1. hobbies and interests
2. astrology

R5
takeover
issue
R5
IT’S
ALL
RELATIVE
NEW BEAT FUND
BRANDON AND SAVANNAH
RYLAND LYNCH
AND MORE
#ARALLACCESS
Hi and welcome to RAGGED!
For this issue of our TAKEOVER series, we turn the reins over to not one but five uber-cool rockers — Ross, Rocky,
Rydel, Riker, and Ratliff, better known as pop rock band R5. Whether on tour or working on their new album, the group’s
love for their craft and enthusiasm for making hit music oozes out of them. So it’s our pleasure to collaborate with them on
this special holiday issue of RAGGED.
Between these pages, we’re bringing you another dose of cool RAGGED stuff — BEHIND-THE-SCENES
COVERAGE, AMERICAN RAG FASHION, and more — plus features curated by R5.
Get RYDEL’S HOLIDAY RECIPE, the band’s seasonal playlist, favorite
snow-day movies, and best places to chill in their hometown LITTLETON, COLORADO. Be sure to say hello to us and find out more @RAGGEDMAG on Twitter and Instagram, and tag us with
#ARALLACCESS. You never know, you might see your photos and shout-outs in print.
Happy HOLIDAYS!
Publisher
Alan Miller
Editor-IN-CHieF
Stephanie Almazan
r5
CONTENTS
SCENE
style editor
Heather Cvar
senior articles editor
DeAnna Janes
ART DIRECTOR
Melissa Simonian
06.
Horoscopes » Your Fashion Future Foretold
08.
American Rag Picks » R5’s Picks
12.
Fashion 4-Ward » MEKENZIE SCHNEIDER
Fashion That Gets An A+
Fashion 4-Ward » STEPHEN PAUL
A Shutterbug With Style
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Monique Gilbert
Assistant: Kelsie Janssen
16.
ONLINE + SOCIAL MEDIA
Chelsea Buyco, Kelsie Janssen
48.
WRITERS
Sarabeth Oppliger, Esmerelda Prevela,
Heather Cvar, DeAnna Janes, Laura Studarus
intern
Editorial: Jasmyn Crawford
Check out
AmRag’s
brand-new holiday
fashions!
08.
DIY » Rydel’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispies
HEARD
20.
BRANDON AND SAVANNAH: Next In Line To The Throne
38.
RYLAND LYNCH: All In The Family
Photographer: Darian Zahedi
44.
Picture Perfect » R5’S HOLIDAY FLICKS
FASHION FORWARD: MEKENZIE SCHNEIDER
46.
Play It Again » R5’S HOLIDAY PLAYLIST
Photographer: Darian Zahedi
Makeup: Heather Cvar
50.
NEW BEAT FUND: Out Of This World
FASHION FORWARD: stephen paul
RECIPE
AT HOME
Photographer + Set Stylist: Angela Almazan
brandon and savannah
Photographer: Luis Guanzon
Stylists: Heather Cvar and Anne Guanzon
Hair + Makeup: Larke Hasstedt
36.
R5’S Holiday Photo Album
58.
Life in LITTLETON, COLORADO
NEW BEAT FUND
60.
Life in LOS ANGELES
Photographer: Luis Guanzon
Stylists: Heather Cvar and Anne Guanzon
Assistant: Justin DeGuzman
ryland lynch
Photographer: Austin Irving
Stylist: Heather Cvar
COVER
28.
R5: It’s All Relative
r5
Photographer: Chris Phelps
Photo Assistant: Danielle Atkins
Stylist: Stormie Lynch
#thankyou
Smashburger, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre,
Pabst Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament, Shaun R., Paul N., Ruben
Ragged is published by Collide Acency LLC, 5514 Wilshire Blvd, 9th Floor, Los Angeles,
CA.Vol. 1, No. 27, 2014. 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 selfaddressed envelope or package of appropriate size, bearing adequate return postage.
©2014 COLLIDE AGENCY, LLC. all rights reserved
Ragged is printed in the usa
50.
20.
p ro d u c e d w i t h s u p p o rt f ro m
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Cover: R5 by Chris Phelps
LOVE
FROM YOU...
LOVE FOR RAGGED 26
How much fun did we have with Cody
Simpson? From his incredible fans to
getting to know the guy on the cover,
every moment has been a blast! Cody
shared his Pacific Coast Highway
Playlist with the ultimate driving tunes,
took us behind the scenes with his
@raggedmag Instagram takeovers, and
played tour guide to the best spots in
Los Angeles and Australia’s Gold Coast.
Along the way, we
even got to meet
Ryan Beatty and
Alli Simpson (who
also gave us some
purr-fect DIY cat
eye tips)! Issue 26
was pretty great,
if we do say so
ourselves.
SCENE: TOUR DIARY
It’s all happening.
LIFE ON THE ROAD
R5’s Live on Tour took the band around the world and back again. They graced stages all across America, Canada, Brazil, France,
the UK, and then some. Everywhere they went, their fans went wild! R5 did not disappoint.
Check out the highlights from life on the road.
Photos by Will von Bolton
SCENE(STARS)
Your fashion future foretold, no crystal ball necessary.
