the next one, it sounds great. We’re big fans Jenny!
ill be my last, but in t
he en d fo rs
om er
eas o
n
ing le a ni ma
I’v n t io
w ear it w s de I a em
Ia
go
“Ev ery s
s ay lw
” back
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Soulful indie books that deserve a place on your bookshelf!
Visit us at zebrainatophatpress.com 48
WE LOVE THE ART OF HANDMADE HERE AT MIM. WE HAVE PICKED OUR FAVOURITES FOR GROWN UPS AND MUNCHKINS. THERE’S SO MANY SUPER UNIQUE AND LOVABLE THINGS OUT THERE, MADE WITH SO MUCH LOVE! ♥
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HANDMADE
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HANDMADE
HANDMADE
Geometry Is Fun Necklace by Depeapa Funk up that t-shirt! €23 / $30
Instant Comfort Pocket Boxes by Kim’s Little Monsters. A sweet gift for a sad friend! €8 / $10
Journals by Ex Libris Anonymous They have vintage covers! €10.50 / $14
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GERMANY ENGLAND
GERMANY
Assemblage Blue Droid by Rupert Valero With moving arms & head! €9.50 / $12
Classic Cow Hide Clogs by Berlin 27 Clogs Forces feet to relax! €48 / $62
Miniature Doll Clay Brooches by Jess Quinn. Fabulous! €29 / $37
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Irish Stout & Charcoal Soap by Dr. K Deliciously Lathering! €5 / $6.50
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Fridge Magnets by Baubie Sunshine Jazz up that refrigerator! €5 / $6.50
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My Deer Note Card by Berlin Roses So scrummy! €4 / $5.50
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Pink & Tangerine Dot Giraffe by Sweet Whirl. They’re eco friendly! €30 / $40
Mrs Cow Bib by Strand Redesign It’s eco friendly! €16 / $20 51
GREECE JAPAN
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Children’s Oxfords by Golden Ponies. Also in brown & gold. Seriously cute! €27 / $35
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THE VERY BEST OF HANDMADE AND INDIE FOR CHILDREN FROM AROUND THE GLOBE!
Boy With A Kite by Paint My Name It’s personisable! €41 / $52
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SCRUM-DIDDLEY-UMPTIOUS RECIPIES STRAIGHT FROM NANNY’S KITCHEN! THIS ISSUE NANNY BAKES HER DELICIOUS FROSTED CARROT CAKE, ADDS A BIT OF SPICE INTO OUR LIVES WITH HER CARROT & SQUASH SOUP AND SHE ALSO DETAILS THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ORANGE VEGGIES...
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MIM
EDIBLES
MIM
EDIBLES: BAKING WITH NANNY
BAKING WITH
NANNY
EIRE
“Wait and you taste my Carrot Cake... You’ll like it!” NANNY’S FROSTED CARROT CAKE INGREDIENTS: SELF RAISING FLOUR (200g / 7oz) 2 LARGE FREE RANGE EGGS BAKING POWDER (1 Teaspoon) BROWN SUGAR (150g / 5oz) SUNFLOWER OIL (150mls) CARROTS GRATED (175g / 6oz) MIXED SPICE (1 Teaspoon) RAISINS (15g / 0.5oz) FROSTING: SOFT CHEESE (200g / 7oz) CASTER SUGAR (20g / ¾ oz ) VANILLA EXTRACT (2 Teaspoons) WALNUTS FOR SPRINKLING
“Sprinkle walnuts for that extra crunch ”
METHOD: Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C / 355°F and grease a rectangular bread tin. Step 2: Beat eggs, oil & sugar in a bowl for 2-3 minutes. Step 3: In another bowl, mix together flour, baking powder & spices and then add egg mixture. Step 4: Fold in carrots & raisins until combined. Step 5: Pour mixture into tin and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden and springy to the touch. Step 6: Leave cake to cool and make your frosting. In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, vanilla & sugar until smooth. Step 7: Once cake is fully cooled, spread frosting over the top and sprinkle a few chopped walnuts over the top and eat away!
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CARROTS
I'm good
Carrots are usually orange but purple, red, white, and yellow varieties exist too. They contain β-carotene which converts to vitamin A in the body - this helps your eyesight. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants and minerals. They need good sun exposure to grow and take around 4 months to mature in soil. In 2009, 33.582 million tonnes of carrots and turnips were produced worldwide. We love our carrots!
!
for you
MIM
NANNY SUMS UP CARROTS
EIRE
OTHER THINGS CALLED CARROT Carrot Top is a name used to describe a person with red hair. Carrot City is a research initiative that explores how design can enable the production of food in cities. The Carrot River is a river in north-eastern Saskatchewan in Canada. Carotenemia is a condition from excessive intake of carrots. Skin turns orange - Umpa Lumpa. AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT CARROTS The World Longest Carrot recorded in 2007 was 5.839 metres (19 feet 1 7/8 inches).
