1. art and entertainment
2. music

#22
the colourist
echosmith
andrew mcmahon
yuna
and more
CONTENTS
Publishers
SCENE
Alan Miller & Alan Sartirana
Editor-IN-CHieF
Breanna Murphy
02. Events » SKATE AND SURF FESTIVAL 2013
style editor
Heather Cvar
03. Events » FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS Rock Macy’s In-Store
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Pat McGuire
04. The Beat » WARPED TOUR 2013: A Day in the Life
06. Horoscope » Your Fashion Future Foretold
08. Back-To-Campus Picks » Down For Denim
ART DIRECTOR
Melissa Simonian
WRITERS
Daniel Kohn, Aubrey Mellor, Katrina Nattress,
Chloe Nguyen, Laura Studarus
interns
Editorial: Mack Hayden, Jeff Murray
The Colourist
Photographer: Brandon Harman
Photo Assistant: Joel Degraff
Stylist: Heather Cvar
Hair + Makeup: Laena Myers-Ionita
FOLLOW
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
@ RAGGEDMAG
FOR EXCLUSIVE TOUR UPDATES
TICKETS AVAI LABLE @ WWW.M EGAN A N D L I Z .COM
# M EGAN A ND L IZ O N TOUR
8 – MINNEAPOLIS – TRIPLE ROCK
9 – MILWAUKEE – THE RAVE II
10 – BLOOMINGTON – CASTLE THEATRE
11 – CHICAGO – LINCOLN HALL
14 – DETROIT – THE CROFOOT
15 – INDIANAPOLIS – THE DELUXE
16 – PITTSBURGH – ALTAR BAR
17 – BUFFALO – WAITING ROOM
18 – TORONTO – ANNEX WRECKROOM
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
AUG
21 – HARTFORD – SPACE
22 – BOSTON – BRIGHTON
23 – NJ – IPLAY
24 – NYC – GRAMERCY
25 – PHILLY – UNION TRANSFER
27 – DC – THE HAMILTON
29 – NASHVILLE – ROCKETOWN
30 – CHARLOTTE – AMOS' SOUTHEND
31 – ORLANDO – PLAZA LIVE
SEP
SEP
SEP
SEP
SEP
SEP
SEP
SEP
1 – FT LAUDERDALE – CULTURE ROOM
6 – SCOTTSDALE – MARTINI RANCH
7 – TUCSON – THE ROCK
8 – LOS ANGELES – EL REY
11 – SAN FRANCISCO – BRICK & MORTAR
13 – PORTLAND – HAWTHORNE
16 – SEATTLE – TRIPLE DOOR
17 – VANCOUVER – RIO
Echosmith
Photographer: Ray Lego
Stylist: Nick Whitehouse
Styling Assistant: Brittany Carroll
Hair: Damian Monzillo
Makeup: Deborah Altizio
Andrew McMahon
Photographer: Marc Lemoine
Photo Assistant: Jani Zubkovs
Stylist, Hair + Makeup: Heather Cvar
26.
Megan & Liz (cover)
Photographer: Chris Phelps
Photo Assistant: David Barron
Stylist: Heather Cvar
Hair + Makeup: Colleen Creighton
Tailor: Curtis Garrett
Digital Tech: Michele Cipriani
Location: Joe’s Pub
Yuna
Photographer: Jennie Warren
Photo Assistant: Jules Bates
Stylist: Heather Cvar
16. Fashion 4-Ward » 4 FIDM FASHIONISTAS
Don American Rag’s New Denim
HEARD
34. Fantastic Chromatic: THE COLOURIST
40. Play It Again » DORM JAMS
4 Underclassmen Return to Campus and Bring the Noise
ON THE ROAD
34.
Fashion 4-Ward
Photographer: Brandon Clark/ABImages
10. Washington, D.C. with ANDREW MCMAHON
what’s next
42. ECHOSMITH: Shaping Sounds
COVERS
Ragged is published by Filter Magazine LLC, 5908 Barton Ave., Los Angeles CA 90038.
Vol. 1, No. 22, 2013. Ragged is not responsible for anything, including the return or loss of
submissions, or for any damage or other injury to unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. Any
submission of a manuscript or artwork should include a self-addressed envelope or package of
appropriate size, bearing adequate return postage.
18. MEGAN AND LIZ: The Great American Summer Road Trip
©2013 Filter Magazine, LLC. all rights reserved
Ragged is printed in the usa
p ro d u c e d w i t h s u p p o rt f ro m
Check out
AmRag’s
brand-new denim
on page 8!
26. YUNA: Pure Moods
42.
Front Cover: Megan & Liz by Chris Phelps
Back Cover: Yuna by Jennie Warren
SCENE: EVENTS
SCENE: EVENTS
It’s all happening.
Skate and Surf
Festival 2013
On the weekend of May 18–19, Kingda Ka was no longer the most exciting thing at Six Flags Great
America in Jackson, New Jersey. Why’s that, you ask? Because Skate and Surf Festival was making its
return to the Garden State, and bringing with it artists like Fall Out Boy, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, A
Day To Remember, Saves The Day, Breathe Carolina and countless others. We were on-hand every step
of the way and even brought our old friend Travis Clark (aka We The Kings’ fiery frontman) to get on the
other side of the microphone and help us interview some of the performers, including Andrew W.K. and
Mayday Parade. Not only that, but we were thrilled to host the official festival kick-off party at Macy’s
with a special performance from T.Mills! Head to RAGGEDmag.com to catch more of our festival coverage and interviews from Skate and Surf this year. Radical!
Long before the gates opened for the Warped Tour in Chicago, the party was under way when
Forever The Sickest Kids arrived at Macy’s in Orland Park. The Texas-based band treated
their loyal fans, many of whom they knew by name, to an unplugged performance of songs
from their brand-new disc J.A.C.K. live in-store. There were plenty of sing-a-longs, smiles
and dreamy stares as the band killed it acoustically and, afterwards, the guys stuck around to
ham it up in photographs and open their arms for big hugs before they headed out to First
Midwest Bank Amphitheater, where they rocked yet another stop on their summer-long
Warped adventure.
It’s all happening.
Forever The
Sickest Kids
Rock Macy’s In-Store
ANDREW W.K.
Six Flags
Jackson, New Jersey
May 18–19, 2013
Macy’s
MAYDAY PARADE WITH OUR HOST TRAVIS CLARK
Orland Park, Illinois
July 20, 2013
SCENE: THE BEAT
Your street style caught at the scene.
Warped Tour 2013
A Day In The Life
COME RAIN
OR SHINE!
So what’s it really like to be a band on Warped Tour all summer long? A life on the road is many
things, but dull it is not.Whether it’s weathering blistering heat or a torrential downpour, the
show must go on, and when we visited Forever The Sickest Kids on the road in Camden, New
Jersey, to film a special “Day in the Life” feature, we learned that fact firsthand.
We tagged along as the band met fans at the American Rag booth, played video games
on the tour bus and killed time skateboarding in the parking lot, all before the skies opened
up...just in time for their set. Fans were not deterred, and we have to say the rain made
their show feel that much more special. Don’t miss the full “Day in the Life” video at
RAGGEDmag.com, including exclusive interviews and backstage footage with the band.
