Stone Temple Pilots In Las Vegas And New Tour

Three of the most legendary bands in rock – Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, The Cult – announce on April 2nd that they are teaming up to create a tri-headlining event like no other: the Revolution 3 tour. The 20-city outing produced by Live Nation marks the first time that these forces of rock music will hit the road together. Kicking off July 18 in Nashville, TN, the trek will make stops at iconic amphitheaters and arenas across North America before wrapping September 2 in Phoenix, AZ. Tickets for the Revolution 3 tour go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 6 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.

Joining Stone Temple Pilots on several dates of the tour in May 2018 will be The Dirty Hooks, who recently wrapped up several dates with them back in February. VIM Magazine's Jorge Lara and Tiffany Salerno had the opportunity to interview and photograph The Dirty Hooks. You can find the interview here.

“Over the years I have come to call the DeLeo brothers close friends. I appreciate their excellent musicianship and crazy sense of humor,” Billy Duffy of The Cult said. “I am looking forward to this amazing tour with STP and Bush knowing we will all be sharing the stage and enjoying a lot of laughs!”  

“It is with great honor and pleasure to know we will be spending our summer vacation on the road with the Gents from The Cult and Bush,” said Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. “Two great bands and more so, great friends. Also, to be there with you is even better. With love. See y’all soon.”

“It’s going to be a great summer with STP and The Cult, two bands built on great rock songs,” says Bush vocalist Gavin Rossdale. “See you all out there.”

“This was a chance to put three great headliners together on one tour,” Rick Franks, Live Nation Regional President of North American Concerts. “Something that would give the fans an unforgettable night out.”

Check out these exclusive photos of Stone Temple Pilots taken by VIM's Jorge Lara as they performed live in Las Vegas at the House of Blues on their recent tour promoting their new album.

STP Lead Singer Jeff Gutt and Dean DeLeo by Jorge Lara

STP Lead Singer Jeff Gutt by Jorge Lara

STP Lead Singer Jeff Gutt by Jorge Lara

STP Lead Singer Jeff Gutt by Jorge Lara

STP Robert DeLeo, Lead Singer Jeff Gutt, and Dean DeLeo by Jorge Lara

STP Lead Singer Jeff Gutt by Jorge Lara

Jessica Manalo Releases New 6 Song Acoustic EP

Musician Jessica Manalo will be starting off her year releasing a brand new 6 song acoustic ep. The release will be accompanied with an  "Intimate Session" at Pour Coffeehouse, January 25th.

"My set will be broken down and there will be a short Q&A at the end of the show! I am ready for all your questions," Manalo said about her upcoming session at Pour.

Hear Jessica Manalo previous EP from 2016:

Manalo's session at Pour follows a year where she performed at venues such as the Brooklyn Bowl and Vinyl at the Hard Rock . 

www.jessicamanalo.com

When: JAN 25, 2018 // 7:15PM - 9:00PM
Where: Pour Coffeehouse
( 6811 S Eastern Ave Unit D Las Vegas NV 89119 )
Cover? : FREE
ALL AGES

2018 Dam Short Film Festival Schedule Announced

Each February, filmmakers and film fans travel from all over the world and descend upon Boulder City, Nevada and celebrate the art of short film. The 14th Annual Dam Short Film Festival will present over 100 short films in all styles and genres with all screenings held at the Boulder Theatre.  This year the festival runs from Feb 8-11.

Categories for the 14th Annual Dam Short Film Festival include Drama, Comedy, Documentary, Sci-Fi/Horror, Animation, Student, Music Video, and Nevada Filmmaker, presented in 20+ thematic program blocks over four days. 

Previous film entries have included Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr.in "Window," Oscar-winner, Tom Hanks, William Shatner, and Michael York in "Why Shakespeare?", the late Bela Lugosi narrating an animation based on the Edgar Allan Poeclassic "The Tell-Tale Heart", Francesco Quinn in "The Gnostic", and Robert Wagner and Lori Singer in "Little Victim. "

For the full schedule of events visit: http://damshortfilm.org/2018-schedule

Listen to Candy Warpop’s New Album ‘Neon Order’

On Thursday, November 23rd, local Las Vegas band Candy Warpop releases Neon Order, their 7th official release since 2010.

The album features a flowering of themes explored by Candy Warpop throughout its seven-year existence. The 10 original songs, which range in style from punk rock blast-beats to psychedelic hard rock to folky New England fairytale, culminate in ͞Hard City,͟ a nearly 9-minute suite that metaphorically explores the relationship between the individual and the city of Las Vegas and all that the city represents.

 

This album embodies my inner thoughts and feelings on the modern world in which I live. It covers the whole spectrum from the struggle of self-worth, to the everyday trials of being a part of a flawed system. The looming fears of nuclear holocaust, the plastic economy that we exchange for cancerous air.

The social pressures imposed on our youth. The human perspective of frustration, anger, alienation. The questioning of one’s own existence. The struggle between right and wrong. The fight for goodness in a seemingly bleak futuristic world.͟ says Amy Pate, frontwoman and principal songwriter of Candy Warpop.

The album was engineered, mixed, and mastered by William Davenport of the Las Vegas band Bounty Hunter Brothers. In addition to the core trio of Amy Pate on vocals, Joshua Chévere Cohen on guitars, and Anisa on drums, the album features contributions from bassists Davenport and Harley Siu Swisher of iRie.

The album is set for a Thanksgiving Day digital release where it will be available for download and streaming on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, and other outlets. Additional album-related activities to be announced.

Photography by Norma Jean Ortega

Kurumpaw

This has certainly been the year of Kurumpaw, from having a residency at the Artisan to igniting venue after venue with their electrifying surf-rock electronic music, the band as we now know it has become a tremendous tour de force in the Las Vegas music scene. VIM Music Editor Tiffany Salerno had the opportunity to interview four of the six members of the band (three which are new) in their first VIM magazine interview. 

Interview and Photography by Tiffany Salerno

"Allooo there! This is Miguel Flores, and I’ve been guitarist and vocalist for Kurumpaw since the start of the band. So almost three years, " 

Miguel Flores of Kurumpaw

"My name is Cindy Espinosa. I play the keyboard and joined Kurumpaw Jan 2016"

Cindy Espinosa of Kurumpaw

My name is Jacob Lasky, and I’m Kurumpaw’s new bassist. I joined the band in July this year.

Jacob Lasky of Kurumpaw

"My name is Ricky Hernandez, and I’ve been Kurumpaw's drummer for almost two years."

Ricky Hernandez of Kurumpaw

"I really don't come from a musical family, but my mom and dad were in this Folkloric dance group that my dad started back in Puebla, Mexico." - Miguel Flores of Kurumpaw

TIFFANY SALERNO: What are your musical backgrounds?

JACOB: I've played guitar for about nine years. I played upright bass when I was in middle school about ten years ago, but I began playing bass guitar more about three years ago. I also know a little bit about piano.

CINDY: Most of my dad's side of the family are musicians. My dad and his mom love to sing.

MIGUEL: I really don't come from a musical family, but my mom and dad were in this Folkloric dance group that my dad started back in Puebla, Mexico. He used to tour around with them, and he would often take us on the trips, having my cousins, brothers, and sisters participating in the dances as well. The very first time I encountered an instrument was a guitar in elementary school where these kids were learning Rondalla songs (a type of boleros) and I wanted to learn as well. Unfortunately, I never really owned a guitar until I was 21, but prior to that, my interest in music had already started again when I was about 17. My brother came into my house with this program called Virtual Dj where he was just messing around mixing electronic dance songs. I immediately got intrigued and learned with him. We Dj'd together for about three years until I decided I wanted to write my own music rather than playing with someone else. By then I already knew Cindy, who had a stolen guitar from High School. Haha. So she taught me a couple more chords, and we started the Koroks.

RICKY: I’ve been playing drums for almost ten years. Trying to form a band, I got to know a lot of musician friends. There was a band called Petra Ice, which I learned a lot from. I played drums with them for almost nine years, and I say it was like my music school.

