published in VenusZine.com on 06/02/08
How long have you worked for Dr. Wax CDs and Records?
A little more than 10 years.
Do you ever slowly feel yourself turning into a John Cusack character (from the movie High Fidelity)?
Not really. John Cusack has a kind of handsome that I would describe as a fresh-faced-farm-boy-sort-of-Christopher-Reeve-by-way-of-Mr. Rogers handsome. I feel that I cultivate a more Barry White–esque funk with a touch of Levar Burton. Plus, I lick the decals!
Which part of that last question do you resent the most?
People always think I'm more like the Jack Black character! We all know that true love was on that Sticky Fingers record.
You work in a used record and video store, so tell me about your latest (and worst) finds.
We just found a pile of video CDs that have been sitting in a back room since the Clinton administration. I've been rocking Mindfield starring Michael Ironside to cure my long winter blues. But it's in Thai, so I know I'm missing something.
Who do you have a crush on? Where would you go on your dream date with aforementioned crush?
I'm brutality torn between Lieutenant Starbuck and Bob Saget! Our three-way date would involve Champagne, cake, and Battlestar Galactica. Lots of it.
Read the article here.
Jun 27, 2008
Reader of the Week: Angelica Negron
published in VenusZine.com on 05/26/08
Why did you move to the Continental U.S. from Puerto Rico? What sorts of challenges do you face being away from home?
I moved to NYC in the fall of 2006 to do my masters in music composition at New York University. It's definitely a bit overwhelming to move to such a huge city from a tiny island, but the change has been good so far. Of course, it was hard at first to catch up with the super fast pace of life and the constant rush, but you get used to it. The weather is also hard to get used to 'cause in Puerto Rico it's summer all year long.
On your latest blog, you talk about drawing music (as in line drawing). What do you mean by that? Where did you find the inspiration to "draw" music?
For me, the most important thing in composing a piece of music has always been the form and I determine that by making a drawing of the piece before I start writing notes on staff paper. Making a drawing allows me to think of the music in terms of texture, shape, contour, gesture, color, and intensity, and also helps me organize my ideas without being restricted to the limitations of traditional notation. Music for me is always tied to colors and shapes.
How many instruments can you play? What goes through your mind when composing for so many instruments?
My main instrument has always been the violin since I was little, but I also play accordion, a little bit of harp and piano, and lots of toy instruments—which are my favorites. As a composer, I think it's very important to familiarize yourself with as many instruments as possible because it helps a lot when writing for them. I love writing for orchestra because the color possibilities are endless, but I also love the intimacy that a small group of instruments convey. I feel like every piece is a microcosm of its own and the instrumentation comes after that. What you want to say with your music will tell you the medium you'll need in order to express it.
What are you working on now?
My main project right now is the electro-acoustic pop band Balún, in which I collaborate with my husband and two other friends, but I've also done two full-length solo ambient albums under the name Arturo en el Barco. In this project, I write lo-fi ambient compositions that are mostly electronic, piano, and strings based.
I'm currently working on an album of my compositions under my name, but it's a more ambitious project since it involves many musicians playing my music and lots of rehearsal time. I started with the idea of making an album of only instruments that I know how to play but I ended up wanting to add more and more instruments so the project is starting to get out of hand…
Read the article here.
Why did you move to the Continental U.S. from Puerto Rico? What sorts of challenges do you face being away from home?
I moved to NYC in the fall of 2006 to do my masters in music composition at New York University. It's definitely a bit overwhelming to move to such a huge city from a tiny island, but the change has been good so far. Of course, it was hard at first to catch up with the super fast pace of life and the constant rush, but you get used to it. The weather is also hard to get used to 'cause in Puerto Rico it's summer all year long.
On your latest blog, you talk about drawing music (as in line drawing). What do you mean by that? Where did you find the inspiration to "draw" music?
