[Interview] Toby Jeg (Red Scare Industries Founder)
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Chicago's Riot Fest, but it's not the only Chicago punk rock establishment celebrating the decade mark in 2014. Red Scare Industries, one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed punk rock labels still in existence, has played host to an amazing catalog of punk bands, including The Falcon, Cobra Skulls, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Methadones, and more. To commemorate the label's 10th year, I had the chance to exchange emails with Toby Jeg, Red Scare founder and all-around awesome dude. Click along to read about his relationships with the bands, why he moved the label from San Francisco to Chicago, and what's coming up next for the label.
If you want to get involved with the festivities, you can make your way to the Northside for a trio of amazing punk shows. Friday at the Gman Tavern will feature acoustic sets from Nothington and Elway, a set from Dan Vapid, and some secret guests (tickets can be purchased here). Saturday is an all-day affair at the Metro with Reaganomics, The Brokedowns, Elway, Direct Hit!, The Holy Mess, Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Sidekicks, Enemy You, Masked Intruder, The Methadones, The Lillingtons, and THE FALCON all performing. Trust me, the price is worth it for The Falcon's reunion set alone (tickets can be purchased here). The party returns to the Gman Tavern Sunday night for a special Brendan Kelly solo set, an acoustic Cobra Skulls set, and more (tickets can be purchased here).
[NYCC 2014 Interview] The Cast of Bob's Burgers
Bob's Burgers is not only one of the funniest and best cartoons on TV right now, it's also one of the best TV series currently airing. Over the past three years, the show has grown into a mainstream pop culture success, continuing FOX's trend as cultivating successful Sunday night animated shows. Whether you love Tina's awkward sexual awakening, Louise's maniacal plans, Gene's naivety, Bob's unconditional love for his family, Linda's hopeful optimism, or any of the supporting characters' quirks and charms, there's something to love in the show created by Loren Bouchard.
Following our talk with H. Jon Benjamin and Larry Murphy, Kristen Schaal (Louise), Eugene Mirman (Gene), Bobby Tisdale (Zeke), John Roberts (Linda), and Loren Bouchard (Creator of Bob's Burgers) sat down with us to discuss their thoughts and experiences on the show. Watch the extended video below! Note: The audio is a little low due to a technical error, so advance apologies for that. Enjoy!
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[NYCC 2014 Interview] H. Jon Benjamin and Larry Murphy (Bob's Burgers)
Bob's Burgers is not only one of the funniest and best cartoons on TV right now, it's also one of the best TV series currently airing. Over the past three years, the show has grown into a mainstream pop culture success, continuing FOX's trend as cultivating successful Sunday night animated shows. Whether you love Tina's awkward sexual awakening, Louise's maniacal plans, Gene's naivety, Bob's unconditional love for his family, Linda's hopeful optimism, or any of the supporting characters' quirks and charms, there's something to love in the show created by Loren Bouchard.
During New York Comic Con 2014, I had the chance to sit in during the Bob's Burgers roundtable interviews. In lieu of participating myself, I decided to shoot video of the press date, giving everybody a behind-the-scenes look at what press days are like for those not working in the media. In this first video, H. Jon Benjamin and Larry Murphy, the voices of Bob and Teddy respectively, had a conversation with my table, discussing various points as Tina's origins, working with Bouchard and the rest of the cast, and what to expect in this new season (including the debut of Bob's father!).
Watch the video below, and keep your eyes peeled for the second video tomorrow!
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[Interview] The Glitch Mob
Photos by Virgil Solis
The Glitch Mob is coming back to Chicago this Friday to the Aragon Ballroom in support of their latest album, Love Death Immortality. (Note: Our contest for a pair of tickets to the show is still open!) Jesse Pizano and Erica Steinhouse of our collaborators at Three Card Photography had the chance to pick The Glitch Mob's mind ahead of this Friday's show.
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For those that have never heard of The Glitch Mob, tell us something about yourself and describe your music?
We like to think of it as Adventure Dance Music.
Do you think your name implies a certain sound?
Our sound definitely has some attitude. There’s a feeling of triumph that is present in everything we do, and it’s not intentional. It just happens that way.