TIFFANY SALERNO: What other projects/bands have you been in?

JACOB: Past projects of mine include playing guitar in a group called The Kodets, which was mainly an acoustic project. From there I moved on to play bass with Special-K (2014-17), which is currently on hiatus. I also played guitar in a surf-rock project called Periskope.

CINDY: It all started in 7th grade: beginners’ orchestra. I played violin. I was part of my high school's mariachi band for four years, and I also played violin and sang. Prior to Kurumpaw, I was in a rock band called The Koroks for about two years playing keyboard. I love to jam with other musicians. I played bass once with Unifield Tribe, We are Pancakes and Los Ataskados. It was a fun experience.

"I played bass once with Unifield Tribe, We are Pancakes and Los Ataskados. It was a fun experience." - Cindy Espinosa

MIGUEL: Prior to Kurumpaw, I started as a DJ with my brother. We were a DJ duo called Dirty Kidz which later became Modern Drums. Soon after that, a friend of mine Marco, Cindy and I started The Koroks which lasted for about two and a half years. After the Koroks broke up, I wanted to keep on playing music, so I recruited Randy Espinosa, who was our drummer for the Koroks and Eridanny (kuri) our guitarist (also for the Koroks), and we started the first version of Kurumpaw. While we were starting Kurumpaw, I joined other bands. I played drums with Gloom Bloom, a local east side band, and I also played Guitar for Doxil, a local rock en espanol band.

RICKY:  I've been part of some local Spanish rock. Petra Ice is the latest one, and we recorded a couple of demos.

TIFFANY SALERNO: How long has Kurumpaw been a band?

CINDY: Kurumpaw used to be The Koroks. Kurumpaw has been together for about three years. I joined the second year.

MIGUEL: Almost three years with lineup changes.

RICKY: I have been part of Kurumpaw since 2015. I met them before that as the Koroks, and I always thought they were a great band.

TIFFANY SALERNO: How was the band name chosen?

CINDY: My sister Randy Espinosa came up with the name. She got it from Lobo the King of Currumpaw, a story written by Ernest Thompson Seton.

MIGUEL: When we got together to brainstorm names for the band, I remembered the story she told us about, and I suggested we take that idea and name the band, as well as write a whole EP around the Lobo King tale.

TIFFANY SALERNO: What does the word Kurumpaw mean to you?

JACOB: I'd say it means family.

CINDY: Passion. Friends, family. Inspiration. I want to inspire others to follow their dreams.

MIGUEL: To me it means work ethic. I also consider it my life project at this time. It means fun, it means friendship and companionship. It means music. It means making the best out of what we have so that other people can connect with us--one way or another, sending a good message.

RICKY: For me, it means that I found my "carnalistos" in music, and together we create sounds and lyrics which fill our souls.

"We're all funny. I might be the funniest looking though." -Jacob Lasky

TIFFANY SALERNO: Who is the funniest band member?

JACOB: We're all funny. I might be the funniest looking though.

CINDY: I feel we are all funny. I love my band mates, always a good laugh with them

MIGUEL: Hmm.. everyone is pretty funny actually! Haha!

TIFFANY SALERNO: Who is the most serious band member?

JACOB: I feel that we are all super serious about our music. For awhile, we'd meet up twice a week and practice on average from 8pm-11 pm

CINDY: Hmm... tough question. We all have our moments of seriousness.

RICKY: I think I can be one of the serious ones, but I have a good soul, I promise! Haha!

"I think I can be one of the serious ones, but I have a good soul, I promise! Haha!" - Ricky Hernandez

TIFFANY SALERNO: To be in the band Kurumpaw, you must be __________ (fill in the blank)

JACOB: Must have good vibes.

CINDY: You must have fun, be humble and committed.

MIGUEL:  Five-foot-six! Haha!

TIFFANY SALERNO: How would you describe your sound?

JACOB: Psychedelic/Latin-infused indie. I think some bands/artists we take after our Santana, Tame Impala, Melody's Echo Chamber, and various other Latin rock (Miguel can probably suggest more).

MIGUEL: At the moment I feel like we are going through this Latin/psychedelic/rock/tribal phase.

CINDY: Experimental psychedelic latin rock pop.

TIFFANY SALERNO: Describe your songwriting process.

JACOB: This might be better for Miguel/Cindy to describe since they had most of the songs written before I joined.

CINDY: Usually Miguel comes up with cool chord progressions and then I follow with Keys. The rest of the members get to be creative with their own input. Lyrics are always last. Haha. Working on being a better writer

MIGUEL: Most of the songs are written by Cindy and I. I either come out with an idea or a chord progression, bring it to Cindy, and we both arrange it together. Once we have a concrete idea of the song, we bring it to the band so they can write their parts on it. It could also be the other way around. There have been times where Cindy brings in a melody for either a bass line or keys, and we all work around that. I believe we've come up with songs out of jams too, so there is that as well. At this moment we are being open for more ideas actually, and I’m trying to write stuff with Jacob and Kuri since Cindy is gone working. I believe she’s also working on stuff by herself.

TIFFANY SALERNO: What are you currently working on? Recording, more shows, etc…

CINDY: We are currently working on our first official album ever. We are recording with Naked City Records. We have a name for our album already, but it's a surprise.

"We are currently working on our first official album ever. We are recording with Naked City Records. We have a name for our album already, but it's a surprise."- Cindy Espinosa

JACOB: I will be working on recording my bass parts for the album.

MIGUEL: At the moment all our focus is on finishing our first LP. From there we want to promote it out here and then take it out for a spin on the west coast with a little tour.

TIFFANY SALERNO: What do you do when you're not playing music? School, day jobs, etc…

MIGUEL:  I'm actually just working at the moment. I have a day job, but once that’s done, I usually come to my house and just grab my guitar and practice. I go for bike rides, I skate. I also like to do research on new and old music, and I like watching documentaries.

CINDY: I practice to be a better musician, I jam on the guitar, I love hiking. Other than that, I’m a house cat. I like spending time with my sisters and my ferret. I also like to make jewelry and paint or experiment with vegan recipes. I used to work at a pediatrician's office, but I quit that job and had a mini vacay of 7 months. I currently work in the cannabis field in California.

JACOB: I'm currently studying journalism at UNLV. Besides school, I also work for the school newspaper as their audience engagement manager and occasionally write freelance for them. When I'm not busy with school or work, I'll usually spend my time with friends or playing guitar.

RICKY: I have to work! And I enjoy mountain biking and spending time with my family.

TIFFANY SALERNO: Tell me what it's like to be working, going to school, not have a lot of money, etc while trying to maintain a band, do shows, record, etc…

JACOB: It's a real fine balance working and going to school. Money isn't too huge of an issue for me, but time management can be difficult sometime. If anything, being in this band has helped me organize and plan out my life better.

MIGUEL: Sometimes itis hard because in order to get the band going, there have been times where we have to pay out of our own pocket for merch or studio sessions. Now, we are at a point where we usually get paid for our performances and events. Though it’s not much, it helps out alot.

CINDY: It’s challenging to be working, going to school and trying to maintain a band. It’s overwhelming when you are head of a household and pay a mortgage. That's why I couldn't keep up with the Koroks and ended up leaving. I dropped out of college to focus on music. One project at a time. I do plan on going back to college once I save up money and pay off my debts. Being an adult can suck sometimes. Sometimes there are sacrifices you have to make in order to move forward. That’s why I moved to California, left my family, my ferret, the band, in order to save up money and become a better version of myself. I want to come back stronger and with money to buy a new PA, speakers, etc.

TIFFANY SALERNO: Would you describe yourselves as starving artists?

JACOB: Not so much for me.

MIGUEL: No! Haha!

CINDY: We all have our struggles, but I consider us STRIVING artists.

TIFFANY SALERNO: What other local Las Vegas musicians do you respect/admire?

