Genius

Genius: Shaney Jo Darden

shaney jo darden keep abreast portrait photo

Photographed by Dean Bradshaw

Interview by Dersu Rhodes

 

Shaney Jo makes me say “like” too much. I sound like i’m asking out a girl in 6th grade.

I’m sitting across from Shaney Jo in a room in the Keep A Breast Headquarters in Carlsbad, CA, and I’m nervous but I’m not sure why. Shaney isn’t stern or cold, she’s incredibly beautiful, but is far from vain, and later when I overhear a coworker say, “you look so beautiful today Shaney.” she drops her head shyly, looking down at her necklace and slowly let’s it slip in between her fingers, blushing. It’s that Shaney Jo is changing the world, and millions of people are listening, if that’s not intimidating, I don’t know what is.

Shaney is the iconic woman behind The Keep A Breast Foundation, with their most well-known campaign to date, I Love Boobies (we’re sure you have seen the bracelets) and she is also responsible for the Non-Toxic Revolution, a campaign to create widespread awareness on health and freeing our bodies of toxins. As you read this, Shaney is at the Blooom Art Fair in Cologne, Germany planning the Europe launch of NTR along side Strychnin Gallery, with imagery by Studio No.1 and Shepherd Fairy, she will be pasting the iconic Berlin Wall with Non Toxic Revolution art and messaging next summer. Shaney is leading the march for breast cancer awareness and prevention, while helping women fight a cancer that takes close to 500,000 deaths worldwide in one year. Shaney has been busy.

It’s hard not to say “like” when you are asking questions to a woman who will be doing the next TED talk in San Diego, and I do my best to be calm and approach this interview casually and more personal, which is different then most interviews she has done lately. The media has been focusing on her from a professional perspective, all about her work, and the movements she is leading. I want to focus on a different side of Shaney, the one people don’t get to see as much, the personal side. The side where she misses her dog who passed away last week after having him for 15 years, the side that wonders if her passion will allow her to ever have a normal life.

 

What were you like growing up?

I was even an entrepreneur as a little kid. I had lemonade stands, and then I would do little performances for the neighborhood, like make people pay to watch me roller-skate to Pack Man Fever. I was a teenager in the eighty’s and super into eighty’s culture.  Skateboarding was also a huge part of my life growing up in Southern California. I grew up loving the Bones Brigade, going to all the skate contests in Anaheim and at the Del Mar Skate Ranch, just loving that culture and being a part of it. I had my own clothing line in high school called Shaney jo, and sold it to boutiques in La Jolla. It was a denim line and I would hand paint jeans and sew tchotchkes all over them and sell them for one hundred and fifty bucks. I would leave school at lunch to work at Baskin Robbins because I needed money to buy clothes. I was voted best dressed in High school. To this day people always say I work so much, but that’s how I’ve always been. I’ve always turned my creativity into cash!

Do you ever look back at your life and think maybe you should have played more and worked less?

No, because the work was always based on something I had fun doing—creating, sewing, etc.  And I was still able to do things that normal girls did, like ride bikes with my brother, and go to the beach with mom. So I don’t think so.

Where does your creative thinking side come from?

My parents.  They have always been really creative and into expression and culture. I was raised with an very simple, non-elitist appreciation of the arts.  My father was an art and music collector, and my mother was the type of artist who created out of function and necessity. She taught me how to sew when I was really young, and we always got crazy making halloween costumes instead of buying them. My favorite costume was Hello Kitty, and she made My Melody for my BFF.

Is there anyone that has really inspired you?

I have always been inspired by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard.  I really look to him for inspiration in regards to the culture of his brand, his business model and his treatment of Patagonia employees. The way he has created a system of freedom and support for the people who work for him is something that I strive to emulate. Working for Keep A Breast can be really gnarly sometimes, because you can get sucked in to the subject and experience emotionally.  I spend a lot of time making sure my employees have a life and take care of their personal stuff.  To be an effective activist, you have to be able to step away and take care of yourself.

I am also inspired by the teens and young survivors we communicate with. I get so uplifted everyday just by their letters, and by the messages we get on Facebook. Hearing their stories brings me to a place where I can say, “okay, i’m doing the right thing.”

What are you afraid of?

I have a weird fear of whistling. If I hear someone whistle and I can’t see them, I get this strange feeling of panic (laughing).

