ROCKY LOVES EMILY: THEY’RE MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE, THEY’RE A MELODIC BREATH OF MUSICAL AIR

It’s the early 90’s, and five young boys are about to begin on a journey that will inspire the future. On the screen sits, a young boy named Rocky who is being teased about being in love with a girl named Emily. As if by pure chance, a flame would launch in the form of a cinematic revelation in 2009 and their passion for music would find itself in the hearts of fans everywhere.  It is now 2012, and these same boys have now evolved into men, walking onto the stage in synchronization to the thunderous chants of the crowd…“Rocky Loves Emily! Rocky Loves Emily!” It seems that Rocky and Emily have finally found their justice in the eyes of these five brilliant men, and what once was a chant of ridicule, is now a mantra of admiration. Hailing from a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, Rocky Loves Emily has proven that wearing your heart on your sleeve and being true to yourselves can indeed captivate the true essence of a music-loving audience. Today in Mission, Texas it’s no exception. Awaiting their upcoming release of “Secrets Don’t Make Friends” on April 24^th, Rocky Loves Emily took the stage and rocked it out hotter than the mid-day sun, leaving their fans at the Never Say Never Art Festival in melodic wonder. In an exclusive interview for Ouch, My Ego! Magazine, I had the pleasure of speaking to these artistic individuals about tour stories, the importance of videos and the sentiment behind their upcoming album in a candid and fascinating interview.

Cynthia:  Hey everyone! This is Cynthia with Ouch, My Ego! Magazine and I am currently in the presence of Rocky Loves Emily. Okay guys, first let’s get some introductions.

Steve: Hi, I’m Steve and I play the bass and keyboard.

Brandon: (in a fake British accent) I’m Brandon Ellis and I play singing.

Sean: I’m Sean and I play guitar.

Pete: I’m Pete and I play drums.

Andrew: Andrew…guitar.

Cynthia: What inspired the name “Rocky Loves Emily” and how did you guys start?

Pete: 3 Ninjas…

Brandon: It’s from the movie 3 Ninjas. There’s a character named Rocky and a character named Emily and they love each other.

Cynthia: Awww.

Pete: The brothers in the movie make fun of him, so they have this chant, “Rocky loves Emily! Rocky loves Emily!” It was one of our favorite movies growing up, so we took it seriously.

Cynthia: It’s a good thing I’m not in a band, because our name would probably be “Sleepaway Camp” or something.

Everyone laughs.

Cynthia: In comparison to the album American Dream, what differences will we see or hear musically when Secrets Don’t Make Friends drops on April 24^th?

Brandon: Well, American Dream was a pop/rock album we wrote pretty quickly, and for Secrets Don’t Make Friends, it’s also pop/rock but we took a lot more time. We put more thought into it, and with thought hopefully comes good things.  The records delves a little bit more into who were are as people and has a lot to do with relationships…in a more darker sense of it.  Sometimes relationships don’t work out, and I hope people can relate to the feeling of getting your heart broken but still staying strong and being alive. I hope it also encourages people to…you know…I always get lost in my words.

Cynthia: To be stronger in a sense that it’s okay to be alone at times. That independence is never a bad thing and love will find you when you’re not looking for it.

Brandon: Yes, exactly. (pauses) Qui a coupé le fromage? You know?

Sean: Who cut the cheese?

We all laugh. The laughter stemmed from an earlier joke about the fact that I knew French and that sentence was all that Brandon knew.

Pete: Musically, I think we tried to write a song for everyone.

Cynthia:  How did you hear about the Never Say Never Arts Festival and what do you like about South Texas so far?

Andrew: I really enjoy it. Well, our booking agent hooked us up with the festival…

Pete: I don’t think we’d ever heard of it before…

Andrew (cont.): …yeah. I don’t think we’d ever heard of this festival before…

Brandon: I’d heard of it. (pause) I’d heard of it.

Andrew (cont.): We had heard about the whole South By Southwest festival.

Brandon (cont.): I’m the kid who’s always on the Internet hearing about stuff like this.

Andrew: Brandon apparently knows about it.

We all laugh.

Brandon:  I know last year All Time Low played, and I was like, “Dude, I wanna do that.”

Cynthia: Now you’re here! That’s awesome.

Steve:  It’s really cool though. It’s our first time playing here and I think it’s the most southern place we’ve ever played.  So, when I woke up today and we were in the van pulling in, I thought we were literally in Mexico.  I looked around and thought about how awesome it was to be almost playing in another country. We’ve been so well received here and it’s awesome.

Pete: We love that it’s in a “different country”…

We all laugh and the guys agree.

Steve: It’s great! We love it here, honestly.

Cynthia: It sure does take a long time to get here though.

Steve: That’s okay; it’s something totally different.

Pete: The weather is beautiful.

Brandon: So are the señoritas…

Brandon and I laugh.

Cynthia: Yes, señoritas.

Sean: Si, muy bien!

Brandon: Muy bien!

Pete (in a Spanish movie accent): Hola, como estas? (pause) I have no idea what I just said.

Cynthia:  You said, “Hello, how are you?”

Pete: Oh, okay.

We all start laughing.

Cynthia:  The video for “Clueless” off of American Dream had a basic concept that bands that are starting out could relate too. Very cute video by the way…

Brandon: Thanks.

Cynthia: You’re welcome. (pause) The video for the title track of Secrets Don’t Make Friends will be revealed tomorrow March 14^th along with a free download of the audio track. How important do you think videos are for reaching your fan base?

Pete: I think it’s just another outlet. Another way that people can see it, you know. I love watching movies and stuff like that, but I also watch music videos. There are some people that are more “visual” when it comes to songs and I think that videos are pretty important.

Cynthia: What about the music video treatments? Do you think that they convey what you are trying to get across in your lyrics? Upon studying film, I took it upon myself to study music video treatments from a director and musicians point of view.  I found it disheartening when a director tried to take over what he/she didn’t really know was the concept. Do you guys come up with your own?

Pete: Well, the treatment of the video was these guys…

Pete points to Brandon and Steve.

Cynthia: That’s rad. So you guys get to write your own treatments. That’s pretty legit.

Brandon: Half of the time while we are putting something like that together, we try not to take it to seriously…lyric wise. We try to find the comedy in it and portray that side of it. I mean, I’m never gonna be Russell Crowe or be in the moves probably, so when I get the chance to be on camera…we just try to make it fun.

Cynthia: Hey, you don’t know that!

Brandon: Well, Pete looks like Russell Crowe.

Cynthia: Spartacus!

Everyone laughs.

Brandon: Yeah, I’ve already been told that I’m too tall to be an actor.

Cynthia: No way!

Brandon: Yeah! It’s true, it really is! For real!

Andrew: Yeah, you’re supposed to be like 5’10” or something.

Cynthia: Wow. I’d heard about that, but I guess it is true.

Brandon: Well I guess that’s good…in the sense that I’m not a good actor.

Brandon and I laugh.

Pete: I don’t think we’ve ever taken a video seriously.

Cynthia:  What is it like to tour for you guys?

Pete: What is it like to tour?

Brandon: Yeah, like for us individually, in our band.

Pete: Oh, okay. Are you going around?

Cynthia: Yeah. I’m going to start on this side with Steve.

Steve: I enjoy it. I mean, I definitely have a lot of family back in Michigan. It is pretty tough to be away from them for so long, but at the same time it’s cool to go across the country and see people that I grew up with who moved to other states, you know?  Old friends, friends that keep coming to shows and some that have come since the very beginning. It’s kinda surreal. We’re really blessed to see different part of the country and visit places like Washington, D.C., almost Mexico. It’s really great.

Steve and I laugh.

Cynthia: Yeah, when you pulled in here I bet it looked so different with a field and all these horses. It’s a miracle you didn’t see a burro because they have some up the street. This guy has a zebra two streets down.

Brandon: No way!

Cynthia: Yeah, I used to pass him on the way to school.

Brandon: I love animals. Meeting new animals…

Brandon and I laugh.

Cynthia: I think he has a zebra, buffalo, and an antelope type animal.

Brandon: I just love seeing new animals across the country.

Cynthia: I think the animals are happy that you gave them credit.

Brandon: It’s all for the animals.

Sean:  I think it’s fun for us, personally, because we get along really well. I know it’s not the same for every band, because some bands will get in their van and everyone separates. There’s a band we just got off tour with and they said that when they get into the van everyone puts their headphones on and no one talks. When we get into the van it’s like “comedy hour” for like a few hours…

Brandon agrees.