JACOB: There's a lot amazing talent here. For the few years I've been involved in the music scene, I'd say some of my favorite bands include Indigo Kidd, Dark Black, No Tides, and Homebodys. Before I joined this band, I already knew of Kurumpaw pretty well and considered them one of the best bands in the scene. I thought they were really innovative and inspiring when I first heard them, so it's really an honor to be a part of this family now.

"Before I joined this band, I already knew of Kurumpaw pretty well and considered them one of the best bands in the scene."- Jacob Lasky

CINDY: I respect and admire all bands/solo artists/musicians… shouts to Drinking Water! I love the message they give out. Their music rocks. Shouts to Los Ataskados, they are very motivational. We are Pancakes puts a lot of effort into their work. Shouts to Child Support and The Red Seduction for their charismatic, young soul energy. I can see how much each band has grown. Shouts to The Acid Sisters! To every single band that joined our May residency: thank you!

MIGUEL: I respect every single band out here trying to put out their own original music.

RICKY: I respect all local musicians, and I admire all the bands who create their own music. By creating, you give new sounds to our local people.

TIFFANY: What does the future look like for Kurumpaw?

JACOB: I believe there's a lot of potential for this band. I think the main thing for now is that we want to finish the album, then work on promoting it from there by touring.

CINDY: I see Kurumpaw traveling to other countries, playing in big festivals, with thousands of people jumping up and down to our music. I see Kurumpaw going a long way. I imagine getting old with Kurumpaw. Hopefully we stick together for better or worse. I would love for Kurumpaw to set a good example for the youth, singing songs of love and truth to the world!

"I would love for Kurumpaw to set a good example for the youth, singing songs of love and truth to the world!"- Cindy Espinoza

MIGUEL: The future is always uncertain, but we will push for this project as far and as much as we can. I have always said I never expect anything from anyone or anything out there, but I honestly feel like this band can get bigger and be someone’s favorite in the near future. Not necessarily just in Las Vegas, but in the whole country, and why not in other countries as well?

RICKY:  I am crossing my fingers for Kurumpaw to pay my bills! Haha! And let me live a life doing what I love to do.

Benefit Concert Tonight At The Boulder City Library Amphitheatre

Same Sex Mary (Photo by Andrew Rigney)

In light of last Sunday's tragedy, the upcoming Reading Bad Moon event at the Boulder City Library Amphitheater (Oct. 13th) will now be a benefit show to raise funds for victims and their families.

"We saw the community come together in such an inspiring way and the least we can do for the people that endured that pain is persevere and jump into action right away, said Tsvetelina Stefanova of Same Sex Mary and Bad Moon Booking, "Playing music and planning shows is what we do and it's what we can do to help. The Boulder City community was looking for a way to help and this event was the perfect opportunity to rally everyone together."

Indigo Kidd

The all- ages benefit concert is set to feature Same Sex Mary, Indigo Kidd, Bad Girls' Smoking Lounge, The Unwieldies, Kris Krainock, DJ Cromm Fallon, and more. Scheduled to run from 5 to 10pm.

A food truck provided Truknyaki will be providing delicious food as well.

Bad Girls' Smoking Lounge

Each dollar raised is set to be matched by Zappos.com as part of their Crowdrise Campaign. The benefit is encouraging a $10 donation for those that can contribute.

The benefit concert is sponsored by The Homestead at Boulder City, Boulder Dam Credit Union, 8 Trax Sound, llc., The Tap, Boulder City, NV Chamber of Commerce, and the Dam Short Film Festival.

The Unwieldies

Las Vegas Will Be Represented By Two Poets at the Individual World Poetry Slam

This year, Las Vegas will be represented by two poets at the Individual World Poetry Slam, a first for the city where in previous years the city has only sent one representative a year.

This year, Las Vegas will be represented by two poets at the Individual World Poetry Slam, a first for the city where in previous years the city has only sent one representative a year.

the.changeling at Human Experience LV at Hop Nuts

the.changeling,  an up-and-coming spoken word and slam poet in Las Vegas, Nevada will be Battle Born Slam's representative at the 2017 Individual World Poetry Slam in Spokane, Wa.

Although he has been writing poetry since his adolescence, he has just recently begun to share is work publicly. What started with him simply wanting to share a poem with a girl he loves has turned into his passion and helped him find a home.

His two chapbooks, A Declaration of Sorts and A Beautiful Paradox are both available whenever he performs live.
 

the.changeling at Human Experience LV at Hop Nuts

He hopes that you enjoy poetry as much as he does and invites you to go on this journey with him.

You can follow him on Instagram for short poems and previews to new pieces. Also follow him on Twitter for a more stream of consciousness insight into his mind. He can be found on both @LVChangeling

the.changeling is also set to perform on October 21 at the next Vegas Valley Book Festival. 

Tree Hill at Human Experience LV at Hop Nuts

Tree Hill is the Co-founder of Soul Sessions and is representing The Truth Collective at this year's Individual World Poetry Slam in October, Tree Hill plans to follow a path of service. While one vehicle is her Poetry - she is learning as she continues to spread a message.  She also recently joined the Las Vegas Poets Organization as an Executive Board member and the Social Media Outreach coordinator.

Tree Hill at Human Experience LV at Hop Nuts

From 1990 to 2007, the National Poetry Slam has held an "individual" poetry competition (known as "indies") simultaneously with the team competition, with the poets earning the highest ranking individual poems during the first two days of competition moving on the semifinal and final rounds. The first ever winner of this event was Patricia Smith, who would go on to win the Individual National Poetry Slam Championship title a record four times.

Starting in 2004, Poetry Slam Inc (PSI) decided to host a separate event called the Individual World Poetry Slam (iWPS), in which solo poets (not teams of poets) competed for the championship title. The first iWPS was held in Greenville, SC and the first iWPS champion was Buddy Wakefield. 

Because of the popularity of iWPS and to avoid the confusion of two "individual" poetry slam titles being awarded ever year, Poetry Slam Inc. decided to cancel the "indie" competition at the National Poetry Slam.

In 2016, the competition was held in Flagstaff, Arizona.

A Gofund Me campaign is available to help Tree Hill as she makes her way to nationals to represent Las Vegas. You can donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/TruthCollectiveiWPScampaign

No Scrubz at Velveteen Rabbit

On Saturday, October 7, VIM Magazine was at the No Scrubz Ladies Night at Velveteen Rabbit for Ladies & Lady supporters.  The evening had music presented by such luminaries as: Lo Dino, Olan, and Kailyn Brown.

Pop Up Shops available that night where: Burnt Boutique, Mystic Herbs Shop, Twenty: A Sample Sale, Nerdy Nat Crafts, La Essentials, and Ty Art.

Artist Cheyenne Raine did live painting and there was a Photo Booth by VIM Magazine Photographer Tiffany Salerno. 
 

Poets Compete To Represent Las Vegas At The International Women of The World Poetry Slam (Updated)

Poets competed on Tuesday, September 12 at the Classic Jewel to represent The Truth Collective Slam at the International Women of The World Poetry Slam.

Poets were judged by 5 random members of the audience. The evening was hosted by Miss Ayevee, aka Ashley M. Vargas.

The Classic Jewel website states that it "was carefully dreamed up by a team of long time Las Vegas residents in an effort to reclaim historic downtown’s rich history and place it back in the hands of Downtown Las Vegas residents."  

The Women of the World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) was introduced in 2008 and only female and female-identified poets are allowed to compete. The first WOWPS was held in Detroit, Michigan and the first WOWPS champion was Andrea Gibson. The next WOWPS will be in Dallas, Texas. (http://www.wowps2018.com)

The Truth Collective monthly Slam & Open-Mic at the Classic Jewel. Sign up at 7:30pm. 