SKATE
SESH
GAME
TIME
SAMMIE
SNACKS
MEET &
GREET
Susquehanna Bank Center
Camden, New Jersey
July 12, 2013
SCENE: HOROSCOPE
Your fashion future foretold, no crystal ball necessary.
By Aubrey Mellor
LEO
JULI 23–AUGUST 22
LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 23–OCTOBER 22
Libra, I’m jealous of your ability to attract
opportunities (and cuties) by acting like you just
don’t care. Whenever most of us try the aloof
approach, we get nothing or just turn people
off. But it works for you every time. Or does it?
Sometimes, you have to reveal an actual interest. I
know this is scary for you; you value your strength
and independence. But, remember, you are a
symbol of balance. Don’t neglect either side, even
if it’s your needy one. PISCES
FEBRUARY 19–MARCH 20
Sometimes, your emotions are almost too powerful,
Pisces. When you’re sad, everyone on the whole
Internet is your mirror and they don’t know why.
But when you’re happy, suddenly everyone clicks
“attending” on every single event invite. Everything
is funny, especially you, and the jokes flow. So
here’s food for thought: Happy people are much
more inclined to help, and nobody loves support
more than you. 6 ragged // raggedmag.com
So, you’ve had all summer to fine-tune the new Leo upgrade that is going to drop sometime between your
birthday and the first day of school. Even if you had hired the top PR agent to hype this game-changing new
version of yourself, they wouldn’t be able to top what the stars will do. I mean, everyone has birthdays,
but most people have to share the month with another major holiday…not you. And that first day back
on campus might just be your debut. Plus, now that there will always be an audience to watch you work,
maybe you’ll actually get some done. Am I being harsh? I think not. As a fellow Lion, I know the value of
having at least one person who will give it to you straight. Find that person and listen to them.
SCORPIO
OCTOBER 23–NOVEMBER 21
I’m impressed with your newfound ability to
transcend your own murk, Scorp, and I’m certainly
not the only one. That previously disinterested
party, which was the only party in the world you
wanted to beguile, has taken sudden notice of you,
as if you magically materialized out of thin air.
Let them believe that and don’t blow it by taking
offense. The time just wasn’t right in the past.
Your power is growing at a rate that will surprise
even you. ARIES
MARCH 21–APRIL 19
It’s that time of year when you shut out half your
friends. And though it’s not even based on any kind
of offense, that’s exactly how they are going to
interpret it, Aries. It’s your divine right to ride the
sea change of your own waves, and the ones that
love you are going to understand. But imagine how
easy things could be if more people understood
you? Make that happen. A short explanation is all
that is required. SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 22–DECEMBER 21
It’s OK not to spend every semester abroad.
You’re the master of adventure, Sag, but you won’t
find a good GPS app for the real frontier—your
own heart and mind—that mysterious wilderness
you’ve allowed to remain way too uncharted. But
its riddles are there for the solving, even if you’re
stuck in the van on tour or trapped at your sister’s
apartment on cat-sitting duty. So while you remain
in familiar territory, close your eyes and brush up
on your cartography of borders beyond.
TAURUS
APRIL 20–MAY 20
An unexpected visitor will remind you of what
you constantly need reminding: You don’t need to
collect everything, and that includes open dates on
all of your friend’s calendars. If a loved one gives
you only an hour a month, don’t waste that hour
trying to schedule your next visit with them. Just
be happy when it happens. I promise you that one
hour will turn into two, then three, which is almost
enough time to become obsessed with your new
hobby of the season.
You’re all business lately, Virgo, which is fine, because somebody has to be! But when you turn your
dictatorial skills to celebrating, no one can do it up like you. Don’t veer away from this natural
tendency, especially on your birthday—because on that day, the business at hand should absolutely be
your total pleasure. Use your superior planning tactics to exhaust people with excessive goings-on.
Ensure your reputation by guaranteeing that after collapsing in a burnt-out heap, your friends’ last
thoughts are, “Damn, that was fun.” After this well-orchestrated whirlwind, look around. There will be
one, maybe two, people still standing. Those are the ones that want you to tell them about your inner
feelings; these are the keepers. Kindly allow the others to naturally fade out of your life. CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22–JANUARY 19
Cap, you are pretty much the comfort food of
the zodiac. When people get sick of the trends,
they turn to the timeless classics—which are your
specialty. But this doesn’t give you permission to
be boring. Dig deep. Put something spicy in that
stew. Do something that hasn’t been done and then
suggest it’s a forgotten tradition, if you must, but
keep in mind: taking credit for your innovations
doesn’t make you a phony. GEMINI
MAY 21–JUNE 20
Even the most noble of us sometimes need an
enemy on which to direct our frustrations.You have
a funny talent for making these convenient tyrants
appear out of thin air, and others suddenly share
your indignation. There’s no harm in it, it helps us
get through the day. But let yourself get bored with
it—which you always do, anyway—and move on,
so the rest of us can, too.
AQUARIUS
JANUARY 20–FEBRUARY 18
You wanted to keep things simple: no attachments,
no long-term commitments, keep all your options
open. But in this most mysterious of seasons, which
some still like to call “Indian summer,” you feel the
crisp expectation of the coming cold, even as you
wade in the seemingly endless present of poolside
barbecues. Now, suddenly, you understand the
strange and wonderful freedom that comes with
making a promise.
CANCER
VIRGO
AUGUST 23–SEPTEMBER 22
Birthdays in
this issue
April 21 (Taurus)
SYDNEY SIEROTA
September 3 (Virgo)
ANDREW McMAHON
November 14 Scorpio)
YUNA
November 21 (Scorpio)
MEGAN & LIZ
JUNE 21–JULY 22
Cancer, I had a dream that you were a famous
bank robber. You were good at it, too, but even
in the dream you got caught. I paid you a visit
in jail and reminded you to use your talents
for good. You said, “There’s no excitement in
making keys!” I said, “What about unlocking the
door that will help you bust out of this prison?”
Get to work, Houdini.
raggedmag.com // ragged 7
back-to-campus picks
Down For Denim
Fun fact: Blue jeans, possibly the single most versatile and iconic American piece of
clothing, have been around since the 1870s. (That’s right, denim is seriously celebrating its
140th birthday of being on the fashion scene.) Originally worn by ranchers and cowboys
in the Old West, blue jeans have since become a symbolic staple of every decade of music:
from early rock-and-roll greasers in the ’50s to ’70s punks to ’90s grunge to modern
indie musicians today.
This fall, just in time for your oh-so-important back-to-school shopping spree,
American Rag has got brand-new styles of the closet necessity you absolutely must have
when you land back on campus. From plain skinnies to something with a bit of flare,
American Rag’s got the denim to keep you covered all season long.
1
2
3
1.
sarah
A cool and sexy slim low-rise boot cut jean
with a 17" leg opening.
Dark washes that will get you from the classroom
to a late-night concert without a wardrobe change
needed in between!
2.
nikki
A fitted low-rise jean with a 21" leg opening.
Feelin’ fancy? The flare will get you there!
3.
alicia
A classic pair of skinny jeans, low-rise with
an 11" leg opening.