“This is a sweet soup with a kick. It will warm you right up” CARROT & SQUASH SOUP INGREDIENTS: 1 BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PEELED & CUBED 4 CARROTS, THINLY SLICED 2 LARGE POTATOES, PEELED & CUBED 1 ONION A SPRIG OF ROSEMARY 1/2 TSP NUTMEG 1/2 TSP CUMIN 1/4 TSP CAYENNE 3-4 VEGETABLE STOCK CUBES PINCH OF BLACK PEPPER & SALT
“My grandchildren love my carrot & squash soup!” METHOD: Step 1: Get out your biggest pot. Add a bit of olive oil to it and once hot, add the onion and the spices. Give it a stir for a minute or so. Step 2: Add all the veggies, swiftly followed by approx. 800 - 1000mls stock (2-3 cubes). Stock should be covering the veg, add more if it’s not. Put top on pot and bring to boil. Step 3: Once boiling, remove top and allow to simmer for 20-30 mins, stirring and adding more stock occasionally. Step 4: Squish each veg to see if cooked. If carrots are still hard, leave longer. Otherwise, using a hand blender, blend the soup until creamy with no chunks. Step 5: Add to a bowl with or without croutons and eat!
mim: Yum Yum, these look sooo tasty and carroty! Thank you Nanny! 55
QUESTIONS FOR
OUR AGONY AUNT MIGHT BE A CANINE, BUT SHE CERTAINLY LOVES TO GIVE ADVICE. THIS ISSUE, COMET DEALS WITH YOUR RECYCLING WOES...
MIM
AGONY AUNT: Q’S FOR COMET
COMET Hello everybody (excluding cats), my name is Comet. I am a single female Jack Russell from Ireland. I own two humans, one tall and stupid, the other twice as tall and more stupid. I have been asked by the editor of this magazine to give some advice on the subject of recycling. Recycling is an important subject, which in my humble opinion, I am an expert on. There are many ways in which we can help the planet, such as conserving water by going days without drinking or bathing. You could save electricity by sitting in the dark or turning off the central heating. It is perfectly possible to be happy sitting alone in a cold pitch black room dehydrated and smelly. My tallest owner does it all the time; sometimes he cries. That reminds me of another tip, if you happen to be sitting in the dark crying, collect your tears in a cup for later consumption. They make a delicious salty treat and after all, every little helps. Below you will find my top three recycling tips, which I assure you are both brilliant and amazing. If you do not agree, there are two possibilities; you are either stupid or worse, a cat. If you are a cat, stop reading now...
“do not hoover up melted plastics; you will certainly break your hoover and probably void your warranty”
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HEIDI: COMET, WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL MY OLD PAPERS? THEY’RE FILLING UP MY HOUSE!
COMET: If your house is cluttered up with old newspapers, magazines, incriminating letters, household bills etc. do not despair, Heidi, help has arrived! The solution is really quite simple (you’ll kick yourself for not thinking of it). First, gather up all the old papers and magazines into an easily manageable pile. Once your pile has been gathered up, you will need some matches. Set fire to the pile and stand back. Depending on the amount you have to burn, it can take anywhere between 10-30mins. If you have a large pile, you can leave the fire unattended and come back when it’s done. But Comet, what about the pile of ashes that will be left once the fire dies down, I hear you say? Easy; simply hoover the remaining ashes up. Done and done.
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EIRE
PETER: I DRINK SO MUCH LUCOZADE. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH ALL MY EMPTY BOTTLES, COMET?
3
SALLY: COMET, I HAVE TWO FRIDGES BUT I ONLY NEED ONE. WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE OTHER ONE?
MIM
2
EIRE
COMET: Plastic can be more tricky to recycle than paper, Peter. As we know, plastic doesn’t burn - it melts. Fear not, I have just the solution. The trick is to be aware that plastic melts and paper burns so separate your paper and plastics accordingly. Once you have separated your plastics for recycling, you will need some matches. Carefully set fire to your pile of plastics until they are sufficiently melted (WARNING: do not hoover up melted plastics; you will certainly break your hoover and probably void your warranty). Now that your plastic is melted, calmly pour it down the sink. Done and done.
COMET: This is a very easy one Sally. The easiest one of all in fact. A fridge is certainly more cumbersome than your average household papers and plastics but not to worry. How to recycle your old fridge. First you will need some matches (only joking, this time matches are optional); the first thing you need to do is empty out your fridge. Next, you need to unplug it. The only thing left to do is quickly drag it outside into the street (it’s best to do this at night). Once you have successfully placed your old refrigerator in the road, swiftly run back into your house. Now that you are safely back inside, it’s time to angrily and anonymously contact your local council to complain that someone has left a fridge in the street. As if by magic the refrigerator will be gone in the morning. Tah Dah! It has been successfully recycled. Done and done.
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K AR
B
Mim: If you are inclined to take advice from dogs we cannot be held responsible for the canineinspired madness that insues! Thanks Comet!
QUI
CK!
NEXT QUER TIME COM IN ONIES. PLEA ET WILL ANSW SE B TIM FAO: COME E. EMAIL E QUICK T ER YOUR O T HER R AT M GET YOU ELATIONS AKEIT R MAG@ QUESTIOHIP GMAIL NS .COM
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WE JUST COULDN’T POSSIBLY FIND IT ALL OURSELVES. SO IF YOU THINK WE’VE MISSED OUT HAVING YOU IN THE MAG, THEN PLEASE EMAIL US WITH SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK TO MAKEITMAG@GMAIL.COM MAG
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ISSUE 2: MAY / JUNE 2012 Editor: Maggie Stills Sub Editor: Animal Kovax Illustration / Layout / Design: Baubie Sunshine Contributors (Issue 2): Jack Valentine (Music), Philip Tinsley (Space), Melissa Mendes (Comics), Nanny (Edibles), Comet (Agony Aunt) Published by Zebra In A Top Hat Press Cat No: MIM002 Text and Illustrations Copyright owned by MIM / Zebra In A Top Hat Press ℗ & © &☺2012. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission from the Editor / Illustrator / Publisher. www.makeitmag.com www.zebrainatophatpress.com
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