L3 Magazine July 2014 No. 32 ft. Tifa by L3 Magazine

Editorial – July, 2014

There is an old folklore that says ‘there’s a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow,’ and for years I tried to understand the meaning behind the expression. For one, a rainbow in the sky is just that, in the sky and physically can’t be reached. Two, there is no such thing as a leprechaun that will lead you to the mysterious pot of gold, and three, don’t we have to be Irish to experience such things?!

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I have concluded that this folklore is real! One, the rainbow being referred to are your chakras; follow them to the end (red being your root chakra), and you will find your pot of gold which are your talents / gifts. When you share them, they will bring you wealth, hence your pot of gold. As for the leprechaun, he is colored green which reflects your heart chakra. Follow your heart for it will guide you to your treasure! This month will be a great month to explore folklore and discover just how much of it is true! Connect with me on Twitter >>> @NatashaVonC P.S. We’ve been away for 2 months and now we’re back! Thanks to you our success keeps growing; the entire team has been on tour in Europe and across the US and Africa. Highlights and updates coming in the August issue but in the meantime keep turning our pages!

Congratulations

Bunji Garlin & FayAnn Lyons! First Male &Female Soca Artist featured on BETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 106 & Park!

Congratulations

MAYA WILEY

“I have the best job in City Hall,” said Maya Wiley, a civil rights attorney who became Mayor Bill de Blasio’s chief legal advisor. It was Wiley’s background as a racial justice activist that led to her appointment as counsel to the Mayor. “What I’m looking for in this role is someone who will constantly reinforce our focus on fighting inequality,” said the Mayor at a news conference. Wiley, who’s 50, was most recently president of the Center for Social Inclusion, a nonprofit she founded in 2002 to advocate for policies addressing racial inequality. Prior to creating the center, she was a senior advisor on race and poverty to the director of U.S. Programs of the Open Society Institute, now called the Open Society Foundations. De Blasio said he expects Wiley to perform typical duties, such as coordinating his office’s efforts in judicial nominations, but he also put her in charge of upgrading and expanding the city’s technology and broadband access in all five boroughs. The city announced it was requesting proposals to build a citywide wi-fi network which officials said would be among the largest in the world. “The digital age holds great potential to better deliver services, and by re-imagining 20th century payphones as 21st century connection points, we’re making broadband access more equitable and accessible to every New Yorker,” Wiley said in a news release. Over her career, Wiley has worked for the American Civil Liberties Union’s national legal department; for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and in the civil division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District. Wiley’s activism has family roots. Her father, George Wiley, was a chemist who became a leading civil rights leader of the 1960s, founding the National Welfare Rights Organization to promote economic equality. Here she discusses her legacy of activism and how she plans to be “part of the solution.”

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by THE NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL

Appointed Chief Legal Counsel for NYC Mayor

by HEIKE DEMPSTER

The American Friends of Jamaica, Inc. (AFJ), in collaboration with the Jamaica Committee hosted their annual joint fund raising event, the Jamaica Charity Gala, in Miami and we caught up with the esteemed group to see businessman and philanthropist Dr. Robert E. Levy honored for his outstanding success and continued support for Jamaica. Dr. Robert E. Levy is widely regarded as one of Jamaicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most remarkable entrepreneurs, a nation builder, innovator and contributor to the development of Jamaicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s livestock industry. A man valued for his unquestioned integrity and high ethical standards in business practices. Levy is the chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited and a 2010 inductee into the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica Hall of Fame. For more than 45 years, he has served in various management and executive positions at Jamaica Broilers Group Limited. He is the founder and current director of the Caribbean Poultry Association, the director and past president of The American Chamber of Commerce, and serves as chairman or board member on several agricultural and national development-related boards.

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Dr. ROBERT E. LEVY

FRIENDS OF JAMAICA HONOUR

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Professionals Can Self Express Too

THE ART OF HENNA

Tattoos, especially as of recent arm sleeves on women, piercings, gauging, etc are million dollar a year (plus) industry, with many choosing to adorn their bodies with messages about beliefs, memorializing loved ones, artistically displaying their own life’s journey, and for some the pure pleasure of art. Tattooing has been around for thousands of years, and has played a huge role in cultural expressions, passage of rites, and markings of ownership, but as we step further into modern times, tattooing has established itself as being an art form and adorning in addition to a statement(s) about self. However, those who have to adhere to white collar standard practices and maintain their ‘professional’ code of conduct many times have to down play their desire for artistic manifestations on their bodies. They may get a tattoo or two, but more often than not, if they do get a tattoo they must strategically place them in areas where they cannot be seen publicly. Many employers require that if they are in a body area that is exposed, the employee must wear long sleeves, button ups, and sweaters to cover themselves in the world of ‘wall street’ living. Yet, in the western world, the weekend warrior still seeks their own way of departing from cubicle living, pressed suits, pinched pleats and starched collars. Corporate America is realizing this need of individuality slowly, and as well, professionals are stepping out and navigating their way through their own journey into self expression. As of recent, some corporations have offered after hours office parties, surrounded by a theme that expresses the culture of henna application as a part of their offerings to their own employees. This keen interest has been gaining wide acceptance, and there are many in the professional arena of politics, business professionals, teachers and corporate administrators who are indulging themselves into the art of Mehndi or as some might know it, Henna.

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Today the art of adorning oneself has become more of an accepted practice among many ‘professionals’ in the white collar industry, however, protocol still requires a certain imagery decorum, so professionals are seeking out ways to bring their desire to communicate their imaginative side into balance with their 9 to 5 suits.

by SONG RIVER

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The henna plant, also known as the Egyptian Privet, grows to about 12 to 15 feet tall and produces beautiful flowers. It is a plant that grows best in hot climates such as Pakistan, North Africa, Near East, South Asia, India and even Australia. Loving those temperatures, plants thrive when the climate reaches 120 degrees and dry soil. The plant contains, lawsome, an orange-reddish dye that binds to the protein on the human body called, keratin. The application of this plant begins with picking the leaves from the henna plant, drying them and then making a powder. After it is ground it can then be mixed with various liquids to create a paste, some henna artists add essential oils along with sugar and lemon juice to help intensify the color. When applied to the skin, the experience gives a luxurious taste of self expression and sometimes a connection with our past ancestors who took the time for pleasure and relaxation to care for their souls. Henna is an ancient art form that not only brings with it a rich history from distant lands, but it has also been used topically to cool the body (hands and feet), to celebrate rites of passage such as; weddings, birthdays, blessings, and pregnancy. Used in early times for cosmetic purposes, henna has also been used as hair dye by notable royalty, including the rumor of Cleopatra using it. The dye can be applied to the body, most often best results come from application on the hands and feet, but can also be used to color the hair. Time allotment for applying henna can be anywhere from a few minutes, depending on the intricacy and area size, to a couple of hours. If taken care of properly, and after application is made, a henna design can last up to 3 weeks. Try not to use soap directly on the pattern, or alcohol based products as it will ‘bleach’ your henna design out sooner and it will fade away. Because of its uniqueness in not being permanent, henna applications allows people from all forms of employment to apply an intricate flower, or a geometrical flow of expression on to the smallest area of the body or if desired a larger portion of the body covered. In more recent times henna artists have also added the addition of using special body glitter onto the damp henna art created, making a special glow enhancement of purples, coppers, silvers, gold’s and more, on top of the artistic patterns of henna dye. I recommend you research henna artists in your area. Henna should never be black, if someone is offering you black henna it more than likely has chemicals added to it and it can prove harmful to you. Henna offers artistic options, leaving multiple options to “try on” another style. Indulge yourself and get lost in a ritual that is very relaxing, and artistically expressive without being permanently obligated. Connect with Song via www.CowGirlZenPhotography.com | www.cowgirlzenphoto.smugmug.com Model: Rosemarie Luera-Strout