Enough washes to go with everything in your closet.
Like the looks? Find them only at
Macy’s stores & Macys.com/AmericanRag
8 ragged // raggedmag.com
ON THE ROAD
Washington, D.C.
Andrew McMahon
Photos by marc lemoine
All year long, we’ve been hitting up places all over the States with some of our
favorite bands—from touring the delish food trucks of Austin, Texas, with Paul
DiGiovanni to record-store shopping in New Jersey with William Beckett—
giving you the inside scoop on being on the road.
Our latest trip landed us in the nation’s capital, where we caught up with
Andrew McMahon during his day in D.C. and rocked out at his show at the
legendary 9:30 Club. We talked with Andrew about his lengthy history on tour—
from his days in Something Corporate to Jack’s Mannequin to now—some of his
favorite concert experiences, his brand-new EP The Pop Underground and what it’s
really like from his view from the stage.
“Every
year,
it’s one of my favorite
William
Beckett
gigs to PLAY the 9:30 Club. You caught
us on a good night.”
10 ragged // raggedmag.com
You released the Pop Underground EP earlier this year under
your own name. With such a long career behind you, why
did you choose now to make music eponymously?
Andrew McMahon: It had more to do with the fact that it felt
like it was time to wind up Jack’s Mannequin than it was to go put
music under my own name. Knowing that Jack’s had kind of run its
course, like it’d reached its conceptual conclusion, I was facing the
question of, “OK, what next?” The decision to move forward and put
something out under my own name was largely based on the fact that
I’d been in two bands in the past 10 years, and both had done well
enough to garner their own fanbases—and sort of overlap each other.
I had these multiple identities spread out over a decade. If nothing
else, it was about harmonizing both of those and saying, “I’m gonna
put out new music and here’s the Jack’s stuff and here’s the Something
Corporate stuff.” It’s not just a new thing, it’s everything. It’s all of
these songs I’ve written over the years. Coming up with a moniker
seemed like it wouldn’t really give me the freedom and mobility to
pull all of this history and future and present into one place.
You’ll spend most of 2013 on tour. What’s it like being on
the road so much?
You know, it’s been good. A lot of 2012 was a regrouping year, even
though I was playing shows last year. It was sort of this transitional
time. Getting on the road with new guys, a new band, doing a good
amount of touring, is the best way to get tight and start learning how
to speak each other’s language.
I’ve been taking on a lot of tour dates with the new band. It’s the
best way to get everybody on the same page. So that’s been a really
fun part of the year: growing with the new guys on the road and
playing these new songs. And also having the chance to dig into the
catalog and play old Something Corporate songs that I haven’t played
for a lot of years. It’s been fun. It’ll be nice to get back when the
tour’s done and go put my head down and start making new music,
which is certainly the plan.
As far as a tour with O.A.R. and Allen Stone, who are our
really good friends, I couldn’t really ask for a better way to start the
summer.
You have probably been on a countless number of
tours in your career, which began when you were a
teenager in Something Corporate. In that huge span
of time, is there one that stands out above the rest?
There’re a few. From the Something Corporate days, we did
a co-headlining tour with Yellowcard, I want to say in about
2004, kind of towards the end of Something Corporate.
Because we had amassed a pretty good catalog of tunes at that
point, and we were with Yellowcard, who had just blown up,
that tour was one that I remember was a whole lot of fun.
There was a Jack’s Mannequin tour called the West Coast
Winter tour, which was the first really big headlining tour we
did after I had got better. There was still a good year plus of
space in between where I had been sick and I remember the
energy on that particular run was pretty incredible.
Speaking to the new EP, what is it like to be on stage when you are debuting
a new song to your audience live for the first time?
Scary’s probably not the right word. I wouldn’t say I’m terrified, per se, but it does sort
of offer a piece of you up to people to be critiqued. As often as I do that, it never really
gets comfortable. When you’re stacking up songs that people will know and love and
have listened to a hundred times next to what maybe hasn’t ever been heard, there is just
sort of a visceral thing that you don’t always get when you play a new song live for the
first time. There is some self-consciousness that comes with it. And I think the more we
play them, the more comfortable you become and, also, the more you play them, the
more you realize which ones people like [laughs] and which ones people really react to.
What’s something that you like about being on tour
that you can’t find when you’re at home?
It’s kind of like the two sides of the coin with touring and
with home life. I really crave the high you get from playing a
show and, more specifically, from a really good show. I think
when I spend too much time at home, there is that outward
projection and connection you get from an audience in a show
environment that I really do miss.
Conversely, when I’m on the road: the availability to just
sort of shut off and be alone for a minute and not have to be
“on” so much and, certainly, be in a position to create more
regularly. Those are things, aside from the obvious like my
wife and family that I end up really missing on the road.
You mentioned that once you’re off tour for the
year, it’ll be a time to put your head down and start
writing and recording. When you’re on the road, are
you able to write material or is it just too busy to
accomplish that?
It’s pretty tough, to be honest, because I’m a piano player. If I
played guitar well enough to really write behind it, I think it
would be a lot easier. But because sitting at a piano is a pretty
important part of my process, it’s become a lot trickier. With
the exception of a tour where there are enough days off that
I can put a keyboard in my hotel room, which I have done,
writing tends to be something that exclusively happens when
I am home.
12 ragged // raggedmag.com
raggedmag.com // ragged 13
Is there a song from any point in your career that sticks out to
you, that is still just really fun to play?
Truthfully, there are lots. Most of these songs I put on record because I
love them, because I wrote them and they’d become meaningful to me.
So that part of it is pretty well covered. I enjoy playing most of my songs
for that reason. But when you have a song a lot of people connect with,
it becomes a really enjoyable thing to perform. One that certainly comes
to mind for me is “La La Lie” off the first Jack’s record. There’s this really
obvious sing-along portion of that song. You get that song in front of a
crowd, even a crowd that doesn’t know it, and you can have them singing
it by the end of the song. That’s one I’ve always loved including in the
set because it gives you an excuse to get people with their hands in the
air, singing loud. It’s a real rush, I should say. I’ve gravitated toward this
particular line of work because of that kind of rush of being on stage,
and you love what you’re doing and seeing other people love it. It’s an
interesting bond to share with a room of people.
At the 9:30 Club show, you performed something very impressive;
not a song, but you crowd-surfed off the stage, to the bar, took
a drink and, in one fell swoop, you crowd-surfed right back up
on the stage for an encore. Where did you perfect that move and
has it ever gone badly?
[Laughs] Well, perfecting that move is a process of a lot of time.
And having a good crowd to crowd-surf, period, is actually a pretty
remarkable thing in itself. I think the first time I ever did it was at The
Electric Factory in Philadelphia, if I remember correctly. I hadn’t done
it for a long time. Finally on this last tour, we were playing a couple
small clubs where the bar was really close and I decided to resurrect it.
[Laughs] The only thing that goes badly is when you decide to take a shot
of Jagermeister and then go crowd-surfing, there can be some stomach
issues that go along with that. There have been a couple times I made it
back to the stage in questionable condition. Luckily, I’ve never lost the
contents of my shot. Thankfully. R
ANDREW McMAHON
shot at the 9:30 CLUB
in WASHINGTON, D.C.