But on a more personal and honest side, I have to say that I’ve come to a point where I don’t want to grow old alone. I don’t want to be that person who only has a career. I have always been career minded, and I was definitely never that girl who said, “By this age, I have to be married to this type of guy and have this many kids.” Still, I’ve always wanted a family and yeah… it would be nice to not be single forever (laughing).

What are some of your most prized possessions?

If we’re talking about physical objects, I have some jewelry that is really special to me, and has more personal significance than anything else I own. I have a few rings that I associate with certain people and memories, and I also have a necklace with angel wings that a very special friend gave to me.  I always wear that necklace when I fly. Anything else, It’s yours. I’m not attached to my stuff!

Has there been a specific catalyst, or shift that as happened that you feel like was a turning point or realization of how powerful what you were doing was?

There was a moment when I realized that the work had true value, in the sense that you could actually see and feel that positive impacts.  At that time Keep A Breast was still a side project for me.  But one day I was working on a project with David Kinsey and his partner Jana DesForges, and Jana said, “You know what you are doing is amazing right?”  I think that statement really hit me hard, because six months later I quite my design job at Sole Tech and started KAB full time.

Up until then, I never thought this would be my path, I always thought that I was going to be a clothing designer.  I had known that since I was 14 in my bedroom, designing my own Baskin Robbins-funded denim collection.

What would you say to someone who had a dream of starting a movement that might be along the same lines of KAB? Is there something that you wish you would have known, that you do now, that you think would be important to share with someone who might be in a position to launch a positive but maybe contraversial movement like KAB or NTR?

My first advice would be to take the time to create a mission statement that reflects what you want to accomplish, and why.  It has to be very well thought-out, but at the same time very natural.  If you have to force it, there’s a problem. The mission statement of your brand or charity or whatever is your Bible.  It is your road map for every single action you take,  public statement you make, document you publish, blog entry you post, and event you put on.  Everything has to come back to your mission and core values. I think a lot of people have an amazing ideas, and they just want to get it out there, sell it, do it, and let everyone know about it.  But for longevity, you really have to take that time to make a solid mission statement.

If you believe in it, you can make it happen.  Trust me, people will be haters, but you can’t let hate knock you off your path. It was so hard for me to accept that people were going to be mad at me because of boobs, but I come from a culture of skateboarding and art, cultures that encourage you to push the limits and the boundaries.  That is what has made KAB different and so powerful. I know we are doing what is right, and for every person that has taken it the wrong way, a millions others have taken it in a beautiful way.

 

*The end of October marks  the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we felt this is a special way to end an amazing month. To all of you, who donated at a grocery store check out line, who give money and time to help those in need, to help fund precious research, those who wear the bracelet, or find time to remember a loved one, we thanks you. Just because October is over, the fight isn’t… check out the links below to become a part. Every bit of involvement helps and we thank you for reading and hope you share this with others.

follow Keep A Breast on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/keepabreast

follow Keep A Breast on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KeepABreast

visit Keep A Breast on the web: http://www.keep-a-breast.org/

visit Non Toxic Revolution online: http://www.kabntr.org/

By Dersu In Genius

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Genius: Leah Dawson

photo by Dean Bradshaw

I remember the first time I met Leah Dawson, it was in the ocean. It was a beautiful day and there were a bunch of us out. I caught a few waves before Leah paddled out, and after that I think I caught only one more, not because Leah wouldn’t let me, but because all I wanted to do was watch her surf. She is force, maybe that’s not the best word…an energy, a positive, swirling, breathtaking energy. Being around Leah is sometime surreal, it almost seems like you’re in a book, where your character meets a wise woman and learns about the earth and nature and themselves, and everything seems so positive and powerful. It’s almost hard to soak in everything she has to offer, and before you know it, she’s gone. Gone on her next adventure, across the world in search of love (that she’s found), surf (that she charges), friends (that she inspires, and is inspired by) and connection (with the people around her and the earth).

Witness This is immensely honored to feature Le’a, our heroine of this tale. We were lucky enough to spend time with her as she shared her world with us, and allowed Dean Bradshaw to take her photo. Now, we present to you, a true Genius: Leah Dawson

Where did it all start?

