To Steinback, it was a state of being.”If one is vacilando, he is going somewhere, but does not greatly care whether or not he gets there, although he has direction.” On the streets of Rio, it is a curse. A “vacilao” is one who is always doing something wrong. But to to those who are wandering, vacilando is a very great adventure indeed.

This vacilando is a little different, most notably because it is a new international arts project. The Vacilando Collective is an ever expanding history of moments spent out in the world as recorded by twenty-somethings. The project launches in late October, but is currently accepting submissions of travel photography and experiences. Visit the Collective for more information.

There is an appealing, raw quality to the art of the still fresh and less experienced.

No, I am not talking about how scores of illustrators get paid to draw like five-year-olds, but the energy you can feel when you look at the work of truly creative people in their formative stages.

Who are these people?

They are the people who have an idea and take it two leaps ahead to see it to realization without having any prior experience in doing so. They are the artists who are making perpetual learning experiences out of each and every one of their projects.

Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of being involved in making albums, films, videogames, and magazines, each to varying levels of success, but most definitely projects that were released in some way to the public. I entered into each of these projects with one simple (and infinitely enabling) advantage - my raw perspective. I had an idea, I wanted to see it realized, and I wanted others to experience it. Plain and simple.

It is like…I can have an idea come to me, sometimes by seeing something, or, more recently, by listening to music. I can see it clear as day while seeing nothing surrounding it that could keep me from actualizing it. I know nothing of barriers nor constraints.

There is certainly a side of this raw creative power that comes with a measure of naivety due to not having much experience in process or efficiency, but, with time, skills are honed, and new, unique perspectives begin to manifest themselves and add to our collective creative output. Accordingly, I suppose, life takes its course - new families take shape and constraints and barriers show up, bringing with them new sources of inspiration and new perspectives to discover. But those who come to recognize, to respect, and to learn to refine their talents and passions, I hope, carry the profits of these learning experiences with them for their entire lives.

A trend I think we are starting to see these days, especially in my generation, is the rise of the multi-faceted creative artist. It’s absolutely undeniable that the advent of the computer and the internet changed the face of creative expression forever, both for better or worse. There is a big debate to be had about all that, but I would rather not take sides. Instead, I would like to present a few of my own thoughts and opinions about the multi-faceted creative artist.

Multi-faceted creative artist is usually synonymous with someone who has not yet quite decided or discovered what they want to do with their life.

I became a multi-faceted creative artist because of the raw energy and explorative passion described above. Also, because being a multi-faceted creative artist is not about whether or not the artist of today has the expertise that could previously be obtained only through years of training, but is about the strength of the artist’s motivation to express an idea, regardless of medium. It used to take years to learn new mediums, but in today’s world, thanks to computer programs that simplify the workflow with precision and logic, new mediums can often be learned in as little as a day of intense study. For instance, it generally does not take more than a solid eight hours of hard learning to pick-up on using a program like Photoshop, After Effects, or Ableton Live. This is definitely not enough time to master any one of these crafts, or, moreover, to learn how to truly communicate to a larger audience by using these skills. The point is, however, that today’s artists can begin working in a new medium in a matter of hours. These programs are weakening boundaries and creativity is then bursting through them.

However, a multi-faceted creative artist is not just an artist that works in different mediums. It has been said that in the design world of tomorrow simply being a “maker” will not pay the bills. A multi-faceted creative artist has some business sense, might know how to strategize, or may have social networking down to a science. It is no longer just about making something beautiful, it is also about navigating the tumultuous seas of distraction and of uninspired, unoriginal creative work in order to gain exposure for truly good work. This is where it actually gets funny, because the best, truest art is not supposed to be created with exposure or money in mind. The best work comes straight from the heart and soul, but that alone may no longer be enough to satisfy or support the multi-faceted creative artist.

