#mandy mcgee

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Mandy's Year in Review (Music and Art)

Hello all,

We have been dormate for quite a while due to everyone involved having personal life happenings. We will be coming back slowly. 

I personally have been starting new projects that take up a lot of my time. I have a new band called season of strangers. 

I still managed to keep up with a few things on the internet and the world. Here is a list of music and art I really enjoyed discovering in 2014.

MUSIC in 2014:

I am going to start with Gretchen Lohse's Primal Rumble. Even though her album came out in the very end of 2013 it got the most play for me in 2014. It is the perfect album for when you want to relax. She is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who has fronted the indie psych band Yellow Humphrey and played along side many other amazing musicians. This is her first solo album and it feels like a love letter to the folk singers of the 60s with a twist. The arrangements of the songs make me so giddy. When you think it is going one way she pops in a flute or a stark shaky violin among the classic singer-songwritter acoustic guitar style. This album is full of whimsy, heartache and longing. I just absolutely adore this musician.

The Drums newest album Encyclopedia is one of the most perfect indie-pop albums I have heard. It has so much honesty in the lyrics combined with showing their many facets of sounds and feelings. This album really shows off their talent and what they can do as a band.

Jupe Jupe took their time putting out Crooked Kisses, three years after their last release. I took some promo photos for them for the release of this album! They are such a fun band to dance to bringing their synth pop to the party. 

Sticking with synth pop, Generationals put out their fourth album, Alix. It is their most poppy and synth driven album and even though slightly different then their past albums it still is a favourite. Generationals never disappointment one bit. This album sounds like a mash up of 50's pop riffs and 80s new wave; married in perfect melodies. 

There were so many amazing albums out in 2014 but I will end here with a band that I was long awaiting for in much anticipation since I first heard their single, Happy. New York based, Field Mouse put out their second album, Hold Still Life, after a long four years. They started as a duo and have expanded into a four piece. It is what I will consider one of the best dream pop albums I have ever heard. It is a perfect and tightly put together album. Rachel Browne's voice is so sweet and light combined with meloncoly lyrics wrapped in jangly guitar and pulsating basslines.

Art in 2014:

I discovered a lot of amazing artists in 2014, here is just a quick list.

Christine McConnell-Baker, Crafter, Photographer, Model

Braden Duncan-Artist, Photographer

Kimberly Applegate-Artist

Spike Vain-Medical Image Manipulator. Turning X-RAYS, CT SCANS and MRIs into usable, functional and ONE.OF.A.KIND art. Custom pieces available. You have to contact him directly.

Bonetrail Jewelry-Ethically sourced bone jewelry artist

Now, this is just a bit of what I discovered in 2014 that I love. It is hard to pick and choose and not talk about everything and everyone I love but this is the list. Tell me what you discovered in 2014 in indie arts!

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Multimedia Artist: Mandy McGee

For this week's post, I interviewed Mandy McGee, a Seattle-based artist who is involved a gazillion creative projects. She's is a photographer, burlesque dancer, DJ, blogger, “crazy cat lady,” etc. 

McGee says her creative passion comes from her interest in storytelling.

“I like telling stories,” she said. “Most artists do like telling stories, even if it’s like a moving picture or a still shot or a painting, there’s a story there.”

You can read more about this supercool person here: 

http://nichetomeetyou.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/multimedia-artist-mandy-mcgee/

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Crowdsource Round-up

By Mandy McGee

Here are a couple of campaigns in need of donations. Take a look and support independent arts!

The Austin, TX based band, Tele Novella, are in need of help getting a tour van. Touring can get pricey and being an independent or DIY band means you are paying for everything out of pocket with the hopes of making some money or at least breaking even. One of the biggest price tags can be renting a van to carry all your equipment and your band as well as all the gas it takes for said van. Take a look at their Indiegogo campaign. 

Do you remember the theme song to Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Well that was 90s sensation Nerf Herder! They are on a mission to make a new record...FINALLY!!! Help support them in their efforts via their pledge music campaign. 