I presume on a Cool fall night in southern California, the first stage of my creation was sparked between two Daredevils and heart-lovers. Both of my folks love to push their limits both physically and mentally, always allowing their desire for achievement to path the road for success. So I was born into a lovely family, centered on making dreams a reality. My older brother and younger sister and I all grew up in Orlando Florida, where Mickey Mouse was our real best friend and Disney World was our backyard. So from a young age, imagination was encouraged. Now, I recognize the gift that imagination has brought to my life.

What part of surfing do you feel most connected to?

Ahh surfing, hmm my breath of Life. Surfing itself is what connects me to this earth, and knowing myself as a human being capable of working in harmony with the ocean. The joy of riding waves, these spontaneous energetic motions of the earth, has opened my eyes to the cleansing and rejuvenation process that takes place every time any human immerses themselves into the sea. The feeling of being renewed, refreshed, never fails every time I exit the ocean. I always feel more alive. Lastly, the barrel has always been mesmerizing to me, from a scientific, spiritual, and physical aspect, but I just recently realized what the incredible feeling is in my body after exiting a barrel resembles. Inside the barrel, energy is different, it is a silent roar, and cold but hot vortex, one that makes time slow down, and the through the waves’s release, i often have a tingling sensation all over my body, and my spirit and mind are completely present and ecstatic. I’ve only experienced this feeling one other way… Come to find out my name in Ancient Polynesia Le’a, stood for this very act of the ultimate ability for humans to feel and create anew, with incredible pleasure and a deep connection to something else than only ourselves.

Tell us about some of the projects you’re working on right now.

I’m currently developing and writing a screenplay for a film whose goal is to reignite passion amongst our human race to once again know and understand what it means to be a living human being in harmony? This question, honestly approached, leads to knowing about a healthy human body, the aspects our habitat we call earth, and what tools we as humans have to connect to earth, and therefore everything around us. What we have come across is an extensive realization of why surfers feel so drawn to the ocean in the first place… The more we seek, the simpler it gets… We are all a Salt Water Soul.

I’ve also been working on a still photo project in Hawaii with a photographer named Red Mahan. First time I met Red, we sat in the middle of Waimea bay on a jet ski, and he shared with me more insight about the female goddess energy and the incredible indigenous meanings of sex and love making. He strongly believes that when males and females alike begin viewing and treating women like the beautiful, creative goddess energy that we are, that this common respect will play a major role in the growth of ‘peace’ on our planet. Our goal is through still images and writing, to portray the female goddess in her most natural form, bringing forth a comfort in our own skin that we have neglected for quite some time. Too, during these photo shoots I have become overwhelmed by the ancient spirits of women who once touched these waters, and stared into this blazing sun.

Favorite song/artist?

Hmm can it be natures song by the ocean?! Human music wise, my favorite artist is one of my closest, longtime friends, the master and magician Kellen Malloy. He has always played music because of the soul, and our life lessons have always seemed to mimic each other in the evolution of our minds and spirits. His music grows every time I see him ( I seem to be on a 4-6 month cycle with California :) ). Music, the universal language that ignites emotion in us from head to toe. Always amazed by the existence that is Music.

What does the word genius mean to you?

Genius can mean to me, the recognition and follow through that the human entity is a magical creation, capable of doing and being things we may only be able to conceive of in our dreams. It is the belief that an individual can make a difference, A big difference. It is the passionate result of a human that finds joy and dedication to a natural ‘talent’. A genius is someone that believes they can see or do all things. It is the collection of these geniuses that will flip the switch of the human race to once again appreciate and work in harmony with the earth, rather than abuse her for her resources and pollute her with our left overs. A genius is someone that loves to create and experience. A genius is the happy human inside of you that is reading this right now. We are all geniuses, it whether or not we realize it that allows us to utilize it’s power.

Have you had to sacrifice anything to get where you are?

Other than not yet learning how to be two places at once,the only thing that ever tugs me, is that living my life of dreams has not allowed me to spend as much time as I would like with my parents and family. They are my roots, and therefore my life blood. Only seeing them for a few weeks every year has definitely been challenging. But it has also taught me to grow up, and to create my belief system solely on how I feel.

What was the turning point in your career, and why do you think there was a shift?

