SWAP is doubling its circulation and size in 2013

After one wacky and wonderful year of self-publishing, Swap! Zine, SLO’s free independent arts and (sub)culture zine is doubling in circulation and size! The new format will be a larger newspaper layout with more room for content. That means we want YOU to help fill it with stories, interviews and art.

Swap! is looking for writers interested in the local music/art scene. Features on local independent businesses and interviews with interesting local people are our bread and butter. We like content that’s off the beaten path, against the grain, under the superficial and, most importantly, from the heart/gut.

You must be a self-starter who can manage your own deadlines. You won’t be “assigned” stories…you will simply write about the things that interest you locally. We encourage you to raise your voice and create with abandon.

Artists: We’re looking for black and white art, comics and artistic commentary that will coincide with stories or stand alone. Writers: Content can include interviews, features, profiles, poetry, fiction and local music/art show listings.

The next issue will be published Feb. 1. and the deadline will be January 6. The zine is produced every two months, or six times annually. All content should be sent through email or dropbox. You will get credit for your work.

PAY: This is a one-person operation and currently all ad revenue goes toward producing the publication. However, if you bring a new advertiser in, you will get a cut of that sale.

READ: Zines are located at Dr. Cain’s Comics & Games, Boo Boo Records and Retrofit in downtown San Luis Obispo, among other downtown locations. You can also get copies at Vinyl Isle in Morro Bay.

Issue 8 is pretty great! Hmm…that rhymed…

Read the latest issue on www.issuu.com! Click here now. It’s the best way to read the zine FREE, online any time!

Issue #7′s interview with Viking Moses & Teenage Mysticism continued:

We didn’t have enough room to run the whole thing, so here’s the rest of it. Thanks, Biba Pickles for writing such an entertaining piece. Listen to her radio show each Saturday on 91.3 KCPR!

Biba Pickes (BP): I want to ask you about Scotland because you lived there for a while. I want to know of all these
places you’ve lived including you’re travels through the UK.

Viking Moses (VM): Well, I’ve been constantly moving since I was little. My mother grew up in southern California. When she was young she decided to hit the road without telling her family, and she ended up in Kansas City to visit her grandfather. While driving to Kansas she was caught in a blizzard and drove off the road and there was nobody around except for one guy who stopped and helped her. Three days later

she married him, and that was my dad. He was a truck driver and ended up taking her with him on his trips and teaching her how to drive a truck. So they started travelling as a truck driving duo, then they conceived me in a truck stop parking lot. I was born in Michigan where my father lived, and then we moved to southern Missouri in the Ozarks region. When they decided to split I was kidnapped and brought to Florida by my father. When she found me, we escaped to Las Vegas , then I turned 1. I left home when I was 15 and travelled all around. I moved to central Missouri to a place called

Columbia, then to Kansas City, then Chicago. I met a girl from England and fell in love, so I followed her there and lived with her. From there I moved all over the UK, to Scotland just outside of Ayr, I lived in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, all over. I also lived in Portland, Oregon for a while. I lived in a tent in someone’s backyard in LA. I’ve lived in upstate New York, and right now I live in Pennsylvania. Oh yeah! I also lived in Germany.

BP: Tell me about the UK and Germany some more.

VM: I moved to Germany right after the 9/11 attacks. It was a scary time, but this girl fell in love with me and I lived in her home with her family. It was really great. They put me up really nice. I had my own guest apartment. I was there for a month. I paid this kid about $30 equivalent here to rent his scooter. I used to ride around the countryside a lot. It was a Honda Spree. First time I went to Scotland it was to follow a girl I loved. The next time I went, it was also to follow a girl. Then after that I started playing shows there and I just sort of stayed until my Visa ran out. I got an apartment with some friends I made. It was like a basement slash crawl space we lived in. The ceiling was not quite 5 feet. I crawled around a lot and scooter around in an office chair, but I had a bed and a desk, overall it was nice. I paid 100 pounds a month for it and it was in London, which is pretty good. It was a good sized room and the people that lived there were just using it to put band gear in it. So I

figured why not, it’s not that musty.

BP: Was this during the time that you recorded ‘Live in The Old Kingdom’?

VM: I think when I recorded that it was a time or two after. That album is actually two different concerts that happened a year apart, but that was after I lived in the basement.

BP: So when you went over there, were you following just one girl or two different UK girls?

VM: I fall in love with girls all the time.

BP: Is that why you travel so much?

VM: I think somewhere in my Don Quixote-esk mind I think it’s that I just see this single spirit in an array of people. Be it a girl, a job, or opportunity, I see it and follow it. I find a purpose in them or it. I try to nurture it, follow it, pay attention to it, learn from it, and teach it. It’s just this thing inside of me that’s attracted to something in certain people. Something where I jump from vessel to vessel. It’s probably

something that’s completely unattainable.

BP: I have a question that’s off topic. You showed me a compilation album that just came out, of different musicians that play your music and I saw that Devandra Banhart is on there. Tell me how you

know him.