The creative world has exploded in many ways. The definition of creativity has shifted. It has expanded, taken on a number of new forms, and is playing an increased role in the everyday lives of people everywhere. Social networking sites that incorporate creative articulation have given people from the younger generations the ability to form communities, give feedback, and start collective projects with people from around the world they never would have met otherwise. They are building new relationships, both friendly and not-so-friendly.

This means that there is a lot more creative output for all to see, and I bet the vast majority of it is being produced by folks under thirty. The creative playing field has not quite been flattened, but it has been expanded considerably.

DeviantArt, for example, used to prominently boast the millions of images being uploaded constantly. That counter made my stomach turn. How is one to even begin to appreciate a fraction of the really good work that exists within that huge number? How do we define what separates the amazing from the mediocre? Is beauty still in the eye of the beholder or has it been handed over to the page view counter?

People are out there adding to this vast number for a wide range of reasons. Some want recognition and attention, others want to escape reality, and others do it simply to get ideas out of their head. The multi-faceted creative artist has likely experienced many different types of communities and networks, grappled with these various priorities, and carried many friends away from these creative forays. But to me, and to those like me, there is no end in sight, no clearly stated ultimate goal.

There is only the next project. The next learning opportunity. The next idea that comes to mind.

Alex Koplin, 23, lives in Philly, but his overflowing creativity is always taking him into previously unknown creative waters. This MFC holds his own as a graphic designer, photographer, videographer, video game designer, DJ, and writer. You want more Alex? Check H43DUP for work and BLOG.H34 for thoughts and playlists.

It’s not that the water’s too cold
Or even that it’s brown
It’s just the holes that let it in
That really get me down

It’s not the wind that makes me cry
Or what you didn’t say
There’s just too many holes in this sail
To let me sail away

It’s not that I’m afraid to jump out and swim
Off into the sea
There’s just nowhere else that I know
I would rather be

Words by Sinclaire. Photograph by Elisabeth.

Let’s have a moment of honesty. You guys send me a lot of submissions. I don’t put a lot of them on the site, but, for the most part, I talk to you about what you’re doing. I’m way into you guys and I’m into what you guys are saying. Really, I am. But this - THIS - is what I’m saying. THIS is what I’m talking about.

Also, THIS SUCKS, but its some of the purest art you’ve never seen. This is expression without a filter. This isn’t energy packaged and delivered - this is energy released from the source. It’s as nature intended it to be. Untouched. Raw. If this was water, you’d be paying a hundred dollars a bottle for it at least.

Chief Mag must think so too, because they’re featuring an interview with the band responsible for all of this creative pristineness, Cerebral Ballzy, in their newest issue.

Honor: It’s about playing music.

Jason: It’s about having fun, man.

Honor: No, no, we play music.

Jason: It’s about having fun. That’s all it’s about. And we’re gonna play music, but… I have fun when everybody else has fun and that’s all I really want to do man.

Mel: I mean, you fall off the drums and shit, you know that sound stops, but everyone’s fucking losing their minds and we’re drunk as fuck anyway, so it’s like, well, we can’t play for this second, but whatever.

Read about CB over at Chief and then take a swig from their fountain of youth by watching this video of the boys in action. If you really want to drink up, you can listen to them on their MySpace.

Note: I once had a cell phone that automatically capitalized MySpace but not God.

We all go our own directions, there is no two men who live the same life, therefore all we can do for another is give our love and support and remain steadfast on our own journey. Our problems are no different than any other being, our severity of our troubles can only be measured by ourselves. The worst things being the worst, and the best the best. I’d like to reinforce the matter that every being is equal. We do not have similar talents or gifts, however we bring something to the table where we can. No forcing our ideas onto another, they’ll come up with their own. No rules applied to life for they only create limitations. Pushing for a society that only lives, and nothing more, with no aspirations to be better than anyone else.

It seems Earth is spinning too quickly for us, and we’ve all got caught up in careers, and searching for fame and money. Yet we surpass all the key things in life that we should focus on, and jump straight into an unforgiving society filled with prejudice and tainted minds. As we claim we’re “living in the moment”, it seems all we do is prepare for the future that we are never promised. My dream is far too grand for this time. I can only hope, as Lennon did, for another like minded being to continue the dream; for one day there may be enough people with the same dream, that it can finally turn to reality.