Haha well, there are quite a few careers… But they all culminate to one… Being a joyful human and a light to all around me. So I guess this turning point began when I realized my stage, desire, and ability to be a light. My senior year of college, I moved out to the North Shore of Oahu and commuted to town for my final year. My new roommate had this quote on the fridge, “the greatest illusion is that mankind has limitations,” -Robert Monroe. Ever since, anything I truly set my intentions on have come to life. I began manifesting great work when i graduated, that still allowed memo travel and surf. So now I am a camera operator for an incredible team that is taking Surfing back to the broadcast level. Surfing for me has never been a career, partly because it didn’t produce much mula for me, but more so because I subconsciously knew that surfing was my way of ‘connecting with the gods’ and the corporate world may have kept me from the incredible spiritual gifts I have downloaded from the sea. Of course, a sponsor and boat trips would be awesome, but I’ve realized that I have the opportunity and challenge to create my own way of being a Surf Explorer for life.

What made you look towards searching for big waves as of recently?

I’ve always been inammered by big waves. I had that big coffee table book of JAWS when I was growing up. I dont know if I will ever get to that point, but I do know that the idea of raising the bar always intrigues me, and it led me to surf Waimea Bay for the first time last winter. It’s this tinkering with life and death, but a knowing and a trust that life, in one way or another, is the only result, no matter what, is what makes it do-able. Granted, I was shaking and bitting my lips the first 20ft swell I experienced firsthand at the Bay, but the adrenaline it released was euphoric, and  I felt so very human. I guess it is the desire to feel that incredible cellular release of adrenaline in my core and attain that knowingness of my ability to be and act completely present.

Dream vacation?

I am Looking forward to doing a pilgrimage through the Hawaiian islands with the love of my life, Eldar. Life is a vacation in a sense, as the feeling of bliss and relaxation is a state of mind I release towards every day.

Who inspires you?

Wow, everything! Every flower, every bird, every shark, and every human continues to remind me of the incredible creation that is all life. I am inspired by every human I see living in love, with sharing joy with those around them. I am inspired by my parents to love and embody the gift that Is parenthood. I am inspired by my friends to allow the feeling of family to find my heart where ever and who ever I am with. I am inspired by the angelic humans that walk our earth who are actively empowering this world. I am inspired by the Ancient Hawaiians, for they developed a way of life focused on living in Aloha (love, joy, peace, to be happy with, basically all things positive). With the daily practice of Aloha, this ancient culture activated their human ability to be in communication and harmony with the superconscious, the universal energy so to speak. This fascinates me and inspires me to every day seek further, into the realm of the unseen, for we all know what intuition and dreams are. Life is a process of learning how to utilize these tools to create and enhance our daily reality.

Who do you spend the most time with?

Well, god, honestly. I love calming myself to a point where the conversation in my head is not one of constant blabber and nonsense, but rather one of intriguing wisdoms and insight. It is these moments of elegance with the superconscious that I enjoy most. Surfing and yoga both excersize my ability to calm my mind and listen to my spirit voice. Other than that, my gorgeous man of my dreams is moving from Israel, his homeland, to Hawaii this week to meet me and give our lives together an opportunity to flourish. He intrinsically fills that role of god in a way, as I have never known a human that freely expresses in the angelic way that he does. He reminds me to ‘be impeccable with my word’ and notice the extravagant beauty ALL around us.

Are you afraid of anything?

I am doing my best each and every moment to eliminate the feeling of being afraid from my life. Even in big, life-threatening surf, it’s the knowing of choice that allows me to always calm down and find my peace. I’ve recently realized that for me, allowing fear to be real just creates the space for what i don’t desire to exist. So by eliminating my Thoughts and Fears about certain things, they seize to play a role in my daily life because There is literally no space for fear to exist. But that’s just what I believe. And the beauty of this world is that no matter what, each human has their own perspective and beliefs. At the end of the day, what we believe tells of who we are, and who we would like to be. For me, it is simple, I believe love conquers all, and a light of love is what I’d like to be. All else is the fun details that this life allows us to create.

What inspires you?