ALL CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
14 ragged // raggedmag.com
raggedmag.com // ragged 15
One piece, four ways.
4 FIDM Fashionistas
Don American Rag’s New Denim
By Heather Cvar
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) is a private college for specialized professional
education, where students can pursue higher learning in a large range of business and creative industries
including fashion, entertainment, beauty and design. The college is headquartered in downtown Los
Angeles, with other campus locations in Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco. The campus and its
alumni have been featured on Bravo/Lifetime’s Project Runway, HGTV’s Design School and MTV’s The Hills.
We asked four fashionable students at FIDM to give us a rundown of their style and influences—
and to make a pair of jeans from American Rag’s brand-new denim line a seamless, fashion-forward
part of their ensemble. So, how did they do?
Jade Thompson
The “Alicia” SKINNY SEXY, Regular;
“Concert” wash
What are you studying at FIDM?
I am a fashion design graduate, with an AA from
FIDM. I’m currently applying for the bachelor
of science, business management program.
How would you describe your style?
Quirky; ’60s-inspired with a modern, graphic
and edgy flair.
How do these jeans fit into your style?
Jeans are an item that everyone wears, so it’s
important that they work as a staple in your
wardrobe. American Rag jeans have a great fit
and can be worn multiple ways with any style.
What inspired you to pursue a career in
the fashion industry?
I grew up in a very small town in Oklahoma. It
was hard to find stores that fit my individuality
on a budget. I would go to Goodwill and thrift
stores to find pieces I could redesign by cutting,
sewing and embellishing, and I would go to
antique malls for all my accessories. I grew up
painting and playing drums; I wanted to merge
my love for the arts with something tangible
that I could share.
Jade aspires to further herself and her career by attending FIDM’s bachelor of science, business
management program. In addition to being a full-time student, Jade works as a freelance costume
designer, stylist and illustrator for projects including feature films, short films, book covers and
graphic novels.
Stephanie Wong
The “Alicia” SKINNY SEXY, Sho
The “Alicia” SKINNY SEXY; “Trance” wash
Alexandrea Quevedo
The “Alicia” SKINNY SEXY, Regular
;
“Overdye Black” wash
rt; “Solo” wash
What are you studying at FIDM?
I am in the interior design program.
What are you studying at FIDM?
I graduated with an associate of arts
degree in fashion design and am currently
enrolled in the bachelor of science, business
management program.
How would you describe your look?
I like to provoke with fashion, so I usually
choose to wear at least one conversation piece
everyday—whether it’s aggressive, like the
Rottweiler on the shirt I was photographed
in, or a phrase on the back of a jacket that
gets people to take a second look.
How would you describe your style?
Mostly feminine with a slight twist. I like
to show that I have both a sweet side and an
edgy side, and I like pairing classic pieces
with bold accessories.
How do these jeans fit into your style?
I present myself in different ways. These jeans
fit my love of showing off my girly and rocker
sides. I like that I can wear these jeans slightly
oversized and cuffed to get the “boyfriend
jean” look.
What inspired you to pursue a career in
the fashion industry?
I have always been interested in art and started
getting into fashion in high school. I want to
have my own boutique one day, so having a
foundation in both fashion and business will
help me to achieve my goal.
Before moving to Los Angeles to study at FIDM, Stephanie grew up in Queens, New York.
While in school, she has interned in various disciplines, including patternmaking, textile
design and working in a designer showroom, to broaden her fashion industry experience.
for m
denim loore
see pageoks...
8!
Erika West
PHOTOS BY BRANDON CLARK/ABIMAGES
SCENE: FASHION 4–WARD
What are you studying at FIDM?
Interior design.
How would you describe your style?
The way I approach my personal style is very
similar to the way I design a space: I start by
building a base of classic, timeless pieces, often
in solid colors and elegant materials; then, I add
some character, fun and personality with bold,
colorful statement pieces and accessories. Not
only does this approach make my wardrobe
easy to mix and match, but it is also the perfect
way to have the freedom to express myself in
the moment.
How do these jeans fit into your style?
I definitely gravitate towards darker colors,
so black is usually my go-to. The slim fit
keeps the look streamlined so I can play it up
with a bold graphic and fun accessories.
How do these jeans fit into your style?
My personal style is mixing classic, basic pieces
with fun fashion items, so these jeans are the
perfect way to add some pizzazz to a classic
button-up. The bright, bold colors of the shirt,
shoes and belt really make the wash of the jeans
pop and make them the obvious star of the show!
What inspired you to pursue a career
in the interior design industry?
My focus started with just interiors, but it
has expanded into all facets of design in my
classes at FIDM. I’m incredibly conscious of
all things visual, so it’s important to me to
not only put time and effort into my designs
for spaces but in my overall look as a designer
and in my personal life. Fashion and interiors
have so much in common and offer so much
freedom, it would be a waste not to push
some boundaries.
What inspired you to pursue a career in
the interior design industry?
I have been doing crafts and DIY projects since I
was a kid and have always had the artistic aspects
of interior design in my blood. After studying
set design and construction and starting my own
home décor and DIY blog, I realized that interior
design was a perfect career path for my creative
and ambitious spirit! Plus, I have always loved
making my surroundings feel like an oasis, so it
seems only natural for me to help others achieve
the same thing.
Alexandrea, a native of Los Angeles, had a bachelor’s degree in economics before beginning her
studies at FIDM. Her interior design style is industrial and modern. Focused on becoming a professional furniture designer, she has no time for hobbies.
Originally from Clifton Park, New York, Erika plans to one day have her own residential
interior design firm. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, cooking, photography
and publishing her interior design blog.
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COVER
nashville, tn
First stop on the road trip begins with Megan & Liz’s home, in one of the top music destinations in the US: Nashville.We sate our
hunger with a favorite food spot and legit Southern home cooking at The Loveless Café, pay a first-time visit to renowned
historic country music venue The Grand Ole Opry and the girls perform in-store at Ernest Tubb Record Shop.
What was it like cooking at the historic and down-home
Loveless Café?
Liz: It’s probably one of our favorite spots in Nashville. We actually got to
make the mac and cheese, which was cool and really, really fun.There’s nothing
wrong with some great homecookin’, especially when you do it yourself.
The Grand Ole Opry is legendary for country music, and American
music period. What did it feel like to sing on that stage?
By daniel kohn
Megan: It was amazing because when you’re standing there, you’re thinking
of all the famous people who have been in that same spot.
Liz: Everyone from Elvis to Carrie Underwood have been up there. It
was inspiring.
Megan: It’s overwhelming in a really cool way.
How did you spend your summer vacation? Here at RAGGED HQ, we decided to pack our bags, load up
the car and hit the road to take a tour of these great United States.We asked our friends—and ridiculously
talented musicians—Megan & Liz to join us on our cross-country adventures. Together, we took in the
iconic musical landscape of Nashville,Tennessee; chillaxed on the sandy beaches of Miami, Florida; explored
the bayous and Southern soul of New Orleans, Louisiana; returned to our favorite Texas hotspot, Austin;
soaked up the sun in Los Angeles, California; visited the birthplace of grunge in Seattle,Washington; made
our way through the Motor City, Detroit, Michigan; and wrapped it all up in the Big Apple of NewYork City,
NewYork.Along the way, Megan & Liz took in the most each diverse location had to offer, trying new things
in new places—even writing a song inspired by their experiences!