Art In Focus

The 2014 Geisai 20 Art Exhibition took place in Tokyo at Tokyo Ryutsu Center, and featured the works of artists who are 29 years of age and younger, created original works and are making their professional debut. Attracting audiences of thousands of art enthusiasts, artists present their work in various mediums including canvas and re-worked objects such as art on television sets or room dividers. Everything is unique and open to the interpretation of purveyors who are very honest about their thoughts of the artists work. This is what we sawâ&#x20AC;Ś!

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by DAIJIRO IMAMURA

GEISAI 20 ART EXHIBITION

Motivation

Get Up When Life Knocks You Down by SHAWN ANDERSON

1. Don’t quit on life. Tragedy might have happened, huge mistakes might have been made, but the world continues. People who have walked successfully over life’s hot-coal moments always keep going. They never quit living. 2. Live day-by-day. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the ‘What am I going to do now?’ feeling, but the extra-mile people focus on the now. They don’t let thoughts of how they’re going to deal with tomorrow defeat them. 3. Find support. By forging relationships with positive, move-forward type people, survivors trigger positive energy to flow back into their lives. 4. Get involved again. Extra-mile people transcend life’s tragedies by not choosing isolation when life knocks them down; it’s easy to want to hide in a cave after something bad happens, but the longer we stay in the cave, the more challenging it is to ever leave it. 5. Remain optimistic. Extra-mile people support themselves with their own words and actions. They don’t let negative self-talk rule their brain, and they make sure not to surrender to negative, self-defeating emotions. 6. Trust your faith and look for a higher purpose in loss. Extra-mile people believe that there is a stronger power at work in the world. Faith in a higher power and yourself works miracles in overcoming bad events. 7. Seek to add value to the world. People who have weathered a life storm recognize the opportunity to re-evaluate their own contribution to the world. They use their event not as a forever defeat, but rather as an igniting spark to do something meaningful. For more information, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.

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I have learned that the extra-mile people who transitions positively through life’s toughest moments practice at least one of these seven regrouping strategies.

It’s inevitable that at one time or another life will punch us hard in the gut; no one is immune to experiencing tragedy or failure. When it’s our turn to feel life’s stomach blow, how will we handle it? Will we ‘go the extra mile and passionately keep on living, or will we just give up and go through the motions?

Fresh Air

Change Your Perspective by Dr. CHERYL HILL

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I got up as normal today and began to work on the many things that I had to complete for my business, ministry and family life. The strangest thing happened; I lost a lens to my reading glasses and could not find it for over an hour. I became frustrated because I felt my time was being wasted looking for something so insignificant but yet so needed. In my frustration I told myself that I just needed to breathe. I decided to raise the window in my dining room just to get a bit of fresh air. In doing so, I felt the freshness of the gentle wind and began to breathe in the fresh air. The fresh air stimulated my thinking while it caused me to relax. Many times we are caught in the hustle and bustle of life. While having a schedule and a plan of action is great we sometimes will need a breath of fresh air. Today, take some time to get some fresh air and reassess your life. How have you contributed to someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success? Who has contributed to your success and have you taken the time to thank them? What is your purpose in life; are you being side tracked and confused or are you focused? Are you effective in what you are doing or do you need to change your perspective? Today will never come again so take full advantage of today. Tomorrow is not promised to you. What do you need to change and what will you keep in your life? I support your success-letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get moving! Share your comments with me: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.hill.127?fref=ufi

Real Estate Watch by FIDEL LLOYD

Summer is finally here, and as the flowers bloom, summer-cleaning takes place, and for some people, the topic of ‘selling the house’ is discussed. If your job has you relocating to a new city, or you just want to start new, here are the top 10 reasons to hire a Real Estate Agent:

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1. Education and Experience: You don’t need to know everything about buying and selling real estate. When you hire a qualified agent, as a professional, they know how to represent you and your needs and connect you to the right buyer. 2. Agents are Buffers: Agents take the spam out of your property showings and visits. If you’re a buyer of new homes, your agents will whip out his / her sword and keep the builders agents at bay, preventing them from biting and nipping at your heels. 3. Neighborhood Knowledge: Agents either possess intimate knowledge, or they know where to find information via industry buzz that is specific to your neighborhood. For example, you may know that a home down the street was on the market for $350,000, but your agent may know that the home had upgrades and sold for $285,000 after 60 days on the market and after twice falling out of escrow. 4. Price and Guidance: Contrary to what some believe, agents do not select prices for sellers or buyers! 5. Market Conditions Information: Real estate agents can disclose market conditions, which will govern your selling or buying process. Many factors determine how you will proceed. 6. Professional Networking: Real estate agents network with other professionals, many of whom provide services you will need within buying or selling your home. 7. Negotiation Skills and Confidentiality: Top producing agents negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction. This is a part of their job description. 8. Paperwork: One-page deposit receipts were prevalent in the 1970’s. Today’s purchase agreements run 10 pages or more. More pages could be more problems without the help of an agent. 9. Answer Questions after Closing: Many questions can pop up that were overlooked in the excitement of closing. Good agents stand by ready to assist. 10. Develop Relationships for Future Business: The basis for an agent’s success and continued career in real estate is referrals. Just as you are buying today, you may be selling tomorrow and vise versa. Your agent is ready for your future business. Fidel Lloyd is an agent with Homestock Realty Group who serves the New York / Tri-State area

Xbox Programming Plans Unveiled by NATALIE JARVEY 44

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Xbox Entertainment Studios has unveiled its programming slate, and production on the live-action series based on the popular first-person shooter has yet to begin. In fact, audiences will have to wait until the 2015 debut of science fiction drama Humans for their first taste of Xbox’s scripted fare. XES held a private media screening in its Santa Monica office where Microsoft’s Nancy Tellem revealed that the studio she was hired to establish in September 2012 is still finding its footing. “Figuring out what shows will work, what resonates with your audience, is really challenging,” she said during the presentation. “As you can see from the breadth of the content that we’re producing, we’ll get a better idea once it’s up about what’s working and what isn’t working.” Microsoft has been making strides toward delivering a complete living room entertainment experience through its Xbox consoles, and developing original content through XES is part of that effort. But the Xbox One, which retails for $500, is a much higher-priced option than set-top boxes from Amazon, Apple and Roku. XES also faces stiff competition from Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and even gaming rival PlayStation in the original-programming space. Microsoft does have the advantage of distributing its shows on its more than 80 million connected Xbox consoles through the Xbox Video feature, and some content also will be made available across additional Microsoft mobile and desktop platforms. But Tellem was evasive about whether the content would be ad supported or offered through Xbox Live (which, at $60 a year, has more than 50 million subscribers), adding that the company was “in the very early stages” of making those decisions.