Cynthia:  I can definitely see it…starting with this one.

I point to Brandon and everyone laughs.

Sean: Our tour manager gets so mad at us sometimes. Like last night, because we were playing this game where you gotta put your headphones on to where you can’t hear yourself. You’ve gotta sing this song as loud as you can with the noise cancelling headphones on. Pete was singing  “Attila” and he’s screaming at the top of his lungs…

Pete: Hey, I thought I sounded pretty good in my head. I was screaming…

Everyone laughs.

Sean (cont.): Yeah, screaming at the top of his lungs. So our tour manager, who was trying to get some sleep turned and said, “Will you shut up. I’ll give you one more chance to shut up.”  It was hilarious. None of us can really scream. Pete, remember when you were screaming Fourth of Day?

Pete: Oh, God. This has to deal with touring, so go ahead.

Sean: Okay. The best time was when Pete, he’s a sweetheart and he was singing to Fourth of Day. They’re a metal band.

Pete: My favorite band.

Sean (cont.): He had his headphones in and this is how the game started out before it was even invented. He was screaming and he didn’t realize that we could all hear it. So, he takes the headphones off and says, “Oh, can you guys hear me?” We all look at each other and say things like, “Yeah, you sound really good.”

Pete: Funny thing was that I didn’t apparently.

Cynthia: Aww, you guys.

Everyone laughs.

Sean (cont.): He didn’t at all. So he got really confident, and we’re like, “Dude! Do it again, put the headphones back on.”

Steve and Brandon: We started filming him.

Sean (cont.): So we pulled out our cameras and started filming him. He was getting into like…

Sean mimics Pete screaming along with the song

Pete: Like I said, in my head I sounded awesome.

Cynthia: Yeah, I bet you did.

Everyone is laughing.

Sean (cont.): Then he’s like, “Yo, can I hear that back?”  So we plug it into the speakers in the van and everyone busted out laughing. It was hilarious.

We all keep laughing for a few minutes at Pete who is a great sport through all of it.

Pete: Touring for me is…kinda like this. You are with your family, you wake up and you say, “Hey, what’s up guys? You smell really bad.” We get in stupid fights once in a while and then there’s silence for a few minutes. Then someone will go, “Dude, I’m sorry,” and things get back to normal.

The band agrees and we all laugh.

Pete: We get in stupid nothing fights, like fights that don’t mean a thing.

Steve: Like the way I back up a trailer.

Everyone laughs.

Cynthia: Really?

Pete: Yeah. You see, it’s stupid. Then we start yelling at each other, there’s pure silence, apologies and we’re done.

Brandon: Sometimes you whip out a knife.

Sean: What? Like a butter knife?

Pete looks over at Brandon, laughs and continues with his story, as Brandon and Sean talk.

Pete (cont.): It’s awesome. You’re traveling the country with your best friends, we’re a big family and you get to meet new people. I mean, it’s definitely hard because I have a girlfriend at home, you know?

Cynthia: Yeah, I can definitely understand that.

Pete: We all have people at home, but we have a blast when we’re out and playing shows is what we love to do. So, it’s perfect and it helps that I like to travel. It’s a great way to do it.

Cynthia: Traveling is hard.  I used to sing in a band and I traveled up the furthest north to Michigan. Lansing and Frankenmuth.

The band and I discuss the above-mentioned cities.

Cynthia: So what about you Andrew?

Andrew: Ditto.

Cynthia: Ditto to what?

Andrew: Ditto to what Pete and everyone said.

Cynthia: So, you like what everyone said.

Andrew: Yeah, I’ve got nothing.

Andrew and I laugh. Sean begins to tease Pete about how he answered the question in the form of a proper explanation.

Sean: I like the way you answered that Pete. “Touring is like this.  It’s like when you order a box of six chicken nuggets and you get seven. Yeah…that and a switchblade.”

Everyone laughs.

Brandon: That should be the quote of the day!

Pete: Okay, quote of the day…

Sean: Quote of the day: “Touring is like this for us. It’s kinda like when you order six chicken nuggets, and then they give you seven. Yeah…that and a switchblade.”

Everyone laughs at the quote of the day.

Sean (cont.): It’s like something from that old show on MTV called Wonder Showzen. (laughs) Yeah, that and a switchblade…a rusty switchblade.

Brandon: That’s what I have.

Brandon pulls out what looks like a Swiss Army Knife.

Cynthia (laughing): Honestly. That’s hilarious.

Cynthia:  Okay, what is the craziest thing that you’ve witnessed a fan do, and if the tables were turned, would you do the same?

Brandon: Craziest thing we’ve witnessed?

Cynthia: Yeah.

Pete: Oh, like somebody else doing?

Cynthia: Pretty much. Something a fan has done that has been hilarious, impacting, weird, etcetera.

Andrew: It’s probably “no” to the last part of the question.

Everyone laughs.

Pete: Something weird…

Brandon: Go ahead Pete, say it…

Pete: Oh! Steve blowing a tire on some train tracks.

Sean: “Dude, I totally got this first turn,” and nailed the tire.

Brandon: That was a good one!

Cynthia: Sorry Steve…

Pete: If the tables were turned I definitely would not have done that.

Everyone laughs.

Brandon: Okay, so something a fan has done…

Cynthia: Yeah, something that has impacted you in any way.

Steve: Well, we’ve got a friend that comes out to our shows, and the last time we played in Nashville she drove from Orlando, Florida in one night just to give us hugs and say “Hi.” She even missed our set. If the tables were turned, I feel that something like that takes a lot of passion and love for somebody to go out and do that. I think I would do it.

Brandon: It reminds me of that song…

Cynthia: “I Drove All Night To Get To You” by Celine Dion?

Brandon (laughs): No, not that one..umm…

Everyone laughs and throws out song suggestions.

Brandon (cont.): That Vanessa Carlton song…

Cynthia: Oh! “A Thousand Miles,” that song…

Brandon and I start singing a couple lines from the chorus “A Thousand Miles.”

Sean: How about The Proclaimers, “(I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles?”

Sean begins to sing and everyone joins in. Suddenly, Brandon breaks out into “A Thousand Miles.” We laugh and continue.

Brandon: Cynthia, you were right. So, we’d sing “A Thousand Miles,” and then say…”Thanks for coming all this way, but we’ve gotta go.”

Pete: I guess we can’t say we’ve experienced anything weird.

Cynthia: Not yet. Be Prepared.

The guys laugh.

Cynthia:  What is your favorite theme park and theme park ride?

Everyone (at the top of their lungs): CEDAR POINT!

Brandon: Have you ever heard of Cedar Point?

Steve: It’s the best rollercoaster place in the world, and my favorite ride is The Millennium Force.

Brandon: Magnum XL-200.  Definitely.

Sean: I can’t do roller-coasters.

Cynthia: No worries, I can’t either.

Sean: Nice. So, I can say that my favorite ride is the Elephant Earline.

Sean and I laugh.

Cynthia: Awesome.

Pete: The Raptor.

Andrew: Man, I gotta say something else now guys!

Pete: The Mantis.

Andrew: I don’t like that one.

Brandon: The Maverick!

Andrew: The Maverick is good. Okay, The Maverick.

Brandon: Wait! No, I meant to say The Maverick earlier, put it back!

Andrew: Nope! I got it!

We begin to talk about roller-coasters located at Cedar Point, including The Blue Streak and Ohio itself.

Andrew: We went to Six Flags Arlington and that Titan was pretty good too.

Cynthia: Yeah, I wish I was brave enough to go on rollercoasters, but I can’t after an incident at a carnival when I was young. I basically was strapped on according to a kid that was a bit larger than me and my side was loose. So, when the roller-coaster turned the bend it was so sharp that I was projected out the side of the seat. I hit the fence and slid down.

Brandon: No way! No way had you fallen out of a roller-coaster!

Cynthia: Yes, I did and that’s why I am afraid of roller-coasters. It may not have been so high, but it was traumatic. I was with my friend so not many people know.

Brandon: No you didn’t! Wow.

Pete: You shouldn’t have told me that! Now, I’m gonna freak out.

Sean: At least you’re okay.

Cynthia: You’re right. (pause) I guess you guys are super stokes about the “Secrets Don’t Make Friends” Tour?

Brandon: Yeah!

