[The Audiofiles] Music Festival Packing Essentials

May 21, 2014May 21, 2014Leave a comment

Sleep hasn’t come easy these past few nights. Slowly but surely, we’ve been starting to pack for Lightning in a Bottle and every night I’ve been lying in bed, rehashing plans and crossing my fingers I’m not forgetting anything. Thank goodness I’ve developed into a semi pack-rat about things; after some quick thinking, I unearthed my packing list from the festival last year and with a few fell swoops I’ve developed a new, improved and rather idiot-proof list of festival essentials that you won’t want to leave home without!

Tent
If you’re camping, this is almost a ‘No-duh!’ moment. Of COURSE you want a tent, but what kind of tent? First, take into account how many people you’re camping with (if you’re small, add one – trust)) and before you make that impulse purchase that sounds too good to be true (read: it probably is), Google that shit and see how it ranks on Amazon. We got our 3-Person Coleman tent at Big 5 on an uber discount, but Amazon as always is also amazing.

Don’t forget your sleeping bags, some toss away pillows and second hand blankets that you’re okay getting a little trashed over the weekend.

Different Types of Footwear
As awesome as it is to gallivant around in sandals all day, sometimes – they’re just not practical. I always have a pair of toss-away boots on me in case the weather gets wacky – and if you’re feeling fiesty, there’s no better feeling than getting a new pair of electric or neon inspired kicks.

Bubble Guns

Fact: you can’t say the word ‘Bubble’ and be unhappy. Try it. Now again. That very feeling is the reason I looooove running around with a bubble gun at festivals! Not only are you constantly making your day with your own floating, translucent Technicolor army – but you’ll be making the weekend a prettier place for everyone.

Try your local convenience store, CVS, Rite-Aid or Target for awesome options!

Wagon
See all that stuff you’re planning on bringing? At some festivals, you get to camp with your car which is absolutely perfect. Others, like Lightning in a Bottle, you have to buy a separate pass for car camping and some – like myself – choose not to. So we don’t have to break our backs lugging stuff (and people!) too and fro, we’ve invested in this handy dandy garden cart. Check your local Home Depot or gardening stores (or, per usual – Amazon)

Water
Whether it’s a pallet of water bottles from Costco, or a refillable, personalized water jug – you should always know where your next drink of water is coming from. Plus, if you’re the creative type – it’s always
fun customizing something you’ll be able to use at future festivals!

Mini Supply and First Aid Kit
You never know what could go down at a music festival, and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared – snag a little first aid kit from your local convenience store and make sure you’re fully stocked with hydrogen peroxide, band aids, tums, wet wipes, ear plugs.

While you’re at it, throw in a hammer, pair of scissors and a roll of duct tape just in case; you never know what you could need!

Mini Grill
One thing I forget to think about at festivals is food, and even though there are always ample options in the food court – they can cost a pretty penny. Which for one day, and one meal – it’s not so bad….but on day four of a festival, you might wish you’d brought some of your own snacks. Invest in one of these, pre-freeze some hamburger patties, get some ketchup, mustard and buns and have yourself a little festival tail-gate. Plus, food is a phenomenal way to meet friends.

Fanny Pack

Having a small bag at all times to house your little gear – like travel sized SPF, chapstick, your cell, wallet and a camera – is 110% necessary. Some ladies love the over the shoulder satchels, but I opt for something a little more retro and hands free.

Waterproof Camera Case
EDC week in Las Vegas last year was the first time I’d played around with a waterproof camera case, and ever since I’ve been on the prowl for one of my own. So, when we were at Big 5 the other day grabbing a tent – I couldn’t resist the impulse purchase! Now, instead of worrying about getting sprayed with water, jumping in the pool or ruining my camera – I can get that epic shot I’ve always wanted. I’m also bringing an extra, fully charged battery, sturdy case and a charger just in case it runs out of juice.

Mini Flashlights
At night time, it can be hard to find your way – especially back to camp. I stocked up on little flashlights so everyone in my camp can have one – and it’ll definitely make going to the bathrooms at night a lot easier 😉

Festival Friendly Beauty Products
Model in a Bottle: You definitely don’t need much makeup during a festival, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want the option. I absolutely SWEAR by this product – spritz it on after applying makeup for a set that’ll last through water, sweat, tears and lots of epic raving. I’ve used this at every EDC since ’08 and my makeup’s been flawless post-ragefest.

Fenix Sunscreen: Most suncreens deposit a layer on your skin that the sun can still fight through, Fenix products reflect sunlight instead of absorbing – which is so much better for your skin!

Real Spray Aloe: If your sunscreen fails, it’s nice to have something as backup and spray aloe is the way to go.

Ouidad Climate Control: Frizzy, Curly, Straight – whatever you want your hair to do, it might not be so willing on Days 3 as it was on Day 1 to control itself – get a little glob of this on your hands and through your hair and you’ll be set for the entire day.

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to bring a towel so you can dry off quickly after galavanting through spritzing water, a quick shower or for something to catch some rays (and Zzzz’s) over the weekend.