Having penned their first original number when they were 15, the 20-year-old fraternal twin
sisters are no rookies when it comes to writing a great pop song. They’ve been steadily releasing
material for the past few years via YouTube, along with multiple EPs and series of covers on iTunes.
That’s why it shouldn’t be a big surprise when the budding pop stars struck a hit with the lacey “Bad
For Me.” Before Megan & Liz embark on their first headlining tour and the release of their debut
album, we’re catching up with our roadtrip companions to get a city-by-city rundown of all the
adventures from the summer, including…
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NEW ORLEANS, LA
MIAMI, FL
The next leg of the tour landed us in the Sunshine State, down in Miami,
Florida, where diverse Latin cultures collide for an eclectic and colorful
music scene. Flamenco dancing lessons, some café cubano delicioso at
Versailles in Little Havana…topped off by some inspiration in the form of a
songwriting sesh right on Miami Beach!
Did you learn any new moves at the Baila Flamenco Dance Studio?
Megan: We’re not dancers, but it was really fun and we gave it a shot.
Liz: Flamenco is an understated dance and it’s so hard to do because it’s so intricate with its movement.
It looks super easy, but only if you know how to do it. Learning it from a professional was really fun and it
was a great workout!
What was so inspirational about being down in South Beach that allowed for you two to
finish a song?
Megan: We grew up near a beach so it felt like our hometown. The vibes radiating out from the beach were
great. We didn’t surf or swim, though—especially since we can barely Flamenco dance!
Cuban food is second-nature in Miami. What did you think of the restaurant Versailles in
Little Havana?
Liz: It was pretty great. Though we are 100-percent foodies, we’d somehow never tried Cuban food
before. We didn’t know what to order so we asked our waiter to hook us up with the best Cuban dish.
We got something with beef and rice, and it was awesome! I highly recommend it; it’s the most flavorful
food and I’d for sure have it again.
A familiar and favorite RAGGED destination each Halloween for the
Voodoo Music Experience, we love heading to the Big Easy.The old soul of
the city comes alive in the historic jazz music born from the 1920s
and 19th-century architecture of the French Quarter, not to mention
the classic cuisine, including oysters and crawfish from Acme and the
famed café au lait and beignets from Café Du Monde! Bon appetit!
Did you find any musical inspiration by spending time in the New
Orleans jazz scene?
Liz: We learned a lot about jazz down in New Orleans. We got to really
experience it, and it opened our eyes that jazz is chaotic and crazy, but it’s
about elements working together. We never really noticed that before and I
think we took that lesson in and will incorporate it every time we write a song
now. Like for a pop song, we’ll take a chaotic jazz element and pop it in as a
nice flavor to add to our sound.
So spending time at a jazz club gave you a newfound appreciation
for the genre?
Liz: Absolutely. You have a whole new respect for it and for the people who
make that type of music. It was really cool.
Were the beignets of Café Du Monde as good as advertised?
Megan: They were so good!
Liz: Café Du Monde was five-star.
It must be tough to choose, but what was your
favorite city or activity you each did on the trip?
Megan: I am forever and always a big fan of the beach. So
going to Miami Beach was literally a dream come true. The
water was beautiful, the weather was perfect… It was very
inspirational and humbling.
Liz: For me, it was the EMP Museum in Seattle. The
way the exhibits were put together was so personal and
informative. I learned so much about rock and roll, and
Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix. I walked out of that museum
with a whole new respect for what they did.
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West Coast, best coast? Jury’s still out on that one, but one thing’s for sure:
Los Angeles has everything summertime fine, and we saw a bit of it all—
including beautiful beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway (at the iconic
Santa Monica Pier, natch), scrumptious sushi at Tenmasa, rockin’
nights out on the Sunset Strip at The Roxy Theatre and a celebration
of musical history at The Grammy Museum.
Of all the beaches in LA, what made you pick the Santa Monica Pier?
los angeles, ca
Megan: The pier is kind of touristy, but it’s like that because it is so iconic. There’s so much
to do and it’s so beautiful. It’s literally the end of the road if you go from coast to coast and
that’s why we chose it.
How hard was making your own sushi at Tenmasa?
Megan: Liz definitely had some trouble with it. But the chef was really hands-on to make
sure we knew what we were doing. By the end, we felt pretty confident how to make sushi.
Did you gain any musical insight from hanging with Nic Adler, the owner of The
Roxy? Having played there twice before, will it be a bit more special the next
time you perform there?
Liz: It was cool to be able to sit down with him and hear him explain how music in LA was
brought up and how it is constantly changing. He’s a really cool dude, so it was fun to hang.
austin, tx
seattle, wa
Driving north up the Pacific Coast Highway until we hit the home to Starbucks and the Space
Needle, our next stop was Seattle—probably even better known as the birthplace of grunge rock,
as a trip to eclectic and awesome music museum the EMP taught us. Surrounded by coastal waters,
the seafood is extra fresh here, so of course a lesson in fish catching at Pike Place Fish Market
and giving some crab a few hard knocks at The Crab Pot were definitely in order, too.
Another city we can’t get enough of—it’s the Live Music Capital of theWorld, after all—our
trip to Austin was full of all the necessities: boot shopping at Allens, horseback riding,
authentic Texas barbeque straight from The Salt Lick and a glimpse into one of the city’s
hundreds of venues, The Continental Club.
Describe what it was like shopping at Allens.
Was it scary or exciting to catch that fish at the Pike Place Market?
Liz: It was Texas, so we had to get cowboy boots, and Allens Boots is the place to go in Austin. We
ended up with awesome, one-of-a-kind boots. There was a great selection and so many great boots to
choose from.
Liz: It was a little bit of both! It was really cool to say that I did catch it, but at the same time it was
disgusting because it was really slimy and heavy. It was slippery and my hands smelled bad the rest
of the day. So gross!
Megan: After she washed her hands, they were still smelly. It was funny.
And, of course, once you get boots, you have to saddle up and go horseback riding. Was
this your first time?
Megan: We’ve actually done it before. Liz did it more when we were younger. It had been a good 10
years since we’d been on a horse, so it was really cool to be back on one. We forgot how much fun it is.
What attracted you to check out The Continental Club?
Liz: It’s a historical place that doesn’t specialize in just rock. I think the beauty of Austin is that there’s
all kinds of music there. The Continental Club had a little bit of everything, because we wanted the full
experience, which is what we like to do with our music.
Megan, what was your favorite thing or proudest moment
of Liz while on the road trip?
What was the EMP museum like?
Megan: Hm… I would say when Liz had that epic rapping studio
session with Jermaine Dupree at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
I mean, who wouldn’t be proud of their sister if they did those rhymes?
Megan: The EMP was insane. We definitely recommend going there. The building is really cool and
all of the exhibits are so well thought out. The Kurt Cobain/Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix exhibits were
really personal and interesting because there were handwritten lyrics and their first demos. Stuff like
that made it really authentic and their small beginnings are things that people can really relate to.