Feature of the night Jamal

Winner of the night: Clark County Poet Laureate Vogue Robinson

Billboard-Charting Artist Adore Delano (American Idol) "Whatever" Releasing 8/21

You’ve never heard an album like this from Billboard-charting artist Danny Noriega (“American Idol” semi-finalist, Season 7), aka drag queen Adore Delano (“RuPaul’s Drag Race” top-three finalist, Season 6).

“Whatever” (Releasing 8/21), featuring the first single “Negative Nancy” (Releasing 8/1), marks a second coming out for Adore – not for being gay (Yawn, old news), but after being a finalist on two top reality TV shows she’s finally coming out with the heavy, guitar-drenched album she always wanted to record (Hints of Marilyn Manson, Nirvana, Courtney Love) and finally living authentically on her own terms as one of America’s favorite androgynous recording artists.

"This album will hopefully show everyone that life is not limited,” Adore says.  “I'm finally doing the music I've been dying to perform.  Me siento muy...excited!"

“Negative Nancy” is an unapologetic guitar-drenched rollercoaster ride in a raunch-and-roll wonderland with tinges of Marilyn Manson, Nirvana and Courtney Love.  It’s a return to a grungy, guitar-driven authenticity in a raw state.

The message is simple:  Live authentically.  Don’t let others try to tell you what to do.  Question everything.  And everyone.

Negative Nancy - Adore Delano

See the “Negative Nancy” video at You Tube: http://bit.ly/2vpggmt

New Scary Short Horror Film 'The Chosen' Debuts On Crypt TV (Updated)

Check out the new horror short Chosen directed by Nicholas VanDevender. It features cinematography by AJ Ovio and stars Leslie Gomez as Velma, Riju Maya Martillini, Brian Blu, Vene Arcoraci, Nicholas Dodero, Arlene Gonzales, and others.

The short features on Crypt TV which collaborates with storytellers around the world to bring 'next generation of monster stories to life.'

Crypt TV recently won a Webby for its film, “The Birch,” which has garnered 14 million views on Facebook. Crypt TV was also honored as the digital keynote at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. 

VIM: What was a highlight from filming 'The Chosen'?

AJ OVIO: I'm torn on that one. A great highlight was day 1 (the house location) seeing everybody finally come together after so much pre-production... while for me personally, it was Arlene Gonzalez (who was just supposed to PA) on Day 3 stepping up to act in a vital role (and absolutely nailed it) which pretty much saved the entire movie!

VIM: And what's next up for you?

AJ OVIO:  We're just trying to keep the momentum going now. We have a sci-fi short in pre-production (hopefully shooting in September) along with putting the finishing touches on a horror feature script which we hope to start production on early 2018

So yeah, not planning to sleep for the next couple of years or so

Instagram: @creativectrl.lv  Website : http://creativectrllv.com/

Stephanie Taylor on Very Awesome Girl's Upcoming Very Awesome Auction

Stephanie Taylor, new Very Awesome Girls Vice-President

Recently had the opportunity to interview Stephanie Taylor, Very Awesome Girl's new Vice-President about the upcoming Very Awesome Auction, Very Awesome Girls, and what's next for her and the community organization. The Very Awesome Auction at the Writer's Block on August 5th is set to feature live performances by Kat Calling and Harry Fagel.

VIM: Hello! The Very Awesome Auction is on August 5th. How did the idea for the auction get started?

STEPHANIE TAYLOR: Hi! The impetus for this auction started last year when I was on popular comedy podcast Judge John Hodgman with my friend Sewit, who was then President of the Very Awesome Girls. We asked John Hodgman to settle a dispute about raffles and his “court order” was that we needed to hold an auction. We wanted to make it a lot of fun, so there will be live music and poetry readings. It will also be held in one of the most magical locations in Las Vegas, The Writer’s Block. 

The auction will benefit Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, a non-profit that delivers meals to the elderly and operates a food bank.

VIM: Very Awesome Girls is going to auction off collectibles, art, services, and other cool stuff. Can you let us know some of the things that will be available to bid on. Any favorites?

STEPHANIE TAYLOR: I’m really excited about some of the original art we will have at the auction. Several local artists have generously contributed pieces and some of our members have also created pieces specifically for this auction. I’m also chuffed at what local businesses and organizations have given, like a dog grooming basket from LV Pet Spa and gift cards with starting bids well below MSRP. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the generous donation VIM Magazine is making in the form of an urban photo shoot and a spotlight interview in this very magazine you are reading right now!

VIM: Tell us a bit about Very Awesome Girls, how did the organization get started and congratulations on now being Vice-President. What are your goals as Vice-President going to be?

STEPHANIE TAYLOR: Thank you, I’m very excited to serve as Vice-President!

The Very Awesome Girls was created by another awesome Stephanie (Stephanie Payne) in 2010 as a way for geeky women to meet each other and affect positive change in the community. Since then we’ve grown to 60+ members and sister organizations in locations like Phoenix.

One of my main goals as Vice-President is to continue to grow our partnerships in the community and to hold more community events. We’ve had some well-attended events in the past (such as the Nerd Mixer at Artifice) that benefitted charitable organizations and I’d like to see us continue to help causes in fun ways.

VIM:  What's up next for Very Awesome Girls and you?

STEPHANIE TAYLOR: Our next event is a school supply and book drive on August 19th at Alternate Reality Comics! All donations will benefit Spread the Word Nevada, a local organization that promotes literacy. We’d love to see everyone there!. 

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/127814374489500

Glam Skanks To Open For Adam Ant At The Roundhouse In London

(LOS ANGELES) July 31, 2017 - Following their North American and UK tours opening for Adam Ant, where he played sold out shows for more than 75,000 fans, the pop icon welcomes Hollywood rockers Glam Skanks (www.GlamSkanks.com) back as his direct-support band to open his final show in 2017 at The Roundhouse in London on Thursday, December 21.  For more information, visit www.Adam-Ant.com.

Glam Skanks will bring their rock-drenched, glitter-rock set to the stage in support of their album, “Glitter City”, featuring their new single, “Karma”, a follow-up sequel to their first single “Bad Bitch”.  

On “Glitter City”, produced by Bruce Witkin and Ryan Dorn, Glam Skanks create a technicolour audiovisual feast using familiar tints from T-Rex, The Runaways, David Bowie and The Sweet with the genuine rock sensibility of Aerosmith wrapped in a full-blown cosmetic “Rocky Horror Picture Show” meets “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” androgyny. Like a rock and rollercoaster ride in a blazing cloud of feather-boa glitter with a swagger that screams Sunset Strip dreams and Hollywood nights, the album is Drag Rock for the masses.

“Glitter City” is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon and  Bandcamp. 

In addition to the “Glitter City” album, their “Miss Androgynous” single is also featured in director Kevin Smith’s most recent movie “Yoga Hosers” starring Lily-Rose Depp and Harley Quinn Smith with Natasha Lyonne, Austin Butlerand Adam Brody.

Glam Skanks are Millie (Bass), Ali Cat (Vocals), Veronica Volume (Guitar) and Cassie (Drums).

Sarah O'Connell on This Year's Las Vegas Valley Theatre Awards

On the eve of the 2017 Las Vegas Valley Theatre Awards we sit down with Sarah O'Connell to talk local theatre,  Eat More Art Las Vegas, and inspirations.

This year's awards will be at The Space LV

VIM: Hello! With the Las Vegas Valley Theatre Awards just a day away what are you most looking forward to at this year's 2017 Las Vegas Valley Theatre Awards?

Sarah O'Connell: There are so many great aspects to this event that have me truly excited; some of them because they have been successful in the three years prior, and others because they are new to the Valley Theatre Awards. The awards show has always enjoyed highlights of the past season from incredibly gifted local performers, and this year is no exception. The performances will be as diverse as the great selection of shows that local companies have producedin 2016/17, with everything from Sondheim, to Lin-Manuel Miranda, to the slasher musical Carrie- with a little Opera, and body percussion in between. We are partnering with The Space LV, a new venue for us, and in incredible gift to local Las Vegas non-profit groups; and with support from local high-end production companies, there will be a few visual bells and whistles to add to the production value. This year, we are pleased to welcome a host of special guests and presenters from every part of the Las Vegas Arts scene, including arts advocacy groups, the Las Vegas Artists' Guild, the Liberace Foundation, Las Vegas Poets, and many more. It is more than a celebration of theatre, it is a celebration of the entire vibrant Las Vegas area Arts community.