Overcoming challenges. The fact that we live in a time where the people have an opportunity to regain their voice and together form the biggest comeback in human history, makes me excited to get up everyday and lend hands and heart towards creating a healthy future for our home, and all of it’s inhabitants. We are going up against the richest, largest opposer of all time. The Toxic corporate industry that is currently polluting our people and our only home with deadly, cancerous toxins must be stopped. We all deserve to eat a real live apple, not a collection of toxins and pesticides that looks like an apple, yet lacks the healing ability of a real apple, leaving our body riddled with foreign toxins we weren’t designed to ingest. We will, we have to, once again collectively realize that we are individually responsible for knowing the difference between living and dead food, and therefore all influence the market to make deadly toxins illegal rather than government funded. This challenge inspires me. As do a long,long list of tragic circumstances… Because we all have the opportunity to be a hero, to be a genius at this most vital time in human history. It starts with you, and ends with me. We are all part of the same human race, I look forward to the day we play as a team.

What’s next for you?

Love. :) . Joining my lovely male mirror in Hawaii this week. Then to France to film the Quik Pro for the live broadcast. Then to China to compete in the Swatch Pro World Longboard event. Then back to Hawaii to finish writing the script of my dreams with my friend Rochelle Ballard, film the broadcast for the Triple Crown, charge the biggest, best waves of my life thus far, and fly higher in love each and every day.

follow Leah’s blog here.
visit her website here.

By Dersu In Genius

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Genius: Kellen Malloy

kelleny_malloy_portrait_dean_bradshaw

Image by Dean Bradshaw

Kith & Kell – Wilderness King – EP by Kith & Kell

Kellen Malloy is a producer, singer and songwriter living in Oceanside, California.

What’s your drink of choice?
Jameson on the rocks.

Tell us about some of the projects you’re working on right now.
My folk project Kith & Kell is where I’m spending most of my time right now, doing a kickstarter.com campaign right now to go along with releasing the debut EP that I’m really excited for – i’ve gotten a really uplifting response from people I’ve given it to. Also working on a DJ collab with my friend Cindy, we spin old disco loops and play live bass over them which should be really fun. Also a dance electro side project called Cream Abdul Jabbar that’s on the back burner right now. Then just other composing work on the side to help pay the bills.

What’s the worst clothing trend you’ve been a part of?
I basically forced my mom into buying me size 34 waist jeans when I was like 15….

What are you listening to right now?
Been putting on Simon & Garfunkel a bit lately. LCD Soundsystem’s This Is Happening has been listened to about a dozen and a half times over the last month and a half. Really into the chillwave thats coming out lately with Washed Out and Neon Indian. Also M83′s new track. Bon Iver, Bon Iver over and over and over again. Goin back to 2004 a lot lately with Arcade Fire’s Funeral. Then just a bunch of old disco for the DJ project.

What group were you part of in high school?
Once a hipster always a hipster, hipsters 4 LYFE… haha nah… the ‘non-group’ maybe..? i dunno, i’m just glad schools over with – love you mom… :) (35 year science teacher)

Who do you spend the most time with?
I’m a hermit… probably my roomates and my buddy Duncs up here in Oceanside.

Favorite song/artist?
I’ve tried and tried but I’m consistently incapable of answering this question…. theres just too many and I’m always evolving.

What does the word genius mean to you?
In terms of being an artist I think its really just honing your craft over hours, days and years to the point where talent, vision, influences, know-how, etc – just culminate into creating something really outstanding and something that genuinely represents who YOU are as a person.

Dream vacation?
A comfortable summer excursion through Europe.

What’s the dark side of pursuing a career in music?
Nothing’s guaranteed in this industry. At this point I often never know from where or when the next paycheck is going to come. Later on its more dealing with shadyness…

Have you had to sacrifice anything to get where you are?
Since moving to California, quite literally, if I don’t need something I no longer own it.

What was the turning point in your career, and when did things start taking off?
Getting my first few big commercial composition jobs really gave me a big boost, but I honesty have not taken off from where I want to yet. I think I can say that its going to happen very soon and I’ve worked really hard at my craft over the last 2 years to have the confidence to say that.

What’s next for you?
Making the move to LA in the winter, pursuing management and possibly a record label that will help me look forward to a full length in the next year and a half. To continue honing my craft as an artist. And just to have fun, I’m 25, I use to think that was super old, not so much anymore.