Pete: We’re doing that with Phone Calls From Home and Taylor Thrush. It’s going to be pretty awesome.

Cynthia:  Is there anything else you’d like to say to your fans? Words of wisdom, shout outs, etc.?

Steve: I would say thank you. I mean, we were blown away today that it was our first time playing here, and we had so many people show up to come see us play. It means the world to us…it really does. I know a lot of bands say that and whatever, but at the end of the day we all come together as a band, and we talk about how lucky we are to have people like our music. Thank you.

Brandon: Play Never Say Never, there’s free pizza!

Sean: Don’t quit following your dreams, even if it takes a long time, just experience and live what your dream is. Don’t quit.

Pete: I’d don’t have any advice, but I’m just thankful for every single person that gives us a chance. Without you guys, we’re nothing.

Andrew: Red hair, don’t care.

Everyone starts laughing

Cynthia: Thank you guys so much and I hope to see you at a show soon!

Brandon: That’d be awesome.

Sean: Thanks. We’ll definitely see you soon.

Steve: Thanks so much.

Pete: Yes, thank you so much for everything.

Andrew: That was awesome and thanks!

Wondering where you can catch up with the latest news from Rocky Loves Emily? I’ve got you covered! Check out these sites below for their upcoming SECRETS DON’T MAKE FRIENDS tour dates, bios, music, videos and everything RLE. Don’t forget to check out some of their heart-pumping tracks on iTunes and purchase their albums for an absolute rocking time. Remember: “Secrets Don’t Make Friends” is out April 24^th! This is Cynthia for Ouch, My Ego! Magazine and until next time, rock uniqueness!

Website: http://www.secretsdontmakefriends.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ROCKYLOVESEMILYband

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/ROCKYLOVESTWEET

Tooth & Nail Records: http://www.toothandnail.com/artists/292/Rocky_Loves_Emily/

Special Thanks To: Mike Cubillos (EarShotMedia), Tooth and Nail Records, Nicholas Trentacost, Zack (for helping me out at the venue), Dontgetemo Concerts and the Never Say Never Music Arts Festival for their support.

TURN UP YOUR HEADPHONES, YOU’RE LISTENING TO THE HARDCORE SOUND OF MY TICKET HOME

Hailing from Ohio, My Ticket Home has come a long way from its inception, and it is definitely apparent in 2012’s Create A Cure. With their plethora of rhythmic progressions, piercing vocals and all-around gripping concert sets, it’s not a wonder why their presence at the Never Say Never Arts Festival was such a fine addition to the already brilliant line-up. It was at this festival that I had a chance to catch up with Nick Giumenti, Derek Blevins, and Matt Gallucci of My Ticket Home. In this interview we chat about many things, including their beginnings, how they’ve grown musically and their cover of Katy Perry’s “Firework.”

Cynthia: Hello fellas! We are going to start with introductions…

Nick: My name is Nick, and I do vocals for the band My Ticket Home.

Matt: Hey, I’m Matt and I play guitar.

Derek: Hello, I’m Derek. I play guitar and sing.

Cynthia: Nice to meet you guys! My first question is: How was My Ticket Home started and how did the name come to be?

Nick: We started in July of 2008. We saw a lot of our friends starting bands and being pretty successful. Myself, a kid named Sean and my brother Marshal all took lessons at the same shop, so the three of us got together and decided to start the band. Our name, actually…I saw it on YouTube. It was somebody’s user name, I thought it was a cool thing or whatever, and then I forgot where I saw it.

Cynthia: That must have been a bummer at that time.

Nick: Yeah, it was. (laughs) But then, later when everyone was suggesting band names it came to me and I suggested it. Everyone liked it. For a very long time I couldn’t remember where it was from, until one day I remembered it was from the YouTube Channel.

We both laugh.

Cynthia: Pretty interesting way to get a band name.

Nick: Yeah, it was a pretty good idea. (laughs) So, that’s where the name came from.

Cynthia: Between 2010’s The Opportunity To Be and 2012’s Create A Cure, how do you think you’ve evolved as a band within those two years?

Nick, Matt and Derek deliberate who’s going to answer.

Nick: I was the only one in the band for both of those albums, so I’ll do this one.

Cynthia: Okay, sounds good.

Nick: We’ve changed tremendously. When we first started we had no concept of what it meant to write an album, you know?  We were just writing random songs to put on the Internet. I mean, we took it seriously, but we really didn’t know our way around the music industry or the songwriting process.  Sadly I think even now, we are much more progressive as a band then we were even when we wrote the album. That was a while ago, but we definitely began to understand what it meant to structure a song correctly, give a song it’s own meaning, and not write the same thing over and over. That was really a big influence in writing the latest album.

Cynthia: Cool. You guys have come a long way and it’s apparent in the latest album, which is pretty amazing. (pause) “A New Breed” is the new video off of your latest album “Create A Cure.”  Do you believe, in your opinion, that videos are important for the promotion of albums?

The guys look at each other trying to figure out who is next.

Derek: Want me to go?

Matt and Nick nod.

Derek: Well…I definitely think it’s really important because a lot of people get to see your first release as a single, not only listen to it but also see it physically.

Cynthia: When it comes to your video concepts, do you have the ability to add your creative input as to what the song means to you or is it up to someone else to convey it through?

Nick: We definitely had our own vision, but unfortunately it all goes down to the budget, and this time around it wasn’t available to do exactly what we wanted. You know?

Cynthia: Yeah, I know that all too well.  Working on indie films, budgets are also a big factor in so many aspects.

Nick: For sure. The video we put out now was sort of a “B” video, kinda like a back-up “Plan B,” a simpler and straightforward performance video.  Hopefully in the future, we’ll get to do more videos.

Cynthia: Excellent. (pause) I recently heard My Ticket Home’s hardcore cover of Katy Perry’s, “Firework,”…

Nick interjects.

Nick: Oh, God.

We all laugh as I continue my question.

Cynthia: (cont.)…and I was wondering if there were any other covers you’d like to do in the future?

Nick: You heard it?

Cynthia: Yeah, I did hear it. It was pretty good.

Nick: Yeah, oh yeah…

Nick takes a bite of his pizza slice, while the guys mimic his answer, “Yeah, oh yeah.”

Nick (cont.): I don’t like hardcore covers of songs at all, but I would wanna cover songs for fun of the bands I like. Like, Rage Against The Machine, a Slipknot cover, or…who else do we pick?

Derek: Fall Out Boy’s “Dance, Dance, “ the catchiest song ever.

We all laugh.

Nick: Oh, No.

Derek: Yes.

Nick: No.

Matt: Lady Gaga.

We all laugh.

Cynthia: That would definitely be interesting.

Nick: Oh, no, no. Many have done it.

Matt: Continue to do it.

Cynthia: Okay, if you had to drive across the country, and each of you could only pack one CD to listen to on repeat…what would it be?

After a few “oooo’s” and inner deliberation, Nick speaks.

Nick: Alright, Slipknot. It’s not hard for me.

Nick laughs and takes a bite out of his pizza slice.

Derek: I’d probably pick Stray From The Path’s latest record…

Nick: Rising Sun…

Derek: Yeah. I can listen to that for a while.

Matt: Umm, probably Stick To Your Guns…what’s that one called?

Nick: The Hope Division?

Matt: Yeah, The Hope Division. That’s a pretty good one.

Cynthia: What has been your favorite city so far on tour before NSN and why?

Nick: Okay, I’m not going to say Nashville because that’s where my girlfriend lives and that’s a cop out.

Nick and I laugh.

Cynthia: Okay, then pick another one.

Nick: Anywhere with nice weather… I like Chicago a lot. There’s a lot of really cool people in Chicago. California, as cheesy and lame as it is to say, was pretty awesome actually. It was so nice there.

Derek: Yeah, California was fantastic. Anaheim.

Nick: Yeah, Anaheim for sure.

Derek: I gotta say I really like Nashville.  The people…everyone is really awesome. I have to say and Tampa too.

Cynthia: I used to visit Tampa when I lived in Orlando and worked at the JAWS Ride at Universal Studios Orlando. It’s a cool town.