Cockroach Theatre Co. - Winner of Best Production of A Play at the previous 2015-2016 awards for "the Nether."

VIM: The judging panel is made up of volunteers from the community and not just reviewers from the media. How excited were these judges to be part of the voting process for these years awards?

Sarah O'Connell: This is such a great way to make a difference for people by doing something they already enjoy- seeing shows! The Theatre often suffers from the misconception that it is an elitist activity. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is the people's art, because, by definition, theatre must have an audience present, or it isn't an act of theatre. Live performance means that everything that happens on stage is very personally offered as a gift to the audience in that room, in the moment. The judges get a lot out of the connection they make to the experience, because their feedback through voting continues the conversation with the performers.

Las Vegas Little Theatre won several awards for their musical Avenue Q, and their comedy Casa Valentina in 2015-2016

VIM: Las Vegas does have  a great local theatre scene. Two local actor friends got me into to the theatre scene. Since then, I love going to watch live theatre. What was your introduction to live theatre?

Sarah O'Connell: Thank you to your friends! I always suggest that people turn their "Girls and guys night out" into a theatre night. When I was in 4th grade, I played a Turkey leg in a Thanksgiving pageant...maybe that's where my motto Eat More Art got it's start? The local theatre is full of trained talents that happen to be your next door neighbor. It is an excellent option for people who want to see a live show, but still have enough money to actually by your date or your kids some dinner, too. Many performers on the Strip work in the local theatres along other artists who prefer to focus on independent companies. We are one community in that respect.

VIM: Tell us more about Eat More Art Vegas. Along with theatre, you also cover dance and music?

Sarah O'Connell: "You are what you eat, so Eat More Art!" is a mantra of mine that informs my approach to life, because you can't give what you don't have. Theatre is my passion, because to create it, you need every discipline of the Arts to do the best work. It's perfect for Vegas. We all understand the joy of a great buffet. That is why we cover Dance, and Music, and next month we will be adding Poetry and Storytelling a well. Those are also acts of theatre, and they deserve more attention. Las Vegas has an incredible community of poets and storytellers to enjoy. EatMoreArtVegas.com was founded at first to make sure that cuts in local Arts coverage would not cut us off from our audience, but the vision has always been to do more than inform, it is all about inviting the audience to participate with their feedback, because it is THEIR theatre. Our critics are only one voice, and we want people to post their own ratings and comments on our reviews and listings, so that we can function as a kind of "Rotten Tomatoes" for local groups.

"The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety" is one nominee for Best Production of a Play at this year's 2016-2017 Awards. Produced. by Cockroach Theatre Co.

VIM: Whats next for you and Eat More Art Las Vegas?

Sarah O'Connell: There is a catch 22 with the Theatre: if you do your job right, it looks easy. But it takes a lot of time and resources to put on even a simple production. We are hoping to help others who have been dedicated to making Las Vegas a sustainable, healthy home for the Arts community, by facilitating more cross-discipline, company, and public agency collaboration for special events, shared work spaces, and promotional partnerships. Our mission is to show people that Art is for everyone, in all of it's forms, and in Las Vegas it's everywhere you look once someone points it out to you. We will continue to organize our "Meet and Greet More Art" events at local venues, recruit more judges for the Valley Theatre Awards, and expand the depth and breadth of our coverage for our rapidly growing group of followers. There is always room for one more seat at the performing arts table, and every member of our local audience is an honored guest. This year's Valley Theatre Awards are an invitation to dig in!

Camille Cannon

Interview by Jorge Lara

Photography by Madison Vasquez

VIM: You are the founder of Skirrt.com. How did you come up with the idea and what is your vision for it?

CAMILLE CANNON: I like to describe the website as “a small corner of the internet where hip-hop, comedy and feminism grind together.” Those have been three of my biggest passions for years andthey don’t always align with one another, but my vision for Skirrt.com is to explore where they intersect.

I had ideas for the website for about a year and a half before I published anything. I was a full-time writer and editor at Vegas Seven magazine and constantly developing story ideas, but not all of them were a fit for that outlet. My “Skirrt” ideas lived in notebooks or on my phone until I had an “A-ha” moment about the name in January 2016. (“Skirrt” is a popular saying in rap music, and also represents what I wanted the site to be about.) Since then, Skirrt.com has produced written and video content that, I believe, reflects the mission. I want to create content that demonstrates an appreciation for the music while also having fun with it. I want you to listen to your favorite rap song a little differently after you’ve come across our site.

Photo by Madison Vasquez (Madison Vasquez Photography)

VIM: You’re an on-air personality on Mix 94.1. What have been the advantages/ disadvantages of radio compared to the other medias you have been in?

 CAMILLE CANNON: Radio was a huge challenge for me when I first started. When I was a child, I used to whisper in my mom’s ear so that she could talk to other people for me. Part of me is still that little girl, so talking live into a microphone took a lot of getting used to. Writing is a very solitary habit (at least, until the editing phase.) Radio forced me todevelop a new level of self-confidence and I’m so grateful. I don’t really allow myself to get nervous in new situations anymorebecause I know that radio used to terrify me, and now I have the opportunity to do it every week. I owe so much tomy boss, J. Love, for taking a chance on me. 

Photo by Madison Vasquez (Madison Vasquez Photography)

VIM: You recently appeared on Wake Up with the CW. What on-air topics would you like to touch upon in the future? Was that your first experience being on television?

CAMILLE CANNON: Thank you for checking that out! I am so thankful for those opportunities. I have been asked to offer suggestions for various holidays since March 2015, when I was an Associate Editor at Vegas Seven. That was actually was my only on-air experience prior to starting at Mix 94.1 in June 2016. The Wake up with the CW team and the organizers of those segments have been so wonderful to me, I’ll gladly come back whenever they’ll have me!

VIM: Tell us about your upbringing; what are some of your influences growing up. Was being a media journalist your first career choice?

CAMILLE CANNON: The earliest thing I can remember wanting to be is a filmmaker. I used to keep notes—not a journal, but like, writtennarrations, on things that happened in elementary school in a folder labeled “My Life as a Movie.” (Now I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this.) I used to make little movies on a camcorder and ask my very sweet younger brother and older sister to act in them. By age 12, I wanted to be Rachel Ray. I was watching a lot of Food Network and doing a lot of cooking at the time. When I got to college, I had no idea what I wanted to be, I just knew what I loved, and that was pop culture and media, so that’s how I picked my major: Media Studies. I knew I could get good grades studying what I was passionate about, writing research papers on The Real Housewives and Beyoncé. 

After graduating college in 2012, I moved to Las Vegas to follow my family (I was born and raised in Northern California, but my parents and siblings moved here while I was in school to be with my grandmother). I spent a few months applying for hospitality jobs because that was the type of work I did while I was in college—I thought that would be the fastest route to a full-time job. I never got pastinitial interviews, so then I decided to apply fora journalism internship at Vegas Seven. My careerstarted there and I’m so grateful. “Rejection”is truly a blessing in disguise.

Photo by Madison Vasquez (Madison Vasquez Photography)

VIM: You graduated from U.C. Berkeley. What do you remember most about your alma matter and what was the best advice you received while being there? 

CAMILLE CANNON: Every day I felt really lucky to be there. My siblings and I are the first generation in my family to graduate college. I never wanted to mess up that opportunity. Berkeley was such an incredible experience. I remember the people most of all, though. I made my closest friends while in college and I’ve learned in the years since how rare they are. They inspire and support me daily.I would do it all again and do everything the same just to have these people in my life. 

