positivexposure

INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER LINDSAY GRAY

bingdddingdddingdingbumbumbolder — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:26:54 -0700

LINDSAY GRAY IS AN 18 YEAR OLD PHOTOGRAPHER FROM ARLINGTON, TEXAS. WE THINK YOU SHOULD KNOW HER BECAUSE HER DRAMATIC BLEND OF DREAMY AND EDITORIAL STYLE PHOTOGRAPHS LEAVES US WANTING MORE.

Q: How long have you been taking pictures?
I’ve been serious about photography since October of 2011

Q: How did you get into photography?
I kind of fell into photography, really. My father is a photographer, so I grew up around it, and I always had Polaroids and disposables for my sister and I to document our summer trips or certain things, and one day I just realised that I liked photography and felt somewhat good at it, so I kept going.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw most of my inspiration from the models that I work with. If they have a unique enough look, you can plan your entire shoot around that. It’s great when a model’s face is enough for you envision the makeup and wardrobe and location immediately. Otherwise, I draw from films and stories, mainly.

Q: What message do you want to send through your art?
I don’t know that I have a certain message that can be put out through all of my art, because I feel that it’s all very different. I really just want for people to be intrigued enough to keep looking and following my work.

Q: Do you have a favorite photographer?
My favourite photographer changes day to day, but the main people who never seem to leave the list are Tim Walker, Sarah Moon, Paolo Roversi, and Daniele Buetti.

Q: Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
Models and fabulous clothes.

Q: What gear do you use?
My main camera is my Nikon d7000 with a 35mm f/1.8 lens, but I also have a great deal of film cameras that I use from time to time, including a Mamiya RB67 and a Yashica A.

Q: Do you have a favorite camera to use?
My Nikon d7000 gets the most use, just because it’s digital and that’s the most practical for me, but I really do love my Mamiya.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?
Goodness, I honestly don’t know. I haven’t traveled much. I’ve never even been out of the United States, so really, anywhere in Europe or Asia would be wonderful, just to photograph a different culture than my own.

Q: Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?
To an extent, yes. Anyone can call themselves a photographer and take senior pictures and make some money off of people who don’t know a good picture from a bad one, but you have to have an artistic eye to understand what you’re doing.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about photography?
My favourite aspect of photography is probably the way that you can capture something and have it there in front of you forever, never changing, even when you can’t remember the middle names of the people in the picture or why they were making a certain facial expression. You can hold onto it forever.

Q: What’s your least favorite thing about photography?
My least favourite thing about photography is the connotation of being a young photographer in this day and age. So many people call themselves photographers now, that when you have the term attached to you, people assume that you’re just taking pictures of ducks in the park with your camera on auto and calling it photography because it’s the thing to do.

Q: What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?
My favourite pictures that I’ve ever taken are the ones that I’ve never let anyone see. They’re nothing artistically good, really, they’re just moments that I’ve loved and have to try not to forget.

Q: Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?
I think that, no matter what, I’ll always carry photography with me. Even if I never have another photograph published or exhibited in my life, I’ll still see things and imagine what a great picture they might make.

Q: Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?
Either great feeling or beauty. Something that pulls you in to the image.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what do you hope to accomplish with your art?
Just to have it reach as many people as it can, I suppose.

Review: Feed A Fish A Man, The Pilots, and Casa Verde Nova @ The Black Box Cabaret, Monterey Bay, CA.

otisthefish — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:59:24 -0700

The BBC is a venue that is only recently picking up steam. This year it has attracted acts like Wiz Khalifa, Blackalicious, and Hellogoodbye. Pretty sweet considering the average ticket price for non-students is five bucks, right? I recently had the good fortune to attend and perform at an event there, which was a benefit for YOSAL- The Youth Orchestra Salinas- hosted by CSU Monterey Bay student, Brenna Farrell. At this event I encountered several exciting musicians who are more than worth talking about.

The first band, Feed A Fish A Man, was excellent. They were a folk outfit, something along the lines of Mumford and Sons meets Civil Wars. Their front man stomped a kick drum while he played guitar, and their mandolin player stomped a tambourine. The also had a banjo, an electric bass, a violin, and another vocalist who was a tiny, freckled lady. They all wore plaid and they all sang in harmony. I realize that I am a slow learner, and this point is illustrated by my reaction to their show. The mandolin player (who also played the glockenspiel) sang the lyrics “my computer screen has corrupted my mind,” and I suddenly understood what was behind the folk movement. Despite the plaid and the framed glasses and all the swirling irony that engulfs our perception of “hipsters,” the folk movement is something with actual ideals behind it, even if it is sort of pretentious.

We are living in a supremely digital age, full of flashing lights, immediate and perpetual connectivity… constant interruptions. By reverting to an organic arrangement of instruments they are vocalizing their protest of society’s absorption into technology, and pleading for a way to slow down and take a step back.

I gleaned this information by asking, admittedly, very leading questions to the mandolin player. I basically just framed my realization as a question, which he happily agreed with. What I should have asked, which may have led to a more in depth answer, was “would you have sang a song like that if you weren’t in a folk band? Would you be thinking about those ideas if you were playing an electric guitar, or if you were playing music more like LMFAO or Azealia Banks? (which would likely reduce the message to irony instead of honesty).”

They concluded their set by playing a traditional tune, “I Saw The Light,” which itself was concluded by quickly switching to an acappella verse of “I’ll Fly Away.” And then they did the classiest thing that I have ever seen a group of musicians do. They turned down an encore. The audience performed the “one more song” chant, and I ran into the crowd to join them, with my index finger raised in the air because they were excellent, and the front man said “we would love to, but there is another band coming up, and they are going to play more than one more song!” And then he pointed at me and said “that guy, he’s playing,” and then the audience turned and looked at me and cheered and applauded. I was standing in a room surrounded by people who were cheering me on.

We did great. We nailed it, actually. We were similar to Feed A Fish A Man musically, but we were complete opposites lyrically. They sing about seeing the light, we sing about cannibalism and murder.

But I’m not here to talk about me.

The Pilots are a sort of pop-punk four-piece and they are just great. Their lyrics are often whacky, juvenile, and offensive, but I found myself more attracted to their heartfelt material. They sang with traditional punk vocal harmonies á la NOFX and Bad Religion, with more modern sounding guitar riffs and a vocalist reminiscent of Jello Biafra. I could really take a note from them on effective audience banter. They would tell jokes that fell completely flat, but would embrace the awkwardness of the situation in a way that would have everyone laughing, anyway.

The highlight of the night, however, was Casa Verde Nova, who is fronted by a tiny bespectacled south eastern Asian boy who is inexhaustible. Before he took the stage he was sprinting around the audience, doing jump kicks, windmilling his fists, and jumping on people’s backs. While he was onstage he did the same thing, more or less, without missing a note on his Squier. I am of the typically American stance on music, which means that I have sick attraction to all things depressing, angsty, or otherwise written in a minor key. But this band played such happy, fun-loving music (his guitar must have had the surf knob turned all the way up) that I think I may have been laughing through the whole set. When he sang, he was either wailing in a falsetto or screaming at the top of his tiny lungs, or spewing out utter gibberish. Between songs he made jokes that were completely absurd and/or surreal (their songs bear titles like “Carpool Tunnel Syndrome,” and “You Make Me Hungarian,” just to give you an idea) and then he would sing about how he loved someone so much he wanted their egg to meet his sperm. Then he invited all the redheads up to the stage (of which there was curiously only one). He draped his leg over her shoulder while performing. They packed an incredible sound for a three piece, and their set was the most fun I’ve had this semester. What else can I say? May god bless you, Jeff Tuyay.

Up and Coming: Calvin Betancourt

jillwrites — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:01:34 -0700

Calvin Betancourt is a 22-year old Connecticut-based singer/songwriter who has been writing and performing music for the past nine years and has self-released two albums to date with another on the way.