Liz, what was the coolest thing Megan did?
You have to get seafood in Seattle. What was it like eating crab for the first time?
Liz: Honestly, I was pretty impressed by her fish-catching skills at
Pike Place in Seattle! That fish was gross and slimy, but she handled it
like a pro! Megan: This whole trip was about trying new things. Cracking open and using a hammer to open a
crab was fun because it made me feel like I was working for my crab! It was also super fresh because
we were right on the water.
detroit, mi
new york city, ny
Heading to the Midwest—to Megan and Liz’s home state, no
less!—a trip to the Motor City included singing the National
Anthem at a Tigers game, coney dogs at the city’s oldest familyowned restaurant and checking out Hitsville USA, where
Motown legends like The Supremes and The Jackson 5 were born.
Our final stop on our summer road trip was the biggest city of all—The Big Apple. From
exploring the East Village via a rock tour (the buildings behind Led Zeppelin’s Physical
Graffiti and The Ramones’ self-titled record) to pizza time at Lombardi’s and a trip to
the iconic (and ginormous) Herald Square Macy’s, there couldn’t have been a more
fitting conclusion to our adventures.
Were you nervous to sing the National Anthem at
Comerica Park?
Liz: Yes! A lot of really good people have messed up the
National Anthem so it was so nerve-wracking. But in the
end it was great.
Megan: The stadium is so beautiful.
What did you take away from walking around the East Village?
Were a lot of friends and family there watching
you sing?
Megan & Liz: We would go to Maine because we
have never been. And Hawaii—even though you
can’t drive there.
Liz: It was inspiring to be seeing where people started in New York. It’s a really
big city so for people to move there—like Madonna—and dream and have it
come true was really cool to see.
Liz, how did making your own pizza at one of the city’s first pizzerias,
Lombardi’s, go?
Liz: Our mom was there and she’s our everything so it
was really great to have her there.
Liz: It was so embarrassing. I can’t make pretty food! It tasted good, but… As
long as it tastes good that’s really all that matters. Lombardi’s is definitely the real
deal pizza place and where you go for the best New York pizza.
For two Michigan girls, how cool was it to see
Hitsville USA with your own eyes?
What else did you take away from the Big Apple?
Megan: We learned a lot, but the biggest thing we
learned was that hard work pays off. People went into
studio A and worked their butts off. Obviously the success
that came out of it was insane. It was so inspirational.
If you could plan another road trip around
the US with places you did not get to visit
this time, what would they be and why?
Liz: NewYork is a crazy city full of fashion and inspiration
and music. It was really cool and it was a really good place
to end the trip because it’s so unique.
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to take a
road trip across the country?
Megan & Liz: DO IT! You can’t travel across this country and not
have an experience to remember. It honestly is about the journey.
Taking the time to look beneath the surface a little bit can go a long,
long way, in not only learning about this beautiful country we live
in, but about learning who you are, and discovering new things. 24 ragged // raggedmag.com
Sum up your roadtrip experience in five
words or less.
Liz: Crazy, amusing, inspiring, informative, yummy! Megan: When can we go back?? raggedmag.com // ragged 25
COVER
By Laura Studarus
Photos by Jennie Warren
Styling by Heather Cvar
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Last year, Yuna Zarai (known professionally simply by
her first name) covered Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout
You.” In the video clip, the Malaysian singer-songwriter
stands in her downtown Los Angeles apartment, looping
each vocal layer. At the end of the impressive one-take
performance, she acknowledges the camera for the first
time, giving it a knowing smirk.Well…at least that’s how
it appears.
“I was looking at the camera, looking at my friend
who was shooting like, ‘OK, we have it? OK, cool,’” she
says, laughing at the misinterpretation. Yuna has forged an impressively burgeoning career
out of making things look easy. Growing up in Kuala
Lumpur, the only-child often found herself with just the
television to keep her company. The digital babysitter led
her to a shocking discovery—she could sing surprisingly
well.Yuna remembers the moment of discovery vividly.
“There would be all these commercial jingles on
TV,” she recounts. “So I’d sing along to them. I was like,
‘Hey, this is not bad. I kinda sound like the girl who is
singing this tune.’ I was young, I could tell. Not boasting
or anything. But I was impressed. Wait a minute, I could
sing! It was a cute moment for myself.”
Her parents immediately began encouraging her
talent, first with piano lessons and later with voice
training. Despite a small following in her hometown,
Yuna was disenchanted with her initial attempts at
making a career out of music. Finally she opted to go to
law school. However, singing and performing was not so
easily left behind.
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“I kinda failed my last semester,” she admits, sheepishly. “I was juggling
music, but I figured I couldn’t quit law school. I had to repeat one subject.
It was one paper that I failed, but my professor said I had to do the whole
semester again. So I had a lot of time because I only had one class a week. So
that’s when I would work on my music some more, and then study, and then
work on my music some more, and then study.”
Even after graduation, and with her efforts refocused on forging an
identity as a working musician,Yuna never dreamed how far her craft would
take her. That is, until Indie-Pop label manager Ben Willis came calling,
offering her a chance to move to Los Angeles and pursue music full-time.
At first, Yuna wasn’t inclined to leave her friends and family behind,
and ignored the offer outright. It was her mother who pushed her to make
the jump, replying to Willis’ string of comments on the young musician’s
Facebook.
“I didn’t think I wanted to go to America,” Yuna recounts. “I didn’t
know who this guy was. But my mom responded. That’s how it started. My
parents were really supportive. They were like, ‘Just go, nobody else will
get this opportunity.’ I had one month to decide on something that would
change my life! ‘Do I stay or do I go? I guess I’m going to go.’”
Her self-titled debut album predominantly written while she was
still living in Malaysia, Yuna recently set about working on a follow-up,
penning 25 songs over the course of three months. Alongside producers/
co-writers Robin Hannibal (Rhye, Quadron), electronic musician Tomas
Barfod and Chris Bray, among others, she sculpted a set of songs that feature
orchestral flourishes, whispers of electronics and a hint of traditional Malay
instrumentation. It’s a transformation that Yuna firmly credits to life in her
new surroundings.
“If I didn’t move out here, I would have been stuck in that mentality,”
she admits. “This is my sound—I don’t want to try anything else. That’s
what I was. You don’t have to accept me! I’m a purist. But then you get out
here, and it’s like, ‘Do I really want to be stuck in this box and not try new
things?’ It’s like your paintbrush, but you only want to use black all the
time. And then you get to thinking, and it’s like, ‘There’s red! Oh, wow, so
pretty! There’s pink! Oh, that’s pretty, too!’ That’s how I felt when I first
moved out here.”
It was a new mindset that took time to cultivate. She recalls the turning
point: working with rapper/producer Pharrell on the hazy, French-flavored
pop track, “Live Your Life.”
“Working with Pharrell really opened my horizons,” Yuna says
emphatically. “After this, if people want to work with me, I’ll say ‘yes.’ Be
a yes girl. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m really wary and
choosy. I’m experimenting, and I choose what I want to do. Everything is
working out according to my preference.”