For me, the most important thing in composing a piece of music has always been the form and I determine that by making a drawing of the piece before I start writing notes on staff paper. Making a drawing allows me to think of the music in terms of texture, shape, contour, gesture, color, and intensity, and also helps me organize my ideas without being restricted to the limitations of traditional notation. Music for me is always tied to colors and shapes.
How many instruments can you play? What goes through your mind when composing for so many instruments?
My main instrument has always been the violin since I was little, but I also play accordion, a little bit of harp and piano, and lots of toy instruments—which are my favorites. As a composer, I think it's very important to familiarize yourself with as many instruments as possible because it helps a lot when writing for them. I love writing for orchestra because the color possibilities are endless, but I also love the intimacy that a small group of instruments convey. I feel like every piece is a microcosm of its own and the instrumentation comes after that. What you want to say with your music will tell you the medium you'll need in order to express it.
What are you working on now?
My main project right now is the electro-acoustic pop band Balún, in which I collaborate with my husband and two other friends, but I've also done two full-length solo ambient albums under the name Arturo en el Barco. In this project, I write lo-fi ambient compositions that are mostly electronic, piano, and strings based.
I'm currently working on an album of my compositions under my name, but it's a more ambitious project since it involves many musicians playing my music and lots of rehearsal time. I started with the idea of making an album of only instruments that I know how to play but I ended up wanting to add more and more instruments so the project is starting to get out of hand…
Read the article here.
Carly Fisher loves Will Shortz's crossword puzzles
published in VenusZine.com on 05/21/08
While casually sifting through Will Shortz's limited collection of only a billion other puzzle books, you might want to consider picking up this particular gem from 2002: New York Times Crosswords For Your Coffee Break.
Is my leisurely pace over the past year a reflection of my weak skills? Who knows! Either way, this book has definitely popped up during times of need. Good times to use this book include: sitting on the phone with the IRS for an hour, avoiding eye contact on public transportation, or realizing you happen to be standing next to Thurston Moore and naturally want a token of this encounter, only to unsuccessfully fumble for ten minutes for the pen you should have kept wedged in the cover and then awkwardly apologize and leave without an autograph.
Read the article here.
While casually sifting through Will Shortz's limited collection of only a billion other puzzle books, you might want to consider picking up this particular gem from 2002: New York Times Crosswords For Your Coffee Break.
Is my leisurely pace over the past year a reflection of my weak skills? Who knows! Either way, this book has definitely popped up during times of need. Good times to use this book include: sitting on the phone with the IRS for an hour, avoiding eye contact on public transportation, or realizing you happen to be standing next to Thurston Moore and naturally want a token of this encounter, only to unsuccessfully fumble for ten minutes for the pen you should have kept wedged in the cover and then awkwardly apologize and leave without an autograph.
Read the article here.
Carly Fisher loves doing laundry to Scott 4
published in VenusZine.com on 05/08/08
Perhaps it isn't even laundry. Maybe it's doing dishes or writing out checks that are inevitably going to bounce. Whatever the bane of your existence may be, Scott Walker's crooning vocals on his Scott 4 album somehow make the experience a whole lot better. Don't believe me? Try doing your laundry in complete silence and then surprise yourself by slipping a little Scott Walker in. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Read the article here.
Perhaps it isn't even laundry. Maybe it's doing dishes or writing out checks that are inevitably going to bounce. Whatever the bane of your existence may be, Scott Walker's crooning vocals on his Scott 4 album somehow make the experience a whole lot better. Don't believe me? Try doing your laundry in complete silence and then surprise yourself by slipping a little Scott Walker in. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Read the article here.
Reader of the Week: Kathleen Neves
published in VenusZine.com on 04/28/08
Where did you get the idea for Xploited?
When I was in college, I was in the video production program, specializing in wakeboarding videos. I had a class where my assignment was to come up with my own video production company. One day, I found myself stuck in traffic, driving behind some dirty-ass truck. On the back, someone had drawn an anarchy sign with their finger in the dirt and wrote, "exploited.” I was really drawn to it for some reason, so I decided that I would use it to name my video production company. I took the "E" off and called it "Xploited.” A couple years later, in February 2007, when I decided to start my own zine, I kept the name.