Why you should listen: Calvin has a great voice and produces soothing music that has real quality. He has self-recorded all of his music, which makes his songs even more impressive. He’s like the John Mayer of Room for Squares and he’s only been getting better over time. He’s also really into nature and Harry Potter, so what’s not to love?

What’s coming next: Another self-released album is in the works and the songwriting for it is almost done. You can expect it to be available online and on iTunes during the summer.

How to stay connected: You can follows Calvin’s YouTube channel, watch his latest video, and get all of the latest news, information and shows by liking his Facebook page. If you live on the east coast, you can suggest show venues for him to play at in your town.

So go out, listen and get the word around about this up and coming artist!

Why the Music Industry is Dying

kelleblog — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:48:00 -0700

The extent to which piracy damages an industry varies wildly, but in the case of the music industry, the damage is severe. As often as it happens, piracy within the music industry shouldn’t be compared to piracy within the video game or film industry, as it doesn’t nearly damage them to the extent to which the music industry is harmed. This disparity occurs for minuscule, yet significant reasons. Video games, for example, are often too large in size for many to download, complicated to pirate, and key features such as multiplayer don’t work in the pirated versions. In the case of films, people enjoy renting films, watching them in cinemas, and services such as Netflix are actually making the paid option option more convenient than piracy.

Many people will say that the increased ticket sales for live shows and extra publicity gained through music piracy balances out the losses from piracy, but the fact is that the industry is, for a lack of a less severe word, dying. The heart of the problem is this; music is far easier to pirate than to purchase. This is a HUGE issue, and it’s plain for everyone to see. No one in my generation purchases music, it’s all pirated, the ratio of piracy to music sales for people of and around my age is exorbitant.

The worst part about this, is that the issue isn’t that hard to at fix. The price of music needs to go down from 10-20 dollars for a CD, you can’t expect people to go all the way to a store to purchase music upon a dead format for twenty friggin’ dollars, when the alternative entails sitting comfortably at home and downloading music for free already in digital format. Piracy offers a better price, faster service, and more importantly, more convenience.

Before you bring up the iTunes store: no, the iTunes store is not the solution needed, the iTunes store is an asshole. The iTunes store sells music at the same exorbitant prices, without a physical copy, with stupid protection software that locks down your music every time you try to play it somewhere other than your current computer or an Apple-licensed mp3 player, it forces you to make an account before purchasing, and makes the process long and convoluted, and worst of all, has no PayPal support. The iTunes store makes music buying just as inconvenient and unrewarding. I mean, no PayPal support? Are you high? People use PayPal for EVERYTHING, myself included! It’s all I and many others use, to remove it is to shun an enormous percentage of internet shoppers.

Music needs a place where it can be purchased quickly and conveniently for a price befitting a digital copy ($3-6, $10 the absolute max) without being bogged down with clunky anti-piracy measures. This isn’t some crazy out-of-left field business strategy untested in reality that I’m proposing, these are the exact business tactics of Valve, a company also working with a notoriously piracy-prone medium, whose consumer base has DOUBLED EVERY YEAR SINCE IT’S INCEPTION. You can’t argue with that statistic.

As you’ve probably observed, all the music industry seems to want to do these days, is pump out cheap garbage for the moronic hordes. This too has come back to bite them, because as any good businessman will tell you; your regulars are your business’ lifeline. By pushing people who appreciate quality music out of the mainstream, you lose the people that will always love and care about music, the ones that are prepared to pay. These people aren’t stupid, they’ll find quality music through underground circles and local shows, buy it through services like Bandcamp and Soundcloud, and cut you out. I know I do.

But as I said before, the music industry is dying. It’s not the fault of malicious internet fiends, it’s the fault of a bloated and out-of-touch industry, flailing like a fat kid in a swimming pool, too greedy and too stupid to drop his gold bars and hotdogs and learn to swim like everyone else.

Jack Kelleher leads one-man crusades, writes essays, and makes people laugh on the internet, all from the safety of his moon-base on the moon. This is his blog.

INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER EMMA DEL REY

positivexposuremag — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:54:11 -0700

EMMA DEL REY IS A 17 YEAR OLD PHOTOGRAPHER FROM MIAMI, FLORIDA.

We think you should know her because her portraits are stunning, whether film or digital.

Flickr | Website

Q: How long have you been taking pictures?
I would say I’ve been taking photos since I was about 13.

Q: How did you get into photography?
I started using my dad’s Sony point and shoot camera, I developed a love for taking photos and eventually got a Nikon d90.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
From anything really. People. My sisters. Places. Light.

Q: What message do you want to send through your art?
It really depends on the shoot I am doing, sometimes it could be a feeling when other times I just want the viewer to experience what I experienced while shooting.

Q: Do you have a favorite photographer?
I don’t think I could narrow it down to one, there are just so many wonderful photographers out there.

Q: Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
People, mostly women. Sometimes strangers.

Q: What gear do you use?
I have a Nikon d90 and use a 50mm 1.8. And I also use an old Nikon film camera that I got at a thrift store down here in Miami.

Q: Do you have a favorite camera to use?
I honestly equally love shooting with both of my cameras.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?
Hmm that’s a hard question, so many places. I guess my first choice would be Cuba.

Q: Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?
Yes, but I also think some people are born with an eye for photography and others are not.

Q: Whats your favorite thing about photography?
Seeing my finished product and how it developed from something I thought of in my head to now a photo.

Q: Whats your least favorite thing about photography?
How expensive it is!!! From buying film to purchasing new equipment, it really is a lot of money.

Q: What is your favorite picture youve taken?
Hmm, I think my favorite photo I’ve taken would be one of my sister, Eve, in water with her back turned towards me.

Q: Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?
Yes! Always!

Q: Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?
I think it depends on the photographer, whatever he or she is trying to convey.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what do you hope to accomplish with your art?
By the end of 2012, I’d hope to mature in my photography, explore new styles, and inspire others.

INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER DANIEL GRAINDORGE

positivexposuremag — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:03:26 -0700

DANIEL GRAINDORGE IS A VERY SOON TO BE 18 YEAR OLD FROM SEVEN LAKES, NORTH CAROLINA.

We think you should know him because his photos manage to have an editorial feel while looking beautifully vintage and soft.

Flickr | Website | Tumblr

Q: How long have you been taking pictures?
I’ve been shooting for about four years now!

Q: How did you get into photography?
Ever since I was child, I was entranced with the sun and the shadows it cast. I would always try to outline my shadow with chalk on the sidewalk to no avail. When I turned 13, all of that changed. My father purchased a simple point-and-shoot camera and my life through a lens started from there. One of my friends actually needed those really “scene” profile pictures for her MySpace, so we would have one weird shoot after another, and eventually I got hooked!

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw a plethora of inspiration from major fashion magazines like Teen Vogue and Nylon, as well as online bits and pieces I find on Tumblr. I’ll find maybe a unique hair style that I’ll want to try in a shoot or even just makeup, and then I just plan a shoot from there! Not only though do I draw inspiration from big name celebrities like Annie Leibovitz, but I also get inspired by my fellow online photography acquaintances like Mike Bailey Gates, Holly Broomhall, Nirrimi Hakenson, and many many more!

Q: What message do you want to send through your art?
I believe that every girl and guy should have a chance to feel sexy, beautiful, and attractive. I try to convey a positive body image that maybe even little children will hopefully be inspired by one day. Beauty is something that should be celebrated, and I want everyone to at least have the chance to feel beautiful, or even just put a smile on his or her face and go outside after seeing my photos and feel inspired to go out and embrace the world.

Q: Do you have a favorite photographer?
I have so many it’s not even mentally possible to choose just one!

Q: Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
I would have to say people; it’s just something about how I can mold a special moment into an even greater and more beautiful outcome. You can’t really change the scenery and/or inanimate object to fit your desire, and with people I can. Fashion is where I want to end up, and so my models and friends I shoot are always decked out in some form of fashion rendition that magically makes sense in my odd mind.

Q: What gear do you use?
I am currently using a Canon EOS 7D equipped with a 50mm 1.4.