BEAUTY TIPS It’s Time To Brush

by KAY CUNNINGHAM www.makeupbykayce.com

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I had a conversation with my sister recently, and it surprised me to learn that many people who wear makeup are not familiar with which brush to use, and for what application. It also surprised me to learn that some people don’t know how to care for their brushes, so here are some tips to help you navigate through the world of brushes. First off, it’s good to invest in a set of makeup brushes. The makeup brush gives a smoother finish when layering and building up to full coverage, and you will usually get better results. If you don’t use makeup brushes the finishing will not be the same, so avoid using sponges and your fingers, and remember that a sponge absorbs foundation which may be the reason why your foundation is finishing so quickly!

THE MIRROR TEST Get a mirror, a makeup brush, sponge and your index and middle fingers to try the mirror test. 1. Your fingers - Apply some liquid foundation on your fingertips then apply on a clean mirror along a strip about 4 inches 2. Foundation brush – Apply some liquid foundation on a brush then follow step 1 3. Sponge – Apply some liquid foundation on a sponge then follow step 1 or 2 You should now have 3 stripes applied with different applications (fingers, brush and sponge), and you should see which of these three leaves the smoothest stroke and doesn’t look to clumpy. The best result should come from your brush. Hope this makes sense to you!

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How to care for your brushes I have a mixture of brushes that I collected over the years; my oldest brushes are made by Versace (2002) and they are in perfect condition. You may spend a lot now, but it is worth it if longevity is what you’re looking for in a brush.

Recommended Makeup Brushes and Other Products Versace Brushes – This is my top brush set. Had them for 12 years and they are still going strong; they never let me down and the hair is made of natural goat hair, never shed, softest and fluffy, and they are amongst the most luxurious. As Versace makeup and brushes is no longer available in department stores you can get them on websites that sell beauty products. I have a set of Guerlain Brushes which are 10 years new and going strong. These are amongst my top rated; they are luxurious, fluffy and soft, never shade and they are made of natural goat hair. They are available at any Guelain Cosmetics Counter in most department stores and online. Trish McEvoy will have you feeling like an expert using these brushes as there are a lot of blend brushes to create contouring and blending. Made from natural goat hair, some of the contouring and blender brushes are synthetic, available on the Trish McEvoy website www.trishmcevoy.com and in selected department stores in North America, and the UK.

Also Recommended Estee Lauder Makeup Brush Cleanser –smells lovely, gentle and thoroughly cleanses, sanitises and conditions makeup brushes both natural and synthetic. It comes in bottle size 7.9 FL OZ. LIQ/ 235 ml. can be purchased on www.esteelauder.com

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For brushes that are only used by you, wash two times per week if used 5 – 7 days. When washing, hold your brushes downwards in a sink with warm water, add your preferred brush cleanser; avoid dipping the full brush in the water as it will cause the brush to be loose from the glue that connects it. Leave overnight to dry by natural air on a towel and covered with hand tissue.

I wash my brushes with a facial cleanser as I love the smell, then I add brush cleanser to sanitize. You might be saying the consultant from the beauty counter at Macy’s in New York or Selfridges in London told you to use a brush cleanser only. That option is good, but your brushes will be fine with this recommendation. I have even washed my brushes with hair shampoo and same result! After a full day working on a project I normally wash my brushes afterwards and allow to dry natural overnight. Use facial wipes and Estee Lauder brush cleanser to keep yours fresh throughout the day.

SACHA COSMETICS

Below are 3 palettes I have tried out and the results were flawless. Sacha Cosmetics Cream Foundation Palette – This is a 10 piece light weight palette that comes in light-to-medium and medium-to-deep sets, it’s very easy to use for dewy look use alone, for a more matt finish apply with finishing powder, this is a most have for any Makeup Artist. Sacha Cosmetics Concealer palette – It’s a professional palette that contains six shades of each of the following: Concealer, Eye Primer and Cream Contour for sculpting. The good thing about this palette you can mix the shades. It’s easy to use; just apply with a concealer or contouring brush, apply after your foundation for best results. Sacha Cosmetics Face palette - is a 10 Compact Powders in one lightweight palette that is so easy to use you can achieve the look you want with just a few applications. Use after on top of foundation and concealing/contouring, suitable for all skin types. For any questions or feedback email: info@makeupbykayce.com

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All their products can be purchased on www.sachacosmetics.com

I discovered this brand last year thank God for Instagram! This brand is from Trinidad and Tobago and has been around for over 20 years. This is a must have for any Professional Makeup Artist or anyone who wants to try something worth trying! I absolutely love their products.

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Fashion Launch . London Photography by PHOTO GENIX

When it comes to Beauty, L3’s Beauty Editor Kay Cunningham has it, and when it comes to Fashion, Kay’s got that too! Congratulations to Kay on the launch of her new (and yet to be named) fashion line. The launch took place at the prestigious Grange Hotel in London, UK where appreciative fashionistas laid a watchful eye on every ounce of fabric. When all was said and done, fans agreed that Kay’s got ‘that’ eye!

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KAY CUNNINGHAM

ON THE SCENE

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TRAVEL

It is truly something to see a historical sight, and when that historical sight is Addis Ababa and Gonder, Ethiopia, it is easy to understand why visitors are left in awe and overwhelmed with a sense of spirituality. Known as the Horn of Africa, and home to approximately 93 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populated country in Africa. We made a visit to this sacred land as it is the home of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most celebrated leader. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Addis Ababa is where Selassieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remains lay. The church has a restricted room where a replica of the Ark of the Covenant is housed and locals say that even the replica holds a great deal of power. The original Ark is said to be in Axum; there is no doubt that we felt the truly incredible energy. Take a look at some of the photos from our trip. We encourage you to visit, if only once in your lifetime!

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STACIA VON CASTLE

ADDIS ABABA ETHIOPIA

ON THE SCENE

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CAR SHOW by ROHAN ‘DILINGA MOVEMENT’ BECKFORD For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with cars. Body shape, engine power and color have played in to my imagination of what my dream car would be. This years New York International Car Show played host to 100 individual events, conferences, industry forums, class trade and industry events. This show is one of the most important automotive events in the world, and as I do every year, I had to attend. Unique automotive visuals included the Soliel Motors exhibit, in particular, their use of fabric to cover the console between driver and passenger seat, the New York City Police Museum which housed several model Police cars from over the years (think Green Hornet style car), and Crystal Palace exhibit offering history buffs a look at the vehicles used by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and Governor Nelson Rockefeller. The camp Jeep Ride Along was half thrill ride, half test drive. Participants got to feel the Jeep brand as it interacted with a terrain course made to duplicate what some drivers may experience in an off road / dirt road setting. The ultimate in cool! We were treated to exclusive views of what manufacturers such as Jeep / Chrysler, Nissan, Bentley and more have in store for 2015. If you’d like to go for a test drive, email me: irie.rbeckford@gmail. com Here are some highlights of what my eye saw….

