V for Vintage

People love stories because they can generate from anywhere. A majority of stories come from movies, TV shows, books, or even grandparents; but stories can also come from letters, photos, jewelry, or even clothes. As a vintage enthusiast, I can’t help but fall in love with an old Polaroid Camera, or a white 50’s dress, a typewriter, or sometimes an old telephone (the kind with a long cord).

For so long I wanted to buy a pocket watch because I felt my collection wasn’t full without one. It took months to find the right one, and preferably a cheap one too. One day, while I was at a flea market, I found a plain and simple silver pocket watch for $10 and so I bought it. Except it wasn’t so plain or simple. On the back of the pocket watch was engraved three words: Thinking of you. Suddenly my brain formed stories: A soldier leaving for war and giving it to his soul mate as a reminder of his love. Or star-crossed lovers who, against all odds wound up together; maybe it is a family amulet. I craved for the true story, but even to this day, I still don’t know it.

The pocket watch kept me thinking, was life better before the 21st century? Before Instagram and Facebook? Before Apple and TV? Was life better: When people cared for their neighbors and knew their names? When they had to walk or bike three blocks to the ice cream parlor because they didn’t have a car? When people actually dressed nice and cared about their appearance? When kids had a regular hangout spot after school and actually had to talk face to face to their crush instead of hiding behind a screen? When people wrote long, meaningful letters or recited poetry? Life back then didn’t seem so bad.

People ask me why I am a vintage enthusiast, and it’s very simple. I find it incredible how materialistic objects can preserve memories and stories.  Senior Alex Maldonado comments, “Vintage goods help connect our modern day society to the old rustic world. In a sense, they are the closest thing to time travel; they are pockets of authenticity that let us experience a world of wonder-one that our generation is oblivious to. They are a rarity that house the past in a simple yet opulent manner.”

With a new owner comes a new set of stories, stories waiting to be told. I can’t understand why many people do not see the beauty behind vintage things. Finding a unique shirt is better than getting the same shirt your classmate has from Forever 21. Monica Murillo adds, “To me, vintage style is a way of stepping back into the classic past.”  And there’s some kind of magic that happens when you use a polaroid camera, that feeling of doubt because you’re not sure if the picture will look nice.  But it shouldn’t matter; the camera did its job, capturing the moment. It allows me to actually appreciate the things that were once so popular. And that’s what truly matters.

Much love,
Jocelyn

 

Smallpools: A Glorious Pitch

Picture this: You are surrounded in a room with about 500 strangers. It’s dark and the only lights shine onto the stage. Front and center stands a microphone, a keyboard and Sean with his brown hair and cute boyish smile. On his side are two guys, Mike on  guitar and Joe on bass.  Beau (French for beautiful) drums in the back. He not only lives up to his name, but makes magic on the drums. Some people are singing, some are dancing, some both, but all are captivated by the music. You turn to your friend and smile, a genuine smile; because you find yourself drowned in a sensational feeling of exhilaration and amazement. You’re singing and dancing and possibly looking like a fool, but you don’t care. Everything seems to pause for one moment and in that moment you are infinite.

This is what it feels like to see Smallpools in concert.

Smallpools is a Los Angeles based indie pop band formed by Sean Scanlon, Mike Kamerman, Joe Intile, and Beau Kuther in 2013. Their first single was “Dreaming” which charted #1 on The Hype Machine and #23 on  Billboard’s Alternative Songs. “Dreaming” was featured on the FIFA 2014 soundtrack as well as The Vampire Diaries season 5 premiere. The band and their song “Over and Over” was also featured in a promotional video for Snapchat Stories in October of last year. Since the release of their EP(July 16, 2013), they have opened for Walk the Moon, Twenty One Pilots, Two Door Cinema Club, and Neon Trees. Aside from touring, they have played at Lollapalooza.

         

Recently, they went on their first headlining tour with Magic Man. Magic Man is a sythrock band formed by frontman Alex Caplow and guitar player Sam Vanderhoop Lee. Soon afterward they added Justine Bowe (keyboards), Joey Sulkowski (drums), and Gabe Goodman (bass) and thus became Magic Man. Their dazzling music takes you on a journey from “Paris” to “Texas” with a triumphant energy that is infectious and glimmers into the crowd. Their debut album, “Before the Waves,” was released this summer.

A few months ago I got the chance to see Smallpools and Magic Man, along with opening act Pamena Wedding at the House of Blues in Anaheim. From the moment each band stepped on stage everything seemed to change. Their music radiated into the crowd and the next thing I knew I was dancing around, bumping into people. It was true magic,  and I witnessed it. The concert seemed to last all night even though it ended by 11 pm, and I was poisoned with energy and exhilaration. At one point Smallpools threw three inflatable killer whales to accompany their single “Killer Whale,” which dancers passed  around the floor. Afterward, I took photos with Alex, Sam, Sean, Mike, Beau, and Panema Wedding, and even spoke to some of the members of Panama Wedding, Sean, Beau, and Mike. They were all genuine guys who cherish their fans. If you ever get the chance to seem them concert, I suggest you do; you won’t regret it!

Much love,
Jocelyn