Q: Do you have a favorite camera to use?
I would have to say my 7D, just because I used to be a Nikon D60 user, and now that I have the ability to shoot video as well as have an even higher quality photos, it’s awesome!

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?
First and foremost, I need to make it to New York City just so I can hopefully make strong connections in the fashion industry, but after that, I would give anything to travel to small villages in France, Italy, and Greece. Then from there I would love to finally settle in either Australia, or New Zealand.

Q: Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?
I do believe anyone can be a photographer. Everyone comes from so many different races of life that the results of someone picking up a camera are unfathomable!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about photography?
I would have to say that because I can make a beautiful moment, even more beautiful and make it last forever, is something magical and special on its own; that is why I love photography.

Q: What’s your least favorite thing about photography?
Money. If I had a million dollars, I would probably blow it on my cameras and different accessories that come with them! But since I do not have a million dollars, I have to wait once a year maybe just to get a new lens or something. It’s extremely challenging and tedious having to ration money out just so you can make another step in photography.

Q: What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?
My favorite photo I’ve ever taken would have to be from July of 2011. One of my best friends came down from Massachusetts and we were really bored, so we decided to have a shoot in our friend’s parent’s room, were we went for pure elegance with a lot of contrast, and to me, we succeeded. The photo is something I am extremely proud of, and I hope to have it on canvas one day.

Q: Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?
At this point in my life, yes. There is no way I could ever neglect a passion of mine that has helped me become more confident and secure as a person.

Q: Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?
It may be really redundant and slightly cliché, but an element of beauty and how beautiful life is, however that may be at the moment, should always be in a photograph.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what do you hope to accomplish with your art?
I hope that I’ve inspired someone, if anyone, to pick up a camera. It would mean more than anything to just know that because I inspired someone, I created an artist.

INTERVIEW: BONFIRE NIGHTS

positivexposuremag — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:45:15 -0700

Bonfire Nights, a moody psych-pop trio from London by way of Brisbane, Australia, started just like many good bands: two friends (Steve Foster - vocals/guitars and Ruth Nitkiewicz - vocals/drums) “just mucking around.” With keyboardist/vocalist Nicole Hoaran, it extended into a trio with actual songs, despite the fact that Ruth hadn’t played drums before. A relatively young band with a lot of history under their belt, Bonfire Nights have the talent and the business know-how to succeed in today’s world of music. Drummer Ruth Nitkiewicz took the time to fill us in on the band’s short but fast-paced past and their plans for the future. Here’s a tip: remember their name; you’ll be seeing it a lot soon.

Facebook | Website | Soundcloud

Q: How did you come up with your name?
Steve suggested it because, when he was a kid in the UK, he remembered how everyone celebrated bonfire night by burning Guy Fawkes effigies, and that stuck in his mind. It’s exciting but also a little dark and scary, which is reflected in the music in some ways.

Q: What made you want to create music?
I started my first band when I was 15. I was inspired by 90s music, especially strong female artists such as PJ Harvey, and my favourite bands were Hole and Veruca Salt. My best friend in high school bought a guitar so I convinced my parents to get me one too, and we started our first band playing a bunch of covers and performing to the kids in the younger grades.

Q: What influences you most?
Right now, my favourite bands are The Black Angels, The Raveonettes, Stereolab, Dum Dum Girls and Crocodiles. They are on constant rotation on my stereo.

Q: Before relocating to the UK, your time was split between London and Brisbane, Australia. Why did you make the move to London?
We made the move to London because we wanted to travel and we really wanted to push the band further. Some bands from Brisbane will move to Melbourne, which is a bigger city in Australia with more music venues. But we wanted to go somewhere bigger, where we could reach a wider audience and tour regularly.

Q: Bonfire Nights was recorded on a four track analogue tape machine. When you work on your next album, do you plan to use this tape machine again or will you record with studio equipment?
We are recording some more tracks for our next release, this time we’re recording in a bigger studio but still with an analogue tape machine. We like the warm sound of analogue, and the way it naturally captures our music. But we’re not purists, we will use digital technology if the situation calls for it.

Q: You guys played your first US show tonight. How was SXSW?
SXSW was absolutely crazy! We’ve never played at such a big event before. There was so much stuff going on, asides from our showcases. We went and saw a bunch of awesome bands too; The Jesus & Mary Chain, Crocodiles and Night Beats were our favourites. We definitely hope to go back again next year.

Q: Will you be back this year for a larger United States tour?
We would love to come back, but it probably won’t be possible until next year. We’re touring the UK in May/June, then we’ll be back in Australia for a tour in September. I’m not sure we could fit in another US tour so soon!

Q: Bonfire Nights has toured in 3 countries with only 5 recorded songs under your belt. Do you have more songs to perform live?
Yes, we have a full set to perform live, about 8-9 songs at the moment. We’ve got plenty more songs than that, some songs we include depending on the vibe of the set. If things are a bit more low-key, we’ll play some down-tempo tracks. If it’s a more party vibe, we play the upbeat stuff.

Q: Why did you decide to release an EP over an LP?
We recorded an EP first because we just wanted to release the strongest tracks. We’re still a young band so we knew that releasing an LP wasn’t the right move for us.

Q: What’s in the near future for your band?
We’ve got a UK tour coming up and an Australian tour. We’re recording some new songs for our next release, which is due in the second half of this year.

Q: What aspect of music excites you the most?
I love creating and performing new music the most. It’s really exciting to come up with a new song and seeing the reaction from the audience when you play it live for the first time.

Q: What aspect of music discourages you the most?
I try not to be discouraged by any aspects of music. Sometimes it’s hard work playing gigs constantly when you just want to sleep, or using all your money to finance the band. I have practically no furniture in my apartment since moving to London, because every last penny is spent on the band. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Q: If your band was an ice cream flavor what would it taste like?
Psychedelic rainbow swirl - lots of different flavours and colours all swirled together.

Q: As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Moving countries is pretty tough, we came to London with only our instruments and we didn’t know hardly anybody here. We had to start from scratch and buy new gear, find a rehearsal room and meet bands/promoters to get gigs.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what would you guys like to accomplish as a band?
We’d love to play a major festival, like Glastonbury or Reading. We could die happy having achieved something like that.

Q: Do any of your members have weird nicknames?
I don’t have any nicknames that I’d like people to know about. I’ve since learnt that Nicole won’t respond to ‘Nic’ or ‘Nikki’. Steve was also once known as ‘Pint’, a nickname from his college days.

Q: Do any of your members have interesting non-musical talents?
Steve is a graphic designer, I’m into photography and Nicole is a party hound.

Q: Coffee vs. tea?
Tea, most of the time.

Q: What is your favorite food/food place when on tour?
Anything that isn’t Burger King. We went to this place called Rusty Taco in Dallas, which made probably the best tacos/burritos I’ve ever had.

Q: Do you have any best or worst tour stories?
I lost my passport while on tour in America. Most of our spare time was spent running around trying to sort that out so that I could get back into the UK. Also, Nicole had an ‘altercation’ with a rude baggage handler at a certain US airport. Those dudes a super scary, don’t mess with them!

Q: Describe your band’s sound in 5 words:
Swirling, moody psych-infused pop.

INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER ANDREW TALLON

positivexposuremag — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:11:57 -0700

ANDREW TALLON IS A 21 YEAR OLD PHOTOGRAPHER FROM BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA.

We think you should know him because his landscapes are beautifully breathtaking, showing you moments of nature that you’ve never before imagined.

Website | Flickr

Q: How long have you been taking pictures?
I’ve been shooting seriously for just over 3 years.

Q: How did you get into photography?
I’m a bit of a nerd, and I started an engineering degree obsessed with commercial aviation and my dream of becoming a pilot. I would go to Brisbane Airport and see guys there shooting the planes and uploading photos to a website called Jetphotos, so I wanted a chance to get some of my own. I borrowed a mate’s DSLR for a few months, in which time I started photographing pretty much anything and everything in sight. I soon had my own kit and it’s been non-stop since then. I finished my engineering degree last year and have decided to put the 9-5 job on hold for the moment as I try to build a successful business for myself.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Travel and the natural world. The parts of this planet you see in pursuit of a landscape photo are extraordinary, and the journey is always half the fun.