What do you get when you mix zombies, dinosaurs, neon colors and witty typography? Before the Never Say Never Arts Festival in Mission, Texas, I never would have known the answer to that question. It was until I walked past one of the most artistic displays along the merchandise booths that I found myself inquiring on this eye-catching fashion phenomenon. Upon introducing myself and commenting on their admirable work, I was connected with Radames Rosado, the vice-president of Selfless Murder Clothing. After speaking for a few minutes, I was interested in knowing more about this clothing company and their views on South Texas. What would follow would be an Ouch, My Ego! Magazine exceptional interview with Rad on their East Coast beginnings, where they see themselves in the future and some tips for the local fashion designer that secretly wants to start their own line.

Cynthia: Hello everyone! This is Cynthia with Ouch, My Ego! Magazine interviewing…

Rad: Rad from Selfless Murder Clothing and the band Love Like Rockets.

Cynthia: Okay, the first question is, how was Selfless Murder started?

Rad: We started in 2007 in New York. A friend of mine started it, and we were both in separate bands at the time. Eventually those bands broke up after one or two tours, which is not uncommon for some bands to do. Like I said before, he started the company and I came along after that to help him out with it.  I just kinda grew into it, and I own half of it now. We’ve been pushing from that point ever since.

Cynthia: What tours have you been a part of?

Rad: We’ve been on Vans Warped Tour, Surf and Skate…when Surf and Skate was around, Taste of Chaos to name a few. We’ve pumped it up from only doing half the tour to doing full tours, and now we are trying to do as many festivals as we can to pay the bills too, I guess.

We both laugh in agreement.

Cynthia: Yeah, I can totally see that.  It’s a very tough job.

Rad: It’s not just running around like a bunch of kids anymore. IT does become something that you have to take care of, kinda like a child.

Cynthia: I can see how it would be that way. In fact, I know that you guys ship here in the U.S., but do you also ship worldwide?

Rad: Surprisingly, yes. It’s really funny, but we have a lot of buyers for the clothing line in Australia. The bulk of our overseas online sales seem to be coming from there. I have talked it over with the guys and I would really, really like to go and take the company out there just to meet the people. Besides the fact that it’s beautiful, and I don’t care if there are Great White sharks in the water. I’m still gonna go swimming. It just has to be done, you know?

Cynthia: That does sound like an amazing idea. Well, going out there and meeting the people. I don’t know about swimming with the sharks.

We both laugh.

Cynthia: (cont.) I hear The Great Barrier Reef is pretty amazing though.

Rad: Oh yeah! I’ve heard of that place.

Cynthia: So, are there any other places?

Rad: I know we get a few from England…I don’t know about Japan. Japan is like my second most favorite place in the world.

Cynthia: My sister was stationed in Osaka, and I hear it’s a pretty cool place to visit.  Would you like to do any festivals in any of those places overseas?

Rad: Well, we’re trying to be a part of Soundwave.

Cynthia: I’ve heard of that! It’s a wonderful festival in Australia. That would be such a great idea.

Rad: Even though I know it’s very difficult I would like to try. From what I hear it’s a really great series of shows in Australia. It’s a rigorous tour with bands ranging from big to small, but I would definitely want to do it.

Cynthia: That sounds like an awesome goal. What do you see yourself, as a clothing company, two years from now?

Rad: Taking the line to be the next Ben Sherman. Sneakers, socks, coasters, whatever. Just really expanding our market. Not only just that, but the music too. Going on tours with the bands, working with friends of ours, and hopefully successfully.

Cynthia: Yeah, I can see where you’re getting at. That is wonderful outlook to have for your company.

Rad: Not living out of a cardboard box.

We both laugh.

Cynthia: Yeah, that would be horrible. (pause) Is this your first time at the Never Say Never Arts Festival or have you been here before?

Rad: I personally have never been here. We work with another company called “Plug Your Holes, “ which is a body jewelry company now based out of Kansas City, so they knew about the festival.  They came down, enjoyed it and told us about it. So basically, our first time was last year through them, even though we weren’t here because we work together.  Our consensus of the show is that it seems really great, a lot of kids turn up for the event, but finding the venue was a bit tricky.

Cynthia: (laughs) I’m sure it was. We are a bit out here.

Rad: (laughs) It’s because there’s two addresses. I guess there’s another building with the same address or something. Other than that…I think it’s great.

Cynthia: What do you think of South Texas, now that you’ve been down here for a bit?

Rad: How can I explain South Texas…

Cynthia: (laughs) Well, I guess it’s warmer than New York City.

Rad: (laughs) A lot warmer than New York City.  I mean, it’s beautiful here. It’s very nice here, the people are very friendly, and the roads are so smooth. We were talking about it the other night. Well, in the middle of our rap freestyle thing that we do to pass the time…

Cynthia: My friend Stacy and I do that sometimes too, so it’s all good.

Rad: So, I gotta send my shout out to Lil’ Wayne. This guy from Love like Rockets can definitely spit some fire.

We laugh.

Cynthia: (laughs) Awesome…

Rad: Yeah, but South Texas is really great. The roads are so smooth you can fall asleep while you’re driving…

Cynthia: Well, that’s not good…

We laugh.

Rad: No, it’s not. I really do like it here. I mean, I’m a cheeseburger guy, but all my friends try to get me to try Tex-Mex food. The wonderful Southern food that is a little bit more spicy than what I’m used too.

Cynthia: Yeah, I’m not even into the “spicy” that much and I’m from here.

Rad: (Laughs) You see! Ugh, it gets ya’!

We laugh.

Rad: I’m an ocean guy, so this place is pretty close to the gulf so that’s pretty cool.

Cynthia: It is fantastic. We love the idea that the beach is so close by. (pause) Do you have any words of wisdom to anyone who wants to start a clothing company here in the Rio Grande Valley or the whereabouts of any of our readers?

Rad: Got to college. Enough said. (laughs) No, I’m just kidding. If you’d really like to start a clothing company…don’t rush. What I mean “don’t rush” is, don’t come out with two designs and rush your lines out, just for sakes of getting on a tour. Really take your time and start doing smaller festivals. You’ll start meeting other people that are also part of clothing lines who are willing to work with you and help each other out. Use other printer and don’t shy away from experimenting. Be the next Tommy Hilfiger or…

Cynthia: The next Betsey Johnson.

Rad: Yes, exactly! The next Betsey Johnson, Ben Sherman…umm…

Cynthia: Vivienne Westwood.

Rad: Another great one! Vivienne Westwood.

Cynthia: It seems I’m obviously cheering on the females.

We both laugh.

Rad: They’ve got good style too.  It’s true. I don’t see myself just doing this. I can see myself doing high fashion.

Cynthia: Right. I agree.

Rad: I like to dress up. Well, right now I have a t-shirt, jeans and a hat. (laughs)

Cynthia: Well, it is hot out, so I don’t blame you. You could have worn a tuxedo. I don’t think anyone would have frowned at that idea.

We both laugh.

Rad: One more thing about the fashion line…be prepared to spend money. Don’t get bummed out if you don’t do so well the first time out. Advertise and take your time.  Like I said before, don’t rush it. Just enjoy it.

Cynthia: Well that concludes our interview and thank you so much for your time. We hope to see you next year at NSN 2013!

Rad: Check us out on our Website, Twitter, Facebook and thank you so much.

Cynthia: You’re very welcome, and will do!

If you’re looking for a style that is truly a class on its own, Selfless Murder Clothing is ready to be a part of your newly found fashion favorites. Check out Selfless Murder Clothing this summer touring across the U.S., rocking their merchandise at the Vans Warped Tour 2012! Get ready to represent some East Coast apparel and be the talk of the town. This is Cynthia for Ouch, My Ego! Magazine. Until next time, rock uniqueness!

For more on Selfless Murder Clothing visit:

http://www.selflessmurder.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selfless-Murder/24769819307

https://twitter.com/#!/selflessmurder

http://selflessmurder.tumblr.com/

Special Thanks: Selfless Murder Clothing Crew, Dontgetemo Concerts and the Never Say Never Music Arts Festival for their support.

Sometimes you can find the most amazing people in your own backyard and you’d never even notice. Well, that’s if they don’t have a bullhorn. This year at the Never Say Never Arts Festival in Mission, Texas, I was about to experience a chance encounter that would spark a new bridge between the sunny beaches of California and the scenic culture of South Texas.  Wearing a pair of pink heart shades, I breezed through the stages, only to be stopped by Nina Johnstone, president of  Kiss The Concrete clothing line/production company. Speaking through a small bullhorn, Nina complimented my shades, and that’s where this interview begins. For the first time ever in an interview exclusively for Ouch, My Ego! Magazine, Nina Johnstone will talk about her clothing line, the message behind her most famous t-shirts and what she thinks about South Texas.