The best advice I got was always from my mom. She told me that I can do anything I set my mind to. She’s sacrificed so much for me to do what I’m doing. I owe it to her to believe in me, too.

Photo by Madison Vasquez (Madison Vasquez Photography)

VIM: You wrote an article for Vegas Seven about Girl Nation, a local organization for young girls and the pressure they face in today’s society. Being in a position of influence, what advice would you give a young girl that listens to you on the radio or reads your articles? 

CAMILLE CANNON: Thank you for reading! It was an honor to help spread the word about Girl Nation. I like to think that no one reads my writing or listens to me on the radio because it makes me less self-conscious, but you have clearly done both and I am very appreciative. I would tell any young girl the same thing that my mom told me: You can do anythingthat you work hard at. If what you want to do doesn’t exist, learn how to create it yourself. Always look for the silver lining. Andnever let them pay you less than a man.

Photo by Madison Vasquez (Madison Vasquez Photography)

Photo by Madison Vasquez (Madison Vasquez Photography)

TSTMRKT Performs June 9

TSTMRKT will perform it's new "cut-n-paste" theatrical stunt at The 705 Arts Incubator (705 Las Vegas Blvd. N) in a "one night only" situation.  This version of TSTMRKT is completely new and was constructed, written, and performed by Ernest Hemmings and Breon Jenay after several exhaustive US Tours and countless one-off performance trials.  The new show was designed specifically for the Hollywood Fringe Festival, but will be performed the week prior in Las Vegas. Recently I had the opportunity to interview Ernest Hemmings for VIM.

VIM: What makes you laugh?

ERNEST HEMMINGS : Hubris, accidents, and poorly executed crimes.

VIM: What is TSTMRKT all about?

TSTMRKT is about 60 minutes long.

VIM: Are you both ready for the Hollywood Fringe Festival?

ERNEST HEMMINGS: Not ready for Fringe at all...which is why Breon is coming over this morning to rehearse.  My 7-year-old daughter has been stage managing for us and even she is sick of our shit.

VIM: Having seeing TSTMRKT evolve through the years, what do you think has been the key to its creative resurgence?

ERNEST HEMMINGS: Breon is lending a hand in the writing department this time around.  She's been doing this with me long enough that she gets it and I can totally trust her since she's legit funny.

VIM: Any current side projects or things you are passionate about?

ERNEST HEMMINGS: Currently working on a "Heroin" play for a theater back home (Pennsylvania is having a really bad heroin problem and a local theater reached out to me to create a modern play addressing the issue).  Also finishing my "dead mom" play.  I have been tinkering on writing an "all female" cast play and it's nearly finished...this TSTMRKT thing has been taking up a lot of time so as soon as we are in LA I'll probably finish everything else.

Fatal Jamz To Perform At The Griffin On May 26

By Norma Jean Ortega

Fatal Jamz is said to be LA’s best kept secret—an underground artist with a cult following. The mesh wearing, gender-fluid human behind the catchy 70s glam rock anthems (that is a hybrid sound reflecting a bit of Bowie, a bit of Simple Minds, and a bit of Queen) is Marion Belle. He talked with me about his music and recent LP, Coverboy.

Norma Jean: How would you describe your sound to someone who's never heard of you before?

Marion Belle: "Wild hearts on the streets of L.A."  The mystique of a fragrant night high above the city.

Norma Jean: Top 3 music influences and briefly why?

Marion Belle: I'm influenced by poets and people.  Deeply romantic creatures hiding out in the pack. Sailors who jumped ship. Hoodlums who blossomed into troubadours.  There's too many to name these are people I worship.

Norma Jean: Are you singing about personal experiences and is there a central theme in your new LP, Coverboy?

Marion Belle: I always sing about personal experiences. The theme is what life is like, for me, as a singer.

Norma Jean: You use to be in another band called Bowery Beasts. How does Bowery differentiate from Fatal Jamz?

Marion Belle: That project summed up a period of my life in LA when I was working with autistic kids and trying to find myself really. We recorded Bowery album completely live in the famous Sunset Sound studio. It was kind of a big sprawling Guns N' Roses approach. Fatal Jamz is a return to me, to the freedoms of youth, when I first encountered the scent to Polo Sport. Fatal Jamz is also more gothic, gargoyle and roses.

Norma Jean: In interviews they proclaim you as LA's best kept secret. Are you aiming to go beyond the LA music scene with your new album?

Marion Belle: I've always wanted to and I feel it's finally happening. I have fans from all over the world now who write me each week, and send me cool things like silk shirts and video treatments.

Norma Jean: How did you decide on the album name?

Marion Belle: The song Coverboy felt like such a manifesto that it became clear it should be the album name. One of the first people I played the album for was my friend Cullen Omori, and he gave me a strong nod that it should be the title. He also thought the song was written about him as have many LA fuckboi's and guitarists.

Norma Jean: What are your future plans?

Marion Belle: Gonna shake up the whole scene from Rio to St. Petersburg, rain down pure romance and show em what my guns do.

 Up next, we have a residency at the Constellation room in June where we'll play the album with a six piece band every Wednesday.

Norma Jean: Favorite artist/band right now?

Marion Belle: I really think Cullen's new record is special and a lot of people are gonna like it. It's coming out on Subpop in a few months.

I like Drab Majesty a lot.

Norma Jean: Talk to us about how you developed your sense of style/fashion?

Marion Belle: When I first started writing songs, and going downtown to the lockout to sing with the drum machine, this swagger came to me. It was a very sexualized thing deep in my DNA.

The world has still been a very repressed place, my eye was always drawn to men who had a flare, which was always here and there. 

I used to describe my style as Ghetto St. Tropez.  The 'Thug Youth' video pretty much encapsulates that.

Norma Jean: What do you do when you're in a creative rut?

Marion Belle: To me it's not ever about a rut. The muse is always there. My obstacles come from the pressures of daily life getting in the way. I'm inspired to overcome them, even when I feel like a lowlife, bc there's glory in the song which I can always turn to as a salvation and I know if it helps me it might help others. So that's why sometimes my songs are aspirational and euphoric.

Fatal Jams perform with Von Kin and DJ Fish on May 26

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/542940822760635

The Dillinger Block Party Arrives on May 13th

Once a year The Dillinger shuts down a couple blocks in the heart of Boulder City's picturesque downtown and throws a big block party. This year the 6th annual Dillinger Block Party will be on Saturday, May 13th.  Along with free entry, the event is all all-ages with bands starting at 4pm.

Here now is a quick preview of some of the bands that are set to perform.

LENGUAS LARGAS

Lenguas Largas has been hailed as a "Dreamy Garage-pop from Tucson, AZ," by Maximum Rock & Roll. While Nate from Weekly Tape Deck has called their music "gloom/psych rock from Arizona. Lo-Fi minimal tracking fill these tunes with a graveyard like spooky haze." They have previously performed at  The Flycatcher and The Rebel Lounge in Arizona and at the Monarch in El Paso.

BLACK CAMARO

Photo by Catasco

Black Camaro is an American indie rock band that formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001. The band's founding members are guitarist and vocalist Brian Garth and keyboardist and vocalist Tom Miller. In 2001, Garth and Miller began recording Black Camaro’s first album, White People Fucked up the Blues in a living room in North Las Vegas on a 16 track digital recorder. In 2003, the two members self-released the album in a handmade run of 300 CDs, which were eventually discovered by music journalist Jarret Keene in Balcony Lights, a local record store the duo frequented. Soon after the release, Las Vegas CityLife alternative-weekly newspaper published an album review, written by Keene, exposing the music to a larger fan base.

www.blackcamaromusic.co

SANDY NELSON

 Sander L. "Sandy" Nelson is an American drummer. Nelson, one of the best-known rock drummers of the early 1960s, had several solo instrumental Top 40 hits and was a session drummer on many other well-known hits, and released over 30 albums. He lives in Boulder City, Nevada, and continues to experiment with music on keyboards and piano.

