Every day local musicians such as myself gather in garages and studios around the Inland Empire to create, practice and record original music. Bands spend thousands on gear and travel to play gigs with hopes of gaining fans and some extra cash. There are ample amounts of bands that dedicate themselves to genres ranging from Metal to Folk and anywhere in between. With tribute bands taking over the bars and venues that actually pay talent, it makes an artist such as myself question what the future holds for unknown musicians that want to play original songs rather than covers. But rather than get bogged down with the popularity of regurgitated tunes, I sought optimism from other … [Read more...] about Is copycat culture killing original music in the Inland Empire?
Fashion & Lifestyle
Fashion Month: What Is It?
Every spring, the most prominent fashion designers come together to showcase their fall collections to the press, stylists, celebrities and the general public. Each February the four fashion capitals of the world—New York, London, Milan and Paris—host week-long fashion shows, in that order, by various designers and their latest inspirations. This is called fashion month. Aside from the glamorous lighting, celebrity-filled seating charts and the perceived frivolous conversations that surround the events, fashion month serves a significant purpose in which it contributes about 1.2 trillion dollars to the global economy. As fashion, modeling and the commercialization of art began to … [Read more...] about Fashion Month: What Is It?
Twenty 2 Salute Hits Down N’ Dirty
Twenty 2 Salute is a Hard Rock band from the Inland Empire who started off as "The League" but later changed it to be more unique. The lead singer and guitarist Michael Schoon, bass player Mark Schoon, and drummer Raul Padilla known as J, performed at the Down N' Dirty Festival on the weekend of January 18th at the Adelanto Stadium in California. The two brothers have been surrounded by music their whole lives so it was given that one day this would be something they do together. "Our father was in a band growing up, he was in a rock band and he was a singer so it became our normal life to be in a band and we love music," said Mike Schoon. There were about 1,000 music … [Read more...] about Twenty 2 Salute Hits Down N’ Dirty
Fashion Reporting Isn’t Sexist
Black nail polish, red lipstick, gold hoop earrings, a pantsuit and a skirt. These items have more in common aside from their relevance at department stores or fashion magazines. They are mediums of communication that aim to make bold statements and challenge status quos. They are eye-catching, they are scrutinized, and they are used by women to alter the narrative of what “should be.” In the new wave of feminism where women aim to redefine themselves, fashion is used as a tool of voice in political and social issues leaving followers with the question: is … [Read more...] about Fashion Reporting Isn’t Sexist
Complex Con: Where pop culture and art unite
Complex Con is a fairly new convention that made its first debut in 2016 by bringing together fashion, design, art, music, and food. It takes place at a Long Beach convention which also happens to be located right in the heart of Downtown Long Beach. Upon walking into the convention center, once making it past the line to get in and the metal detectors at the entrance convention, goers are greeted by a large digital mural with notable and distinct flower artwork done by Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami, who also happens to be the curator for the entire Complex convention. Once passing the large mural, you are welcomed by the slew of street fashion lines and retail vendors that … [Read more...] about Complex Con: Where pop culture and art unite
Tacos and Tokes
Chef Rosie O’Connor of Provecho Grill has hosted the first cannabis-infused culinary event in Menifee. Tacos and Tokes was a private event concerning the legalities of the herb. Since becoming recreationally legal this past January, marijuana has become quite popular in the kitchen. We have seen a rise in recreational use for good reason. The herb offers many health benefits that serve as an alternative to painkillers and other opioids many depend on. Tacos and Tokes, a great name combining the two featured items, food and cannabis, consisted of six different dishes with desert included. The dishes were heavily influenced by O'Connor's culture and upbringing. Her background includes … [Read more...] about Tacos and Tokes
Finding your way at a post-graduation crossroads
Since the very start of freshman year, every college student anticipates the moment they will walk across the stage at graduation with a degree to show for their efforts in pursuing a higher education. It's a Hallmark moment filled with smiling farewells, inspirational speeches, and group pictures to capture that feeling of accomplishment forever. What often gets overlooked in the afterglow of alumnal bliss, however, is the question that lurks in the back of a recent graduate's mind: what's next? There are several paths one can follow after receiving their bachelor's degree. Some take a year off to embark on a journey of self-discovery (and well-deserved rest) while others prepare to … [Read more...] about Finding your way at a post-graduation crossroads
Cristina’s Room DIYs: Chic on a Budget
The biggest thing students share during their time in college is their living space. From houses to apartments and dorm rooms, we create a space that’s our home away from home. Unfortunately, aesthetically pleasing décor and furniture is not always in our budget. However, CSUSB student Cristina Romero finds that turning old and used pieces of furniture into something new and chic is a cost-saving alternative. Romero started on her DIY pieces about two years ago because she would always see cute décor and furniture pieces at stores and online for a high price. She knew that most college students could not afford chic looking pieces like the ones she would see at commercial … [Read more...] about Cristina’s Room DIYs: Chic on a Budget
Local Writer Releases Comic Book
Last week a local writer promoted and sold his new comic book during a signing that was hosted in a comic store in Los Angeles. Donnie Souza is 24 years old, local to Redlands California, and creator of the comic Untold. He writes, letters, and funds the production of his book, and works with artist Anna Zee S. who creates the illustrations. This is the second signing he's done for his new book at the store A Shop Called Quest, located in the arts district of Los Angeles. The first signing was hosted only a couple weeks before at the store’s local location in Redlands. “Signings are a great way for me to sit down with people and just chat with them, because otherwise … [Read more...] about Local Writer Releases Comic Book
From sweater to laptop slip
As a poor college student, you want to save money whenever possible but still possess the items you need as a student. This is why I decided to re-purpose an old sweater into a cute laptop case. Materials Needed: a hot-glue gun and sticks of glue thread and a needle scissors an old sweater of your choice a button of your choice a string or piece of thin elastic The Tutorial Step 1: After you've chosen a sweater and gathered the needed materials, you should lay out the sweater on a flat surface and line up the laptop on top to determine if it is properly sized. Mine fit horizontally, but if yours doesn't, then you can just make it a case that the device slides … [Read more...] about From sweater to laptop slip