Cynthia: Hello Everyone! This is Cynthia and I am currently at the Never Say Never Arts Festival with Nina from Kiss The Concrete. We are going to talk a little about the clothing line, how it was started, how she heard about NSN, etc. Okay, first question: Why did you decide to start a fashion line?

Nina: Actually, the clothing line started as kind of a joke. Kiss The Concrete officially started out as a concert production company, which specialized in helping bands that had no track record in San Diego book shows. Then one random December night in 2009, my friends and I were walking around talking, when one person came up with an idea. She said, “Let’s go on Warped Tour this summer!”  So, from there we started out with “Trust No D**k” and “Trust No B**ch” t-shirts and it’s blown up all over the globe.

Cynthia: Where exactly have you heard your line has been spotted?

Nina: You can find our shirts in Germany, Australia, Canada, all over the U.S.; some of the bands brought them…so we are just trying to make things happen.

Cynthia: How does it feel to see a “twinkle in the eye” idea come full circle and now you can physically see people wearing your prints in random towns all over the place?

Nina: It’s actually kind of flattering, because you initially think that when you start something, it’s not going to make a difference or change anyone’s life.  People have actually come up to me with stories of having boyfriends/girlfriends dump them or family members disown them, and they bought a t-shirt that they believe gave them the courage to change their life. I mean, it’s kinda weird to think that a t-shirt can change someone’s life, but it’s really nice to know that so many people believe in what we’re doing.

Cynthia: What do you think is the message behind the shirts and this positive movement?

Nina: For starters, it’s not a “we hate men, or a “we hate women” sort of thing. It’s more of a “you don’t have to deal with d**k-headed people in your life,” and you can have the power to have a more positive upbringing.  It’s great to have positive people around.

Cynthia: That is very true, and those are some great words of wisdom behind it.  Where are you guys from?

Nina: We are from San Diego, California. I was born and raised there. This summer we are holding a booth at the Vans Warped Tour for the entire tour, which can be a crazy experience. The last two tours we’ve done a couple days here and there, but this year we’re gonna go out there and do it.

Cynthia: Awesome! How did you guys find out about the Never Say Never Arts Festival located down here in South Texas?

Nina: We actually sponsor a band out here called “The Final Burial” they are a death-core type band. They played here last year, and we (as a clothing line) had to back out for various reasons. This year, when we were asked to join the festival as a clothing line, we accepted, and here we are at our very first NSN.

Cynthia: Very cool! Well, welcome to South Texas, and I’m sure the weather is not too much different from San Diego, is it not? Isn’t San Diego a bit cooler?

Nina: Yeah, it’s a little bit breezier. Here it’s hot, dusty and full of craziness.

*We laugh*

Cynthia: Maybe because it’s a horse track and the dirt is flying everywhere.

Nina: (laughs) Yeah that could be it. I mean, San Diego gets boring and people don’t understand that. It’s nice to go somewhere else and meet new people. What’s cool is that your music scene is way different than ours. So, it’s nice to see how kids get down to see the bands and show their support.

Cynthia: Thank you so much! That means a lot to us.

Nina: It’s actually inspiring. Our music scene could use a lot of work, and you guys actually have a solid one, because there are a lot of kids out for these shows.

Cynthia: Well, the staff behind Don’tGetEmo has been working diligently on this festival since they started in 2009. Every year as soon as one is over, they are already working on what’s in store for the following year.

Nina: Wow, that’s amazing. I’d love to come next year!

Cynthia: Do you guys have a website, Facebook, Twitter, etc…?

Nina: Yes, and don’t forget to “Tweet” at us while we are on the Vans Warped Tour to get more free stuff. Hit us up online or on Facebook. We love talking to our fans; meeting people…you don’t even have to buy anything. We just want you to come over and chill with us for a bit. It’s all about meeting new people and making people feel comfortable.

Cynthia: That sounds like a definite plan. Well, thank you very much for letting us know a little about Kiss The Concrete and good luck on Warped Tour. Hopefully, we’ll see you back around next year!

Nina: You’re welcome and thank you for my very first interview. I would love to come back!

So, if you’re walking around a music festival, and you run into Kiss The Concrete, chances are you are in for a good time. Take it from me, you won’t regret walking up to that purple tent and meeting some great people. This is Cynthia for Ouch, My Ego! Magazine. Until next time, rock uniqueness!

For more on Kiss The Concrete visit:

http://www.kisstheconcrete.com

http://www.twitter.com/kisstheconcrete

http://www.kisstheconcretepresents.tumblr.com

http://www.facebook.com/KissTheConcrete

For More Concert and Production Photos visit:

http://www.facebook.com/ShotByNesha

Special Thanks: Nesha Torres (Shot By Nesha) for the amazing photo, Kiss The Concrete Productions, Dontgetemo Concerts and the Never Say Never Music Arts Festival for their support.

It’s 2009. As thirty bands get ready to set up on two stages, the crowd is hyped with a new-fangled festival that was finally bringing down some of the hottest bands from all genres known to the local music connoisseurs. But little did they know that by 2012, this festival would end up being approaching the level of  SXSW and Warped Tour, receiving publicity from such media greats as Alternative Press magazine and MTV. This two-day, multi-stage festival held in Mission Texas every year during Spring Break has taken the world by storm, allowing the South Texas fan base to enjoy some of their favorite bands, all the while giving the local talent a chance to be selected to play in what will soon be a part of music fest history.

As the crowds grow larger so do the headliners, and in 2012 at Las Palmas Racepark in Mission, Texas, Never Say Never’s line-up is chock-full of new favorites and popular repeats who have supported the festival for several years. Wiz Kalifa (Atlantic Records), Hellogoodbye (Wasted Summer/LAB Records), Rocky Loves Emily (Tooth and Nail Records) and Every Avenue (Fearless Records) are among some of the new acts performing for the first time at NSN along with many other amazing picks from various genres. Forever The Sickest Kids (Universal/Motown), Black Cards (Decaydance/Island), Asking Alexandria (Sumerian) and Big Chocolate (Unsigned), who are big supporters of the Festival, are coming back to add to the plethora of beloved repeats. With passion in their hearts Dontgetemo Concerts, referred to the local scene as DGE, has done for South Texas what people never thought could ever be done here. They are truly inspirations to the dreamers that anything is possible, for when it comes to reaching your goals….Never Say Never.

For more information on the NEVER SAY NEVER ARTS FESTIVAL you can find them at:

Online Site: http://www.nsnfestival.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nsnfestival

Twitter: @nsnfestival

GALAX Z FAIR is a unique day display of awesome, eclectic touring musicians interspersed between a sprinkling of South Texas’s finest artists. The day begins at 4pm on Wednesday, March 14 2012 and is going down at the Historic Cine El Rey Theatre in downtown McAllen TX. GALAX Z BEAR is pleased to present the Rio Grande Valley with performances by:

Of Montreal (Atlanta GA)

Miniature Tigers (Brooklyn NY)

Class Actress (Brooklyn NY)

The Strange Boys (Brooklyn / Austin)

Heavy Cream (Nasvhille TN)

Slowdance (Brooklyn NY)

Sick/Sea (McAllen TX)

Jungle Bodies (Edinburg TX)

Wild Moccasins (Houston TX)

Vatican Beach (Harlingen TX)

TUFF TOWN*

DARM DARM*

M.TOUCHET*

Ouch, My Ego!

*LIVE ART!

This is going to be awesome, so please, South Texas, don’t miss out on this manifestation of cultural and artistic performance. Live art will be rampant throughout the day by TUFF TOWN and DARM DARM, and we’re even providing face and body painting by the lovely, chic, M.Touchet. Ouch, My Ego! will be providing an amazing photobooth, and media!

DOORS: 3:30PM

MUSIC: 4PM

AGES: ALL AGES

COST: $25 adv / $30 door

buy tix here: http://events.ouchmyego.com/tickets/event/galax-z-fair/

rsvp here: https://www.facebook.com/events/182116568547666/

Do not miss out on this event!