You fell into debt with the release of your first zine. What sorts of complications did you incur starting a zine?
I had no idea how expensive printing a zine could be. I knew I needed to establish a readership, so I started researching and contacting other zines to do trades. Between having 600 copies of the zine printed and mailing issues out to hundreds of other zines, the printing and postage nearly killed me. When I first started the zine, I already had plenty of debt. Producing the zine put me further in the hole, but I have no regrets. Xploited is a labor of love for me.
What are your plans for your forthcoming zine?
Issue 003 is the Homeless issue. It's going to be all about anything and everything homeless. I have had all kinds of interesting submissions for this issue. San Francisco has a homeless epidemic, and I figured since I run a San Francisco-based zine, it would be a fitting topic. Issue 003 will be out for public consumption in the beginning of June.
Read the article here.
Where did you get the idea for Xploited?
When I was in college, I was in the video production program, specializing in wakeboarding videos. I had a class where my assignment was to come up with my own video production company. One day, I found myself stuck in traffic, driving behind some dirty-ass truck. On the back, someone had drawn an anarchy sign with their finger in the dirt and wrote, "exploited.” I was really drawn to it for some reason, so I decided that I would use it to name my video production company. I took the "E" off and called it "Xploited.” A couple years later, in February 2007, when I decided to start my own zine, I kept the name.
You fell into debt with the release of your first zine. What sorts of complications did you incur starting a zine?
I had no idea how expensive printing a zine could be. I knew I needed to establish a readership, so I started researching and contacting other zines to do trades. Between having 600 copies of the zine printed and mailing issues out to hundreds of other zines, the printing and postage nearly killed me. When I first started the zine, I already had plenty of debt. Producing the zine put me further in the hole, but I have no regrets. Xploited is a labor of love for me.
What are your plans for your forthcoming zine?
Issue 003 is the Homeless issue. It's going to be all about anything and everything homeless. I have had all kinds of interesting submissions for this issue. San Francisco has a homeless epidemic, and I figured since I run a San Francisco-based zine, it would be a fitting topic. Issue 003 will be out for public consumption in the beginning of June.
Read the article here.
Reader of the Week: Rosemary Travale
published in VenusZine.com on 04/14/08
How long have you been illustrating? Are you able to make a living from illustration, or do you have any side projects you're working on?
I have been doing illustration full time since September 2007, shortly after I finished my B.A. in Illustration from Sheridan College in Ontario. I also like to do silk screening and bookbinding when I get the chance. One of my favorite things to do is make my own sketchbooks — that way, I can be sure to get exactly the size and papers that I want with it.
Yes, I make a living from illustration. I've found that I really have to be dedicated to working on illustration full time for it to work. When I'm not working on an illustration for a client or a gallery show, things like promotion and bookkeeping have to be done. Other stuff like managing my online store, coming up with new product ideas, and brainstorming ideas for other personal projects is also in the mix.
Where do you find the inspiration to come up with these characters? And what's with the pirate fascination?
I have the mentality that if a drawing can make me laugh, it's probably something worth spending more time on. I just like to have fun and be silly with my illustrations, which I think is really important. I like the aesthetics of 1950s-era children's books. Those probably had the biggest impact on me stylistically from when I was a kid and even still.
I really, really like pirates! Nothing beats swashbuckling adventure stories on the high seas. Plus, pirates are weird in the way that they were these loathsome, murderous, and feared group, and now they seem to be these bumbling, comical characters that act as heralds to mini putt parks. And as a kid, I always felt sort of bad for Captain Hook to be constantly annoyed by a little jerk like Peter Pan!
How do you find the balance between commercial and studio art? How do you cope with your role as an artist and an entrepreneur?
I try to work on a personal illustration a little bit every day — even if it is just something like sketching out ideas.