I would like to have my artwork noticed, I would like for people to read what I have to say about life, and I would like to hopefully spark imaginations around the globe to get back to the messages that John Lennon spoke of. Peace, love, and true freedom for all people.

Matt Dulin is twenty-one. He lives in Colorado and likes to speak for himself. His work is known to keep people (okay, me) up all night in fits of creative excitement. He can be contacted at dulin26@hotmail.com and is a great conversationalist.

Students at Parsons School of Design present “Surface,” an experimental exploration in sensual perspective.

“The concept of Urban Symphony is the visual and audio composition of the city, which is generated by the contact between physical objects, humans or animals with the surface of the ground. In other words, from the underground perspective, the objects that drop, roll or touch the ground create sounds and visuals. This Urban Symphony transforms human actions and street objects into beats that harmoniously compose a grand audio and visual composition. The film emphasizes the ideas of ‘point of contact’, ‘human identity’ and notion of ‘live footprints’.”

Via Surface Film.

Photo by Jodi Hilton

The International Herland Tribune thinks so. In fact, they are so opinionated on the subject, they featured this article on the front page of their website today. I kid you not, and, apparently, neither do they….Be the first to trade in your band tees for blood-stained aprons! Foodies are the new groupies! Don’t be so surprised. Clearly, this has been brewing for decades. Woodstock was held on a dairy farm.

“If chefs were rock stars, they would be arena bands, playing hard and loud with thousands cheering.

Farmers, who gently coax food from the earth, are more like folk singers, less flashy and more introspective.

Now there is a new kind of star on the food scene: young butchers. With their swinging scabbards, muscled forearms and constant proximity to flesh, butchers have the raw, emotional appeal of an indie band. They turn death into life, in the form of a really good skirt steak.”

Full story….

Finding a bar in Alphabet Town that opens its concrete curtains before 2:00 PM on a Monday is more difficult than you would think, but not with The Drums.

The Drums rule the Indie club circuit with songs like the crowd-pleasing “Let’s Go Surfing,” the oddly catchy “Best Friends,” and the hopeful teaser “Instruct Me.”  After landing a month-long residency at The Annex – not to mention a slew of follow-up gigs – The Drums will release their long-awaited EP Summertime on August 4th.  It’s time to put down that copy of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and dance to the new EP of the summer, made by guys who pride themselves on throwing shows like good parties.

The band’s carefree element is illusory.  They are more like technicians who reexamine the interface of pop with their ability to remix and regenerate the old styles.  The effect is the sensation of dancing to the morose, the buoyant, and the absurd in a fashion that cannot be constructed with traditional pop.  Rather, the sentiments manifest themselves in a more genuine expression of human musicality, crafted under a deceptively subtle dose of pop, and all the more enthralling.

A much, much needed dose of post-pop.

Singer Jonathan Pierce confidently leads us through the East Village while guitarists Jacob Graham and Adam Kessler walk behind in an easy stride.  Even without their usual perky stage duds that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Etro’s 2010 menswear collection, they are contagiously exuberant, earnest, and pretty darn cute. After ordering Melon Balls and 007s from a dismal selection of drinks at a quiet place on Second, we talk New York, Florida, and the pains of finding the illest jean jacket around. 

Jacob Graham - JG, Adam Kessler - AK, Jonathan Pierce - JP, Jennifer Sussex for Our Young Art - OYA

OYA: My first question is: did you let drummer Connor Hanwick pick the name of your band?

JG: Are you kidding me?

JP: That guy?

JG:  The drummer was actually the last person we found to be in the band… we came up with the name first and the drummer last. 

OYA:  Was that after you moved to Florida (to Jon)?

JG:  I think it was before.  It was before you moved to Florida. I called you and asked, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a band name The Drums?’  And I didn’t even know if it really was cool, but then Jon was like, ‘No, no it’s cool.’