ON THE WEB:
HOMEPAGE www.kellenmalloy.com
TUMBLR beardsalwayswin.tumblr.com
TWITTER http://twitter.com/#!/KellenMalloy

By Dean In Genius

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Genius: Chanelle Sladics

chanelle sladics professional snowboarder portrait photo witness this dean bradshaw

Photo by Dean Bradshaw

Chanelle Sladics is a Professional snowboarder, yogi, environmental advocate and entrepreneur from Newport Beach, California now residing in Oceanside, California. Beginning her snow career as a weekend warrior with trips to Bear and Mammoth, she found her love of competition and excelled quickly in order to keep up with her competitors that had a home mountain advantage. Now sponsored by Oakley, Nixon, Dakine, Kicker, Flux Bindings and the Keep-A-Breast Foundation amongst others – she’s an international globetrotter and a strong example of doing what you love. In our minds, she’s a Genius.
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What’s your drink of choice?
Coconut water

Where did it all start?
Newport Beach, CA

Tell us about some of the projects you’re working on right now.
One Life and Simply Straws are taking the majority of my focus at the moment. One Life is a group of girl snowboarders aspiring to spread environmental awareness and playful vibes through snowboarding, music, art, and working with a series of non-profits. We are currently working closely with Keep-a-Breast, Non-Toxic Revolution, and Protect our Winters. Simply Straws is a reusable straw company my family and I recently started to help people reduce plastics. I’m excited we are donating 10% back to non-profits educating and reducing plastics on our planet. ChanelleSladics.com is in the process of getting an update, so you can soon read and follow my projects there. I’m looking forward to utilize and share my new Yogaworks Teacher certification to share my love and knowledge of yoga to help people create more movement in their bodies and hearts. All of these are fun projects that I am passionate about.

What’s the worst clothing trend you’ve been a part of?
Spaghetti strap shirts, they dont work for my broad shoulders….

What are you listening to right now?
Today: Feist, Sondre Lerche, and Ratatat on Pandora….and Cindy Santini’s new “Cindian” project/Kellen Malloy’s new “Kith and Kel” being created at my house! Not to mention their Dj sets! Awesomeness, I love music!

Who do you spend the most time with?
Definitely my family of One Life gals….we organically found each other through our own individual weirdness and now live together about 8 months out of the year! I am inspired by these ladies daily; as athletes, comedians, musicians, film geeks, and environmental lovers. We have an epic time creating together, snowboarding, cooking, yoga, rock climbing, surfing, hiking…all of the above.

I am really connected to my family here in SD, we have a great group of humans making magic through music, art, photography, film, athleticism, and non-profit work….these individuals have all touched my life in a huge way, and inspired me to take my passions to new heights. Its always a pleasure to collaborate with these inspiring people… you all know who you are…;) I am soooo happy to get the time I do with them when I am home!

What does the word genius mean to you?
Progressive, forward thinking, intuitive, courageous, confident, humble, aware.

Who inspires you?
The characteristics I am attracted to most are: passionate, caring, healthy, contributors, artistic, athletic, activists, confident, humble, sharing…and especially fun!!! People with these attributes inspire me the most and I try to surround myself around this kind of energy.

What inspires you?
Movement. With my body and towards my dreams. Purity. Peace. Passion. Authenticity. Creativity.

What’s the dark side of pursuing a career in action sports/snowboarding?
Your body takes a beating.

Have you had to sacrifice anything to get where you are?
Goggle tan at prom? It doesn’t feel like sacrifice when the reward is so great. I wouldn’t trade my life for anything at the moment, I get to learn what many body is capable of everyday, teach people how to use theres, promote vibrant health, and especially see the world. This job has hugely shaped and molded the women I have become today! This lifestyle has shaped and molded the women I have become today! I have been presented with so many enhancing opportunities, and I try to say yes to as many as possible!

What was the turning point in your career, and when did things start taking off?
When I got a bronze medal at X-games, followed by winning the Asian Open.

How has the snowboarding/action sports world changed since you started?
Non-endemic sponsors have noticed the excitement and value in our entertaining sports. Allowing our events to become bigger, and attract more viewers. I hope to never see it become conservative and complacent, because our passion and weirdness is what makes us special! We are athletes, but often also artist, photographers, environmentalists…etc….it is a lifestyle based sport with many options for growth!

More money, often inspires more serious vibes, but I think our sport will always carry that punk rock “I do it because its awesome” vibe.

What’s next for you?
Getting ready for the season, and watching the completion of my projects that are under construction.

If the world is ending in 2012, how will you change your life plan?
I wouldn’t. One Life!