Oh, and some good vibes and great company – but you knew that already, I’m sure 🙂 Friends might say that I’m in rare form this year – on the regular, my social schedule can get pretty packed, especially in the Summer months. Blame it on age, or being happy in love and filling my life with a world beyond festival life – but over the past year, I’ve more or less removed myself from the festival circuit. Electric Daisy Carnival, Together As One, Love Festival, How Sweet it Is, Nocturnal Wonderland – you name it, if it’s been in Southern Cali in the past 7 years I probably raved it. Gradually, my taste in music evolved and I migrated from being an open minded observer, to a full on member of this beautiful, international community of music aficionados and perpetual dream chasers. I started the year with Sea of Dreams, and besides Lightning in a Bottle – and maybe Sun City in Texas, there’s nothing on my agenda – so I have to ask: what are your favorite music festivals and what are your must have packing essentials?

[Oh, Snap!] Street Art v17

May 18, 2014May 18, 2014Leave a comment

Last weekend, before my adventure to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve – I found myself on the West side of Hollywood near my old apartment, and all of the amazing mural spaces for Street Art that I’ve spent so much time ogling. Since it’s been almost two months since the move, almost all of the pieces had been painted over with some amazing new street art that I’ve been itching to share.

From Downtown to Korea Town, Silver Lake to Echo Park and Miracle Mile to Venice Beach – Los Angeles is essentially a Mecca of graffiti and all around acrylic creativity – but I know that there are other places with amazing street art. What are some of your favorite cities for Street Art? Let me know in the comments below!

[The Audiofiles] Set Times for Lightning in a Bottle Are Here!

May 18, 2014May 19, 2014Leave a comment

There might still be four days left in the “real world”, but it already feels like I can already taste the salt air, feel the unabashed sun on my skin and feel the deep vibrations from Lightning in a Bottle. There’s simply something so magical about the community, collaboration, conversation and creativity oozing out of every pore, person and performance. Whether it’s live areal art, stilt walking, live painting, juggling, hooping, or spinning fire – over the course of the weekend, it becomes hard to discern between the festival go-ers and the festival workers. There’s a beautiful blur that leaves us wrapped up in the emotions of the weekend together, and we leave with an unbreakable bond that feels more like a heartwarming inside joke that we get to hold onto for the rest of our lives – or, until next year when we do it all over again.

The weekend features music on the more underground, underplayed spectrum of EDM – which is a wonderful change from the typical, redundant, fist-pumping festivals that I’ve gone to in the past. Everyone from Moby to Kraak & Smaak, Simian Mobile Disco to Baauer, Wildlight to Late Night Radio, Tourist to Gramatik, and Amon Tobin to Little Dragon will be gracing the stages for epic performances all weekend long. As with any festival, the conflicts will definitely be making my decisions a little more difficult. Thankfully, I put out a recent guide to the Must See acts of LIB

Set times for all things LIB were released this week so be sure to do your homework before you head to Bradley – you don’t want to miss out on the amazing opportunities of the weekend! Between yoga skill classes, culinary workshops, talks on sustainability, unified field theory, our unconscious mind and self-empowerment – during the day, there’s a little bit of something for everyone who’s looking to evolve themselves on a personal, or community level. As the day carries on, classes turn into DJ sets and live ensembles – a mindful, intent community rises to their feet only to get down again with their bad selves on the dance floor.

I’ve created a few playlists for the weekend – but thankfully, if you don’t want to go through those motions – The Do LaB has just revamped their “In The LaB” series on Soundcloud with a slew of high-profile performances from last year’s epic LIB experience.

The Woogie Stage (pictured at the top) – feeds on groovy, Deep House tracks and funky tech house beats and just released their 2014 teaser playlist with music from Dirty Bird master Claude VonStroke, Blond:ish, Max Cooper and more – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Peep the tracklist below for a proper introduction to this year’s stage.

Lightning in a Bottle: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr

[Happy Caturday!]

May 17, 2014May 17, 20141 Comment

[Self Discovery] Give Your Vocabulary an Attitude Adjustment

May 16, 2014May 16, 2014Leave a comment

In our current state, we’re all so immensely interconnected to the world around us – and with advancements in technology, physical connection to one another has manifested into almost entirely verbal or written contact as opposed to non-verbal communication. Whether it’s through the outsourcing of jobs (last year alone, the US outsourced approximately 2.5 million positions abroad), the high number of students pursuing jobs and degrees overseas, or simply the number of combined online users at any given moment, we’re all establishing, forging, solidifying, quantifying and manifesting relationships with peers, mentors, friends, family, a love interest, pets, etc.

The one thing that we all have left to our devices at the end of the day is language: the natural, or – if you’re rather big on the interwebz – maybe not so natural, ebb and flow of conversation, conflict and camaraderie. More than just the words you pick and the order they fall into – language refers to your intonation, and even further to the intention of every single single word you pick; it’s the pitch you use while excited, the rumble you use when agitated and the cadences you manifest when you’re swept off your feet by love. Even though words can manifest into a fairy tale of emotion, at the end of the day – they’re all we’re left with, so it helps to pay attention to your everyday vocabulary.