How has your music changed since you started out?
It changes every time we do something new. We’re the type of artists to change course and reinvent ourselves every time, to keep pushing and challenging. We don’t even really know what to expect from ourselves next - the music has a mind of its own.
Let's talk about the new album, Love Death Immortality; what's the message behind the title?
The message is contained in the music, truly. Listening to the album is the only way to answer that question. It’s epic. It’s life.
The album sounds different from Drink The Sea. What attributed to the change?
The goal was to take the cinematic feeling of Drink The Sea and port it to the live stage, with full energy. LDI is meant to be a full body live experience, whereas Drink The Sea was more of an introverted album.
What is your favorite song on the new album and why?
Each song tells its’ own story, so depending on how I’m feeling I’ll listen to different songs.
Do you guys have any rituals before going on stage?
We have a little meditation ritual we do before every show to clear our minds. It’s crucial for us to leave everything behind and put on the best show possible.
Besides the touring what's next for you guys?
After this last tour wraps up we will spend some time recovering and inevitably head back into the studio to see where the story takes us next…
Last question is there anything you guys want to say to the "mob"?
So much gratitude. As an independent act, nothing we do would be possible without The Mob.
[Interview] Nacho Vigalondo (Open Windows)
Open Windows is a film about online privacy, celebrity obsession, and cyber terrorism told completely through various computer/camera/phone screens and windows. Such a format would handicap a lot of directors, but for Nacho Vigalondo, the concept further pushes his creative cinematic vision. The man behind one of the most amazing and entertaining time travel films, Timecrimes (Los Cronoscrimenes), and a romantic comedy set during an alien invasion, Extraterrestrial (Extraterrestre), is back with a film that's as narratively interesting as it is cinematically.
As part of the film's press date during last month's Fantastic Fest, I had the chance to talk to Vigalondo about Open Windows, working with the film's leads Elijah Wood and Sasha Grey, and some of his plans for the future. Check out the full interview over the next few pages, and make sure you catch Open Windows on VOD this week or in select theaters starting November 7th.
[NCMF Interview] Keys n Krates
This post was originally published by our affiliates at Chicago Music.
With North Coast Music Festival 2014 beginning tomorrow, we'll be providing all types of coverage from the Chicago festival's fifth anniversary. This interview with EDM group Keys n Krates comes from our partner Three Card Photography's very own Jesse Pizano. Read on to familiarize yourselves with Keys n Krates, the amazing year they've been having, what to expect from their live set this weekend, and what's on the group's plate following North Coast Music Festival 2014!
You guys are about to hit the stage at North Coast Music Festival. How are you guys feeling?
Matisse: Great! Chicago is one of our favourite places to play and North Coast is such a great festival.
How has the year been treating you guys so far?
Flo: Pretty incredible. We've really seen our fan base grow exponentially over the last six months and it's been pretty surreal to be honest.
For those that have never heard of Keys N Krates, can you describe your sound?
Tune: Weird rap beats that evoke emotion but still make ya wanna have a dance party. Lots of emotional chord progressions, pitched up vocal samples, synths, weird chopped up samples and bangin rap drums.
What track off of your new EP, Every Nite, took the longest to make?
Tune: "Understand Why" took a long time. We did three to four different actual versions of the tune with at least five mix downs per version. It was a nightmare, but we are stoked on the final version we came up with.
[Interview] Angelo Kritikos: Artist, Photographer, Mermaid Space Alien
Chicago-born, LA-based celebrity/fashion photographer Angelo Kritikos has quickly become one of the hottest freelance photographers in a relatively short period of time. Being named "Top Upcoming Photographer" by W Magazine led Kritikos to shoots with Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder, Pennybirdrabbit, and even Wonder Woman herself (and my current celebrity crush), Gal Gadot. We had the chance to exchange emails with Mr. Kritikos to discuss his work, his approach to photography and art in general, and some of his upcoming projects. Read on to get to know your next favorite mermaid space alien. You can find him online via Instagram, Tumblr, and his personal website. (Note: You can find a gallery of some of Angelo's work at the end of the second page.)