Follow Chanelle:

On twitter
On her website
On Facebook

By Dean In Genius

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Genius: Le Blorr

le blorr photo by dean bradshaw
Left: Adam Winn (Hot Damm) Right: Chris Hess (Cookie Sugarhips)

Image by Dean Bradshaw

Boy You Need Jesus by Le Blorr

Le Blorr spawned from the sass of divas past and the acid trips of rock n’ roll ghosts. The duo of Chris Hess (Cookie Sugarhips) and Adam Winn (Hot Damm) combine booty shakin psychedelic rock n’ roll with a sense of grit and beauty that captures the hearts of their listeners.
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WitnessThis: Where did it all start?

ADAM: In Jacksonville, Chris actually started first, recording songs on a laptop, with just a drum machine kind of thing, and he would send them to me. Then he started playing for a little bit with a guy named Travis, and then that fell out. Then Chris had a line of four shows coming up, and he called me and was like, “Hey if you have a couple days, you can try to learn all the songs and we’ll play.” We did it and it went really really well, and since then we’ve been playing together ever since.

WT: What do you think the worst clothing trend was that you were a part of?

ADAM: I remember in 9th grade my mom bought me a couple Tommy Hillfiger things. A nice shirt and jeans. You know the blue jeans, with the strap on the side. It was pretty bad.
CHRIS: I was a wigger until 7th grade. I was more of a classy wigger. I really liked playing basketball, and my friends were all like older black dudes. I would just try to dress like them. I also definitely wore jeans and flip-flops for a while, “jandles”. “Jandles” was a pretty bad time in my life. (laughing)

WT: What’s your drink of choice?

CHRIS: Tequila

WT: Are you working on any new projects?

CHRIS: We’ve been writing a bunch when we’re home. The last EP we finished, a lot of the songs were written two or three years ago. I’m definitely excited to record some newer stuff. I wrote an erotic novella, and I’d like to have someone illustrate it. I might just draw shitty drawings for it (laughing), or make a short film…(pause) but that would run into the porno genre..s.o I don’t know.

WT: Any sacrifices to get where you are at right now?

ADAM: I had to give up a job I really liked, it was my dream job, I was doing marketing for Nike. But when this was starting to get going more and more, I had to decide on one or the other obviously.  A couple girlfriends didn’t hold, from being gone so much, but that’s about it.

WT: What was the turning point for Le Blorr?

ADAM: Not the last trip, but the trip before to California, we met the guy managing us now, and the trip after that he got us a booking agent and started to build a team for us. His name is Rick DeVoe, and he’s awesome. He gets along with us really well, surfs, he’s just a really cool guy.

WT: How has the music scene changed since you got into it?

ADAM: I feel like it’s always kind of changing. Right now the music I’m seeing the most is grungy surf rock. But I think it’s cool how rock and roll does never die, its always there. I feel like that’s what were based in, in rock and roll, and probably always will be. I also love when bands try new stuff and they don’t stick to the same thing. We like to try all kinds of new things, but we always keep rock and roll as our core.

WT: What music inspires you right now?

CHRIS: Rythm of the Saints, Paul Simon, I kind of got obsessed with that for a while. Before when we were writing stuff for the EP, I was listening to more stuff like Death From Above, or Queens of the Stone Age. I’ve been listening to Tame Impala, and the old rock is always great as well.

ADAM: I feel like it’s always changing. This past year I was most inspired by was Tame Impala. But if you go back and look at the band I probably was inspired by the most, it’s always been Led Zeppelin and Radiohead, I’d say those are my two biggest influences.

WT: Adam, do you ever feel like you want a mic stand in front of you, to sing as well?

ADAM: Sometimes. Every once in a while I’ll get up there and talk, and we’ve been trying to work on getting my vocals going, but we’re not quite their yet. But we’ll get their eventually.

WT: What has been the best venue or best show you’ve played?

CHRIS: We played with Cold War Kids, at House of Blues in Orlando. We’ve been going to that same House of Blues since we were both 14, to go to shows. That was one of the best feelings to play there, sort of a surreal feeling, that was both of our dreams to play there forever. And when we finally did, it was in front of a really big crowd..it was probably one of our favorite shows so far.

Find Le Blorr in the following places.

Website
Facebook
Youtube

By Dean In Genius

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