Does Your Party Need Oxygen? Breathe Carolina into it

Since their inception in 2007, Kyle Even and David Schmitt of the band Breathe Carolina have come a long way from their first EP Gossip, a mixture of beats created with the software GarageBand in their hometown of Denver, CO.  Since then, Breathe Carolina has topped the charts with “Diamonds”,  “I.D.G.A.F.”, “Hello Fascination” and their latest single “Blackout.” Laced with post-hardcore influences, this electro pop duo has toured all over the world spreading infectious dance beats that would make any wallflower migrate to the dance floor within seconds. This July, Breathe Carolina headlined the 2011 “Scream It Like You Mean It” tour, bringing their melodic mayhem to the Pharr Convention Center in Pharr, Texas. After a brief settling in on their tour bus, Kyle and David enthusiastically talked to me about their journey to get to their latest album “Hell Is What You Make It” out now on Fearless Records, keeping up with their unique clothing line BLUSH, and their opinions on this sweltering South Texas heat in this exclusive interview for Ouch! My Ego.

Cynthia Santos: This is Cynthia Santos with Ouch! My Ego magazine and I am currently in the presence of Breathe Carolina, this is…

David Schmitt: David…

Kyle Even: and (sings) Kyle…and Kevin!

David: and Kevin’s here!

Kyle: He’s our little puppy.

David: Yeah. Hey…(to Kyle) he’s chewing on something.

Kyle: (to Kevin) Hey! Don’t chew on that straw! (to me) Sorry.

Cynthia: (laughs) That’s okay. He’s amazing. (pause) So, can I ask you guys a couple of questions?

Kyle and David nod.

Cynthia (cont.): You’ve come a long way since 2007-2008’s “Gossip” to now 2011’s “Hell is What You Make It.” How can you say you’ve matured musically?

David: I think it’s just like our experiences. I mean, for the second record we were able to like, get into an actual studio and record live instruments. I feel like we’ve just expanded it a lot more too, like at first we just did it all electronic you know and we had a lot of fun. But, with the new record they have full instruments and stuff so it’s cool.

Cynthia: That’s excellent! You’ve been labeled as electro-pop/metal also known as “crunk-core.” How does this “mixing” of music genres make you different from others also in this genre?

David: Umm, I dunno. I feel that electro-pop totally makes sense, but I feel like sometimes we get labeled as a “crunk” band but I feel we’re not like that. You know what I mean? We’re like a “dance” band. I mean, we have nothing against that type of music you know, but I feel like that makes us send out more to other people. It’s just the fact that it’s, you know, like real life stories coming through our music. There’s emotional songs and stuff like that.

Kyle:Yeah. It’s like a song for song basis, it not necessarily the whole idea is captured in one song. You know what I mean? You have to listen to every track to fully understand our band. We jump around a lot we don’t stick just to one genre, period. We jump from post-hardcore, to dance, to pop, electronica, screamo, whatever you want to call it. We’re just writin’ and feelin’ out the vibe constantly and I think that that’s what it is. We’re not sittin’ here trying to be like, “Oh, we gotta be this genre,” you know what I mean?

David: Yeah.

Kyle: Or “We created this genre.” Hell no, man. Music has evolved…you know what I mean?  We’re just trying to be of those pieces of evolution in music…

Cynthia: Right…

Kyle (cont.): …to survive as a band in life. We just want people to enjoy themselves. We make music because we love music. We’re not makin’ music for any other reason. We love creatin’ the sound that we created because it’s where we come from. We just hung out chillin’ in a bedroom, and now we get to hang out chillin’ in a bus…

David, Kyle and I laugh then Kyle continues.

Kyle (cont.): So you know, we’re gonna take that. We’re gonna take that.

Cynthia: True, very true.

Kyle: You know, and we thank everyone along the way. We do, we definitely do and I think that’s the big thing that we want to convey, that this is only real because of the people listening to this and the people reading this. The people watching us and coming out to the shows…those are the people that give us this life opportunity.

David: Yeah, totally.

Kyle: Yeah. We just want them to be stoked on our songs, like we’re not worried about critics. Man, f**k the critics. You know, I think if anyone is going to be a critic…it’s us.

Cynthia: Right. Everyone’s their own worst critic when it comes to their work.

Kyle: Yeah, you know what I mean. We had a lot of opportunities to work with different people on this new record and a lot of those opportunities fell through for us. It was very, you know, misunderstanding of who we are as people. You know what I mean? Thinking that we’re something else or thinking that we’re these people that are not “in tune” with music now.

Cynthia: Right.

David: Yeah.

Kyle: We listen to everything. We are very much into the music “scene” of the radio, and we are very much into the music “scene” of any labels. Our ears and eyes are open constantly. We know exactly what we want to do with our band, and that’s what we’re trying to do. We are not worried about these people or their ratings of our album, and this and that. It’s like, “That’s your opinion. That’s your opinion, bottom line.”

Cynthia: Right.

David: Yeah.

Kyle: Right on, you’ve got an opinion, cool. You’re able to put that in a magazine or book, good for you. Good for you, but in the end…it’s us that are making this life real. It’s our fans that are making this life real. It’s these people with our label, our management, and these other avenues…

Kyle picks up their puppy mascot, Kevin.

Kyle (cont.): …you know, even Kevin, man, he’s a part of this world. You know what I mean? How each and everyone one of us aspires to be this huge thing. We just wanna…exist. You know, I’m chattin’ a lot about it but…

Cynthia: Oh, it’s okay. It’s fine, really.

Kyle: I feel like that’s the thing that we want to get across…

Cynthia: Right.

Kyle: We’re just stoked to be here, you know.

Cynthia: Yeah, that’s awesome.

David: Yeah, it is.

Cynthia: Okay, the “Scream It Like You Mean It” Tour is an awesome way to promote your latest album, “Hell Is What You Make It,” which debuted on July 12^th. How difficult and/or how beneficial has it been to your promotional plans?

David: It’s been awesome. I mean we have a big sign on the outside of our bus.

David, Kyle and I start to laugh.

David (cont.): RockStar (Energy Drinks) wrapped our bus, so we have that, and it’s cool ‘cause it’s fresh in everyone’s minds right now. You know what I mean? So it’s like, we get to play these shows and these new songs. It feels like the first time I was playing and the kids are stoked. It was definitely an awesome call on everyone’s part to have this tour be right when our album drops…

Cynthia: Right on.

Kyle: Right. Yeah.

David (cont.): … because we have a little bit longer to play, so also we’ll be able to play more stuff. So, yeah it’s been great. It’s been awesome.

Cynthia: That’s pretty amazing. (pause) Let’s see…many bands have fashion lines. How can you say BLUSH is unique, and how difficult is it to run a fashion line, plus be in a band?

Kyle: We actually have a lot of help with BLUSH. Man, our good friend Josh… Josh White…Josh Umbrella is what we call him, he runs Umbrella Clothing and he’s been pushing BLUSH and helping us with that since we started. Honestly, man without him I think…

David interjects in agreement.

David: It’d be really, really difficult…

Kyle: It would be. It would be. He’s the mind and the one kinda really driving it to continue to push forward. We are just stoked to have him on our team and the fact that he even wanted to help us push it, create it and to help make it a reality…

David interjects to add to Kyle’s statement.

David: Yeah…it was him sitting around while we were doing music, but we had this idea. I think what makes us different is that it’s more focused on girls clothing.

Cynthia: Right, okay.

Kyle: Yeah.

David: It’s just that we’ve had a lot of help from a lot of different girls as well, umm…

Kyle interjects.

Kyle: You know I think being on tour, and being the kind of band we are, we have a lot of friends that are females…you know what I mean?

Cynthia: Yeah, of course.

Kyle: We wanted to give them somethin’ to be stoked about, you know? They come to the show and we get to give them somethin’ and it’s like, “Yeah, this is for you. Thank you for being our friend.” We get to ask them, we give them clothes and we’re like, “Tell us which ones you like and which ones you don’t like.”

Maybe this is just one more in a long line of indications that the end is quickly approaching us. As 2012 rapidly congeals into existence at the end of this month’s merriment, what can we look forward to? In case you still haven’t heard the news, Of Montreal is coming to the valley! Yes, it is confirmed, and yes it will be all kinds of radical.

Ouch, My Ego! has joined forces with Galax Z Bear to give you: Galax Z Fair. And no… there will be nothing moderately mediocre about this affair. If you think Of Montreal is all we have lined up, you are sorely mistaken. Galax Z Fair will feature so many great acts from all over the USA, including the best local acts in the area. Some people might say… never never never would the valley be host to something like this. The valley is no novice when it comes to bringing down mainstream acts like Los Lonely Boys, Metallica, Aerosmith, and many others however, this will be a Valley first for bringing down a band with such alt/indie appeal.