Q: Do you have a favorite photographer?
Peter Lik. He’s a self-taught Aussie who’s made millions shooting landscapes and printing them big. He shoots such captivating photographs, ones that you can stare at for hours.

Q: Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
Definitely landscapes. I find them the most challenging and therefore the most rewarding when you get it right. It’s frustrating how often a photo doesn’t do justice to what you’re seeing and feeling. You need to bring together so many elements you have no control over and make it work. There’s also the beauty of it. Long journeys into the wilderness, quiet nights under the Milky Way and the sun’s first rays in the morning are things I will never get sick of.

Q: What gear do you use?
My main kit is a Canon 5D mkII with a 17-40mm wide angle and 28mm, 50mm, 100mm and 200mm primes. I have a heavy Manfrotto tripod, remote switch and a number of polarizing, ND and ND grad filters for landscapes. I have radio flash triggers, Strobist speedlites and umbrella kits for commercial and property work. I have a Canon 50D and 2x extender for sports, and a 25mm extension tube for macro. There’s also an EOS88 35mm SLR I picked up in Hong Kong last year, but I’ve only shot 2 rolls on it so far.

Q: Do you have a favorite camera to use?
The 5D II. It has a dodgy build, sticky on/off switch, slow autofocus, clunky shutter, and poor speed, but it produces such sharp, vivid and workable images that I can’t complain!

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?
Antarctica or Norway.

Q: Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?
Yes, it just takes a crazy amount of time and practice to get there. You need to be able to deal with a never-ending cycle of self-critique and merciless culling. Some people say that you’re born with an eye for photography, but I think that the eye just comes with experience. There seems to be two types of entry-level photographers; creative types who have ideas but struggle with the technique required to capture them, and technical types who have the gear but can’t find something interesting to shoot. I was a total gear-nerd when I started, but through obsessive practice I’ve trained myself to think creatively and see a photo when it presents itself.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about photography?
That feeling you get just after you know you’ve taken an awesome photo. Usually that happens in the middle of nowhere so I get to yell out like an idiot.

Q: What’s your least favorite thing about photography?
Right now, it’s the awkward process of transitioning into a recognised professional. Most of my work is still coming from friends of friends so there’s usually a hint of ‘mates rates’ going on. Apart from that, it’s the general attitude towards post-processing in digital photography. There are so many people who treat a simply processed RAW file as cheating and will try to discredit you for it.

Q: What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?
The flooded tree. I feel it’s easily the most unique photo in my portfolio, and it always gets a reaction from people. It was a tricky and technical set up, with 4 filters stacked on the lens to shoot an ultra long exposure looking straight into the sun.

Q: Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?
Without a doubt. I’ve spent so much time, money and energy on getting to where I am right now that it would be a waste to let it fizzle out down the track. Even if I lose the passion that I have right now, it’s a very useful skill and something I hope I’ll always enjoy.

Q: Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?
A straight horizon.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what do you hope to accomplish with your art?
The impeding apocalypse aside, this is something I’m asking myself and thinking about every day. It was a big decision for me to turn down a comfortable, well paying engineering job and pursue photography. I feel that since I’ve earned the right to chase my dream, I have to make the best go of it that I can. I hope to finish the year successful, inspired and happy with no regrets. So far, so good!

Pretty American // Cold Fronts

-sweetavalanche — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:00:05 -0700

Raw, fun and DIY are the three terms that come to mind when first listening to Cold Fronts. The Philadelphia quartet gives an indication that they’re playing music they love for the right reasons. Therefore, the following statement describing the band from vocalist Craig Almquist seems quite fitting: “[Cold Fronts is] a group of All-American boys who don’t really fit with todays digital era of dub-step, loops, and MacBooks onstage. Instead, we play loud instruments and make girls go wild.” That last part is probably accurate as well.

If there’s one thing for certain about Cold Fronts, it’s that they have a knack for writing hooks. The garage rock band’s latest release Pretty American, is full of them. The guitar driven “Heart Attack”, courtesy of Almquist and guitarist Shaky Jake, shows their characteristic warm tones which flow all the way through the upbeat track. Complementing this is the organic range and nature of Almquist and the steady drums of Alex Smith. The work of Smith travels through the EP consistently, keeping the beat to a well written and thought out 16 minutes.

“Ready To Go” turns the catchiness up a notch as Almquist sings, “I’m leaving and I’m ready to go,” in reference to nostalgia for Philadelphia whilst living in Brooklyn. Amongst unique riffs, the song also explores relatable topics such as friendships and relationships. Relatable concepts continue in “Strange Architecture,” and although I adore rain and winter and therefore can’t totally relate like most, I particularly like opening line, “Well I say fuck the rain / let’s forget the weather / and let’s get together ‘cause I need a change.” It’s a good thing I like it too, because Cold Fronts’ ability to write catchy tracks means this has been swirling around in that head of mine for a few days.

Pace is slowed down with “Prime Time” to show the dynamic ability of the band, but closer “Catch” brings back the memorable, riff driven Cold Fronts we’re familiar with. Whilst these are two solid tracks, I find them a little weaker and less catchy in comparison to those before them. However, that’s not to say they’re bad in any way.

Despite not being my usual genre of choice, I have been completely won over by Cold Fronts and will certainly keep returning to this new discovery. I guess they do make girls go a little wild.

Question of the Week!

positivexposuremag — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:05 -0700

Question of the Week!:

If you illegally download something and love it, do you purchase it legitimately later?

Please answer using the poll link. Thanks!

INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER ANNETTE PEHRSSON

positivexposuremag — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:00:05 -0700

ANNETTE PEHRSSON IS A 23 YEAR OLD PHOTOGRAPHER FROM SWEDEN.

We think you should know her because her images are simple and gorgeous, capturing the world around her on film that leaves us in awe.

Flickr | Facebook | Website

Q: How long have you been taking pictures?
It has basically been there ever since I got my first camera as a kid, but I have become more serious about it during the past six years.

Q: How did you get into photography?
My father was a photographer in his younger days, it was he who gave me a regular 35mm point-and-shoot camera when I was about seven years old, and I have loved it ever since then. I also studied photography during 2005-2007, which probably is the reason that I’m still doing it.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I’m actually not really sure where it all comes from, but it can basically be anything. General browsing through other photographer’s work is often giving my mind fuel to do something of my own, and someday in the future I hope to be at least half as good as they are to me.

Q: What message do you want to send through your art?
I like things to be as effortless as possible, and I wouldn’t say that there is any underlying meaning beneath what I do, since a large amount of the photographs I take are quite spontaneous. In other words, I just try to capture the everyday life around me in a simple way, mostly for my own benefit, but of course for others who might be interested to see as well. As simple as that might sound. People often tell me that it is easy to make up stories from my pictures though, which I appreciate so much.

Q: Do you have a favorite photographer?
Nan Goldin. She is a huge inspiration to me and I absolutely adore her entire body of work. Her photos are often documentary, something that I usually don’t go for, but there is something very special and unique about the way she captures the world she lives in.

Q: Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
Not really. I do a lot of self-portraits because I think it is a great way to experiment, and being your own model is always easy, but it is hardly my favorite subject. I prefer shooting portraits in interesting environments, both indoor and outdoor. Bedrooms, especially, and just any kind of room with peculiar details. Outdoors I strive to find open areas, such as mountains and other viewpoints from high up. Unfortunately we don’t have any ‘real’ mountains here in Sweden, so usually I settle for the sea. There is something about the waves and I can never get enough of it.

Q: What gear do you use?
For film I use a Zenit-b, Photina reflex tlr and various Polaroid cameras (SX-70, Spectra and Colorpack). I shoot digital as well, but not as often as I used to. When I do, I use a Nikon d70 or a Canon 350d, which are both fairly simple cameras, but that is enough for me.