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Golden Gardens-The Golden Dawn Video

By Mandy McGee

I recently took footage from a Golden Gardens show I filmed and made a new music video for them. It is from an older album of theirs, Between the Siren and the Amulet. Golden Gardens is a Seattle based dreampop band that mixes velvety ambiance, mysterious melodies and haunting voices to calm your senses.

Here is the video for the song "The Golden Dawn".

Golden Gardens-The Golden Dawn from Mandy McGee on Vimeo.

*Click the vimeo to see it bigger and in better quality

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April Eileen Eddleton

By Mandy McGee

I am so excited I was able to sit down and chat up photographer April Eddleton. As a photographer myself I love picking the brains of other photographers. I have known April for a while now, she and I grew up in the same area, and I have been following her creative journey and am very proud of her and the work she has done. 

(Photo of April Eileen by April Dorothea)

Mandy: How long have you been doing photography and how did you get started? 

April: I've been doing photography professionally for a little over 2 years now. I started in high school by taking photo journalism. I really miss the dark room!

Mandy: How would you describe your style?

April: All over the place! I love to create! Lately I've been working on more and more headpieces and jewelry to go along with the shoots I've thought up. Lately I've been more in to editorial style photos, but I work with a lot of more alternative models, so people have come to know me for my more edgy styles. 

Mandy: How did you learn photography school or self taught? 

April: Well, I took photo journalism in high school. However, over the years I had forgotten most of what I had learned, as I didn't really practice it until recently. So I had to re-learn everything. A lot was self taught via Google, as well as a few amazing friends giving me advice along the way. But mostly just from getting out there and just doing it. You're going to make mistakes, and not every shoot will turn out the way you see it in your mind. But as they say, practice makes perfect! So getting out there and shooting, any chance you get, is the best teacher there is.

Mandy: Have you always wanted to do photography? 

April: I've been taking pictures since I was in elementary school. As a child, I almost always had a disposable camera on me, or a bag full of film. But I never really thought of it as something I wanted to do for a living until I was forced to make a change in my career. I worked at Geico for a long time, but due to kidney failure, was forced to go on disability. The first few months were rough, going crazy sitting at home (I am forever on the go) so I decided to pick my camera back up and haven't put it down since! The health issues are still here, I am still on dialysis, but I found the silver lining in it- I rediscovered my passion for photography and art. Now I am doing what I truly love for a living!

Mandy: What is most important to you, technique or vision? 

April: Vision, absolutely! The end product is what counts. It's what everyone sees, and what represents you and your work. HOW you go to that end product doesn't matter. Of course knowing different techniques can help enhance that vision, but if you know what you want, and are determined to get that shot... you will. Just keep that vision in the back of your mind until you do!

Mandy: What equipment and software do you make use of in your work flow?

April: I shoot with a Canon Rebel T3i, and lately I've been loving my 50mm lense. As for editing I start in Lightroom for color/lighting/contrast corrections, and then move over to CS6 for the rest.

Mandy: What have you learned lately in photography? 

April: A friend taught me to shoot through  rather sheer objects to create different color/lighting effects. My favorite to use are different colored feathers. Also, using more dense objects to create shadows. My models always give me funny looks when they see me grab a handful of grass or leaves and stick them in front of my lens while taking their picture but always love the end result!

Mandy: What is your favourite shoot you have done so far?

April: My favorite shoot I have done so far is a tie between the Halloween shoot I did with Angela Hirsch and a recent one I did with Tessa Goetz. I styled everything and made the head pieces myself, which is probably why I enjoyed them so much. Being able to create pieces that I was truly proud of, and have beautiful models and an amazing team bring them to life was a great feeling! My newest headpiece is being mailed out west to be modeled by Heidi Lavon and I am SO excited about it! 

Mandy: What photographers inspire you?

April: Right now some of my favorites are Emily Soto. Her work is so elegant and flawless! And another would be Yellow Bubbles Photography. I love how her work always reminds me of a fairy-tale. 