ON THE SCENE

CARIBANA FLAGS & COLOURS 2014 TORONTO by CONTRIBUTED

Team L3 was on the scene in Toronto for the Flags and Colours parade which saw hundreds of junior revelers light up the community of Jane and Finch with bright costumes, and bringing traffic to a hault! Beginning their parade route at the Driftwood community center, the youngsters made quite a statement and showed pride in their Caribbean heritage. This yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; costumes were designed by Martin Scott Pascal, Yvonne Pascal and Sherene Jittan and included beautiful pinks, purples, reds and oranges.

MODEL OF THE MONTH

L3 Magazine – Centrefold – 2014 – May

Model : LeDolly

Photo : Jerome Dupont Neu Era Photography

Email: neueraphoto@gmail.com

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EXPLOSIVE MIX

DJ ALI PATCH CONTRIBUTED DJ Ali Patch is an entertainer and musical connoisseur who is one of the most recognizable DJs in Reggae and Dancehall. His signature eye patch is not a fashion statement, but a badge of honor that represents his surviving Cancer which was diagnosed at the age of 3. Ali Patch’s career in music began at the age of 8 when his Father, Stephen Hayles Sr., taught him to play on a sound system. Standing on crates to reach the turntables, Ali fell in love with music, and the effect his selections had on the audience. After high school, Ali decided to take his career in music further and enrolled in a studio engineering course at Celestial Sounds (Kings of Kings Studio) where he mastered the art of music production, editing and remixing. He became an apprentice to Cordel “Skatta” Burrell and assisted with the productions of classic Dancehall tracks like Capleton’s “Crazy Look” and Cecile’s “Changes.” Ali Patch has tours the world playing for Bass Odyssey Next Generation alongside his brother DJ Kitt. Connect with Ali Patch via Twitter >>> @djalipatch

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxh0O-MLHWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sA4QGayl3Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLn2_axmues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0Jiai4q3Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv4Avs68y5U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wtcL8YmEaA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTAVrtmQTlY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-n50RVXR0Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzqFmXZ8tOE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjI6z5Yfz8I

WORDS OF THE WISE

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EXCO LEVI

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CONTRIBUTED Words of the wise usually come from elders who don’t want to see the younger generation fall, but in the case of Exco Levi who is not an elder, his wise words are captured and shared sonically on his brand new EP entitled Words of the Wise. The 7 track disk contains songs that have been previously released with the exception of “Under My Sheets” which has not been shared with fans until now. The song, which is a tribute to the special woman in Exco’s life shares the loving side that many Rasta men try to keep hidden, but eventually comes out when they are in the company of their Empress. The song is refreshing and a great addition to the roots and socially conscious songs on the disk. Reminding us of ways to stay away from trouble as well as appreciating the natural beauty in all of us, this album is a must have for all music lovers. Premiering the EP while on a European tour with Silly Walks Discotheque, fans couldn’t get enough of the collection of songs and we can’t either. L3’s rating is 4.0 out of 5 Stars!

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MADD SPIDER PRODUCTIONS

Named after the song “Love and Devotion” by Leilani the Love and Devotion riddim is100% UK Lover’s Rock with a slight squeeze of flavor from the American artists who grace the riddim, and the authentic allure that pulls all listeners in called ‘vibes!’ Madd Spider productions did not miss a twist or a turn when putting this riddim together, and have done such a good job with it, experienced DJ’s and music lovers mistook the riddim for a UK production. When speaking about the riddim and how the project came together, Froggy MaddSquad (one half of Madd Spider Productions) said “we decided to honor the Lover’s Rock genre, and add some voices who are not known in the genre but should be.” Taranchyla added “It’s time people dance with each other when they go out socially, and this riddim is intended to make that happen. That’s what we grew up seeing, and it’s what we want to see more of!” Stand out elements of the riddim include a soothing piano riff, dubwise effects and an easy bubbling beat pattern which allow all 8 artists to stand out vocally. The full riddim is available for free download using this link: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/fxkuidmksr62u/Love_and_Devotion_Riddim_-_2014 L3’s rating is 4.6 out of 5 Stars!

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CONTRIBUTED

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LOVE & DEVOTION RIDDIM

NEW RELEASES

L3 ENDORSED

NEW RELEASES

THE ‘ON FIRE’ SOUL OF 126

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MASON CONTRIBUTED

He’s a Producer, Engineer, Composer, Arranger, Writer and Performer, and his name is Mason! Although widely associated with the genres of Reggae, Hip-Hop and R&B, those styles of music are just a part of what makes up the creative expression of this artist. He moves from one genre to another, constantly challenging himself, his fellow musicians, and the listening audience. Part of this may be due to his education. Beginning Violin studies at the age of 8 and furthering his studies with Saxophone and Bass Guitar by the age of 14, Mason’s quest for sound made himself taught in chord structure and harmony at the piano which further strengthened his position in the industry; becoming one of the few “Certified” Pro Tools Engineers in the world. Vocalists like Luther Vandross, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Donny Hathaway, Third World and Frankie Beverly influenced his vocal technique, and that technique allowed him to be a backing vocalist for Mariah Carey in the studio and on tour. Having worked with several internationally recognized artists, music is definitely Mason’s soul which is on fire!

CONTRIBUTED In 2010 an actress, a professor, a voice-over artist and a comic-book nerd formed Bad Mary, a fast, high-energy danceable pop-punk band that is fast loud and fun! Better Days is Bad Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first album, released in the early part of 2014. Drawing influence from the likes of Blondie, No Doubt and Green Day, Bad Mary has created their own strain of garage pop-punk that makes you want to party. Like their New York backdrop, Bad Mary is thunderous, boisterous, and always down for a great time. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like a firework super-loaded with TNT and lit with a birthday candle. Bad Mary is a little sweet, a little angry, and a lot of energy, like drinking a Red Bull stirred with a Twix bar.

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BAD MARY

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THE GOOD ABOUT

SPELLING IT OUT WITH

ifa is not a ‘self titled’ Dancehall artist; her title was given to her by her fans. She did not name herself the ‘Dancehall Diva,’ not did she name herself the Dancehall Princess; those are titles that her fans have given her. If she had her way, she would be called Tifa, and her focus would be music, nothing more and nothing less. We spent time with Tifa out of the public eye, at her getaway; her place to relax, compose, work. In her setting, Tifa is everything you think her to be: very educated, very professional, very on top of her business and very playful. This is an interview that spells out Tifa; her look, her charm her ambition. Here are some of the reasons why fans Love her…!

L3 MAGAZINE | JULY 2014

by NATASHA VON CASTLE

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NVC: 2013 was a good year and a rough year, and 2014 has been a good year and a bit of rough year! How did you use the good to overcome the rough? T: Good is always a sign of hope. Usually when you have your dark days, there is some good that happens and that reminds you that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there is something to work for. I take the good and apply it to the rough.