By Esmerelda Prevela
HOROSCOPES
SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 22–DECEMBER 21
No. Don’t do it. This still isn’t the time for trying new things. Your
world is headed out of whack for the next few weeks. I’m talking
B. Spears circa 2007. But, don’t worry, there’s still a lot of positive
energy around you. You’re a big-picture thinker — you have to go
through the crazy to get to the sublime. So bottle that energy, take
care of your friends and family, and lock your doors until 2015. CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22–JANUARY 19
Stock up on gummy bears, candy corns, and dippin’ dots, because
this month is gonna be suhweet! You’ve been working hard all year
long — all that showing up early and staying late is finally paying
off. Things to be on the lookout for: a text from you know who,
a bounty of home-cooked soul food, and, oh, perhaps a surprise
visitor? Be sure to give thanks for all the good things that are
coming your way. AQUARIUS
JANUARY 20–FEBRUARY 18
You’re up. You’re down. You’re an emotional roller coaster, and
you’re the only one who’s along for the ride. Drained much? Stop
wasting all that creative energy on things that don’t matter. I do
believe the saying is, He’s just not that into you. No biggie, because
someone else is. And you can expect things to really blossom
toward the end of the year. Try to let that Miss Independent guard
down a bit though. It can be a bit of a turn-off.
PISCES
FEBRUARY 19–MARCH 20
Here, fishy fishy. Yeah, Pisces, I’m talking to you. Now’s the time
to tackle that project that’s been on your mind since spring. Your
lazy nature has shoes piled high in your closet, to-go containers
stinking up your car, and clunky books and loose-leaf papers
spilling out of your locker. Aside from your self-made messes,
everything else in your life will go along swimmingly.
ARIES
MARCH 21–APRIL 19
Let it flow, let it flow! You’ve got so much energy coursing
through your veins, you have sparklers shooting from those
fingertips. And the best part? You haven’t a problem in the world.
Your friends, however, do. So put your ego aside and lend a hand.
I mean, no one knows better than you that everything you touch
turns to gold (humble brag, right? yeah, right!).
TAURUS
APRIL 20–MAY 20
Stop what you’re doing and do nothing. Seriously. Just do
nothing in the coming weeks. Finish any unfinished business and
tie up loose ends first, of course, then just spend the next few
weeks relaxing. Come the New Moon, it’s time to get busy. And,
trust me, you’re in for a shocker. Good or bad, you ask? You’ll
just have to wait and see.
GEMINI
MAY 21–JUNE 20
Oh, Gem, you’re a tricky one — one day you’re Jekyll and the
next you’re Hyde. Who can keep up? Oy, your wishy-washy
ways might just get you into trouble soon. Oh, wait, that’s every
month for you isn’t it? Which is exactly why people love you
— even if their true feelings fall more along the lines of love to
hate you. Whatever, just get cheese fries.
CANCER
JUNE 21–JULY 22
You just keep setting them up and knocking them out! Goals
that is. Well, way to go, crabby crab. But the next few weeks
are going to be challenging. Get those pincers ready for battle.
Thankfully, your homebody nature will find peace during a nice,
long vacation. And I’m not just talking Christmas break. LEO
JULY 23–AUGUST 22
You already know what I’m going to say, don’t you? Let that
mane down. Spectacular things are in the cards for your love life,
and great hair is going to be a must. However, like every mixtape
(it’s that thing in your dad’s Walkman), there’s a B side: You’re
headed for the unknown. Change is near. And it might bring ya
down. But don’t worry — it’s nothing a few strokes of your ego
can’t fix.
Birthday
spotlight
Ross December 29
(CAPRICORN) VIRGO
AUGUST 23–SEPTEMBER 22
You’re lacking harmony, Virgo. But don’t worry, it’s not all bad.
First the good: Midterms are a breeze. Your love life, however, is
heading for a storm. Not Splitsville per se, but don’t be surprised
if your friends start comparing your relationship to the on-again/
off-again saga that is Justin and Selena. Now, stop overanalyzing
this ‘scope and go have that much-needed heart-to-heart with your
beau stat.
LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 23–OCTOBER 22
Hey, Libra, you’re so fancy; you already know! Your charms have
others turning green. But don’t let it go to your head. Continue
being that kind, loving gem that you are. Should someone get out
of line, just keep calm and repeat “Haters gonna hate” quietly to
yourself. Dating someone? All things point to happily ever after.
Table for one? Mr. Right is right around the corner. SCORPIO
OCTOBER 23–NOVEMBER 21
Rocky November 1
(SCORPIO)
Rydel
August 9
(LEO)
Ratliff April 14
(ARIES)
Good things are on your doorstep, Scorp, but it’s up to you to
answer the doorbell. So get off your bum and get things in order.
Stop being so darn mysterious and share your true feelings with
those around you. Tell it like it is — sometimes the brutal truth is
just what the doctor ordered — then let the dust settle. Do it now,
before you get stung.
Riker
November 8
(SCORPIO)
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aMERICAN rAG picks
R5 HOLIDAY PICKS
7.
1.
6.
10.
2.
9.
3.
8.
4.
5.
1. Vintage Floral Sweater, $45.50
2. Vintage Floral Skater Skirt, $49.50
3. Plush Floral Elbow Sleeve Velvet Tee, $35.50
4. Plush Floral Velvet Skater Skirt, $49.50
5. davey faux-shearling booties, $79.00
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Triblend V-Neck Tee in Vintage Red, $12.98
Sleeve Contract Striped Tee in Night Navy, $12.98
FLAT FRONT CHINOS IN RUSTIC KHAKI, $29.50
Shawl Collar Plaited Sweater in Garnet Stone, $39.50
SOLID INTERLOCK CREW NECK IN DEEP ROYALE, $17.98
Zip Solid Fleece Hoodie in Black Sea, $39.50
Zip Solid Fleece Hoodie in Pewter Heather, $39.50
12.
11.
aMERICAN rAG picks
MAD FOR PLAID
8.
1.
4.
3.
6.
7.
2.