Q: Do you have a favorite camera to use?
My Polaroid SX-70 has a place near my heart. Seeing your pictures develop right in front of your eyes seconds after it comes out of the camera is quite a charming and extraordinary feeling. Though, I still don’t think it is my absolute favorite. It has to be the Zenit-b. I have had it for over a year now and I feel like this is all I need. Before I found it I often felt like I couldn’t achieve what I wanted with my photography, but with this, I finally can. For some reason it makes me see things differently than I did before.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?
Probably somewhere in Russia. I have no idea why, but there is something very alluring about the country. Other than that, I would settle for any place in Europe.

Q: Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?
Definitely. Though, I think there has to be some kind of passion involved. Just picking up a camera and taking random pictures doesn’t make you a photographer. You have to learn how to use your equipment properly, and not just rely on the technique of the camera to make the pictures look good.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about photography?
Everything that has to do with film photography. All the different kinds of cameras with their individual aesthetics, the mechanics of them, getting the film developed, and even the smell of it all. It feels so vintage and I love that.

Q: What’s your least favorite thing about photography?
This might sound weird, but I have to say, getting the wrong kind of criticism. Of course I know that everyone has their own taste in photography and I fully understand and respect if someone doesn’t like what I do, but some people seem to have the need to be rude and aggressive if they come across something that isn’t good in their eyes. I will never understand this need to give condescending and offensive comments that really doesn’t give the photographer anything useful to think about.

Q: What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?
I always change my mind about this, but my all-time favorite that I keep coming back to, is this one. I can’t put my finger on why, but I just love the strangeness of it.

Q: Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?
Yes, or at least I hope it will be. There is nothing I enjoy more in life, so hopefully it will always be with me and hopefully I will continue evolving.

Q: Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?
Nothing in particular, but I think there at least should be something little that makes it unique, even if it is just a tiny detail.

We Are Not Humanity // Hollow Earth

-sweetavalanche — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:00:06 -0700

All too often, I find myself enjoying what I think is a hardcore album, only to be disappointed when things come to a disjointed halt to make way for some tacky electronic segment that doesn’t flow at all. These unexplained segments leave me frustrated and confused. If the synth is blended in nicely then that’s all well and good, but that’s beside the point. If you want some modern hardcore with no strings attached, listen to Hollow Earth.

Founding members Mike Moynihan (Guitar) Steve Muczynski (Vocals) and Aaron Goodrich (Drums) previously toured with the renowned Shai Hulud so skeptics of the bands legitimacy, be gone. After recruiting members Dave Giandiletti (Guitar) and Jake Hicks (Bass) to complete the band, Hollow Earth have produced a sincere and heartfelt EP to stay true to the passion filled genre.

We Are Not Humanity opens with “The Great Forgetting” which functions as an energetic intro spanning just over a minute. The track begins with sombre guitars before Muczynski bursts onto the scene. This flows on to “On The Bounty Of The Gods” and “Unfamiliar Cage” – two fast paced tracks certain to fuel a few circle pits at Hollow Earth’s presumably lively shows.

“There Will Come Soft Rains” is structured as a substantial build up, beginning with a 60 second instrumental before Muczynski joins in with spoken word and then shrill screams. Hollow Earth’s distinct guitar tones fade the song out before being reintroduced in “On The Precipice”. The highlight of the release demonstrates the song writing ability of the Michigan band which seamlessly adjust from slow to quick moments numerous times in a three minute track. The quintet reaches a halt near the track’s end but quickly regroup at Muczynski’s call of ”ten thousand years!”

Perfect closer “The Great Remembering” wraps up an 18 minute heartfelt bundle with a suitable amount of gang vocals chanting “we are not humanity!” as though Muczynski is their leader. The track is the most passionate of the six and highlights the individual efforts of each member.

For those tired of constant and unnecessary break downs, gimmicky synth, annoying autotune and next to no passion in bands cheating the system and somehow dubbing themselves as hardcore, pay attention to Hollow Earth. Support bands that are the real deal, staying true to what they love and acting with wholesome passion.

Were you one of those awesome people who traveled to Austin,...

positivexposuremag — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:19:00 -0700

Were you one of those awesome people who traveled to Austin, Texas for South by South West? Neither were we. To get over the “I didn’t get to go to SXSW” blues, we chatted with some of our favorite bands we missed last week. Click the links to see our reviews or interviews.

First up, big, dark, and determined Canadian pop music playing quartet, Les Jupes.

To show our love for Pennsylvania folk-rock group Good Old War, we’re reviewing all three of their full lengths, starting with their second album, Good Old War. Their most recent album, Come Back as Rain, is a big hit on the iTunes chart and we love it too!

Brisbane Australia’s The John Steel Singers was a shame to miss, but luckily we got an interview!

Canadian duo Cannon Bros. has a soft nostalgic sound that we wish we could have caught on the road, but luckily, they’re going to be touring again soon.

Los Angeles based Tic Tic Boom! were a bit easier to miss since they’ll be touring this summer, but we’re dying with anticipation here.

The D.A., an El Paso quintet, took some time to talk about their brand new album, You Kids!

All of the members of T he Mowgli’s, a southern California septet with hearts of gold, took time out of their day to talk about music and love.

Busby Marou has been making waves in Australia and finally brought their gorgeous tunes to American ears with a US release of their self-titled album.

To close out the SXSW special just as it began, a final review: Good Old War’s debut album, Only Way to Be Alone.

Only Way to be Alone // Good Old War

positivexposuremag — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:30:05 -0700

As I previously stated, Only Way to be Alone was one of only three albums I listened to in summer 2008. I bought it in Sacramento after seeing them live for the first time and I loved being able to relive the moments from their live shows every time I listened to a song. Each song was a memory, a moment, a story. Over three years later and each song still takes me back to that summer. While the album’s sound is timeless, to me, it is stuck in (a really good) time, and that is one of the things that appeals to me so much about the album. I have never felt this emotionally or nostalgically attached to an album before.

Opening track “Coney Island” is a folky and upbeat tune. The whole song is catchy even though I’ve never referred to a hot dog as a dog. The simultaneous “I hate it here” and “I still love it here” thoughts echo thoughts that most of us probably have about our towns. The standout part of this song is between the choruses, featuring only drums and vocals without sounding empty.

“Looking For Shelter” served as my introduction to Good Old War back in 2008 and because of this song I fell in love with Good Old War. This song sums up everything I love about Good Old War and always reminds me why I like them so much. It’s a very fun song featuring Keith Goodwin’s soft vocals that do not lose their characteristic softness on his higher or lower notes. It’s also a very sweet song, “oh girl, you’re already a picture of my will. You’re my girl. Can we try to be here just for a while?”

I have the unpopular opinion about crowd favorite “Weak Man.” I have never gotten into this song, not even with a guest vocal spot by Anthony Green toward the end. I think it is too old west-ish for me.

“I’m Not For You” shows off Keith’s lower notes, which I also love. Dan Schwartz and Tim Arnold do an awesome-as-always job of harmonizing. They seamlessly switch between a slightly somber verse sound and an upbeat and optimistic chorus, perfectly reflecting the flow of the vocals. The ending is an amazing swarm of separate “ahh” melodies and guitar. Tim does a great job of carrying, leading, and pumping the song up without overwhelming, overshadowing, or doing unnecessary fills.

“No Time” is a super upbeat song, making it yet another crowd pleaser. It’s my personal favorite track on the album because it is fun, easy to relate to, stays soft while upbeat, and the harmonies are great.

In the introduction of “That’s What’s Wrong,” Dan’s guitar commands attention. Note to those around me when I am listening to this album: Talk during the introduction of this song and I will hate you for a good part of the rest of the day. This song just moves me, I can’t help it! “I go as far as I can get to still stay close / to see if you if you’ve changed / I’m the same / and that’s what’s wrong” is a sentiment that most people can certainly relate to and I think that’s why it resonates so strongly.