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NVC: You are one of the hardest working women in Dancehall. What happened in your career to shape your work ethic and who are some of the people who influenced the way you work? T: I had to work 200 times harder because 1, I’m a female and 2, because people saw me as a person with a disability. Another thing was ‘oh, she went to college, what is she doing in Dancehall?’ People really didn’t take me seriously, and the funniest one to date is ‘yuh too pretty / yuh too good looking to do Dancehall.’ Some people feel that you have to look a particular way to be in Dancehall, and I say ‘what does Dancehall look like?’ On a whole I have had to struggle; people see me as different so I’ve always had to work extra hard. Also, doing performing arts as a young girl, we toured a lot (every summer and every Christmas), so while kids were playing and having fun, I was rehearsing for touring the Caribbean and the US. That’s where the work ethic came from. I was in 4th form which would be 10th grade, and I had to go to school, come home, do my homework, change, catch the bus, and go to Sandals to perform, reach home at 4am, and wake up at 5am to be at school in the morning. That was every Thursday. So I think that is where that work ethic comes from … from childhood and the fact that I’ve had to prove myself. NVC: And the overall reaction to your disability is…?! T: Now, girls want to walk like me (in reference to her disability), and guys think it’s the sexiest thing ever. They get their kicks from it, and I tend to joke about it a lot on stage. NVC: So far for the year, you’ve released about 11 new singles, and you have several projects in the making, and you perform, you do interviews, you travel, you prepare. You are a human machine! T: I have no choice. There’s still much farther to go. Even though I have somewhat accomplished what I want, there is much more to come. I still haven’t dropped the new Tifa album yet. I don’t take anything for granted. Not because I have won awards, and not because people talk about me and say ‘oh yuh good,’ do I take that to mean I can ease up. No, I have to go harder. The minute an artist thinks they are invincible is the moment it’s over. I take nothing for granted.

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NVC: So far for the year, you’ve released about 11 new singles, and you have several projects in the making, and you perform, you do interviews, you travel, you prepare. You are a human machine! T: I have no choice. There’s still much farther to go. Even though I have somewhat accomplished what I want, there is much more to come. I still haven’t dropped the new Tifa album yet. I don’t take anything for granted. Not because I have won awards, and not because people talk about me and say ‘oh yuh good,’ do I take that to mean I can ease up. No, I have to go harder. The minute an artist thinks they are invincible is the moment it’s over. I take nothing for granted. NVC: Always thinking internationally, you have several collaborations under your belt. Has there been one whose success really surprised you? T: No not really, not on an international level, but locally, I was a happy with the songs that received MTV recognition. It was a stepping stone and milestone for me. “Swagging” was a very big record for me. It made it to #1 on the UK charts, and it was on the BBC official playlist, not the mixshow. I have a few other singles that did well such as ‘Nuh Want You No More,” and “Hold On,” which received international acclaim. I wouldn’t say they were a surprise, but they were a joy! NVC: The best dressed and best styled award definitely goes to you. Tell us about your tastes and how they merge with your stylists vision for how you should be dressed! T: (Tifa laughs)! Well! On a day to day basis, I buy what I like and I go for comfort. I like anything that’s different. I’m a Sagittarius, so, I like anything that’s different and weird. Mind you, it has to look good, but, I love anything that different. For awards shows and video’s, I might have an idea, but Dexter Pottinger, my Stylist, is so in tune with me that we work off of each other’s spirit and talent so well that if he has something in mind, I can bring it to life, and if I have something in mind I can bring it to life. We don’t have a rigid thing where we say ‘you’re going to wear this here, and wear that there,’ no; we just work so well it’s unexplainable. We work outside the box, and we don’t work with what’s in trend; if everyone has it, we’re working in a different direction. I am a product and I own my own product, and I have to come with something intriguing to hold my fans! NVC: Your fans are the most loyal! Do you have a nickname for them?! T: I secretly call them my Tiff-Aliens!

NVC: We have a lot of singles from you, but don’t have an album or an EP yet! Will we see this project in the near future? T: Definitely, and it is coming in the near future. The ‘Twisted Footprints’ album was completed 2 years ago, however the deals that was being offered for the album … I did not like. I made a promise that the deal had to be beneficial to me, and to my fans, and I’m not going to sign away my life just because I ‘need’ to put out an album; that makes no sense. I’m going to revamp it and get ready to release it. I can say that there are contracts in my email inbox, there are deals being offered so you’ll have to wait and see, but something is coming soon! NVC: You’ve been singing a lot more lately! Literally, you have been singing at your live stage shows, and you have been singing in the booth, and you’re doing it a lot more! What is bringing this out of you? T: When I started in the business, I started by singing bit no one would take me seriously. Since the day the song “Kitty Police” dropped, and people heard me singing, they began playing my singing songs more. I decided to try the DJ angle more, and then ease the singing style to the market. If you notice, even in the songs I DJ, there is a melodic and harmonic element and that’s because of my first nature which is to sing!

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NVC: How has the transition been going from Headline Entertainment to Solid Agency? T: It really hasn’t been too bad. In 2012 I took on Solid as my additional booking agency, so I had been working with both agents for 2 years, then this year decided to make the switch. I am thankful for all the opportunities that Headline gave me, but sometimes the time comes when parties have to respect each other and move on.

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NVC: We mentioned in the first question that this year has been good and rough at the same time. You have performed consistently and kept your fans very close which is good, but your account got hacked on Twitter! How did that happen? T: I don’t know! How I realized is that I switched phones, but I could still access my account on my old phone and that phone is going (on its last legs). My new phone told me to refresh my password, and when I went to the account, I could not sign in. They got access to the email account and changed the password, and subsequently changed the other passwords. They have not tweeted anything, and I still have access through my old phone. They’ve locked that account, so I created a new account which is the same as my Instagram: @ItsTheTifa . With this one we’re just over 4,000 followers and on the other (hacked) account it’s just over 60,000, so I need my fans to follow the right account!

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NVC: Most artists use social media to share what they are doing; you do that too, and you take a special interest in sharing motivational quotes and experiences. Have the fans reactions to some of your posts surprised you? T: Some people have surprised me. There are some fans who are looking for attention, and there are others who don’t agree with my point of view and are vocal about that, but for the most part, I have actually gained a lot of fans because people did not know some of the things I share about my personality. A lot of people say ‘I didn’t know you were so funny,’ and others say ‘you are so crazy and we love your vibes;’ so being open and being me and being more intimate has brought more people in to my world, and I have gained a lot of new fans. They like the goofy side of me and I like that too! They see me singing while I’m cooking, they see me hanging out with my friends, and I want them to see all of that because all of that is a part of me. I’m a real person! NVC: What is about Grace Jones that you like / admire so much?! We saw a few posts on Instagram that reference her! T: (Tifa laughs)! I like people who are not afraid to be themselves; people who are not afraid to sing about and speak about who they are … their individual expression. I love people like that. I love people who break barriers and I love people who challenge rules. I’m a Sagittarius, and I hate rules and I hate being in a box. I love what Grace Jones did … breaking down barriers in the 70’s and 80’s when it was much harder and she did it as a woman. I love that. She did it in modeling, movies, singing, entertainment, and as a Jamaican woman – she did it. I have to give her mad props for doing it the way she did it and when she did it. She is the Jamaican Madonna, but edgier! Whether you like her or don’t like her, you have to respect it because she did it … no apologies and I love it! NVC: You are a very giving person. If there is a charitable organization that needs help promoting their cause, you are the first to say yes. If we could make you Prime Minister of Jamaica, what are the first 3 things you would do for the country? T: This is a very hard question because I would not want to be Prime Minister of Jamaica! I don’t think I could handle it. What’s funny is the current Prime Minister and I share the same birthday. Go figure! I would try to bring homelessness and poverty down, and I would do it by creating more jobs, but not more jobs to say people working in offices and such, but people working with their talents. We need that as new and efficient ways to generate more money for people. The people who don’t have job opportunities are the ones who rob and steal. We pay the most taxes of any country in the world so I think we should have a system in place that brings out the natural talents in people and have them earn a living that way.