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Warm Flannel in Deep Black, $39.50
Snug Check Flannel in Griffin, $39.50
Cool Plaid Flannel in All Star Red, $39.50
Warm Flannel in Basic Navy, $39.50
Wintry Flannel in Black Sea, $39.50
Shade Plaid Flannel in Fatigue, $39.50
EDV Fauna Plaid in Pale Winter, $29.98
EDV Fauna Plaid in Blue, $29.98
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Like the looks? Find them only at
Macy’s stores & Macys.com/AmericanRag
SCENE
One piece, four ways.
FASHION 4-WARD
By Heather Cvar
Photos by Darian Zahedi
Styling and makeup by Heather Cvar
Mekenzie Schneider
Fashion That Gets an A+
Meet Mekenzie Schneider, an elementary art teacher who focuses on cultivating individual creativity, strength,
and confidence within her students. She recently returned from a summer trip volunteering in Uganda,
teaching art to children in a local village. She’s a creative soul, who’s just as creative with her wardrobe. Watch
as she rocks one sweater in four colorways for a casual-chic look.
How do these sweaters fit into your
overall style?
They are flattering, which I am constantly
trying to be more aware of in my wardrobe.
And I always like to have plenty of basics; solid
colors that are versatile and can be worn with
almost anything.
Describe your day-to-day style.
I often compare myself to a 6-year-old. I
gravitate toward bright bold prints, and
comfort is a must. A lot of my pieces [overalls,
red high-top Chucks, paint-covered skirts]
have a sense of humor. I mix prints and don’t
worry about matching.
Tell us about what you do as a teacher.
Tease children. Show them cool stuff. Play.
Make them laugh. Love them. Ask them
questions and answer theirs.
Share your day-to-night style.
I try to have outfits that can take me through
work, off to yoga, to dinner, out on the town,
and then into bed. I will throw on different
shoes or layer with sweaters and jackets
depending on the time of day or where I am
going. I have a lot of fun jewelry, too. So if
I play it right, I can basically wear the same
outfit for days and no one will notice. Who do you consider to be a style icon
for women?
I say ask your 5-year-old neighbor what she
thinks and run with it. Be your own style icon!
What’s one of your favorite winter
fashion trends?
I love layers and have a bunch of fun jackets I
am excited to start wearing. Turtlenecks: I’ve
got some fun turtlenecks ready.
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How did you get into teaching art?
My mom was my art teacher when I was a kid. She used
to teach lessons to my brother and me and our friends out
of our kitchen after school. I had always been interested
in helping with kids. After I graduated high school and
because my mom had recently passed away when I was
17, I decided to try teaching class to my youngest brother
and his friends out of our house, too. It seemed simple
enough; I had watched her for so long. After I went away
to art school in L.A., I worked as a teacher’s assistant in
an elementary school and after graduating kept seeking
out work that complimented my experience.
Who are some of your favorite artists and why?
I am very interested in folk art and outsider art, or art
brut, a term coined to describe art outside of the art
scene, mostly created by asylum inmates and children,
during the 1930s and ‘40s. Adolf Wölfli, for example.
When the kids make work, it is so fresh and alive,
the confidence is astounding, and you know that it
couldn’t have possibly come from anyone but the artist.
Yves Klein’s Anthropométries are like that, too. Those
paintings make me laugh and smile so big. Naked ladies
covered in paint and printed onto canvas -- so beautiful!
Where do you like to go in your free time?
My house. It’s a little sanctuary away from the hundreds
of tiny screaming people I see all day. I have an amazing
red velvet couch where I read and pretend I’m invisible.
When I’ve had enough quiet time, I venture out with
my friends: swimming somewhere in Malibu or the
mountains. Echo Park Lake is really nice or Griffith
Park. Lots of yoga. I also love bowling, and thrift-store
shopping is a terrible weakness. Treasure hunting is my
disease. [And] The Vista is my fave theater.
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SCENE
One piece, four ways.
FASHION 4-WARD
Stephen Paul
A Shutterbug with Style
By Heather Cvar
Photos by Darian Zahedi
Styling by Heather Cvar
Born in Texas, raised in Kentucky, Stephen Paul packed his
bags for Los Angeles when he turned 21. He worked a few
years in post-production for scripted television before taking
on photography as a freelancer full-time. So we thought
it’d be fun to turn the lens on the self-taught photog. Here,
he models a black peacoat four ways and shares his fashion
favorites, fixes, and faux pas.
So how does this coat fit into your style?
I like wearing black and layers, so it fits in well.
Describe your day-to-day style.
Simple: comfy kicks, jeans or khakis, and a tee under a long-sleeve. I
usually keep all my flare on my socks. I do, however, love an excuse to
get dapper.
Who do you consider a style icon for men?
John Varvatos
How did you get into photography?
It had been a hobby starting in high school. Finally, after years of
keeping it that way and not being happy working in television, I decided
to call myself a photographer full-time. Been faking it since, shooting
anything that comes my way, from fashion to music.
Who are some of your photography heroes, and why?
Famously speaking, Juergen Teller. I appreciate the minimal lighting,
point-and-shoot style he adds to the high-fashion world. Locally,
Aaron Feaver. I’ve seen his editorial work grow into a style similar to
what I one day hope to do. Piper Ferguson. I assist her often shooting
musicians and have learned a lot. She has the best energy. Rickett &
Sones have also taught me a ton: shooting more complex set-ups and
post processing.
Tell us about your usual style at a show.
For shows, I tend to lean more toward comfort over style. Sneakers, jeans or
khakis, a tee and long-sleeve to throw over in case it’s chilly.
Dos and don’ts?
Don’t use a f*#%ing cell phone to record the entire show.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Troubadour [in West Hollywood].
Fill us in on your favorite bands.
Sturgill Simpson and what he’s doing with country music. Spoon, who has
always been a favorite, has a new album I dig. Timber Timbre, Royal Blood, and
Alt-J are a few others with recent albums I’m into.