SAME SEX MARY

Phto Credit: Andrew Rigby

 Same Sex Mary is an independent rock band from Boulder City, Nevada formed by James Howard Adams with Tsvetelina Stefanova, and are well known members of the Las Vegas indie music scene. In early 2013 the inaugural Life Is Beautiful Festival held auditions in Las Vegas, with Same Sex Mary rounding out the final chosen lineup that included locals Rusty Maples, and Coastwest Unrest. At that time, the band was undergoing a successful crowdfunding campaign to aid in releasing Sex Cells on vinyl 12". Sex Cells was released in March 2013, with all Kickstarter donors receiving a vinyl copy of the album. In July 2013, the band won a Las Vegas Weekly Award for Best Indie-Scene Mainstay before performing in the inaugural Life Is Beautiful Festival the following October.

THE DIRTY HOOKS

 The Dirty Hooks is an Indie/Blues/Rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in June 2010. The band features singer/baritone guitarist Bobby McCall, guitarist/keys Anthony Ratto and drummer/vocalist Jenine Cali. Creating a sound influenced by bands from The Dead Weather, The Kills, The Raveonettes to The Beatles and The Pixies, this trio still manages to create their own sound. Max Plenke of Las Vegas Citylife Magazine was called The Dirty Hooks "bare-knuckled and remarkably erotic. You know, sex rock." 

DOGYEAR

With many years of experience in various music projects between the 6 members of Dogyear, there is an eclecticism & balance not often heard. Bringing sweeping harmonies, layered guitars & a dynamic rhythm section, Dogyear hits a lot of sweet spots. In their short time together, these 6 musicians have cultivated a solid following based on their tight, yet moving live performances.  The band recently played at the Artisan's Amplified with The All-Together's and Shayna Rain Band.

BARGAIN DJ COLLECTIVE

Back in march of 2001...The Bargain DJ Collective set out to break up Las Vegas' monotonous club routine, and rebel against the top 40, techno-crap that fills every single club in town. Originally started by former KUNV DJ, Rex Dart(the eskimo spy) and longtime pal Larry Bird, the Collective began hosting a DJ event at Vegas’ quaint Champagne’s Cafe. They called it "This is Hardcore." Featuring everything from Radiohead to Run DMC, Built To Spill to James Brown, and the Descendents to Depeche Mode, The Bargain DJ Collective’s events became the “anti-club.” Dart and Bird enlisted the Drizzle, and former KUNV DJ and Music Director Ryan Kinder (DJ Tiger) to help out. The Collective have been going strong ever since

For more info and to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1280332725380169

Check out the full festival lineup announcement video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skFcAc_mktQ

Froth, POW!, Free LSDs BADTRIP at the Bunkhouse Saloon, April 10

Photo: @cfaruolo Carolina Faruolo

Formed in Los Angeles in 2013, Froth (www.frothband.com) first garnered attention with their debut LP, Patterns. Originally intended as a small-run cassette release, the album quickly became an underground sensation in the Southern California music scene, catapulting the band to local fame and prompting a vinyl re-release in 2014. The following year saw the arrival of Bleak, a more dynamic, adventurous effort that matched lush shoegaze soundscapes with driving krautrock beats, and earned the band press attention from outlets including NPR Music, Noisey, Vogue.com, and Stereogum, among others. Froth toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe in support of the album, opening for acts such as The Drums, Tamaryn, Pond and Craft Spells. Norma Jean of VIM Magazine recently had the opportunity to interview Jeremy Katz, bassist of Froth as they tour the US to promote their new album Outside (Briefly).

Norma Jean:
Reading previous interviews, people have categorized Froth as shoe gaze and surf rock but how would you guys describe your music?

Jeremy:

Lately, we’ve liked to call it noise-pop. Like noisy sad music. We really try to stay away from the whole surf thing because we don’t really feel like we’re surfy. We like shoe gaze but we don’t think we make shoe gaze type music. But noise-pop is what we normally say.

Norma Jean:
I read an NPR interview that said the band started off as a joke. When did you all become serious about playing?

Jeremy:
Originally, the band was a joke. Our singer, Joojoo, use to tell people that he was in a band called Froth. I don’t really know why. But it became serious once our drummer, Cameron, joined the band, which was in 2013. It really became serious when we scored a runway show for a big fashion company in France—Saint Laurent. They flew us out and paid us to make a song from them. And I think that’s when we all decided that we we’re a legit band now.

Norma Jean:
How did the fashion company discover the band?

Jeremy:
The fashion designer, Hedi Slimane, saw us play a show in Orange County and liked one of our songs “General Education.” She asked us if we could create an extended 15-minute version of it and use it for their runway show.

Norma Jean:
Has your success been a surprise to you guys? Greatest or most exciting thing that has happened to the band?

Jeremy:
Definitely surprised by—well, ya know, successful is a funny term because it’s not like we’re really making money or anything—but we are surprised that it’s gone as far as it has. 

The most exciting thing that happened to us is signing a record deal with Witchita Records. None of us really expected that to happen.  

Norma Jean:
How do you go about writing a song? Could you describe the process?

It’s pretty different every time now. Sometimes our singer, JooJoo, will come up with chords and a melody. Maybe a chorus then we’ll come together then build the song together. Or sometimes, like lately, [JooJoo] will have a whole song done and we’ll just play it. There’s not really one set way we do it but generally that’s usually how we’ll arrange it together.

Norma Jean:
Name some current music favorites you are all liking at the moment.

Jeremy:
We’ve all been really into that band Suuns from Montreal. We’ve always been big fans of Deerhunter. That is one of the only bands we all really agreed on liking together. What else is cool these days? Ummm…just the classic stuff like Ride and Slowdive. Those are all kinda our favorites. There’s this newer band from L.A. called Hand Habits. Moaning for L.A. is one of our favorites too.
 

Norma Jean:
What’s up-and-coming for you guys?

Jeremy:
So on Monday, when we play in Vegas, it will be the start of our tour. We just got off of tour, but going back on tour. We’ll be touring through the end of August, I think. After that, hopefully, we’ll come back and work on some new songs. So the first month we’re in the U.S. then we go home for one day then we go to Europe for 5 weeks. Then we come home for two weeks then we do the U.S. again. Then we go back to Europe in August again. So we’re doing the U.S. twice and Europe twice.

Bad Moon Booking Presents Froth, POW!, Free LSDs BADTRIP at the Bunkhouse Saloon,    Monday, April 10, 7pm. $5 adv, $8 at door. Doors 7pm. Early show - Karaoke After Party! 21+

RSVP:                                                       

https://www.facebook.com/events/653610091515110

Tickets:

www.ticketfly.com

Norma Jean Ortega, contact: normajean@vimmag.com

THE VERONA PLAY

Check out photos from the opening night of 'The Verona Play,' now in production at the Majestic Repertory Theatre on Main Street in Las Vegas till February 26.

The play adapted and directed by Lysander Abadia is produced by Sam A. Murphy and Lysander Abadia. 

The play features Maurice Palmer as Valentine, Flynn Dexter as Proteus, Sam A. Murphy as Julia, Dakota Cobb as Sylvia, Gavin Jules as Antonio / Duke / Thurio / Eglamour, and Salem Xavier Grey as Speed / Lucetta / Host.

All proceeds from the production will be donated to Gender Justice Nevada (genderjusticenv.org)

SILVERSCAPE

SILVESCAPE LIVE FROM THE BUNKHOUSE

Silverscape perform Under The Influence at the Bunkhouse

SILVERSCAPE IS :

lead vocals, guitar - B'yana Hinton
lead guitar - Merald Knight IV
bass - Jay Yaskin
drums - Anthony Braun
 

"This 'sexy alternative rock band' debuted in June &have since shaped the scene with their passionate riffs, smooth beats,&soulful vocals backed by power."