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NVC: The name of our magazine is L3 and each L has a meaning. The first is for Life, the second is for Love and the third is for Lyrics. What general advice would you give our readers on Life, Love and Lyrics? T: Life; the less things you have to think about the happier you will be. Don’t stress about the things you can’t change, and change the things you can. Live your life the best way you know how. The only thing stressing life ironically is death and that is going to come in time; just live your life. Love your family and friends – the real people – give of yourself. Love and love wisely! Lyrics … find positive lyrics to live by. Music is the soundtrack to our lives! Connect with Tifa via Twitter >>> @ItsTheTifa

L3 MAGAZINE | JULY 2014

NVC: With the US and Canada making strides to legalize marijuana, what are your views on opening that as an export industry to the world? T: They have been in talks with the Jamaica conference etc. If it can be done in the right way, and it has a proper system, then I support it. We have resources that are considerable earning power for our country, so we need to open those resources to the world.

ON THE WORLD STAGE

L3 MAGAZINE | JULY 2014

marie-claire is an old soul with gargantuan dreams. With eyes steadfastly set on a future GRAMMY award, she is working hard towards her dream while making time to indulge in her love of all things Chanel, Caribbean fashion and some Baskin Robins pralines and cream along the way. The classically trained singer was born in Dominica and moved to the Bronx at age four. It was in the Boogie Down that she fell in love with Hip Hop, got introduced to classic film and developed her independent and rebellious spirit. Her musical journey began with an open-mike performance at Village Vanguard, while marie-claire was an Archeology student at Brooklyn College. Since then she has gone from performing on the Jazz and Country western circuit; to performing with the Austin Lyric Opera Company and studying Opera with vocal teacher and mentor Maestro Guido Caputo while taking classes at the Conservatory of Santa Cecelia in Rome Italy, where she lived for three years. Her return to the states took her through Los Angeles where she continued her study with Mark Forrest, and then back to New York; where she studied with Raymond Buckingham, before making her Carnegie Hall debut. marie-claire’s songs have been featured in feature films such as Lovin Jezebel and The Roommate and on DJ Logic’s The Anomaly. She also spent time in front of the camera as a cast member on the second season of Chapelle’s Show on Comedy Central. She returned to Dominica in 2007 and through her girlfullofgold productions, hosted two live shows, jazzlive and belemont lounge. Taking advantage of her presence in the Region, marie-claire graced the stages at several festivals and concerts throughout the Caribbean including Creole in the Park (Dominica) Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival (Jamaica), Jazz on the Green (St. Vincent) and Love is all we Need Concert (Antigua), where she opened for Faith Evans.

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AG: You received an honor at an NAACP Women’s History Month event? How did it feel and how did it come about? mc: It felt amazing! I was asked to sing some Negro spirituals for a Black History Month event at Evander Child High School. It was also an event to honor the former mayor of New York, David Denkins, and a lot of people were there including President Julian McDavid of the Westbridge NAACP, who I sang for two years ago. I was just reintroduced to him; he heard me sing again and told me he was going to submit my name and it was up to a committee in Manhattan. He did; and they picked me to be one of the honorees. 146

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AG: You’re also auditioning on Broadway. Does being an opera singer make you a natural fit or did you have to take specific training for acting? mc: Well my agent feels that I am a natural actress and there’s a lot in the singing that you can look to as far as acting tips. These parts on Broadway are very well thought out, as far as lyrics and stage direction. The fact that I’m an opera singer just makes it, I think, easier for me because my technique is rock solid; which makes going from all different types of genres seamless and effortless. AG: Are you named after anyone? mc: I am named after my two great aunts, one is Marie and the other is Claire. They are both from Martinique. AG: Do you have a favorite saying? mc: “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. So live.” That’s from the movie Auntie Mame. AG: mc:

Speaking of, what kind of movies do you like? I am a huge fan of Turner Classic movies, HUGE! I love classic film.

AG: And why is that? mc: Well, I was raised on them. I remember watching movies like Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments and The Sound of Music with my grandmother. And when you look at romantic comedies like His Girl Friday, Arsenic and Old Lace, Aunty Mame, these are incredible movies, not just because of direction, staging, costumes etc., the dialogue were so incredible and it was really geared about these really original stories that I think we’re pretty much lacking today. AG: Why did you decide to go to university and pursue a degree in archeology? mc: My family we are very educated people, and it was never a thing that you might be going to college, it was always you are going to pursue education at the highest level. It’s not even that university is like the biggest thing, even private study, you know, the further-ment of your own knowledge is sufficient; because knowledge is power. So it doesn’t have to be an institution, it could be studying with a mentor, you know, as long as you are furthering your mind and growing.

Are you named after anyone? I am named after my two great aunts, one is Marie and the other is Claire. They are both from Martinique.

AG: Do you have a favorite saying? mc: “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. So live.” That’s from the movie Auntie Mame. AG: mc:

Speaking of, what kind of movies do you like? I am a huge fan of Turner Classic movies, HUGE! I love classic film.

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AG: mc:

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What do you like most about yourself? That I am open minded.

AG: If you could have dinner with any three people describe the moment (who when, where, why)! mc: It would be with Jesus Christ, Julius Caesar and Coco Chanel because they were all pioneers, leaders. I would like for them to be at this wonderful Italian restaurant in Manhattan which I love; it’s called Barpitti.

AG: What do you love most about your Caribbean island heritage? mc: I love the fact that I am from the Region where I am from. And the fact that I am from a little known island in this Region is really special for me because Dominica I believe is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is really just a gorgeous, lush, untouched island. Dominica could be almost like a Shangri’La to people who are stressed out in the Western World and I hope the powers that be do what they can to make it a reality AG: If you could have dinner with any three people describe the moment (who when, where, why)! mc: It would be with Jesus Christ, Julius Caesar and Coco Chanel because they were all pioneers, leaders. I would like for them to be at this wonderful Italian restaurant in Manhattan which I love; it’s called Barpitti. AG: Can you describe your fashion sense and what inspires it? mc: Well I became a big fan of Coco Channel when I was 14 years old. The fact that I love haute couture and the fact that I mix Hip Hop with Opera and I sing Jazz, I would think my fashion sense would be mixing the old and the new; the classical with definitely an urban edge. AG: You have a knack for finding the coolest things in the most unusual places and they are usually made by Caribbean designers. Why do you choose to clothes from regional designers? mc: Because even though I am a huge fan of Chanel, and I will gladly wear Chanel, I feel that by supporting designers like Harriett’s, Tuff Like Iron, Mamayashi, Spokes, The Vessel by Lois etc, this is so important, not only as me coming from the same region as them but they are super talented! I love the fabrics, the textures, the prints, the silhouettes it’s just really cutting edge.