What’s a major fashion don’t for a lady on a first date?
Red-bottom heels.
R5’S BAND TO WATCH
­ Brandon
Savannah
and
Next in Line
to the Throne
By Laura Studarus
Photos by Luis Guanzon
Styling by Heather Cvar and Anne Guanzon
Hair and Makeup by Larke Hasstedt
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Brandon and Savannah Hudson aren’t surprised that things seem to be working
out for their band. Thankful they have fans anticipating their debut EP,
Introducing the Heirs? Yes. Hopeful they can parlay their initial success into a
lifelong career? Of course. But surprised? Nah. At 17 and 15 years old, Brandon
and Savannah have been working toward their goal of making music on a
professional level for more than half their lives. (You may recognize the pair
from last year’s America’s Got Talent. But more on that later.) Still flush from
their photo shoot on a hot fall day in L.A., Brandon reveals that when he was
just 7, a crush and his poetic scribblings had already sealed their fate.
“One of the first songs that I wrote was a song called
‘Sometimes,’” he recounts. “It was a love song about a neighbor
who I liked. I remember I was kind of shy.”
At this, Savannah breaks in, quickly cutting off her older
brother.
“Are you kidding me?” she gasps, barely able to contain
her giggles. “I can remember them. I can sing all the words
right now.”
Brandon quickly shushes his sister, squashing any hopes of
a mid-interview serenade. Unflustered that the specifics of his
first attempts at songwriting were almost revealed, he goes on
to admit that his first crush went unrequited. However, after
that, his love of music blossomed. Alongside Savannah, who he
said would always sing around the
house, the pair parlayed their love
of bands like Fleetwood Mac and The Doors into writing more
tunes of their own. Although not hailing from a particularly
musical family, their parents and relatives were immediately
supportive of their passion.
“A lot of people were in church, and they were in the
choir,” Savannah says. “It was always a hobby for them. But the
fact that we were the cousins who did that with our life was
something new. So we’re definitely the first in our family to
take this seriously.”
The concept for the duo’s debut EP, Introducing the Heirs,
came via their mother, who once told Brandon about a detailed
dream she had about a royal family. Intrigued, he took that
initial theme and expanded it into his music.
At 17 and 15 years old, Brandon and Savannah
have been working toward their goal of making music
on a professional level for more than half their lives.
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“As teenagers, we feel like we don’t have a say or a part in
what goes on in this world that’s ever changing or this world that’s
run by adults,” he says. “But we’re the next generation. We’re the
next in line. We’re going to inherit everything that these adults
leave behind for us. Introducing the Heirs was the concept to that
whole thing. So we built off of that idea. The EP — some of the
songs reflect that.”
The pair’s ideas about growing up and taking over come
infused with a breezy rock sensibility they claim is due in part to
their upbringing in Laurel Canyon. (They grew up splitting their
time between Boca Raton, Florida, and Los Angeles.)
“The EP truly is a completely different chapter in our lives,”
Brandon affirms. “It’s us maturing and us becoming the artists
we’re planning on being forever. The message is coming of age and
growing up. That’s what it is. It’s all coming soon, and we can’t wait
for everyone to hear it.”
It’s a far cry from the handful of pop-punk singles the duo
released shortly after their stint on America’s Got Talent. At the
mention of the show, Savannah turns diplomatic. It’s not that
they aren’t thankful for the experience or proud of the music
they released during that time; it’s just that they hope to be
known as more than just “those kids who got their start on
reality television.”
“That was an amazing experience for us, to grow and
become the people we are today. That’s exactly what it did for
us. It helped us collect fans, and it helped us do wonderful things
and have experience on stages and with people we would have
never been able to meet unless we had done this. We definitely
got what we had planned on getting out of it,” Savannah says.
It’s a relentlessly optimistic approach to enduring artistic
growing pains in the public spotlight. Both Brandon and Savannah
admit that while they don’t necessarily identify with the artists they
were only a few years ago, they’re proud that their journey has
been documented — awkward moments and all.
“Happiness comes with a state of mind,” Brandon says. Beside
him, Savannah nods in agreement. “You can choose to be upset.The
way you live your life depends on the way you believe you want to
live your life. For us, we believe that negativity is not a real thing,
unless you believe it to be a real thing. There is nothing that can
possibly stop you from obtaining your goals. To me, the point of
happiness, the point of life is a state of mind and believing that.You
can believe in what you want, and you’ll accept it.”
They’re wise beyond their years. And that’s the truth. BRANDON AND SAVANNAH
shot in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
ALL CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
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COVER
R5
It’s
By DeAnna Janes
Photos by Chris Phelps
Styling by Stormie Lynch
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All
Relative
It was a regular
Monday afternoon,
but rather than eat alone at our desk (again),
we took our lunch break with Riker, Ross,
Rocky, Rydel, and Ratliff. Perhaps you know
them better as the band R5 (we’ll leave
cracking the alphanumeric code to you). So
just what did we talk about? Glad you asked.
Our chat began (and ended, you’ll see)
with Danny Zuko. That’s right. The tightjeaned, leather-clad heartthrob from the
infamous musical Grease. Not only does
Danny Zuko get the award for best use of
a comb, he gets the credit for sparking the
band’s interest in music. Zuko’s actually the
source of inspiration for oldest member
Riker. Grease was his favorite movie growing
up, and he and siblings Rydel, Rocky, and Ross
would reenact the “Greased Lightning” scene.