Between friend incidents, car accidents and a nasty bout of stomach flu – over the past few weeks, I’ve seemingly had a lot thrown in my face – that said, I’ve also been more aware of my relationship to the world around me: physically, emotionally and mentally. I’ve noticed that a lot of that relationship is dictated by something as simple as diction – or word choice. If you want to live a positive life, surround yourself with positive people, positive thoughts and positive mantras; if you’d like a negative one, well – you see where I’m headed. It’s something so simple and so basic, but when you look at the studies that’ve been done on positive thinking, emotion and word choice – they’re so telling.

“Everything in Life is Vibration”
– Albert Einstein

Through quantum physics, the vibrations of the natural world are revealed; they energetically complex as physical actions and as inherently simple as a single word. But, as experiments have proven – even words have the power to transform you. Whenever we marinate in our negativity – we run the risk of releasing destructive neurochemicals in our brain and just the utterance of the world ‘no‘ can stimulate stress hormones to be released. Back in the early 90’s, Dr Emoto performed a number of experiments on water – you know, that fundamental building block of life that we’re 60% comprised of – and the results are astounding. He was desperate to understand the physical effect that language and the environment had on the crystalline structure of water molecules once froen. What Dr. Emoto discovered is absolute astounding, yet positively predictable – the structure of molecules that were bathed in positive words were far more beautiful and symmetrical than molecules doused with darker thoughts.

“You make me sick, I will kill you” vs “Love and Appreciation”

(Images: High Existence)

I’ve been guilty of this myself in the past – which is partially why I’m writing this article, but the other reason I’m penning this is I also want to make a difference for my future; and if all it takes is removing a few words from my vocabulary, bring it on. So next time you’re speaking and prepared to mutter any of the following, take a personal inventory and ask yourself what you really mean; and then find a way to spin it in a more positive light!

– No / Not: Any way you spin it, ‘No’ has an absolutely negative connotation. If said with immediacy, ‘No’ can also indicate an unwillingness to consider a new way of thinking – or thinking at all. One thing I’ve done with people that have habitually said ‘No’ to me (e.g. my parents) is give them a while to think about my question / situation / idea before they even need to answer. So, if you’re preparing yourself to say ‘No’ – take a moment and ask yourself what you really mean. If you’re declining an invitation – try “Thank you, I have other plans”

– Should: Like Nike says – Just DO it! Should implies that there’s something – mentally, physically, emotionally – restraining you from wanting to do it; so if you’re not feeling into it – take a personal inventory and figure out your ‘Why’ before it’s too late. Also, for some reason ‘Should’ is usually followed by….

– But: More often than not, whatever follows the word ‘But’ never seems to go well; instead, just use ‘and’

– Can’t: You can do pretty much anything you put your mind to, so the second you tell either yourself or someone else that you ‘Can’t‘ you’re imposing limits on your own reality. Instead of saying ‘Can’t’ – say what you’re really meaning: Right now isn’t a good time – or – I’m tired, I will once I get some rest – or – Tomorrow would be better for me.

-Maybe: It’s like ‘Try’ and ‘No’ had an illegitimate child, and everyone is babysitting it. How many times have we heard someone say ‘Maybe’ and seriously wished they could stop being so indecisive and pick an option. ‘Maybe’ is doubtful and incredibly passive, instead – become an active participant in your life and start saying ‘Yes’; you never know where it could take you.

– Hope: Hope is wishful, lustful…and often fleeting. It looks towards the future in a passive – almost lackadaisical fashion instead of taking the bull by the horns and actively going out and doing something about your future.

-Problem: Let’s face facts for a second, shall we – none of us really experience daily problems. There are situations, challenges, inconveniences and unexpected issues along the roads of life but having a “problem” imposes a “problematic state of mind” that can can become a negative feedback cycle instead of actually helping you move forward. So, next time you think you have a “problem”, instead realize there’s a solution out there that can’t wait for you to discover it.

If you’re in a new location and aren’t sure which direction to go, just act boldly like you’re supposed to be there and you’ll find your way in no time. If you go into a stressful situation with a ‘Fake it Til You Make It’ attitude, you’ll notice that sooner or later – you’re making it. And if your mind is spiraling downwards, don’t tell yourself “No, I have a problem” or “Maybe I’ll try again tomorrow…” – get up, get out and get living. Just one step in a positive direction can completely alter your current trajectory.

So, tell me – are there any other words we should remove from our everyday lexicon?

“We are what we pretend to be,
so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”
― Kurt Vonnegut

[Oh, Snap] Adventure to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

May 12, 2014May 12, 2014Leave a comment

For the past few weeks, all I’ve heard about is how out of this world beautiful the National Poppy Reserve is; so, naturally, I had to find out for myself. Yesterday, we woke up bright and early with a bounce in our step – we were going to Lancaster for Mother’s Day and I was finally going to get my poppy fix! We jumped in the Dodge Challenger and with a vroooom, off we went!

These are some of my favorite snaps from yesterday; hope you enjoy them as much as I do!