L3 MAGAZINE | JULY 2014

AG: You have a knack for finding the coolest things in the most unusual places and they are usually made by Caribbean designers. Why do you choose to clothes from regional designers? mc: Because even though I am a huge fan of Chanel, and I will gladly wear Chanel, I feel that by supporting designers like Harriett’s, Tuff Like Iron, Mamayashi, Spokes, The Vessel by Lois etc, this is so important, not only as me coming from the same region as them but they are super talented! I love the fabrics, the textures, the prints, the silhouettes it’s just really cutting edge.

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AG: Can you describe your fashion sense and what inspires it? mc: Well I became a big fan of Coco Channel when I was 14 years old. The fact that I love haute couture and the fact that I mix Hip Hop with Opera and I sing Jazz, I would think my fashion sense would be mixing the old and the new; the classical with definitely an urban edge.

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AG: How was your experience working with Spragga Benz – a Dancehall icon? mc: I must say that was a wonderful experience. Spragga Benz is a generous artist and he took on my idea of doing a very different version of “Rastaman Chant.” In the beginning he said it was like mixing orange juice and egg. When he finally did hear it he really got on board and loved it. AG: Beyonce has an alter ego named Sascha Fierce. Do you have one? mc: (in old Birtish lady accent) Lady Antebellum! (she calls her imaginary butler) Horissford! Bring me my tonic and don’t forget the lime! AG: What was the hardest decision you ever made as an artist? mc: Actually the situation that I am in right now as far as my vocal study. Being in Dominica for five years, it really put my voice back because I wasn’t able to have vocal training. So we’re just working back right now on building back my operatic voice and that takes a tremendous amount of patience not to go after the music that you want to but you’re building it. So Jazz is the number one thing right now, but opera’s coming in the back but we’re taking our time, we’re building back the voice and when it happens it’s gonna happen big! AG: mc:

If your Dad had to put on a stage play, which would it be and what role would you play? A Greek tragedy; It would be Antigone and I would be Antigone because she was sacrificed.

AG: When you are long gone what do you want to be remembered as / for? mc: I want to be remembered as somebody who believed in youth, who believed in culture and somebody who believed in spreading a positive word through music. AG: mc:

What song best describes your life right now? “You Can’t Tell me Nothing” by Kanye West.

AG: mc:

Finish this sentence … marie-claire is the world stage!

Connect with marie-claire on twitter twitter.com/@mcfullofgold

NOTHING ‘FOREIGN’

The imagery of musical fusion of Rock, Latin, and Indie is always so inviting. As I listen to The lovelost I am taken away to a warm summer’s evening under the stars, and a gentle breeze just kissing the glistening skin gently ... leaving an opening for passion to be found. Such is the tantalizing sounds that The lovelost lead singer Ixchel illuminates. Her vocal presence is an intoxicating breath, and an invitation to share just who The lovelost is.

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by SONG RIVER | photography by COW GIRL ZEN

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SR: Frank and Ixchel, thank you both for sharing your music with us. I know the first time I listened to your music I was taken into a story about who you are, and who The lovelost is. Frank, growing up in Chicago, what were some of your early influences musically speaking? Did you begin with a ukulele or another instrument? Paint us a picture if you would regarding the early days, and your interest in music. FI: Although I was born in Chicago, my family moved to Arizona during my formative teenage years, (thanks mom and dad), so I wasn’t necessarily influenced by the “Chicago” sound, although I did teach myself the guitar on my father’s electric hollow body Epiphone. I was however very influenced by Rush. I loved the idea of one guitar making so much music; the tones and the way they used pedals and delays was, and is something I try to achieve and is prevalent in our music. SR: Ixchel, I understand you were a DJ living in Mexico City prior to coming to Arizona, correct? What musical influences surround you growing up in Mexico? Is music a predominant part of your central family? What was it like to DJ alternative music, and what style did it encompass in Mexico? IDC: I was a radio DJ in Cuernavaca for about 9 years (pauses); I started as a full time DJ for Factor 100, a local rock independent station that featured both English and Spanish rock and independent music from all sorts of genres. Later, I moved with most of the same great team to 106.9 FM Alterna, a public radio station that played classic, jazz, world music, independent rock and more; I hosted the alternative / independent rock show. It was a lot of fun to be surrounded by people who loved music regardless of labeled genres. Everyone simply loved music and that influenced the sounds in my head. Growing up in Mexico, there was always music at my house. No one really played an instrument, but you would hear 50s rock and roll, and we were always dancing; The Beatles, mariachi, ballads and some Son Jarocho all in a couple of hours (smiling). My parents still have music playing all the time, although you will never know what the next song will be. In the late 80s and early 90s, a plethora of Mexican rock bands became a movement, along with grunge and alternative rock and I joined as a happy listener, always wishing I could play too. So I decided to learn.

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SR: When the connection was made, and you decided it was time to take your passion for music and form a band, what was the style of this first band? What was the band name? What influenced it to disband? FI: After our rehearsal sessions in the park, we had a handful of songs, and yes, we decided to take it to the next level. Amazingly enough it was the first band experience for me. And I had no idea of what I was getting into. But it was terrific fun. And we had a great run – we played like 80 some shows in less than two years, and actually got to open for some big performers like Michelle Branch and Sophie B. Hawkins. Our style was a lot more folk than it is now, especially since we featured a violin. And the people in the band were awesome and still are. Why we disbanded? Why does any band disband? No one really knows that answer, do they?!

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SR: Where and what was going on when you both met? Did you both just say, “Hey! Let’s play some music?” How was the passion, and how was the decision reached that gave birth to you not only becoming a couple, but also to perform together. FI: Funny story, we met on our first day of work; both of us were in advertising. It was Halloween and the entire office was dressed up in costumes, and if I remember correctly, there was a girl dancing for the office in an Arabian / Jasmine outfit... kind of awkward. And since we were the new guy and girl, we started hanging out and discovered we both were musicians – both loved to write – in fact, the park was our first rehearsal studio. The couple thing came much later – but it was always in the back of my mind (sly impish look and laughs), I’m a guy, duh, and look at her! IDC: We met at work and were sitting next to each other. I always had my headphones on, feeling not cool enough for the advertising crowd. One day Frank asked me what I was listening to – I can’t remember what it was, but I am sure I was listening to something awesome. We started talking music and decided on an acoustic duo who played guitars on Steele Indian School Park, with homeless folks always sitting with us bouncing to our broken rhythm. Years later, we were forming bands, and eventually took the step to become a duo outside of music. SR: How does living and working with music work for you both? FI: Let me tell you, it is a lot harder than people understand. I mean, it is a balancing act because on one hand you’re a couple, right, and there’s all that stuff going on – the relationship, the stress of work and life – you know, normal stuff, then throw in creating music, and it sometimes can get a little feisty. But I think we handle it pretty well. I’ve had a lot of other musicians note that it’s amazing we’re still together. IDC: It is fun and rough at times. We were music partners before being a couple and that changes the dynamics of our interactions. I am so OCD (some call it bossy, I call it dedication) it is not even funny, but as music partners that seemed to work. Then we got together and balancing our personal relationship with our music relationship was tougher. But we have managed to work it out and to separate both aspects of our lives (sometimes it happens naturally, sometimes someone has to be the reminder of where we are).