Feel free to take a moment to picture that. Now picture this: Riker moonwalking. “I
was always running around the house singing
and imitating Michael Jackson at a really
young age. And my dad played a ton of Bruce
Springsteen and John Mellencamp and Peter
Gabriel,” he said. The group also credits U2,
The Killers, Neon Trees, The Script, and Elvis
as influences. But it’s Rydel’s picks that really
surprised us. “Def Leopard!,” she shouted,
before adding Elton John, AC/DC, and Ray
Charles to the mix. Smart girl. As the foursome got older and more serious
about their craft, they did what any American
family in search of the American dream would
do: they packed up and moved to Los Angeles.
“I personally wanted to move out when I was
18 to do something in the entertainment
industry. So we ended up moving out earlier
because Mom wanted to keep the family
together,” Riker explained. And it’s there where they crossed paths with
Ratliff, a shaggy-haired teenager with serious
percussion skills. “When he came over and
jammed with us, that’s when something just
clicked,” Riker said. Now that the drums had
an owner, the group doled out the remaining
musical responsibilities: Rocky taught himself
and Riker how to play the guitar. Rydel had
taken piano lessons when she was little, so
she fit in perfectly with the keyboard. And
Ross rose to the occasion as lead singer. “Ross
took over that role with the serious amount of
vocal skill that he has. I think it really took us
to the next level,” Riker said. Next level indeed. A quick history lesson if
you will: Since the band’s creation in 2009,
they’ve had an album top the charts on iTunes
(Louder, which featured songs written by
Riker, Rocky, and Ross, shot to the No. 2
spot), they’ve performed sold-out shows on
the regular, and they’ve amassed die-hard
fans across the globe. Add movie roles, gueststarring appearances on prime time comedies
like Glee, and performing on reality game
shows like SoYou ThinkYou Can Dance to their
résumés, and you have a lifetime’s worth of
success. But it’s only beginning. They have no
intentions of slowing down.
“Now we’re working on our second album.
And, yeah, we’ve just been finishing up with
that, and we’re really super stoked about it.
It’s got a little bit more of a rock vibe. It’s
still a prominent mix of pop rock, but it’s us
moving in a new direction and trying new
things,” Riker said.
We can’t wait. Look for the band’s second
album to drop next spring. In the meantime,
we have some fun facts for you to chew on.
In addition to getting to know the band, we
had them partake in a slightly cheesy but
mostly just plain awesome questionnaire that
covered everything from spirit animals to a
random game of Would You Rather. And here’s
what they had to say (please also note we also
included a few editor’s LOL notes).
“I was always
running around
the house singing
and imitating
Michael Jackson
at a really young
age.” — Riker Lynch
What’s your spirit animal?
Riker:
“Lion, because I’m the king of the troops.”
Rocky: “Large bird, because no one can hold me back.”
Ratliff: “Giraffe. I have a long neck.”
Rydel: “Unicorn, because they’re sparkly and amazing.”
Ross: “Eagle, a bald eagle.”
Favorite thing to do on your
day off?
Go see a movie.
No. 1 singer or group you’d
like to collaborate with?
Most listened to song on your iPod?
Ryan Tedder of One Republic. Rydel:
What show on TV right now
would you like to either
guest-star or star on?
“Back in Black,” by AC/DC.
Riker: “Dancing in the Dark,” by Bruce Springsteen.
Ratliff: Chance the Rapper — whatever he’s spoutin’.
Star on SNL. Guest judge on The
Voice, Dancing with the Stars, and Cupcake
Wars.
Rydel, what’s the best and
worst thing about being the
only girl?
Best thing:
“I’m spoiled. And they
influence me musically and sports wise.” Worst thing: “I can’t get my opinion
in all time. My voice isn’t as loud as
theirs.” [editor’s LOL note: As she
answered this part of the question, the
boys started chiming in and shouting
over her.]
If you weren’t singing, what
would you do?
Riker: Professional hockey player
Rocky: Play hockey or football
Rydel:
A dance choreographer
Ratliff: A sushi chef
Ross: A pilot
Go-to karaoke song?
Collectively:
“I try to say goodbye and
I choke, I try to walk away and I stumble.”
[editor’s LOL note: They literally all
started singing the same song at the same
time. Now that’s impressive.]
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Craziest fan you ever
encountered?
“It’s always the parents. This dad
got up in Ross’s face yelling that his
daughter is the only reason we have
our careers.” [editor’s LOL note:
Other crazies include people trying
to get kisses, licks, and butt grabs.]
Craziest member of
the band?
Rocky
Now let’s play Would
You Rather. Would you rather shake
it with Taylor Swift or get
fancy with Iggy Azalea?
The boys: Get fancy. Rydel: Shake it with Taylor.
Would you rather
perform on ice or watch
a hockey game?
Watch a hockey game.
Time to play Let’s Get Crazy. Craziest thing that’s ever
happened on tour?
Craziest thing you’ve ever done on stage?
“We accidentally left Ratliff in the middle of a
screaming mob in Japan.” Riker jumped off stage and got mobbed in Vegas: “I thought
I was just going to run through the crowd, but then they all
attacked like zombies.” At another show, a girl had a sign that said, “Hey, Riker, let’s
make out.” So he did. [editor’s LOL note: One band member
randomly shouted “Someone put their hand down my pants
once.” We’ll let you guess who said it.]
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Craziest prank you’ve pulled on
each other or someone else?
“We water-blasted Ratliff. We put water on
his drums without him knowing for his 21st
birthday.” [editor’s LOL note: also worth noting,
Rocky keeps trying to pull people’s pants down
during White Stripes covers.]
Would you rather sing
“Greased Lightning”
every day or dress like
Danny Zuko for the rest
of your life?
“Dress like Danny Zuko!” [editor’s
LOL note: A woo bop a loo bop a
woo bam boom.]
R5
shot in ORLANDO, FLORIDA
ALL CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
raggedmag.com // ragged 35
Season’s Greetings
L.A. is way cool, but the holidays call for fuzzy hats and fun in the snow. So the
Lynch crew retreats to their grandparents’ cabin in the middle of Nowhere, USA,
for some good, old-fashioned quality family time.