Among the tracks of her forthcoming sophomore album (due in
October via Indie-Pop) is “Mountains,” a breezy, yet melancholy ode to
change that may never happen. Ostensibly a love song, Yuna also views it
as a reflection of all the other things in the world that people are waiting
to see happen.
“A lot of people talk about trying to save something,” she muses. “‘Save
this, save this.’ To me, it’s important to save the environment. I’ve been
realizing how important that is. The world is collapsing in front of our eyes. I
want to do something to change that. I don’t know what. If I was going to talk
to kids, that’s what I’d say: save things.”
For now, though, Yuna will wait to be a role model. Having settled into
a new era of her career—which has stretched beyond her own work to guest
spots on the Croods and Savages soundtracks—she finds herself increasingly
pleased with everything she’s learned and accomplished.
“I’ve reached a comfort level,” she says, her perpetual smile
widening even further. “The kind of sound that I want to make and how
I want to sing. I grew when I came out here to pursue music. Imagine
me not going on tour; imagine me not going in to record. Imagine me
not going to the studio to try to work with someone else and come up
with something great. Those things helped me be really humble and
hard working and creative. At the same time, at the end of that process,
you find yourself.” R
YUNA
shot in LOS ANGELES
CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
<ENDNOTE>
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Yuna
shot in Los Angeles
CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
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HEARD
By Chloe Nguyen
Photos by Brandon Harman
Styling by Heather Cvar
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mong the beautiful beaches, tennis courts and yacht club on an island in Newport Bay called Lido Isle, there’s an eerie,
rundown building that’s home to the rehearsal space of Adam Castilla, Kollin Johannsen, Maya Tuttle and Justin Wagner,
known collectively as The Colourist. In such a bizarre and isolated setting, you’d expect this Costa Mesa, California, fourpiece to make music reminiscent of the score in The Shining. But it’s exactly the opposite. In this place, above a Phil Collins–
themed sushi joint and a therapist’s office, the indie-pop outfit churns out bright and majestic tunes that pour over you like
the Southern California sun.
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Blending Castilla and Tuttle’s vocals with explosive rhythm sections filled out by Johannsen and Wagner, The
Colourist turns up the warmth and injects the heat. Their first single, the caffeinated and ebullient “Little Games,” earned
the rockers opening spots for Metric, Atlas Genius and (RAGGED alumni) Fitz and The Tantrums. Since then, they’ve
performed for increasingly bigger audiences, including early risers during a morning slot at this year’s Coachella. Come
August, the group will drop their first EP, fittingly titled Lido, with plans to release their debut album early next year. True
to their sun-shiny sound, Lido boasts four tracks with a certain vivaciousness that epitomizes those electrifying summer
nights when all apprehensions dissipate into a dizzying oblivion.
During a break from their busy tour schedule, RAGGED spoke with The Colourist about the band’s beginnings, the
added vowel in their name and, naturally, ghost-hunting.
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How did the four of you start making music together?
Describe the songwriting process for your upcoming EP Lido.
Adam Castilla: Maya and I were in a band called Paper Thin Walls for a little
less than a year. It wasn’t working out so we decided to start a new band. We
were looking for singers because we didn’t really sing in Paper Thin Walls—Maya
played the drums and I played the guitar. We ended up just doing it ourselves and
now we’re here with Kollin and Justin. We’re all good friends so it’s great.
Castilla: Every time we write a new song, it comes together in a different way.
There’s no strategic formula. We all come from different musical influences,
and mixing that together has created a good chemistry. We’re also not afraid to
express what we feel so it comes together really well.
What’s the story behind your moniker?
When listening to the record, it really sounds like there are more
than four of you in the band. Do you switch off instruments a lot?
Maya Tuttle: A friend was working on a student film when she told me the
colorist was coming in. I asked her what a colorist was and learned that it’s the
person who takes complete control over the world of color in people’s art. We
thought that was so cool. We added the “U” because it’s aesthetically pleasing
[laughs]. We like more letters, I guess.
Castilla: Everyone in the band is a multi-instrumentalist. It often helps
during the creation process because it allows us to better orchestrate our
ideas. During our live shows, you’ll notice we switch off instruments to keep
things interesting.
Female drummers are a rarity. What prompted
you to pick up drums, Maya?
Tuttle: Ever since I was a little kid, I was fascinated
by drums. Then, one day, I caught a promo for
a TV special on the Carpenters and I saw Karen
[Carpenter] drumming—my mind was blown!
I’d never seen a woman drumming before. It was
instant inspiration. Before that moment, I didn’t
realize that I was intimidated by drumming. But
when I saw someone who looked like me doing it,
I thought, “I could do that!” I bugged my parents
for a drum set—a really tough thing to convince
parents to say “yes” to—and joined the school
marching and jazz bands all throughout junior high
and high school.
What’s your rehearsal space like?
Kollin Johannsen: It’s in a beachy area called
Lido Isle, but our rehearsal space is inside this
hardly used, rundown building. It’s really creepy.
We wanted to name the EP Lido to pay homage
to the name of where we make music and also the
meaning of it. The actual definition of “lido” is “a
fashionable beach resort,” which is not where we are
at all, but it is when we walk outside. It’s a funny
juxtaposition. In a way, it describes our overall vibe.
We like to keep people guessing.
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Your music is energetic and summery, but your
songs often tackle sad topics. What was the
inspiration behind “Yes Yes”?
Castilla: It’s about someone swooping in and trying to
manipulate the person you’re with so that they have a
reason to go searching for someone else.The song suggests
that sometimes change isn’t the answer.
I read somewhere that the four of you are all avid
hunters of the paranormal.
Castilla: We usually try to route our tours so we can visit
haunted places. Naturally, we attract really creepy and
captivating haunted-looking people on our random rest
stops. Kollin always carries a ghost meter.
While we were writing in a cabin in the mountains
[of Big Bear Lake, California], we visited a restaurant
called Captain’s Anchorage that was supposedly
haunted. When we arrived, it had an odd, old and
mysterious vibe. At first we thought the whole thing
was just a fluke. After the waitress took our orders,
though, we decided to secretly explore the restaurant.
There was a hallway that led to a closed, dark dining
area. We started taking photos and suddenly realized
that there were a bunch of strange orbs in all of the
pictures. It was pretty creepy. R
THE COLOURIST
shot at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum
in Topanga Canyon, California
ALL CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
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HEARD: PLAY IT AGAIN
Four underclassmen return to campus and bring the noise.
DORM JAMS
Ah, it’s that time of year again: leaving summer behind and getting back to school. Going away to
college is an exciting time; you’re surrounded by new things and places and with new people, you’ll
surely share new music. Campuses are a hotbed of what’s hip (there’s a reason “college rock” is a
genre), and it’s here where you may shape your musical taste for the rest of your adult ears—er,
we mean years. School’s just about in session, and we wanted to know what college freshman and
sophomores are listening to, as they get ready for the new school year…
By Heather Cvar
Jacqueline
Shaheen
California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly sophomore Jacqueline Shaheen grew up
in Long Beach, California, in a home inhabited
by musicians (her father played electric guitar in
numerous bands; her brother, Phil, is the drummer
for surf-rock trio Tijuana Panthers). So, of course,
it was an inescapable fate that she would come to
admire and appreciate the art of music herself,
whether it’s singing, expressing herself through
dance or hoping to one day learn piano so she can
jam with the fam. Jacqueline gave us a mix of new
indies and classic crooners that are on her current
playlist—and we can attest: Buckley will definitely
help you hit the books.