The call and response lyrical style of “Tell Me” is nice and keeps the song full. I have listened to this album since its 2008 release and only while reviewing the album did I realize there were no drums in the song.

I love everything about “Window,” from the pretty opening “ahhs” to the lyrics, “I’m so like a window in your life / I stay so open / but some days I’m closed as I can get/ when you say ‘I love you,’” right down to the upbeat and entertaining guitar riffs in the middle of the song when the drums kick in.

“Stay by My Side” is a very special song. It is timeless, it is gorgeous, it is romantic (both the song and the story behind its unveiling to the future Mrs. Keith Goodwin) and I also hated it the first 50 or so times I heard it, quickly skipping over it each time and cursing the song because I wanted it to seamlessly repeat to songs I liked. Why did I hate it? My only guess is, “I’m an idiot?” Eventually, when I couldn’t be bothered to get up to change the song on my stereo (see? Laziness is good sometimes!) it finally clicked. The many, many vocals on this track are enchanting (I count 7 different vocal parts on the outro alone) and make this song a perfect ending to a great album.

Only Way to be Alone is 36 minutes of pure ear candy (pun intended if you’ve heard of Days Away, Keith Goodwin’s former band). I continue to fall in love with the album as I listen. I don’t put it on as much as I did in 2008, but, when I do, I listen to the album in its entirety… no skipping, no interruptions, just my full attention… the attention the album commands. You can also stream this album on Spotify!

SXSW INTERVIEW: BUSBY MAROU

positivexposuremag — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:00:06 -0700

Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia’s BUSBY MAROU started as two friends playing cover songs in pubs. Those two friends are Thomas Busby (lead vocals/guitar) and Jeremy Marou (backup vocals/guitar/ukulele), now backed by Mike Cavendish (bass) and DJ Syme (percussion). They were the first signing to Warner Music Australia’s indie imprint Footstomp Records, and their self-titled debut album which was just released in the US, has been making a splash on music charts and at award shows in Australia. We talked to Jeremy Marou about the band’s future plans.

Website | Facebook | YouTube

Q: How did you come up with your name?
Busby Marou - two last names (Thomas Busby, Jeremy Marou). Better then “Tom & Jerry” as Mr. Busby would proudly introduce us as.

Q: What made you want to create music?
I never really made a life decision to want to create music. Music for me is simply a way of life, culture in a sense. If you go to any Torres Strait Islander family I can bet my bottom dollar there is a guitar somewhere and everyone knows how to play it.

Q: What influences you most?
Tom and I have different influences. I play a very country/blues style guitar which I got from my father’s style and influences.

Q: You’re in the United States/Canada for the first time ever… how has the reception of your music been so far?
Great! Our official SXSW showcase I felt went extremely well and we got a great response. I have also particularly enjoyed the Aussie BBQs.

Q: Was it odd stepping onto a plane in autumn and stepping of it in spring?
Not really, we did however expect it be a lot cooler in Canada. It’s the hottest in Canada it has been in nearly history… 27 degrees today. (That’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Guess we brought the Australian weather with us.

Q: Since its Australian release, your debut self-titled album made it on the charts in Australia and you have received nominations at multiple music awards. It’s been exactly a week since the album was released in the United States. Has it been receiving as much buzz and attention here as in Australia?
A week isn’t really long enough to know. It has had a lot of attention in college radio, even making album of the week in a few small towns.

Q: You recently played the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Are you really what Australian country sounds like? (If so, count us in for being country fans from now on)
We definitely fit into an alt-country category. I play an extremely country style guitar, so we will always have a country flavour with our sound. In a sense, Australian country tries to follow American county, however American country is extremely diverse in comparison. We also played at Woodford folk festival and we are playing at Byron Blues & Roots… does that make us folk, or a blues band? Yes it does, as we are a country band also.

Q: Selling out a tour is hard for any band, but your first-ever headlining tour sold out. Keeping this live success in mind, who would be on the bill of your dream tour? No band is out of reach!
Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Busby Marou World Tour, but Tom’s answer will be nothing like this one.

Q: What’s in the near future for your band?
More touring. We are currently planning another tour around June/July. We also plan on releasing a few bonus tracks we have recently recorded. Hopefully the back end of this year we can start thinking about our next album. Tom has some great songs ready for us both to work on.

Q: What aspect of music excites you the most?
More recently, the travelling. It’s always nice to hear stories of how your music has affected someone in a special way. Above all… standing on stage to a sold out show when the sound is perfect and the band is not missing a beat!

Q: What aspect of music discourages you the most?
Time away from family.

Q: As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
For Tom and I, early days deemed difficult trying to find a band (bass & drums), particularly when you can’t afford to pay top dollar. More recently for me, dealing with the constant travel, being away from a young family isn’t the easiest.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what would you guys like to accomplish as a band?
Another overseas trip and a few new songs.

SXSW SPECIAL INTERVIEW: THE MOWGLI'S

positivexposuremag — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:30:05 -0700

Southern California septet THE MOWGLI’S has quite an odd origin. Says vocals and guitarist Michael Vincze, “I never thought that shotgunning a beer in a gutter with someone I had never met before could change my life forever. That is, until I met Colin Dieden,” who always plays guitar and sings in the band. Completing the group are Joshua Hagen (vocals/guitar), Katie Jayne Earl (vocals), Matthew DiPanni (bass), David Applebaum (Keys), and Spencer Trent (drums). The Mowgli’s formed in the summer of 2009 from a mutual love of happy vibrations, a love that shines through their songs and personalities. Everyone in the band was in on this interview, and we hope from their long list of nicknames that they never get arrested… poor, poor trees if they get rap sheets.

Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp

Q: How did you come up with your name?
A dear friend and fellow songwriter had a wolf pup who went by the name Mowgli. The wolf seemed to embody this incredible essence of freedom and coincidently some of the boys in the band went by the name Mowgli when they were young. We also all adore the Jungle Book story so so much and when it was suggested that we call the band The Mowgli’s it was a unanimous yes (of course there were only 3 of us at that time so decisions weren’t like they are now with 7 heads!)

Q: Were any other names considered
That was the first name we came up with believe it or not.

Q: What made you want to create music?
Josh: I came up in a very musical family so it was always very natural.
Spencer: I grew up around it as well. Being surrounded by instruments, I gravitated towards melody.
Katie: I’m a very opinionated and expressive person so music and performance has always been a way for me to express my feelings.
Colin: I’ve always wanted to be a writer but, I don’t have the attention span to finish a book so I started writing songs.

Q: What influences you most?
Human interaction. Life experiences. Introspection. Weird Al.

Q: You’re from the San Fernando Valley in southern California. Why sing about San Francisco? Does San Francisco reflect your mindset of “love and peace, open mindedness, and good times?”
Mikey: The song came from a journey Colin and I took to San Fran back in the late fall of 09. We were determined find the cure for the void in ourselves. Love was the answer. San Francisco’s history as a whole tells the two of us a tale of what it could’ve been like if the world had stayed in love.

Q: Do you carry this mindset into every part of your life?
Oh yeah! Except when we arent :)

Q: What’s in the near future for your band?
Putting out a full length, Sound The Drum, on May 1st!

Q: What aspect of music excites you the most?
David: The element of surprise, whether it’s strange notes in a jam that turn out to be right or the weird amazing energy of shit going terribly wrong only to find out it had some purpose later.

Q: What aspect of music discourages you the most?
Colin: The ever evolving industry and just trying to stay current and with it.

Q: If your band were an ice cream flavor what would it taste like?
Mikey: Imagine World Peace ice cream!

Q: As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Ego and addiction.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what would you guys like to accomplish as a band?
Mikey: I would like to see the music reach round the world and be enjoyed for what it is.

Q: Do any of your members have interesting non-musical talents?
Spencer: I can make a booger talk. (He is also a VERY talented carpenter.)

Q: Coffee vs. tea?
Situational. But overall coffee (unless it’s tea).