L-R: ROSS, ROCKY, RIKER
L-R: RYDEL, RYLAND, RIKER, ROCKY, ROSS
RYDEL
L-R: RYDEL, RIKER, RYLAND, ROCKY, ROSS
ROSS
L-R: RYDEL, RIKER, RYLAND, ROCKY, ROSS
CODY PICKS
Ryland
Lynch
All in the Family
By Sarabeth Oppliger Photos by Austin Irving
Styling by Heather Cvar
38 ragged // raggedmag.com
Throughout history, we’ve seen family bands steal the spotlight. Whether it’s the Jackson 5 shimmying in bellbottomed unison; the Hansons mmm-bopping along in synchronization; or Haim, Disclosure, and Tegan and
Sara topping today’s charts, there’s an undeniable audible and visible bond these groups have, and it drives
audiences wild. But what’s it like for a sibling who’s left out of the lineup? That’s just what we asked Ryland, the one-and-only
Lynch sibling not featured in the pop rock band R5. Made up of Ryland’s siblings, Riker, Rydel, Rocky, and Ross, as well as family friend Ratliff, R5 has grown their family
business into a record deal with Hollywood Records, three EPs, a debut album (Louder) that reached No. 24 on the U.S.
Billboard Charts, a second album dropping in spring 2015, and a worldwide tour -- all within just four years. Success that, in a
sense, wouldn’t be possible without Ryland pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Youngest of the bunch, Ryland is the “honorary” sixth member of R5; he prefers side stage to center stage, managing his siblings’
band and working the lighting at their shows. The 17-year-old enjoys straying from the pack, while keeping them in sight. At the
kick-off of R5 Live on Tour, Ryland was slotted as the opening DJ act. The lone-wolf has since found a passion in pumping up the
crowd and is well on his way to garnering even more attention from his rapidly growing fan following. We caught up with the
turntable prodigy, and here’s what he had to say. How did you get involved in the background work for R5? I started off as a drummer when I was little. I was too young [to join the
band] when they started [R5], so they got another drummer. Instead, they
said, “You can be the manager!” I was about 12 years old, so I’m like,
“Cool! I’m the manager!” I thought I was “all that.” Then, when [the band]
actually started blowing up, they got a real manager, so I got fired from
that. [Laughs.] I started to sell merch for them. A year later, I started to do
all their lighting, and now I’m their [lighting designer]. Just this last year,
I’ve picked up deejaying, and that’s been a lot of fun. Now, I open for R5.
It’s pretty cool. When did you decide you wanted to stray from your siblings
and do your own thing as a DJ? It’s kind of funny. My mom bought me a DJ table two years ago, and I just
started playing around with it. She was the one who turned me onto it. I
started watching YouTube videos of Avicii and all those big DJs. I thought,
“Oh, this looks like fun. I can do this,” and I started practicing and taking it
more seriously and now, yeah, it’s still developing. It’s been great. Who are your biggest influences as a DJ? It sounds funny, but my biggest influences have definitely been my brothers.
I mean, they’re pretty awesome. I watch them every night when I’m doing
their lighting. They’re a big influence on what I do and why I do it. Also,
I really look up to a lot of other DJs like Tiesto and Hardwell and Avicii. I
play a lot of their music in my set, too. How would you describe your personal style when you’re
mixing music? Right now, I’m just starting to do my own music. I would say my style is
more just party and EDM -- just get everyone pumped up and having a
good time. Where do you find inspiration when creating new music? I kind of find my inspiration from watching Ultra Music Festival and stuff like
that. I get inspired by watching other DJs do what they do at those big festivals.
Just watching them in front of 100,000 people, and I’m just like, “Oh, man,
that’s really cool.” [It makes me] want to work up and get to their level. What’s your favorite part about touring with your family? I would say that’s exactly it. Getting to tour with my family.
Whenever you need your family there, they’re always there. If I ever
need anything, I can just ask someone. They can help me. It’s good to
always have them there. It’s interesting because a lot of people get off
tour and they’re like, “I cannot wait to get away from these people. I
can’t wait to take a break and go do my own thing.” But with us, we
get off tour and we go back to our house since we all live together. What’s your least favorite part? Well, right now, I wake up and load in with the crew.
I’m working, and they all sleep in. So that’s probably my
least favorite part. They all sleep in until 12 or so, and
then they’ll come in and sound check, and I’ve already
been up for four or five hours working and stuff. But
you know what? I like to work, so it’s also a bonus. I’d
much rather be working than not doing anything. I’d
much rather stay active than not. If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it
be and why? I’d probably want to work with Tiesto, because he’s been around for quite
a while. He’s experienced the DJ world. He’s experienced producing and
live shows. He’s played big amphitheaters and arenas. He’s done it all in
the past 30 years he’s been a DJ. He’s a very well known name and has
done a lot of remixes and stuff. I feel like he could teach me a lot of things
and save me a lot of time through the years that I’m working. Do you have a crazy behind-the-scenes story you can share? Oh, man. There’s a bunch of crazy stories behind the scenes. That’s so
tough. We had an end-of-tour U.S. party that we did with AEG(?). They
threw a little party for us at this really cool restaurant and it had a lot of
chicken -- I dunno, I guess that’s not really that crazy. I mean, a lot goes
on but it all happens so fast I don’t remember all of it! One of the more
recent things though, [the guys] always stage-bomb me. They’ll come on
stage and throw confetti and be silly and stuff. So, I actually put on this
really scary mask at the last show. I got these big silly string canisters and
ran on stage and just sprayed them all over. Nobody knew it was me. That
was pretty crazy, I guess. [Laughs.] What do you see yourself doing ten years from now? I do not know. I’m just taking the road as it goes. I see myself being a
DJ ten years from now playing big arenas, just hanging out and partying.