Glass Pools

Photo by Krystal Ramirez

On the eve of Shayna Rain's EP Release / Tour Kick Off on Sept 21st at the Bunkhouse Saloon, VIM Magazine interviews Bryan Todd of Glass Pools. 

VIM:  Greetings Glass Pools? How are you all? You're set to tour in support of Shayna Rain in September. What can we expect from you guys while on tour? Performing any new songs? What's the set list going to consist of?

GLASS POOLS: We are not touring with Shayna Rain. We'll only be playing the EP release.

VIM: You were all recently on the radio on 107.5 fm and on Neon Reverb on KUNV 91.5. How was it like to hear yourselves on the radio? What songs did you all perform?

GLASS POOLS: We did not perform on the radio. Hearing yourself on the radio is a bit surreal. It's kinda like that scene in 'La Bamba' where Ritchie's mom is working at the diner and she tells all the patrons to be quiet because her son's on the radio. It's like that, but totally different.

VIM: Brian Henry created some visuals for your song, "Stumbling," how did that collaboration come about? Are you looking into collaborating with other artists in the future?

GLASS POOLS: Brian is a friend of ours, who happens to be a really amazing visual artist. Previously he had created a whole set of projections to be play during our live shows. We asked if he'd put something together for one of our songs on the EP. The next day, we had a cool video. The guy's a mad genius. We'd love to collaborate with other artists in the future especially in the video realm. Anyone with a camera and an idea for one of our songs should definitely pitch us.

VIM:  Your self-titled EP is now available on Spotify and Itunes. Give us a run down of each song and let us know how each song came about. What were the highlights of recording the album? Mikayla Whitmore did the cover and disc artwork. It's a striking image.

GLASS POOLS: Mikayla posted that photo to her Instagram in late December, and when we saw it we asked her right away if we could use it for an album cover. Emily (Sully, drummer) had just started playing with us, we didn't have an album, or even a name at the time, but we had a rad cover. Tracking for the EP took three days, which for six songs is pretty fast. There's something interesting about working under sucha time constraint, there's always things you'd like to retry or redo, but at some point you start to think of it as a snapshot of a certain band, at a certain place, at a certain time. Each song is unique in style, but they all sound like they come from the same band. We're proud of the songs and what we've accomplished, and very excited for what the future holds. We're writing songs and refining our live-show, hoping to do another release in the next 6-8 months.

 VIM: You guys made it to round two of the Battle of the Bands for the Life Is Beautiful Festival. How was that experience like? You guys made it to round two of the Battle of the Bands for the Life Is Beautiful Festival. How was that experience like?

GLASS POOLS: Have you ever seen the battle of the bands scene from 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'?

VIM: What's up next for Glasspools*? Any side or individual projects from the band members?

GLASS POOLS: Keep on keeping on. More music. More shows. More videos. More money. More problems. More. More. More.

Also check out our interview with Shayna Rain here.

SHAYNA RAIN PAPER FLOWERS

On the eve of Shayna Rain's EP Release / Tour Kick Off on Sept 21st at the Bunkhouse Saloon, VIM Magazine interviews Shayna Rain. 

VIM: You recently performed with your band in support of Rusty Maples at the Bunkhouse, what were the highlights of that night for you?

SHAYNA RAIN: The highlight of that night was seeing Rusty, they're such a good band. I feel lucky to see them each time that I do.

VIM: What were some of your early influences growing up? Do you have any local favorites?

SHAYNA RAIN: My influences growing up are a little different than my influences now. When I was a kid I learned a lot of Carole King songs and listened to the oldies station on my radio and try to sound like any singer that came on. I was also really really into pop singers, and I would record myself singing Britney Spears or Alicia Keys songs on my karaoke machine. I could do a pretty good Britney Spears impression.

VIM: You have a new EP coming out in September? What can you tell us about it? Is it already completed?

SHAYNA RAIN: The EP was recorded and mixed at naked city audio here in Las Vegas. I'm really excited about it being mastered at West West Side Music. Deja Entendu was mastered there and that's one of Zellers (drummer/producer) and I's favorite albums.

We let Zeller produce this one and I'm really really happy with the way it sounds. I really enjoy singing over electronic music. I have always thought because my voice is a little on the softer side it fits my tone more. Zeller and I working on electronic type songs together actually came about when we worked on a benefit show for someone and no one else in the band was in town. We had to make it work, and he and I have always wanted to work together, just us and his beat machine, and it turned out really great. So, once the whole band got together we started writing more like that. Paper Flowers is something I'm really excited to show everyone, it's my baby. I care about that song so much. I started singing the melody randomly one day while I was knocking on doors for politicians, and I recorded it on my phone so I wouldn't forget it, then I showed him and was like "what are these chords?" He put a piano part to it pretty fast and we went from there. I would also have lessons with Brittany Rose and she would help me with harmonies and the intro to that song. It's  been a lot of craft that I'm excited to show what we've pieced together.

Although, the EP isn't just electronic.

There's two electronic songs on the EP and two rock songs. One of them is titled "Before My Body," I wrote it after I watched a documentary about the Golden Gate Bridge. They filmed people jumping off the bridge for a year and then interviewed those peoples families. It's nuts.. Anyway, it's really depressing. Part of the lyrics are "The stories I can no longer tell are tied to my feet, oh watch me sink. I'd watch myself die if I could so I could see my body slowly let go of my mind, I'd watch you back away from my blood and I'd tell myself that's not what I would've done."

VIM: Your first show was three years ago. Looking back now, what have been your favorite shows and performances? Where would like to perform next?

SHAYNA RAIN: The first show was one of my favorite shows. I took a picture of the crowd that night and I still use it as my header for some social media pages. It warms my heart thinking about how supportive everyone was. Both of my parents were there, my dad flew out just to see us, it was rad. Nick is also in that photo but in the crowd he's giving me the "number 1" finger sign for some reason and it's funny now because we're dating and I asked him about that and his answer is, "it's because you're number 1 babe, I just knew it then." Haha! He's full of shit but he's cute.

 Some of my favorite shows since then.. Our release last year, a lot of people came out to that. I'm always taken aback and surprised whenever a good amount of people show up. Like this amount of people want to see us? Crazy.

 And some shows on tour..

I'll never forget we had like zero dollars going into Colorado and we had two shows that day, hoping we would sell a good amount of merch to continue the tour. At the first show this man tipped us a very generous amount and asked us to never give up, it was the sweetest thing. It really lifted our spirits, the next show Colorado again lifted our spirits. The place was packed and they were so supportive. Needless to say we were able to finish the tour because of those people and I think that's why those are my favorite. The people made them my favorite.

I would just like to build more of a fan base.. I don't really care so much where it's at as long the people are listening.

VIM: You’ve been singing since you were 6 years old, what do you consider to be your biggest inspiration? What’s next for you?

SHAYNA RAIN: Yup, six years old. I started singing the day of my grandpa's funeral. He was my hero, I felt like I needed to show him that and I never told him so I went into this room that had a piano in it and attempted to sing a song. I've never had a hero since, but I've sang since. It's what got me through his death.

 My influences change, but at this time I would say one of my biggest influences is Justin Vernon. He has such an incredible ear- have you heard how amazing his harmonies are on his songs? Have you seen him live? I wish he had a school so I could learn his techniques because he is so talented. He just released a new song under Bon iver called

'10 Death Breast' you should listen to it.

Also check out our interview with Glass Pools here. 

Shayna Rain

SHAYNA RAIN ON VIM

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Join VIM Magazine as we countdown to SHAYNA RAIN'S new album release. SHAYNA RAIN is set to have their EP release / tour kick off on September 21st at The Bunkhouse Saloon! with Glass Pools, Turvy Organ and Drunk Old Ladies. 

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1820820641483689

 

ABOUT

MEMBERS:  Shayna Rain, Nick Boswell, Steven Zeller, Shane Dolliver

GENRE: Indie Rock

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas, NV

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://shaynarain.com

 

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