Q: What is your favorite food/food place when on tour?
The free food! Especially smoke stack BBQ in KC.

Q: Do you have any best or worst tour stories?
Mikey: UGH! when the band fights it is the worst! We just had a fight last night upon arrival to SXSW over the hotel rooms not being swanky enough … ever see two grown men who claim to be in love yell then cry of heartbreak? It aint pretty … hopefully we’ll hug it out this morning!

Q: Describe your band’s sound in 5 words:
The Partridge family on mushrooms

Q: Do any of your members have weird nicknames?

Mikey: DJ Spagetti Helmet
Katie: Catheter
Colin: Darth Higgins
Matty: Dipanic at the Disco.
Josh: Dersh
Spencer: Speezy like Sunday morning
David: Deals Hagglebaum
Todd: everyone ever
Rachel: everyone else ever
Cherokee rock rifle
Karl
Fatty Arbuckle
Midnight meat train
The mean green
Joshua’s Manfield
KAje
Cold
Seth Rogan
Folk Hogan
Lupitas
Peppermint mocha
Dipandlebaum
Hebrewtality
Lady red bush squaw
Nephew child
DJ mstrd ft
Clairvoyance
Levitance
Glitterbeard

SXSW SPECIAL INTERVIEW: THE D.A.

positivexposuremag — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:00:06 -0700

Formed almost five years ago in the stagnant El Paso music scene, THE D.A. is made up of Tyler Dudley (vocals, bass, guitar, synth), Michael Frisbey (trumpet, keys, vocals), Cesar Muniz (Keys, vocals), Stephen Escarzaga (guitar, bass, vocals), and Evan Tremper (drums), who have worked tirelessly to build a fan base in their home state. After two years “of late-night and sometimes sporadic sessions,” their debut LP You Kids! was completed. You Kids! was released two weeks ago and now touring is the only thing on The D.A.’s agenda. Multi-instrumentalist Tyler Dudley took some time out on their way to a show in Houston to answer some questions and give us our most, er, picturesque answer to our ice cream question.

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Stream You Kids! on Spotify

Q: How did you come up with your name?
It started off as an idea our drummer Evan Tremper and synth player Cesar Muniz had when the band consisted of just the two of them making songs in Evan’s garage. It originally had a meaning, but now it just stands for whatever we think of at that particular moment.

Q: Were any other names considered?
Tons, but we’re fickle and stubborn and couldn’t reach a unison agreement on anything else, so it stuck.

Q: What made you want to create music?
All of us are pretty music-centered people. Our trumpeter Michael Frisbey and Evan both went to school as music majors and I’ve been playing guitar since I was nine. Cesar’s been collecting synths and stuff for years, and Stephen is pretty well-rounded, musically. He and I trade off guitar, bass and bass-synth on our songs.

Q: What influences you most?
Well, that’s kind of hard to say, I mean, everything influences us. I know everyone says that, but we kinda play with whatever is around us and try and make something of it.

Q: You guys have been around for four years, but released your debut album, You Kids! two weeks ago. Why this big gap?
Well it’s not exactly easy getting noticed playing original music in a place like El Paso. It took a long time to convince people that local shows are worth going to, and then it was matter of money, because stuff like recording studios, promotion, gas, van maintenance etc… are expensive. We had been doing everything entirely on our own until we started working with the Planetary Group in January to help with promotion for the record.

Q: What’s in the near future for your band?
SXSW last week, then back to El Paso on Sunday to DJ between Kishi Bashi, Deerhoof and Of Montreal. We have some trips to Tucson and other places in April, and our first extensive tour of Texas in May.

Q: What aspect of music excites you the most?
Touring. It’s fun getting out of your comfort zone and seeing weird things and meeting people.

Q: What aspect of music discourages you the most?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s discouraging, but we’re definitely aware that there are so many bands out there, and people can listen to whatever they want from anywhere in the world, so you really need to be doing your best all the time to “make it”.

Q: How has reception of You Kids! been these last two weeks?
So far, it’s been really great. We’ve had a bunch of great reviews and college-radio airplay, thanks in huge part to our team of radio people and publicists at Planetary.

Q: If your band were an ice cream flavor (real or made up!) what would it taste like?
Wow. That would be gross. It would probably have hair and a lot of stems in it, and would melt really quickly.

Q: As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Distance. For touring, the nearest market is Albuquerque, and that’s still a four-hour drive. Also, there are Border Patrol checkpoints on the highway in either direction leaving El Paso and they have no qualms with busting people with small amounts of drugs. Also, they really like publicity, so they arrest anyone that might make headlines. Look up the stories on Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what would you guys like to accomplish as a band?
I hope that isn’t the case, but I have this romantic image in my head of playing some old, grand, ornate European concert hall with a balcony and a lot of excited young people. I would want to do that before we all get raptured, or whatever.

Q: Do any of your members have interesting non-musical talents?
Our guitarist Stephen quit his bartending job and started his own silkscreen print shop. I write a bi-weekly column and interview touring bands for two local magazines.

Q: What is your favorite food/food place when on tour?
We used to really like this place in Austin called the Screaming Goat, but apparently they’re closed now. I guess we’re in the market for a new hangout. Any suggestions? E-mail us thedabooking@gmail.com

Q: Describe your band’s sound in 5 words:
Just come see us live.

INTERVIEW: PHOTOGRAPHER ALEXANDRA PHILLIPS

positivexposuremag — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:00:05 -0700

ALEXANDRA PHILLIPS IS AN 18 YEAR OLD PHOTOGRAPHER ORIGINALLY FROM SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND NOW LIVING IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

We think you should know her because her photos have that characteristic filmy charm, gorgeous colors and an amazing depth of field.

Flickr | Website | Tumblr

Q: How long have you been taking pictures?
Consistently, I have been taking pictures for, wow, two or three years now. It always amazes me how time goes by so quickly. Just yesterday I was taking pictures of flowers on my street with my point and shoot!

Q: How did you get into photography?
I was always a shy and relatively insecure child and then teenager and always wanted to be behind the camera. From there, I bought a starter DSLR and I have been in love ever since.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw a lot of my inspiration from poetry, especially young writers. That warm and fuzzy feeling after you read verse is exactly what I aim for in most of my pictures.

Q: What message do you want to send through your art?
I always try to communicate emotion, be it happiness, sadness, etc. If my viewer feels something, anything, than I will feel accomplished.

Q: Do you have a favorite photographer?
I think the beautiful thing about photography is that anyone can do it and because of that it is impossible for me to narrow my favorites down to just one. There are so many inspiring amateur and professionals out there.

Q: Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
I love people, they just add this incredible aspect to a picture that still lives and other forms of photography cannot. I especially love capturing those unplanned moments of human interaction. In fact some of my favorite pictures are outtakes from when my models were laughing hysterically or I was in the right place and right time.

Q: What gear do you use?
I have a beautiful Canon T1i with my kit lens and a 50mm 1.4. I also have a small collection of film cameras that include a Canon AE-1 and a Yashica A.

Q: Do you have a favorite camera to use?
I just love using my Yashica A. So many people stop me to get a better look at it because it is such a classic camera. Once when I was shooting at a bookstore there was this wonderful view of a mom and her son and I shot a picture of them. She got very angry and asked, “Did you take a picture? Without my permission?!” and I said, “Oh this? This isn’t a camera, it doesn’t look anything like a camera!” She conceded and went back to reading!

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world to take pictures, where would you go?
My goodness there are so many places I would love to be. Anywhere where it snows for one, I would love to work with snow in some pictures. Mountains are wonderful or places with busy streets. My next big around the world trip is tentatively Thailand, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia for a couple of months. I’m sure I’ll find some beautiful places there.

Q: Do you believe that anyone can be a photographer?
I think that is one of the most beautiful things of photography – all it requires is a camera and a little inspiration.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about photography?
For myself, photography is this wonderful creative outlet that allows me to escape my chemistry labs, biology homework, and science research. It is a forgiving field that allows me to just express myself without over thinking everything.