Or I can see myself being an entrepreneur. There are a lot of roads that
I could take, and I’m not sure [where things will go]. I’m just along for
the ride right now. “I’d much rather be working
than not doing anything. I’d
much rather stay active than not.”
What album(s) can you not stop listening to? It’s not so much an album, but the track I can’t stop listening to right now
is “Bad,” by David Guetta. I really like that track, I don’t know why. It’s
a good record. 42 ragged // raggedmag.com
Do you have an album in the works? Yeah, actually. I’ve been messing around with a couple of producers. It’s
developing and pretty much getting into the works right when we get
back from this tour. We’re going to South America. When we get back,
we’ll be in L.A. for about five months, because Ross is filming Austin &
Ally. That’ll be my time when I’ll really focus on my music and really get
some stuff out there. RYLAND LYNCH
shot in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
ALL CLOTHING BY AMERICAN RAG
raggedmag.com // ragged 43
‘Tis the season for classic movie marathons.
Curl up on the couch and watch these fun holiday flicks.
PICTURE PERFECT
PHOTOGRAPHY AND SET STYLING BY ANGELA ALMAZAN
Love Actually
Rydel, Ross, and Riker heart this 2003 rom-com
starring Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, and others.
“I love, love! This movie makes me really happy!”
Rydel
“Best holiday movie ever!” Riker
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch
Stole Christmas
Ross and Riker agree on The Grinch.
“Always been one of my favorites.”
Riker
The Santa Clause
“This was my favorite Christmas movie when I was
younger, because I always wanted a jet pack and the
elves in it had some.” Rocky
Christmas Vacation
“This movie is freaking funny, and the lead
character in this movie reminds me of my
uncle.” Rocky
Home Alone
“This is a must-watch during the holidays.
Makes me laugh every time.” Rydel
Elf
“I’ve seen this movie probably every
year since it came out, and I still laugh at
everything.” Ratliff
It’s a Wonderful Life
“More on the ‘classics’ side. Me and my
family always laugh at the end when they’re
singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and the little girl
doesn’t know the words.” Ratliff
HEARD: PLAY IT AGAIN
r5 holiday playlist
PHOTOGRAPHY AND SET STYLING BY ANGELA ALMAZAN
Rocky
Rydel
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,”
“Christmas of Love,”
by Tchaikovsky
by Little Isidore and The Inquisitors
(The rock remakes of this song are dope!)
(I like this song, because it’s in the movie The Grinch, and it has a
nice piano groove.)
“All I want for Christmas Is You,”
by Mariah Carey
(I always liked this song as a kid.)
“Last Christmas,”
by Wham
(Just a good ol’ Christmas tune.)
Ratliff
“Someday at Christmas,”
by Stevie Wonder
(I like this song because of the melody and when Stevie starts
riffing at the end, it always gets me.)
“Happy Xmas (The War Is Over),”
by John Lennon
(The children’s choir is so cool in this song.)
“Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me,”
by Elvis Presley
(Who doesn’t love a little Elvis?)
“Let It Snow,”
by Frank Sinatra
(I was browsing Spotify and came across this.
Gooood stuff.)
Riker
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,”
by Bruce Springsteen
(Can’t go wrong with Bruce.)
“You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch,”
by Jim Carrey
(I used to sing this at karaoke in Colorado haha.)
“Little Saint Nick,”
by The Beach Boys
(The perfect California Christmas song.)
Ross
“Santa Baby,”
by Eartha Kitt
(I just remember listening to this as a kid and thinking it had a
great melody. Easy to sing along to.)
SCENE
Rydel shows us how to make…
By Rydel Lynch
PEANUT BUTTER RICE KRISPIES
This is a super-easy recipe that takes about ten minutes to make. I’ve been making Peanut Butter Rice Krispies since I was probably 7.
It’s my mom’s recipe, and she taught me how to make them! They are now dubbed as Rydel’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispies. 1. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup and
sugar to light boil.
2. Once brought to a boil, add crunchy
peanut butter and mix together. 3. In a separate bowl, add Rice Krispies
cereal. (I’ve never actually measured
out how much Rice Krispies I use. I just
always wing it.)
4. Add hot peanut butter mix to bowl
of Rice Krispies and stir it all together!
(Tip: Start with a little bit of Rice
Krispies. Keep adding cereal until you
like the texture, being careful not to add
too much, which makes it dry.) 5. Butter (use lots of butter :-P ) a 9-by13-inch glass cake pan and pour mixture
in! (Tasty tip: Make sure you lick the
bowl and spoon afterward, because that’s
the best part! Haha!)
6. Let the mixture set for 10 min. or so,
then cut and serve! 7. Optional: If you want to get really
fancy, melt a mixture of ½ cup
butterscotch, ½ cup milk chocolate chips
in a pan and pour on top of the peanut
butter Rice Krispies. I make it with the
mixed chocolate for my brothers, because
that’s their favorite! I personally like it
plain. Whatever floats your boat. ;-) Rydel’s Peanut Butter Rice Krispies
Ingredients
2 c. white sugar
2 c. crunchy peanut butter
6 c. (approximately) Rice Krispies cereal
½ c. butterscotch (optional)
½ c. milk chocolate chips (optional)
Butter for greasing the pan
PHOTOS THIS PAGE: ANGELA ALMAZAN
2 c. corn syrup
PHOTOS OPPOSITE PAGE PROVIDED BY RYDEL LYNCH
Makes about fifteen bars
R5’S BAND TO WATCH
New
Beat
Fund
­
Out of This
World
By Laura Studarus
Photos by Luis Guanzon
50 ragged // raggedmag.com
Styling by Heather Cvar and Anne Guanzon
G-punk band
New Beat Fund warn
listeners that their
music will transport
them into a different
world. We’d like
to warn readers
that what they’re
about to consume
will transport them
onto another planet:
a place where
multicolored safari
mammals roam free
and spreadable snack
foods go boom.