Mandy: What inspires you in life?

April: My son. He is my best friend. I haven't always been the most patient person, and I didn't always make the best decisions (but then, who does when they are young?) He inspires me to do the right thing in any situation, to be the better person even when sometimes I just don't want to be. Leading him by example is what inspires me in life.

Mandy: Talk a little about the magazine you run.

April: I am the owner of Aspira Magazine. We feature artists of all kinds. Photographers, Models, Musicians, Tattoo Artists, Painters, Designers. We just love ART! Even though we are still fairly new (July is our 1 year anniversary!) I am very proud of the direction we are heading!

Mandy: If you could have a super power what would it be?

April: I just had this conversation the other day! I'm pretty sure I would have to go with teleportation! How cool would that be. I could be sitting at home in bed, and in the blink of an eye I could be zip lining through Fiji! (Yes... I've thought about this a lot!)

Mandy: If you could have a conversation with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why?

April: When I was a child, a woman who was my babysitter from the time I was about 6 months old until she was taken way too young when I was in 4th grade. She was more like a mother to me, and I'd love to talk to her one more time.

Mandy: Do you have any hidden talents?

April: Not that I would let many people hear it now a days, but I can sing. I use to be in the Women's Choir, Advanced Choir and did state competitions when I was in high school. Did solo's in front of 100's of people... and now I can't even sing in my car if there's anyone else is in there without being insecure. 

Mandy: Do you make enough money off of your work or do you have a  day job as well?

April: Unfortunately, due to being on dialysis, I am unable to hold a day job, but I get by just fine! :)

Mandy: What is the best advice you have received?

April: "Work Hard. Stay Humble." Pretty self explanatory.

Mandy: What advice do you have for individuals interested in pursuing a career in photography?

April: For starters, making a full time career out of photography is not always easy, and can usually take time. Be patient. And always be open minded. Not everyone will like your work. Don't take offense! Just use those remarks as a critique, something to work on. And get out there and shoot as often as you can! Again, practice makes perfect!

Mandy: Where can people find out more about you?

April: Sadly, I have been so busy I haven't been able to finish my website. But, you can find my work on Facebook at April Eileen Photography as well as on Instagram, @aprileileenphotography

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Tele Novella-Trouble In Paradise

By Mandy McGee Tele Novella just released their newest video for the single "Trouble in Paradise" on their fourthcoming Cosmic Dial Tone EP, which is due out on June 14 on Lolipop Records. The Austin based psych-pop band combines classic '60s rhythms with macabre undertones.

Tele Novella // Trouble In Paradise from tina rivera on Vimeo.

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DIY Folding Screen

By Mandy McGee (via One Kings Lane) How To Create a Folding Screen Using wallpaper and simple wooden closet doors from the hardware store, our stylist Anthony Santelli created a gorgeous folding screen.

Click here for the full list of materials needed and instructions on how to make this fabulous project.

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New Teen Men Video, EP and Tour

By Mandy McGee Wilmington, Delaware's Teen Men has a new video, an EP and they are going on a mini tour with Work Drugs. Teen Men are Catharine (a photographer), Albert (a filmmaker, who has done videos for Spinto Band and Ra Ra Riot), and Nick and Joe (from Spinto Band). They mix synth, samples and ambient tones in perfect crafted pop songs. Live they have a projector with interactive visuals. I am posting their newest video as well as another video from a month or so ago that I didn't around to posting for you. Their EP is free for download on their Bandcamp til the 19th of April and if you are on the east coast check out one of their shows; they are opening for Work Drugs.

http://teenmen.bandcamp.com/ TOUR: Apr 11 Boot and Saddle Philadelphia, PA Apr 12 Union Pool Brooklyn, NY Apr 16 Bug Jar Rochester, NY Apr 17 Rumba Cafe Columbus, OH Apr 18 Underground Lounge Chicago, IL Apr 19 The Basement Nashville, TN