What do you think takes over more when you're doing a shoot: the nerves and anxiety of shooting an established model/celebrity or the confidence in your talent and abilities?
I don't get nervous before shooting... I get excited! No matter how big the celeb or shoot is, I always try to keep my shoots low-key and fun. As a photographer, I feel that my energy on set always sets the tone for the shoot, so I try my best to not overthink things and keep it real. I literally wore this ratchet blue hair extension as a mullet on my shoot yesterday and became this weird character. If the people around me feel comfortable to be themselves, it makes me the most happy. No nerves or anxiety on my sets. Just hella talent.
Who were some of your favorite celebrities you've shot? Do you have any funny anecdotes from those shoots?
Ahhh there have been so many! One of my absolute favorites was shooting with recording artist Pennybirdrabbit. She really influenced me to start shooting more musicians. I love her eccentric style and bubbly personality. I love shooting with celebs that are authentically themselves throughout the shoot.
I've had some really random shit happen on set. One time, an actress completely fainted after breaking a nail. It sounds dramatic and all, but really her whole fucking nail came right off. The whole thing. It was pretty f-ed. Oh, and one time this male model I was shooting pulled the fire alarm (in a college we snuck into) and the whole building had to evacuate. We were shooting in a hallway and all the students and faculty had to exit. When I asked him why he bothered putting his hand near the fire alarm, he replied "It said to 'pull here' - It should say DON'T pull here." What a weirdo right??
What are some bands/artists/celebrities you want to photograph in the future?
I can go on FOREVER. Right now I'm dying to shoot with Cara Delevingne and Jared Leto. Both have such a cool personal style. There's also this really amazing artist named FKA Twigs who I'd love to collaborate with. Shooting with Grimes would be awesome too. Oh and Lana! Lana del Rey. Who wouldn't want to shoot with her???
Do you dabble in other types of photography (i.e. street, candid, landscape, scenery, etc.)?
Nope. I often incorporate street photography techniques in my fashion work, but for the most part, no. I shoot what I like, and I like people & fashion. Ever since I became interested in photography I was always interested in shooting people. In photography class, we'd attend field trips to botanical gardens and cool architectural locations but I was always more interested in photographing my friends.
What would you say defines you the most as an artist and not simply a photographer?
No matter what the project is, I'm always shooting a reflection of my personal style or what I'm going through at that time. I often shoot at places around town that I like to hang out at. I dress my subjects in clothes that I would want to wear. I visualize my subjects in a free world. I just like to create what makes me happy. I love to bring a team together and execute a collaborative vision. I seriously could care less about photography. 'Technically' I'm not a good photographer at all. I don't care if my exposure is correct, or if my composition is perfect or any of that shit. I shoot with cheap equipment because I seriously don't care. I just like the feeling I get when I'm creating art, and right now the camera is my tool to channel my visions (but that can change at any moment.)
If you weren't a photographer, what do you think you'd be doing right now?
I'd be expressing myself in another creative art form. What I meant in my previous answer above (right now the camera is my tool... but that can change at any moment) I basically was saying that photography to me is temporary. One day, I may start expressing myself through writing, designing, music producing... who knows?
Did you work with film in the past? If so, how do you feel about the dwindling 35mm industry? Do you prefer digital?
In high school I took proper film classes but transitioned to digital when I went to college. I loved shooting film and developing prints in the darkroom, but I ultimately prefer digital. I'm not sure if this counts, but I recently picked up an Instax camera and I fucking love it! There is something about instant prints that feels intimate. I love the raw polaroid look.
[Interview] Gabriel Iglesias (The Fluffy Movie)
To promote his upcoming comedy special turned movie, The Fluffy Movie (which has since been delayed from July 11th to today), I got a chance to speak with Gabriel Iglesias about the project. I didn't know what to expect. I'm not the biggest fan of his comedy, but seeing as he's one of the few prominent Latino comics, I give him his due. I've got a lot of respect for the man as he knows exactly what he's doing.
Through this interview we talk stand up versus film, control over your property, pushing the "Fluffy" brand in any way he can, and with laughs all in between. Read on to learn a little more on the man, the myth, the fluffy, Gabriel Iglesias.