OYA: It is cool.  Now, I noticed that, in particular, the stylings of the vocals have changed dramatically.  I’ve read that The Drums are largely inspired by Brit post-punk bands.  Did that have a lot of impact on the vocalization since Elkland?

JP: I think I can speak for both Jacob and I, when I say that we’ve both just always been madly in love with upbeat pop songs.  As far as comparing my vocal style [to] before, that whole album [with Elkland]… at the time, I thought it really was sincere.  But, I was dealing with a lot of issues with both myself and the music that I really wanted to make, so the end product was a little lacking.

OYA: You had to be pretty young when you were working with that.

JP: We were babies!  It’s like Jacob and I have lived parallel lives in the way that we evolved and know what kind of music we want to create, whereas before, we were both kind of swimming.

JG: Before we were kind of wish-washy… now it’s something more real, stripped down and basic.  I think that’s where a lot of the 1950s stuff comes in because that’s the beginning of the simple, perfect pop melodies.

OYA: How did you meet these two fellows (to Adam)?

AK: I used to be in Elkland with Jon.

JP:  Adam was the guitar player.

OYA:  What kind of instrument do you have?  Do you have the Fenders –

AK: Yeah, that’s what we (Adam and Jacob) both play.

How long have you played?

AK: Since, I was like twelve.

JP: Weren’t you in a band in high school?

AK: Yeah.

JG: Everyone was in a band in high school.  It’s awful.

OYA: Now, it might be more of a good opener or just a catchy song, “I Wanna Go Surfing,” but I was wondering if there was a strong surf rock culture in Florida.  Whether it’s more like Hot Rod Rock, like the Beach Boys or like Elkie music –

JP: I’m sure there’s a surf culture.  I’m sure there’s a surf culture on the beaches of New York, you know?  But, we weren’t sitting on the beach watching surfers and saying, ‘Let’s go write a song.’  It was more being down there and sort of a reaction to the political climate.  Really, we wrote the song sort of right after Barack Obama was elected.

OYA: Really?

JP: Yeah, the song’s just more about being carefree.  It’s sort of like the feeling we got when Barack Obama moved into the White House.  We felt like we were let out of prison, almost.  So, the song’s more about a “hurrah,” “let’s go surfing,” let’s care about shit.  Let’s have fun again.

OYA: That’s definitely more like what this city needs, what with all these recession drink specials…

JP (laughs): But, it is really sad.  I feel like everyone’s been influenced by that in some personal way.  That’s not to say this song’s going to make that go away, but it’s like a nice stiff drink, you know?

OYA: What’s this I hear about the five-year tiff you guys had (to Jacob and Jon)?

JG:  I don’t know; we just got really sick of each other.

OYA: Were you best friends?

JG: Jon and I have been best friends since we were really young.  Like eleven, twelve –

JP: Kids.

JG: I think that we we’re very similar, more than anyone else in the world. I think I have more in common with Jon, like we have such similar musical tastes.  I think so much so that our personalities just kind of clash.

JP: It’s an alpha male complex.

JG: Yeah, it is.

OYA: How do you feel with all these alpha males running around (to Adam)?

AK: I haven’t experienced any of their fights.

JG:  We’re getting better.  As we’ve gotten older, we’ve mellowed out quite a bit, but I think conflict is what’s so great about our music.  We fight a lot about it, different ideas and things, what we should do with the songs.

JP: We know what we want the end result to be, like if I start writing, sometimes I have a problem with it being too dramatic and if Jacob wants to be more simple, more meek, then that balances out our different styles.

OYA: What’s the typical song-writing process like: is it collaborative?  Who writes the lyrics?

JP: I write the lyrics.

JG: And, sometimes, I tell him to change them.

JP: He’s like my writing coach.

JG: Sometimes, he doesn’t know what a song should be about and I’ll give him a list of ideas that I think it could be about, things like that.