Some of you may wonder who is Of Montreal and why should we even care.

I’ve been a fan of Of Montreal back since the late 90s/early2000′s back when they were part of the Elephant 6 Recording Collective. If i had to say one thing about them, it is that they are prevalent creators that consistently push music into a realm of art. Scope them out, they are a live act, not to be missed!

Pre-early bird special tickets are available now! Tickets will be in short supply and in high demand, so once they go up, get yours before they are gone! Regular pre-sale tickets will be available starting on friday!

Buy your tickets now! <3

Valley based dance-funk band The Young Maths has recently returned from their month long summer tour and completed their follow up studio album ERRORRS. OME recently had the time to ask these gents a few questions.

OME: Hey guys how are you doing, how does it feel to be back?

TYM: It always feels weird to come back. It’s nice to sleep in your own bed and have a place to come home to, but after being in a different city every night around new people and living in this alternate reality, normal life just doesn’t compare.

OME: Any crazy stories to tell?

TYM: Probably the craziest thing to happen to us was meeting these really weird guys who were going to let us crash at their place. They just smoked pot all night, and their dog was constantly trying to hump us. The highlight of the night was listening to one of them try to tune an electric guitar for about 30 minutes. The same string. We ended up leaving and getting a hotel.

OME: What did you all miss the most?

TYM: Whataburger! We finally got to have some once we got into Oklahoma. Please sponsor us, Whataburger. We believe in your company.

OME: Your new album ERRORRS is finished and had its release at McAllen’s Cine El Rey Theatre August 13, you all had an amazing turnout! How satisfied are you all with the final release of ERRORRS? How long did it take to complete?

TYM: It feels amazing to have it out on vinyl, instead of just a CD people are going to lose or via digital download. You can actually hold this physical product of your work that looks like a piece of art itself. Overall, I’m really happy with how the album has been received. The kids and the bloggers seem to like it, even though it’s a departure from the sound people are used to hearing from us. I’m relieved people weren’t like “UGH, this is too different, I wanted Sheets Part 2.” They totally could have responded that way. We wanted to challenge people a bit with this album; as a band you can either repeat yourselves or try to progress. We finished it pretty fast, about 6 days in the studio, spread out over the beginning of May.

OME: What studio did you all record at? Who else has recorded there?

TYM: We recorded it at our friend Charlie Vela’s studio. It’s more like, who hasn’t recorded there? Charlie’s recorded almost every band down here in the local scene at one point or another.

OME: What are some of your favorite highlights on the album? What are you favorite tracks? Did you all try and take a different approach to this album?

TYM: I loved having the guests on this album. Lindsay, who used to play drums with me in my old band (Yoink!) essentially recorded her parts at home in Austin, emailed them to us, and we added them in. She sent us a lot of takes and layers of harmonies. Having Jonathan and Ryan play the horns on the title track was also really awesome, just being there while they layered all those chaotic horns. Our approach on this album was to try and make it sound as raw and live as possible, with minimal overdubs. We didn’t want it to sound as polished as “Thank You, Good Night, We Are…” As for a favorite, I couldn’t say. I never thought we’d be writing songs like “ERRORRS” and “Practicing Invisibility,” so maybe those two.

OME: What is your most personal song on ERRORRS? Who does most of the song writing?

TYM: Probably “Practicing Invisibility,” but it’s not personal in any obvious way the listener can immediately grasp. I usually come up with ideas at home and email them to the guys, then at practice we mess around with them and figure out what works and what doesn’t. What’s cool on this album is that Patrick came up with the music for “The Cannon Choir” and I just added the vocal lines, and bam, new song.

OME: What inspired the album art? Looks dark! Is there any message you’re trying to convey or symbolism in the picture?

TYM: All I can say is look at the smoke, it’s not just any smoke. It’s from a well-known image. It’s timely.

OME: Of all the venues you’ve visited which would you say was the best, sound and audience-wise? Worst?

TYM: The best sound might have been at Glasslands Gallery in New York City. There were others on this tour, but Glasslands immediately stands out. The best audiences are always here in the Valley, the sweaty ones at Ambrosia or Galeria 409. Worst sound and audience might have been in Greensboro, North Carolina. The sound guy told us to turn our amps down, I had no vocal monitor, and we played to a bunch of disinterested coffee shop patrons.

OME: Where do The Young Maths draw inspiration from musically? Where are their roots?

TYM: We draw inspiration from a lot of stuff. Talking Heads, The Hives, Weezer, James Brown, Motown, everything. We try not to wear our influences on our sleeves too much, because that gets really boring. “They sound like [insert indie band here].” You can’t say that about us anymore. Our roots were definitely in dance-rock, and we STILL get compared to The Rapture sometimes, but we aren’t really there anymore. The Rapture comparisons are just lazy. What about Liars, !!!, Moving Units, Bloc Party? That just shows how little those people know about dance-rock.

OME: I have to ask, what exactly is a young math? How did you all end up with your name? What were other name options?

TYM: A Young Math is an equation, whereby:

(My age – X) = 18, and (My girlfriend’s age – X) = Y.

Now imagine me at 18 making out with a Y-year old.

If I was 24 and dating a 19 year old, then:

(24 – X) = 18 [X =6]

(19 – 6) = Y [Y is 13]

So you have an 18-year old making out with a 13-year old. There were never any other name options. It was perfect from the beginning. Please nobody ask this question ever again.

OME: What does the diet of a Young Math consist of? What do you all do/enjoy/work at when the band is taking time off?

TYM: On the road, the diet of a Young Math is a hierarchy of:

The Young Maths LOVE Muscle Milk Bars

1) Whatever’s free

2) Whatever’s cheap

3) Muscle Milk bars

When the band is taking time off, we all work at various jobs and hang out at scene parties and die a little inside each day.

OME: How do you think the Valley scene is turning out? What do you think we can improve on? What do you wish to see more of or less of?

TYM: The Valley scene feels dead to me, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Those of us who want to do more are doing more, and those who are content within the Valley scene are still doing their thing. There will always be bands from the Rio Grande Valley, but they don’t need to think of themselves as being any better or worse for it. Look at us, at Dignan, at Sick/Sea. I don’t like to think in terms of the Valley anymore, it’s pointless. It’s the cultural and intellectual equivalent of being stuck in your high school days. You can cling to them or try to do something better.

OME: What are some of your personal favorite Valley bands?

TYM: Dignan, Sick/Sea, The Ex-Boyfriends, Night Dudes, Seafoam Green, Japanese To English, Darm Darm Dudes, White Zebra

OME: What does your show schedule look like and when can we anticipate seeing you guys again?

TYM: We have absolutely no idea when we’re playing again down here. We plan to tour in November, and probably play some shows around Texas until then. Gotta sell those records.

OME: Fill in the blanks.

TYM: We sure as hell aren’t BROS but we’re definitely NICE DUDES !!! There can never be too many PEOPLE AT OUR SHOWS .

Stay buzzed in to OME, when these guys start playing again you’ll be the first to know! We thank The Young Maths for their time and you can check out the new album ERRORRS streaming on the their bandcamp page at :

theyoungmaths.bandcamp.com

or follow them on twitter for the new updates on their tour at

http://twitter.com/theyoungmaths

Recommended tracks: Truth Tables and Treble Reducer

Without further ado enjoy Ouch, My Ego’s first of many monthly Live Session series: (special thanks to Charlie Vela, Gabriel Elizondo, George Dean, and Sal Torres)

The Young Maths – Body Bags

The Young Maths – Truth Tables

We’ve seen a lot of “retrogressive advancements” in the area of photography brought about by our pop cultures ever-increasing fascination with analogue/nostalgic aesthetics. It was the Poloroid movements and Lomography revivals that brought about the insanely popular Hipstamatic iphone app. Trends like this are making headway absolutely everywhere and now there is The Box, transforming your old fashioned black&white strip photo booth into a brand new, fully interactive experience.

Marco Valdez - Photographer

The Box is a state-of-the-art photo booth encompassing new technology like the Apple Ipad’s touch screen/software. Inspired by a similar photobooth seen at an event in LA, photographer Marco Valdez has come together with graphic designer Oz Arriaga to bring this innovative revival to the Valley. With a completely automated, user-friendly interface The Box guides the user through the system while playing relevant music for patrons to take pictures to. It simultaneously streams a live feed of what is going on inside the booth to a screen just outside of it so outsiders can watch with amusement.