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IDC: We had a “storage room” band that lasted 6 months (maybe) and then met some random people at a bar on 7th St. and at a music shop. There! We have a band! We had lots of fun, developed relationships and even made a few bucks (spent more than that, but hey, who’s counting?). We were all new at friendship and playing together but being married to 4 people is hard. Style-wise, I have no idea how to describe it. Eclectic indie (all over the place?) but we had fun. And we think people who saw us perform did, too. And then it was time for us to move on and find what worked for each of us. SR: A reformation occurs, and reinventing is always a growth period that brings about many times the true heart of what something really is. Talk to us about this reinvention, its direction, why it was chosen, how has it been received? FI: After “the break-up” we took a break to recollect ourselves. It was pretty hard on both of us, you know? I mean, you put yourself out there and then one day it isn’t there, that’s tough. So we worked on totally reinventing our sound. And started working on the new album, “Foreign.” We also decided to concentrate on songs in Spanish. With Ixchel being a native of Mexico, it’s a natural fit and quite frankly, broadens our audience tremendously. And instead of having a “band” we recruited some of our talented friends to play on the record. The response has been better than we could have expected. People are really digging the new sound and our shows are well attended. And it’s a very personal record for the both of us because it’s just us now, you know, so when the music is received like it has been, it’s pretty gratifying.

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SR: Your style of music would not be considered mainstream, is that a good or a bad thing? Does it limit your audience, and where you play? FI: We’ve always tried to stay true to ourselves and obviously we are influenced by our favorite bands. But, when I talk to people after our shows, they always say that the style is something that isn’t always heard and in my opinion is an awesome thing. I think the style broadens our audience, because of the ‘melodic-sens’ (laughs) is that a word? And our writing style that hinges on dynamics, it’s an easy listen for people. Thank goodness it’s not easy listening. We play at all the usual haunts – you know? My favorite is the Rogue Bar.

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IDC: I was not in a good place after the previous band broke up, so I really needed a break. I was happy writing and playing music, as long as it was at my house, for myself. But the music bug always creeps in and I stopped being a baby and took a risk. I was petrified at fronting a band. I was very comfortable with playing bass, signing harmonies and being lead on a song here and there. Becoming The lovelost was a big step for me. I had to wear my big girl pants and I have always been better at being on the side of the stage, not worrying about anything. I still struggle with it, but enjoy every second of making music, performing and being myself while doing so. It is a blast (and I think I am getting a decent hang of it)!

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IDC: Like I said, I grew up around all sorts of music, and although I do have favorite genres, I am not sure I can place myself in just one of them, as my influences are all over the place. So we decided we play what we like. English, darker, happier… whatever suits the day and the tune. It can be hard to do that, but it is rewarding and somehow people seem to like it. I guess most of us like more than one musical style, and others seem to respond positively to what we do. We might not have “one” genre, but it appears most people don’t either (or so I hope). SR: According to your bio, the main crux of The lovelost are the three of you, with Nick Kizer keeping the beat, yet there are multiple other instrumental influences and suggested musicians given. Who are some of the others you bring in? FI: Like I said before, we are very fortunate to have such wildly talented musician friends and Nick really has helped define the sound, I mean, we wanted the drums to be its own instrument rather than this beat machine and he brings it. Niki Kizer, Nick’s wife plays lead guitar on the record. David Cosme plays trumpet, Chris Fiscus plays percussion, Robin Vinning played accordion, and for our shows, Chad Eisinger sits in on drums when Nick is busy and Lawrence Ross plays keyboards. So you can see, trying to get all those people together for a show, heck rehearsal, when they have they own gigs going, is crazy difficult. SR: Describe the choosing of the bands name. FI: The name “The lovelost” simply a description for life. You love, you lose. Or, you’re simply lost or looking for something and you can hear the struggle and journey of that idea in our words and in our music. SR: When the times come and you both are in that moment, who is writing the lyrics, the notes? Is what you create a draw from you both or sometimes is it coming from just one of you? FI: We have different writing styles, to be sure. I’m more of a “this happened, and then this happened, and then this is what happened.” Ixchel has this amazing talent to break that process down and turn it into more of an emotional story. Both styles have worked well for us and the record bears that out.With day jobs, writing sessions are very infrequent. So basically, I’ll come up with a hook on the guitar or ukulele, jot a few lyrics down and play it for Ixchel. From there it becomes a very collaborative process – exchanging ideas about verse and chorus, and structure of the songs. IDC: Both Frank and I write lyrics. He will come with a hook and lyrics, and then I might keep them or change them. Or tell him I have a “wonderful” phrase I have been thinking about so we need to start all over again. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it doesn’t. The main thing we need to remember is that this is a band, not a solo project. Unless one of us in the band has a strong feeling about this or that, let’s give it a shot. You never know what will come out of a rehearsal if you didn’t hear your partners’ ideas.

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SR: What early influences politically, socially, culturally continue to influence you both musically? FI: We really don’t delve into that heavy stuff with our music – we’re not Rage Against the Machine, or anything – and frankly, I think people have had enough that, we concentrate on the human condition, relationships and personal struggle. In that way, everyone can relate. IDC: I write mostly from the heart and mind and I think lots of environment impact the lyrics, at least for me. However, I am not one that can write things directly, but write metaphors or stories around the issue that is in my head. I think the closest I have gotten to directly express those issues is with “Foreign.” I was made fun of for having an accent during a work conference call a few years back. It pissed me off, especially because I was making an important point yet giggling came in the way. All I could think of is “Really? You are going to laugh at my accent and the Spanish words I use, in front of the client, who is a Spanish speaker?” I had to say something. And I didn’t. So I wrote a song about being foreign, not as in immigrant, but more as in different. SR: Art leaves an indelible imprint on the time-line of humanities travels ... what are you both wanting to leave? FI: For me, it’s not about leaving a legacy, it’s about creating. IDC: Leaving an imprint on others would be amazing, but I am not sure I am leaving anything, except form my words and soul into something I love. Not sure they are good, but I had the nerve to put them down. I hardly doubt that they will make an imprint on anyone but me, and I am OK with that. SR: What other artistic endeavors are you both involved in collectively and separately? FI: I’m a writer for a local music blog here in Phoenix and work on a few short films here and there, but mostly, it’s about the music. IDC: I don’t really have another art outlet, per se, if anything, I am proud to support other local artists, not only bands, but actors, painters and the like. Connect with The lovelost via Twitter >>> @thelovelostband