JP: We’re working on a song right now called “Kickin’ a Can.” Just kickin’ a can down the street…

OYA: Like the game?  On the playground?

JP: There’s a game!?  No, more like being lonesome and by yourself, just kickin’ a can.

JG: Kind of moping, you know?  We’re writing another one about finding the perfect jean jacket.

OYA: What is the perfect jean jacket?

JP: I don’t know.

JG: That’s kind of what the song’s about.

JP: I guess we’ll find out about in the end.

JG: Or, we won’t.  The last lyric in that song could be, ‘What the fuck? I can’t find it!  It’s so hard to sew down!  I need to get alterations!’

OYA: What about the track “Best Friends”?

JG: That’s the first song we wrote.  I guess it’s a little stupid for two best friends to write a song about best friends.

JP: It’s not about us.  It’s about two friends –

JG: There’s really no good way to rationalize this –

JP: And one of them dies.

JG: He had this idea about a song and I gave him a suggestion –

JP: So, Jake comes home one night and listened to this song with the lyrics, “I had a best friend who died…”

OYA: If one of you is found dead in the gutter, then we will clearly all know who is to blame.  Or, maybe you (to Adam).

JP: We’re getting there.  Adam’s in love with my life, in a guitar player kind of way.

OYA: So, tell me, what’s next?

JG: I don’t think we know.  I don’t think we made a plan past this point. 

JP: Work on the full length.  Most of the album’s done… everything we’ve done for the EP we recorded in Florida –

JG: In a tiny little apartment.

OYA: I think spatiality makes a huge impact on music –

JP: If we made that record in NY, it wouldn’t have been the same… One day, I kind of asked myself, ‘What the fuck am I doing?’ I called Jake and told him we’re going to start a band.  I got a job down there [in Orlando].  When we weren’t working, we were working on music.  Once, we got enough music, we started posting things online.  People started noticing.  Then, we were like, ‘Fuck, we have to move back to New York.’ 

JG: It’s a very weird environment down there, it’s so strange…

OYA: What’s the scene like in Orlando?

JP: There is no scene.

JG: The only thing you could really consider a scene is this kind of noise, art rock and a lot of house of blues. 

JP: Just lot’s of partying.

JG: Yeah, it’s more about parties in Orlando than music.  It’s like the whole kind of tourist vibe has impacted the youth of Orlando…. We’re also being real careful not to let this city influence us.

JP: And we were able to come back with something different, not being part of the scene here, not listening to it for a while.

JG: But, we don’t really care about being experimental or cutting edge.  We just want something that we can be happy with, being ourselves with. 

Jacob Graham, Adam Kessler, and Jonathan Pierce have all played together before in different bands.  Adam and Jon were both in the band Elkland, which released the EP Golden in 2005 as well as touring for Erasure.  After Elkland disbanded, frontman Jon formed the band Goat Explosion, which was incidentally the original name of Elkland, and signed Jacob on for guitar.  All three reunited this year to form the Drums, after Jon moved from the city to Florida to record with Jacob. Their EP, Summertime, is releasing on August 4th.

Jennifer Sussex, our newest contributor, lives in the East Village where she writes and laments the cancellation of Arrested Development. Her work has been featured in the PBS, The Chicago Tribute, and the Voice. When she was three years-old, she was tight with Ted Nugent’s son, Rocko. They played Cabbage Patch Kids together.   

Kyle Goderwis is the collager extraordinaire at New Juncture, a great artist run collective for emerging artists. His work is proof that a lucrative ransom note is not the only kind of good collage.

More from Kyle

Australian Steph Chard, 19, worships her own holy trinity: life, love, and art. “I have had a love affair with art my entire life and my body of work so far reflects that…it is something based highly on emotion and inspired from that around me,” she says. Her achingly elegant work has also earned her correspondence from the Queen of England and has been bought up by the likes of Perez Hilton. Has Steph been worshiping the gods of mass appeal, too? It is possible, but, with this much talent, unnecessary.

Steph’s Online Gallery