Tavern of Ruin is a collection of orphic sentiments formed throughout years of built-up personal documentation. Qais Essar unfurls the human ego and its delicate presence within a vast space while creating a sound that feels almost tangible—but not quite. It’s like cupping sunlight in the palm of your hands and wishing that the warmth…
The first time I heard about Qais Essar was when my cousin in San Francisco gave me a rare, once-in-a-blue-moon phone call. We talked about how we legitimately believe all moms are magical and about the frivolities in our lives when she remembered this talented, Afghan Rabab musician that played at her school that weekend. I was…
Riot Grrrl is a feminist movement found in the 1990s in Olympia, Washington. A handful of punk and rocker ladies have been musically influenced by the Riot Grrrl’s core values, usually calling out on misogyny, racism, domestic violence, female empowerment and patriarchy. There is a DIY state of mind regarding the different art forms to spread…
I am a Muslim woman of Afghan descent. Last night, Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha were brutality murdered by Craig Stephen Hicks, a 46 year old white male because of their faith and their religion. Islam has relentlessly been bashed over and over again. It seems like no matter how many times…
My friend Sam approached me with an idea she has always wanted to do: take photos in lingerie. She shares, “I have spent so much time hating my body as a child and throughout my teen years, and I finally feel comfortable in it. Loving your body and the skin you were suited in is the most…
For me, 2014 was a marvelous year of live music. I attended so many magnificent shows and festivals, I even saw a few of my all-time favorites. Some of the best: St. Vincent: When I went to see St. Vincent, the fancy theater setting felt foreign as everyone remained in their seats when the almighty Annie Clark came…
During this time, life on earth can become stressful and grueling. Whether it be the constant all-nighters you’re pulling for finals or the holiday madness around you, sometimes you just have to step back and take a trip to Mars. Your voyage awaits you; have a listen, sit back, drink a glass of lemonade and enjoy your time…
Every so often, California holds a music festival such as Burgerama or FYF worth making the 7 hour drive from Arizona to attend for the weekend. This time, it was for Beach Goth. It’s held during Halloween, one of best times of year giving the crowd a great excuse to dress up as one of their favorite…
I set up a mini studio in my room and took pink and yellow lemonade themed portraits of my beautiful friend Johnisha Shepard when the golden hour struck. I’m interested in the power that color has and have really been having a good time with it. There is something entrancing in a vivid scene that exposes so…
ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq); a terrorist group whose ultimate goals are to 1). Establish a new Islamic caliphate across the Middle East 2.) Force Muslims to submit to Al-Baghdadi’s radical Islamic perspective, while implementing a high-stakes mentality. Al-Baghdadi asks that one either “join the Islamic caliphate, or to be killed”. Muslims have observed the dark misconstructions…