I have been really lucky in that I have never felt that I have had to compromise my work or myself for a client. Every art director that I have worked with has always been willing to work with me to explore the subject matter of the assignment to come up with the best solution for the illustration.
I think the role of being an artist and entrepreneur is a very symbiotic one in the world of illustration. You have to be willing to create work for yourself if no one is giving you any at the time.
What do you love best about what you do?
I think the satisfaction of creating something is what I like best. It's so rad that I make a living off of something I've always done for fun. You really just can't beat that!
Read the article here.
How long have you been illustrating? Are you able to make a living from illustration, or do you have any side projects you're working on?
I have been doing illustration full time since September 2007, shortly after I finished my B.A. in Illustration from Sheridan College in Ontario. I also like to do silk screening and bookbinding when I get the chance. One of my favorite things to do is make my own sketchbooks — that way, I can be sure to get exactly the size and papers that I want with it.
Yes, I make a living from illustration. I've found that I really have to be dedicated to working on illustration full time for it to work. When I'm not working on an illustration for a client or a gallery show, things like promotion and bookkeeping have to be done. Other stuff like managing my online store, coming up with new product ideas, and brainstorming ideas for other personal projects is also in the mix.
Where do you find the inspiration to come up with these characters? And what's with the pirate fascination?
I have the mentality that if a drawing can make me laugh, it's probably something worth spending more time on. I just like to have fun and be silly with my illustrations, which I think is really important. I like the aesthetics of 1950s-era children's books. Those probably had the biggest impact on me stylistically from when I was a kid and even still.
I really, really like pirates! Nothing beats swashbuckling adventure stories on the high seas. Plus, pirates are weird in the way that they were these loathsome, murderous, and feared group, and now they seem to be these bumbling, comical characters that act as heralds to mini putt parks. And as a kid, I always felt sort of bad for Captain Hook to be constantly annoyed by a little jerk like Peter Pan!
How do you find the balance between commercial and studio art? How do you cope with your role as an artist and an entrepreneur?
I try to work on a personal illustration a little bit every day — even if it is just something like sketching out ideas.
I have been really lucky in that I have never felt that I have had to compromise my work or myself for a client. Every art director that I have worked with has always been willing to work with me to explore the subject matter of the assignment to come up with the best solution for the illustration.
I think the role of being an artist and entrepreneur is a very symbiotic one in the world of illustration. You have to be willing to create work for yourself if no one is giving you any at the time.
What do you love best about what you do?
I think the satisfaction of creating something is what I like best. It's so rad that I make a living off of something I've always done for fun. You really just can't beat that!
Read the article here.
Carly Fisher loves TasteSpotting
published in VenusZine.com on 04/14/08
Do you have a grotesque obsession with food like I do? Then you'll love TasteSpotting's daily dose of food porn from countless food blogs that offers the inspiration to cook, force a friend/significant other to do it for you, or simply drool on your keyboard. The site, which launched in January 2007, has managed to pick up quite a bit of content, which makes narrowing down a recipe both a blessing and a curse. Case in point: while trying to find a recipe for banana bread, I came across an additional 30 recipes I wanted to try. Consider it a delicious distraction from the monotony of your cereal and Ramen lifestyle.
Carly Fisher is a Venus Zine editorial intern.
Read the article here
Side note: TasteSpotting.com is defunct! Wah!
Do you have a grotesque obsession with food like I do? Then you'll love TasteSpotting's daily dose of food porn from countless food blogs that offers the inspiration to cook, force a friend/significant other to do it for you, or simply drool on your keyboard. The site, which launched in January 2007, has managed to pick up quite a bit of content, which makes narrowing down a recipe both a blessing and a curse. Case in point: while trying to find a recipe for banana bread, I came across an additional 30 recipes I wanted to try. Consider it a delicious distraction from the monotony of your cereal and Ramen lifestyle.
Carly Fisher is a Venus Zine editorial intern.
Read the article here
Side note: TasteSpotting.com is defunct! Wah!
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