Initially created for Wedding & Quinceañera rentals, Marco’s Box project has taken a surprisingly corporate turn. Expect to see The Box at local events including this years Cine Sol Film Festival.
Also, be sure to join in on the action at The Box Launch Party at this Friday’s ArtWalk in McAllen, September 2 at 6pm.

The photo booth is available for all type of events; for more information, please contact Marco Valdez.

The Box
610 N main St Suite B
McAllen, Tx 78501

I first stumbled upon free hugs at a UIL meet in Round Rock circa 2004. She was a lovely, albeit chubby, young woman riddled with the high school acne that plagued us all. She wore a smile that could light up the darkest poem I heard that day—if I remember rightly, “Daddy” by Plath. I seized the opportunity for a free hug and strove to learn about where such an idea originated. I meant to ask but my desire was quelled by the cushion of her upper arms around my neck and her face pressed intimately against my chest. It occurred to me later that perhaps the hug was not for me, but for her.

“Free hugs” has turned into a bit of a craze, if not a philosophy, or a cult. I have seen dozens of people on street corners holding signs brandishing the “Free Hugs” logo, all wearing the same disturbingly empty smile; I have met and known only three. I’ll refrain from divulging names or attributing the following observations to any individual but the similarities between the three are striking. For example, they tend to suffer from lack of a solid relationship with their parents while carrying on unfulfilling relationships with those deemed to be close friends and employing a maddening self-indulgence which makes carrying on a mutual conversation damn near impossible. Most noticeably, there tends to exist in each some major physical feature, one self-perceived as a flaw that is so deeply engrained within their subconscious that it alone drives them. They live day to day in an emotional whirlpool, turning every conversation into a self-deprecatory satire, speaking in throngs of recycled television humor and facetious self-aggrandizement. The person fitting this profile begs for company and when they are not getting it, seeks it in various mediums; maybe the relatively innocuous world of internet dating, but they could instead opt to satisfy one of many more dangerous vices.

Understand, “offering” free hugs is a feeble attempt at filling an emptiness that is really as ubiquitous as high school acne. Begging for love from any ol’ stranger because one feels as though he is not getting it from the people in his life is the same as depressed eating, or a night on Twitter, or Facebook scheming for ways to be noticed, again, by strangers, or, at the very least, vague acquaintances. If you see these people, do not indulge them; they are seeking love in all the wrong places. It is a product of not knowing oneself, not being comfortable in one’s own skin. Know that with each hug you are likely fueling a terrible habit, akin to giving spare change to an ostensibly healthy man. If there is an aspect of yourself about which you are unhappy, accept it and, if possible, work to improve; refrain from fueling your insecurities by leeching off those of others. We all fight the same battles; the difference stems from a lack of effort. Simple friends, simple music, simple films, fast food, hours of mindless television—these are all linked and result in a lack of self-awareness which results in a lack of self-esteem, self-worth. Believe me when I say it is not my aim to put down any single person; I believe they mean well. Try to understand in the light of, say, writing a book review based on cliff notes alone. Many people, not just those delineated by the above peroration, act within themselves based only on how they have noticed others perceive them and act outwardly based on the way they have seen others act in similar situations. Before you seek to make such a profound impact on the world, learn the world. And the only way to learn the world is to learn yourself, because the world exists within you.

PHOTO VIA FLICKR

Hello, friends. You’ve probably noticed that Lime Cucumber Gatorade is conspicuously absent from convenience store refrigerators in the Rio Grande Valley. This wonderful beverage tastes like the real thing and offers thirst-quenching refreshment like none of its like-branded predecessors. I called the Stripes Convenience Store McAllen office this morning to request that the general manager place an order for the flavor and begin to stock it in McAllen-area stores. I doubt one request will do the trick so I’d really appreciate if everyone would help by calling the Stripes office at 956-585-9994 and requesting that Stripes begin to carry Lime Cucumber Gatorade. Your taste buds (and mine) will thank you for your help. Let’s do our part to help the Valley join the ranks of bigger Texas cities like Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, who are already enjoying this delicious Gatorade flavor. Thank you.

UPDATE: 

Lime Cucumber Gatorade is EVERYWHERE, babies! I don’t know whether it was our humble efforts at Ouch My Ego or a matter or sheer coincidence. But, since we posted our longing for this delicious beverage on the website about two weeks ago, stores across the Rio Grande Valley have begun stocking Lime Cucumber Gatorade. If you put in a call, thanks. If you didn’t, who cares; it’s here anyway!

Pick up a bottle and make your day a lil bit better. Have a goodun.

Coming on the heels of a nationwide tour, The Young Maths clearly want to claim their place as the most important indie-rock band in the RGV and gain a wider audience with the release of their first full-length album, Errorrs.  No other local band has cultivated the same following (through sheer force of showmanship) that the Maths have right now. Errorrs works best when the Maths sticks to what made them the unofficial Ambrosia(R.I.P.) house-band: bass lines that make people have to dance, high-energy emotive vocalizations, fast beats and tempo changes, excellence in drumming, experimentation and genre-mashing, and the moments that make me think the Maths would do best to add a permanent brass section to the band.   The weakest track comes in the form of “The Cannon Choir,” with its gratuitous guitar solos and silly lyrics (the words “brought to you commercial-free” and “do you remember mixtapes from the war?” are sang in all earnestness).  Unfortunately, the Maths fall victim to what my friend calls “whiny vocals with interesting tempo and chord changes” in the middle of the album.  I thought I remembered hearing “Treble Reducer” during several generic well-known indie-rock bands’ ACL sets last year and the year before that.  Influences on Errorrs are all over the place- from jazz to Jesus Lizard to Interpol and early-Radiohead; I even heard the penumbras of dubstep and Chris Cornell (seriously- listen to the first and last minutes of “Practicing Invisibility”).  That said, “Errorrs,” “Latin Roots,” and “7 is 11” get it right- they exemplify what is so enjoyable about The Young Maths.

One last thing: the talent and musicianship of the band is worth noting.  I think that the technical difficulty at which the band plays had been lost on me until I put on headphones to listen to Errorrs (probably because the Maths are such great performers).  They are also seriously talented, hard-working, and ambitious musicians.  With or without Errorrs the Young Maths are the most exciting band in South Texas right now.

Verdict: Like a 10 p.m. Ambrosia show- fun, a little too short, sober, crowded, and without a Weezer cover.  On the whole the material isn’t strong enough to be the breakout LP the band was hoping for.  The ambitious Maths would have been better off editing Errors into a tighter EP.  And why are there four r’s in the album’s title?

The song: “Errorrs”

The Young Maths – ERRORRS

The other song: “Latin Roots”

Welcome the Maths back to the Valley at the Errorrs release party tonight at Cine el Rey.  I was going to stay home and avoid another hangover, but after a few listens of Errorrs I think I’m going to have to go downtown tonight.  I heard drinks are on George Dean.

This past July 29th, OME had its 1st Craft Fest in collaboration with The Tulle Room and HopSonic Radio. Not only was the event a blast, but it went above and beyond what we were expecting in terms of turnout, success, and level of radical-ness. Yes, that is a word.

Check out the photogallery on flickr, and youtube!

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ouchmyego/sets/72157627422885968/

ICONS – Vol. 1” was a boogie buffet of funk, soul, disco, and modern groove. Join us on Thursday August 18, 2011 at Molina’s Restaurant & Bar for ‘Vol. 2 – The Superbad Sequel’ to our wildly funky dance party series. DRINK SPECIALS WILL BE RUNNING ALL NIGHT!

If you’ve got funky threads and groovy kicks we wanna see em!
From Sock-Hop to Disco, Afros to Jheri Curls – Anything goes!
Please bring safe footwear for bumpin’, slumpin’, spankin’, and swankin’.

Your disc jockeys for the evening:
Meylo, FunkRiot, Kid Citrus & Special Guests

See ya there!
HS / OME Crews

RSVP ADMISSION [Opens Aug. 12 @ Midnight - www.hopsonic.com/rsvp]
21+ Free w/ID or 18+ $3 Cover at the door
$2 DRAFTS / $2 House Margaritas / $2 Shots
DRINK SPECIALS WILL BE RUNNING ALL NIGHT!

Venue:
Molina’s Resturant & Bar
102 S. 23rd St.
McAllen, TX 78501

http://tinyurl.com/map-mol​inas