Q: What’s your least favorite thing about photography?
One of my least favorite aspects of photography is how expensive it can be. To buy equipment, rent studio time, and develop film adds up fast.

Q: What is your favorite picture you’ve taken?
Let’s see…I always sway between a few images, but at the moment I would say my favorite is a photo I took on my sixteenth birthday as a part of my first series shot on film. The theme for the shoot was inspired by a poem I read about blindness. I was so thrilled with every picture on that role and I was so happy to share them with the world.

Q: Do you think photography will always be a part of your life?
I certainly hope so. I cannot envision a world without me documenting it.

Q: Is there an element you think every photograph should always have?
It’s hard to say. In essence, I think each photograph should evoke a feeling but it is ultimately up to the artist on how to portray that.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what do you hope to accomplish with your art?
If those Mayans are correct, I hope to capture the end of the world for nobody to see. I hope that through my photographs, at any point, I have inspired another photographer.

SXSW SPECIAL INTERVIEW: TIC TIC BOOM!

positivexposuremag — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:30:05 -0700

Los Angeles based TIC TIC BOOM! is singer and keyboardist Leilani Francisco, guitarist and vocalist Mike DeLay, bassist and backing vocalist Matt Gurgol, and drummer Trevor Hunnicutt. Started five years ago by Leilani and Mike when they were both working in a bar as love blossomed between them, they have built a steady and cohesive sound through dedication and hard work, adding members to the band as they went along. They’re gearing up for the April release of their new EP which promises a darker, dreamier sound. Leilani took the time to answer our questions about the band’s past and future.

Website | Bancamp | Facebook

Q: How did you come up with your name?
We had been trying to figure it out for a while. We tried everything from flipping throughout the dictionary to copies of books we loved. We decided on Tic Tic Boom! because we liked the idea of using onomatopoeia. Words that describe sound seem to create an immediate visceral response. We thought it sounded fun and exciting and of course, explosive.

Q: Were any other names considered?
We had tossed around the idea of calling the band Ortolan after a small bird, but thought it might be confusing.

Q: What made you want to create music?
It was always Mike’s dream to be a musician. He started his first band when he was 14. I had played several instruments growing up and had always been a singer. When we started dating, it just made sense to create music together.

Q: What influences you most?
I think we are most influenced by the time and space we are in. It could be music we like, the weather, a movie. Sometimes what drives me the most can be a negative feeling like pressure or stress to create. It’s working through that, forcing yourself to work even when you feel empty that pushes you to great places. Like most artists, you just write and write until you know it’s right.

Q: Your upcoming EP will be darker and dreamier. Why?
I think it’s a natural evolution of our writing. Our first EP had a punk rock edge because that was the environment we were in and the music we were listening to. The second EP had a softer, indie-r edge. I think this time we were inspired by big synth sounds and loops. We incorporated more electronic drums in with the live drums. We wanted to take some chances in our production and do something a bit unexpected.

Q: Does your nocturnal pattern of writing and recording at night have anything to do with the new direction for the EP?
I’m sure it influenced it. To step out of the studio and see the late night sky and hear the rush of the freeway certainly seeps into your subconscious.

Q: Is this schedule and sound the reason it will be titled Before the Sun Rises?
It definitely is. Mike and I have full time jobs in addition to the full time job of Tic Tic Boom! We often had to force ourselves to stop working and go to sleep before the sun came up. Most nights we didn’t stop working until 4AM.

Q: What’s in the near future for your band?
We’ll be officially releasing the EP in April. To support that we’ll be playing a residency in L.A. at Lot 1 Cafe in May. We hope to do some touring this summer and plan to continue writing and recording.

Q: What aspect of music excites you the most?
It’s always amazing to see how far a song goes from its inception to completion. Because Mike is our engineer and we have our own studio, we have the luxury of writing, producing and recording as we go. When a song is considered finished, it’s always cool to listen back to the original demo.

Q: What aspect of music discourages you the most?
The importance of “buzz” in the indie community. Bloggers and tastemakers can make or break you. We’ve gotten plenty of love from blogs, but it’s definitely somewhat of a game you have to play.

Q: If your band were an ice cream flavor what would it taste like?
I had this great ice cream once from a food truck. It was sweet and chocolatey with an aftertaste of smokey scotch. I think that’s what Tic Tic Boom! would taste like. Sweet, but a bit unexpected.

Q: As a band, what has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Since Mike and I are the main force behind Tic Tic Boom! we write, record and release the music ourselves. The entirety of the financial burden falls on us. We’ve been very lucky recently to find a couple of great guys who are excited to be a part of the band, but it hasn’t been easy finding members. It can be hard to find people who are as dedicated as you are to your art.

 Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what would you guys like to accomplish as a band?
We’d like to tour. It’d be great to release a full length before the world implodes, as well.

Q: Do any of your members have weird nicknames?
We call our drummer Trevor “T-Berry Rice Biscuit”. He also has his own dance called the “T-Berry Shuffle.” Matt our bass player is nicknamed “Matty Thangz”.

Q: Coffee vs. tea?
Usually coffee, but tea is good, too!

Q: What is your favorite food/food place when on tour?
Mike and I like to search out local favorites. Every city is unique and has its great places and hidden gems. We try to go where the locals go.

Q: Do you have any best or worst tour stories?
We just came back from our second voyage to SXSW. We were invited to be official artists this year and it was the best experience we’ve had thus far. Picking up official wristbands, going to the artists lounge, enjoying panels and everything the conference had to offer was amazing. We played on a cool stage at Empire Automotive, saw some awesome shows and ate breakfast tacos. It was perfect and we can’t wait to go back.

Q: Describe your band’s sound in 5 words:
Energetic, danceable, melodic, fun, dreamy.

SXSW SPECIAL INTERVIEW: CANNON BROS.

positivexposuremag — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:00:06 -0700

Canadian duo and long time friends, Alannah Walker (vocals and guitar) and Cole Woods (drums and vocals), started CANNON BROS. when they both learned how to play drums well enough to play in a band, loving the idea of a project that would allow the two of them to switch instruments. Rooted in classic rock and old memories, Cannon Bros. leaves quite a big impact and will one day bring their music all over the States.

Facebook | Bandcamp

Q: How did you come up with your name?
We were joking around one night, I think it was before we even actually started the band. When we started playing, the name just kinda stuck.

Q: What made you want to create music, and what influences you most?
Cole says Led Zeppelin. Also Pavement.

Q: There is a very unique, nostalgic feel and sound to your music. Does this reflect naturally on your influences or is it a feeling you strive to create?
That just reflects naturally on our influences. It’s not something we strive to create. That being said, it is nice to hear that people recognize.

Q: What’s in the near future for your band?
We’re going to do a lot of touring this summer. I believe we’ll be playing a bunch of cool Canadian festivals. For now our tour plans only involve Canada, but hopefully we’ll get a chance to tour the States as well.

Q: Which aspects of music excite and discourage you the most?
Playing shows is

probably the most exciting aspect of playing music for us.

It’s really awesome to play for people who like your music. At the same time, it can be pretty

discouraging if you’re on tour and the shows aren’t great, or if you’re on a bill that isn’t a good fit.

Q: If your band were an ice cream flavor what would it taste like?
Sprinkle party cake

Q: As a band, what has been the biggest ob

stacle you’ve had to overcome?
We haven’t really run into any major obstacles yet. Hopefully we can keep that up.

Q: If the end of the world is near in 2012, what would you guys like to accomplish as a band?
I guess just to have fun on tour and meet new people. I suppose there isn’t much point to release another album if the world is ending… maybe a 7”?

Q: Do any of your members have interesting non-musical talents?
Unfortunately we can’t really think of any.

Q: Coffee vs. tea?
Coffee x1000

Q: What is your favorite food/food place when on tour?
We like to look for good vegetarian restaurants on tour.

Q: Describe your band’s sound in 5 words:
Sprinkle party cake ice cream