Enjoy.
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The Los Angeles-based
quartet have a very specific
idea of what their alternate
tune universe looks like.
It’s a land band members Michael Johnson, Jeff Laliberte, Shelby Archer,
and Paul Laliberte have worked very hard to craft. Their attention to detail
covers everything from the music they make to the way they dress to their
stylistic way of communicating with their fans (via Twitter and Facebook,
and always in a random series of capital and lowercase letters).
“You’d probably roll in on an orange and blue zebra,” Jeff says,
imagining the physical manifestation of all their hard work. “I don’t
know what color your hair is, but you’d have a pink dress on. It would be
holographic. And you’d walk in, and your date would be an alien.You’d
kinda be floating through. And you’d have a huge smile on your face.”
It’s a likewise colorful blend of pop, rock, and gangster rap beats that
informs the songs of their debut EP, CoiNz. But they call their genre just
“peanut butter grenade,” which, though it sounds like a non-sequitur, is
actually a description birthed from another vibrant experience.
“We were living in Venice Beach at the time, and we met this
mentalist,” Jeff laughs, setting the scene. “He was a magician-type guy. We
invited him back to our pad to hang out and have a beer and smoke. He
starts doing all these tricks for us, which is really fun and cool. We were
kind of in the same stages of our career. We could really relate to each other.
So we showed him our music, and he started bobbing his head really hard.
Then he just comes out and looks at us and says, ‘peanut butter grenade.’
And we were like, ‘Shit, what did you say? That’s beautiful.’ He’s like, ‘It’s
smooth and creamy like peanut butter, but it hits hard like a grenade.’ I
thought it was one of the best explanations of our music.”
It’s a theme that winds through the conversation, tales of New Beat
Fund, and any number of crazy characters. The members of the band go
so far as to say that they’ve even spent time with a few extraterrestrials —
although the details of that event are – er — a bit fuzzy.
“My brother, Shelby, and I were sitting on a mountaintop,” Jeff says.
“We were taking part in recreational activities that I won’t go too deep into.
I don’t think it had an effect on our perception. We were just hanging out.
And we saw this flash. There were three beams of light all around us in the
bushes, and there were these glowing orbs. They took us for five minutes.
But it felt like we were gone for a couple of decades. We were returned
back to the mountaintop. We couldn’t explain what happened in those
couple of flashes.”
Shelby jumps in, confirming the story.
“The flashes were very momentary,” he notes. “Directly afterward,
there was a sense of space panic. We weren’t really sure what was going on.
We took our clothes off and started running.”
The band is animated in conversation (stating the obvious, we know),
bouncing from one topic to the next, swearing it’s the result of having
spent too much time in the studio, hard at work on a full-length due out
sometime next year. While they’re hesitant to say too much about it, they
point to their first single, “It’s Cool,” as a hint on the form it might take.
An emotionally heavy track, its revealing lyrics are masked by an escapist,
breezy beat.
“It depends on what you’re trying to escape,” Jeff says, correcting the
assumption. “For me, every song helps me escape as much as ‘It’s Cool.’ But I
don’t know; I think it’s a situation that a lot of people find themselves in, as far
as the lyrics go.The tone of the song is super upbeat. It’s a contrast, something
upbeat with a darker undertone. If you heard the song straight up and didn’t
really get the lyrics, you’d probably think that it’s a peppy, beachy track.
Getting into the lyrics has a darker twist.We always like the ying and yang.”
After all, it isn’t always about finding a way out. Sometimes it’s
important to also take a look at the world around you.
“We genuinely make music that reflects what we do,” Jeff affirms. “I
think there’s no way around it when something happens in your life. Music
is still the outlet, and that’s what we use it for.”
peanut butter
grenade
n. it’s smooth
and creamy like
peanut butter,
but it hits hard
like a grenade.
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AT HOME
Life in Littleton, Colorado
LITTLETON
DIP, BABY, DIP
Best Chips and Salsa – Hacienda
Best Hole In The Wall – Chubby’s
Favorite Spot – Keystone
EAT STREET
Best Breakfast – Gunther Toodies
Best Dessert – Good Times
Best Burger – Smashburger
courtesy of smashburger
KICK BACK
opposite page: Courtesy of Pabst Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament
Stevie Crecelius courtesy of Red Rocks
R5 grew up in Colorado, a state known for outdoorsy fun and an awe-inspiring natural landscape.
Get the full list of all the neighborhood gems in Littleton, Colorado, according to R5.
SIGHTS AND
SOUNDS
Best Live Music Venue
Red Rocks
Favorite Pastime/Recreation
Pond Hockey
COLORADO
Life in Los Angeles
These days, R5 calls sunny Los Angeles home. Between the five of them, you can bet
they know all the hotspots in the city. Here’s where they like to kick it. LOS ANGELES
CALIFORNIA
EAT STREET
Best Breakfast – The Griddle
Best Dessert – Get Shaved
Best Burger – Umami
DIP, BABY, DIP
Best Chips and Salsa – El Torrito
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Best Live Music Venue – The Wiltern
Favorite Spot – Ventura Boulevard
and Hermosa Beach
KICK BACK
Best Hole in the Wall – Tito’s
Favorite Pastime – Surfing
all photos by Luis Guanzon
AT HOME
R5 for american rag
arallaCcess
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