“Geri”
by Superhumanoids
“Hallelujah”
by Jeff Buckley
“Honey Bunny”
by Girls
“I’ve Got This Friend”
by The Civil Wars
“This song brings me to tears every time I hear it. Everything
about it is beautiful. I love visualizing the biblical stories and
feeling the emotion in Jeff Buckley’s voice. My body only wants to
move to the rhythms of this glorious song.”
Annie
de Lancie
University of Oregon
Jacob Swanson
Annie is a native San Franciscan currently
studying psychology at the University of
Oregon, working towards becoming a
social worker or counselor. At home, she
works at a cream-puff shop (and never
holds back from eating them), loves
going to Giants games and chilling with
her lovable black toy poodle, Chester.
And although she loves Oregon, she
could never live without scenic walks
around San Francisco, especially to see
the beautiful view of the Golden Gate
Bridge. On her back-to-school playlist:
a protest song from the ’60s and the
tormented soul of The Weeknd.
Eric Levy
Hartt School of Music
Eric Levy is a recent graduate of Pittsford Mendon High School, near Rochester,
New York. He’s played violin since the age of 4, and is a lover of all kinds of
music. Playing more than 10 different instruments, he tries to experiment with
different musical styles and techniques—everything from classical to rock. In
the fall, Eric will be attending the Hartt School of Music, pursuing dual degrees
in music education and viola performance. Eric’s picks reflect his diverse
musicality, including a cello rock ensemble and a Dave Matthews Band song that
highlights its violin player with a solo.
“Coastin’”
by Zion I
“Wicked Games”
by The Weeknd
“For What It’s Worth”
by Buffalo Springfield
“Intro”
by The xx
she says…
Seattle University
“There are no words to describe why this song is so amazing. The intro of
‘Intro’ is one of the greatest of any song. It takes over my soul. If my life
were a movie, this would play during the opening and closing scenes.”
“Roll Away Your Stone”
by Mumford & Sons
“Wait It Out”
by Plume Giant
“Jimi Thing”
by Dave Matthews Band
“Spectrum of the Sky”
by Break of Reality
he says…
“Being a huge fan of every song Mumford & Sons has recorded, it was hard to
pick one favorite. This song has a great upbeat feel with perfect vocal harmonies,
and a unique overall sound. Plus, it has an amazing bridge section that makes
me smile every time. Being an occasional bluegrass player myself, I love hearing
instruments like banjo and mandolin in modern music.”
Currently pursuing a double degree in film and theatre at Seattle
University, Jacob waits tables in his spare time “to cope with my ambiguous
future.” All jokes aside, he loves it and finds the inherent uncertainty of it
all refreshing and exhilarating—it leaves more room for discovery. He’ll
be furthering his theatre studies at Ireland’s Gaiety School of Acting
this fall, with hopes of a conservatory education after he completes his
current degree work in the States. When he’s not attempting to make a
career out of making faces, he writes about menswear for street-wear
startup Gifted By Choice and dabbles with electronic music production
and visual design. Jacob’s song choices include a track from the smooth
and soulful Rhye debut from this year, as well as the “musical wizardry” a
mix of instruments can provide.
“On Yr Side”
by Slow Magic
“Last Night I Heard
Everything In
Slow Motion”
by Oliver Tank
“The Fall”
by Rhye
“Suit & Tie (feat. JAY Z)”
by Justin Timberlake
he says…
“JT’s creative influence has been working away on me
since childhood—the man has a penchant for stylishly
setting the bar in most every artistic venture he explores.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Your tips for tomorrow and today.
Many musicians claim they’ve played music their “whole lives,” but Echosmith’s Sydney Sierota laughs at the
statement before admitting she really has been singing since before she can remember. Growing up with a father
in the music industry, the Sierota children were accustomed to musicians visiting their home on a regular basis
and, naturally, music became a significant part of the youngsters’ lives.
“I found a picture from my first performance a couple weeks ago that I don’t even remember being
taken,” the young vocalist reminisces over the phone from her tour bus. “It was me singing at a church in
front of 1,000 people. I was 2.” The now-16-year-old musician laughs about playing charities, mall events
and even a stint at Six Flags before awing over the fact that her band’s playing all summer on tour. “It’s been
one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” she gushes. “I definitely never want to go home, which I think
is a good sign.”
This has been the sibling quartet’s longest jaunt on the road, which has given the Sierotas (vocalist
Sydney, guitarist Jamie, bassist Noah and drummer Graham) a chance to test out songs from their upcoming
Echosmith debut, Talking Dreams, which is slated to drop in October. “Even though most of the songs aren’t
even out yet, people are catching on and singing during the set,” Sierota says. “It’s been amazing.” To see a
band so young (the members’ ages range from 14 to 20) and so talented take off is inspiring, and to hear
the youthful optimism in Sierota’s voice is even more so as she talks about her biggest passion in life: music.
By Katrina Nattress
Photos by Ray Lego
Styling by Nick Whitehouse
42 ragged // raggedmag.com
Where did the name “Echosmith” come from?
Sydney Sierota: We got the idea from a blacksmith shaping metals, and we
thought of an “echosmith” as someone shaping sounds. We liked the sound
of it, and it was the first name out of hundred of names that all of us could
agree on.
When did you decide to start a band?
We’ve been playing shows together for six years. Most people practice and
record and then play shows, but our first idea to be a band was when we
played a show together—we’ve been playing shows constantly since then. Six
years is a while, especially at our age, but it was really natural. It just kind of
happened without us knowing, and we definitely have a long way to go, but
we are dedicated and know we really love it. I mean, you have to love music
to be in this industry. You can’t be in it for the money, because you don’t get
paid for a very long time! But if you love it that much, you don’t care.
What’s it like living this lifestyle at your age?
Being young has its disadvantages. People assume that because we’re young
we’re not a good band. People come up to us and say, “I’m going to be honest,
I was pleasantly surprised,” and I guess that’s better than people expecting us
to be great and we’re not [laughs].
What’s behind the title of your debut, Talking Dreams?
The title track is just a really happy song in general. It came so naturally—we
wrote it in less than a day—and that doesn’t always happen.
But with this, Graham knew exactly what beats to play;
Noah knew exactly what lines to play. That song is also
really encouraging. It works with who we are and what the
album is about.
Are there any particular songs that you have a
special connection to?
I would say “Tell Her You Love Her” is one that’s close to me.
Any girl, or guy really, could relate to that one. Everyone
has experience with heartbreak, and that one’s really cool
because it’s from a different perspective. It’s a different way
of going about things than a typical breakup. It’s so real and
relatable.
The album as a whole is very anthemic. Was this the
sound you’re going for?
Yeah, that was definitely on purpose. We like writing about
real life situations.We like the idea of listening to music with
friends and we want people to do that with this album. It
brings people together. R
ECHOSMITH
shot in NEW YORK CITY
ALL CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
44 ragged // raggedmag.com
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