VM: Yeah he did a song of mine called Jones Boys on that album. I’ve known him for quite a while. I actually met him before he was recording. He was a roommate of my friend’s. We used to play songs together on my friend’s roof. We lost touch for a bit, and then we bumped into each other again a few years later. He had started doing songs, and he gave me a CDR of his first album that he had put out. We got talking and he said that we should tour together, but it never happened. We just sort of talked

about it a lot. Then by the time he came out with ‘Rejoicing in the Hands’ it finally worked out. He had a touring band and needed a bassist so I volunteered. So I ended up touring with him and it was really fun. I had not realized how big he had become, it was so crazy. I don’t think I’ve ever played in front of that many people. He’s also such an incredible guy; he’s got such a capacity for knowledge and music.

I remember the second I saw him again he asked me about this song I played live about one or two years prior, and he sang it word for word to the melody. He was like “You know that one song you do.”

It wasn’t even a song that I recorded; I just said to myself “How the hell did he know that?” I just got to know him super well while travelling with him, and he’s such a great intelligent guy.

BP: Do you still talk with him?

VM: Yeah, we still talk once in a while, not super often, but we consider each other friends. We speak a few times a year and we have a great fondness for each other. We also still talk to everyone that ran around with us. But I think the world of this guy, and if there’s anyone that’s deserving of their success, it’s him. I think he really appreciates what he’s doing and has a good sense of what he’s doing. I think he appreciates his place in a world that is very great. He’s also really personable. When we were on tour we would always have to stop because he had to mail packages and letters to all these people he had met

because he wanted to keep in touch. He’s such a considerate, bright, and brilliant guy.

BP: That’s awesome. Now let me get to you guys. Teenage Mysticism! How did you guys meet Brenden

and start doing music?

Joey: I was playing music by myself when I was 16 or 17…

BP: Wait, how old are you now?

Joey: 19…I was playing house shows in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where I’m from. Brenden (Viking Moses) was playing my friend Andrew’s apartment, and I opened for him. It was just me with an acoustic guitar. Brenden ended up really liking the songs and invited me to record an album with him. I was really excited. The next year we recorded the album that just came out this year ‘Dead Channels’. We

recorded it at Golden Ghost’s childhood home.

BP: Golden Ghost is on the same record label, The Epiphysis Foundation. She played at The Lodge in April of last year and I really enjoyed her. She was wonderful. I loved it. It was one of the best shows I’ve seen, but then again the guys in the back threw an aerosol can in a bonfire and it exploded. It was pretty epic. The house shook with this big explosion when she finished her set and the fire battalion came out.

Joey: Haha! Yeah, she’s so good. She plays keyboards on my album. Brenden played drums, guitar, organ, and some vocals.

BP: Golden Ghost’s real name is Laura, right? I remember meeting her and offering her tiny broken handcuffs for one of her albums.

Joey: She’s an old soul…We recorded the album, and then I did two semesters of college. Decided that I did not want to do that. I then moved to York, Pennsylvania with Brenden and Wyatt McKenzie (Mother McKenzie), and a man named Ron Benway. We all moved into a two bedroom house, us four songwriters. After being there a month I met Ian and Michael (of Teenage Mysticism) and we formed a band thanks to The Gooch.

BP: Tell me about The Gooch and how he got you together.

VM: Matt —– He looks like Wolverine. He sold my shit for drugs.

Ian: We were hanging out with him playing music and one day he bought over Wyatt (Mother McKenzie). Through Wyatt, Michael and I met Joey, Laura, Ron, and Brenden. We started hanging out because we lived like two blocks away.

BP: I know Wyatt. I saw him play with Brenden, and he came down for a show a while ago and we ended

up hanging out. He’s a cool guy and I like his stuff. Joey, what’s your version of how you met these guys?

Joey: I remember Wyatt invited me to The Gooch’s Halloween party, and at first I didn’t want to go, but

then Ron forced me to go. I got fucked up, and then met Michael and Ian. Then after that we hung out

almost every single day.

BP: Let’s get to you Michael, because you seem like the bad boy of the Backstreet Boys. You’re the wild

card. Ian’s the face, and Joey’s the brains….it’s like the Power Puff Girls. You’re Buttercup, Michael. Ian’s

Bubbles, and Joey’s Blossom.

Joey: I think it’s more like the face, the brains, and the asshole.

BP: What’s the most fucked up thing that you’ve ever done? You seem like you’ve done some shit.

Michael: Well I HAVE NOT BANGED MY GRANDMA. We were on tour with Deer Tick and I pooped my

pants. I had to throw out my undies in their trashcan that was visibly noticeable. They were just poopy

undies though.

BP: So you’re just saying “Yeah, I just pooped in my pants, so yeah whatever”? Tell me play by play how

this atrocity happened.

Michael: I was dead asleep, and in my dreams I think I just needed to fart, but maybe I was kind of

awake. I was really drunk, and really lucky I didn’t crap my entire pants off. Somehow I managed to get the underpants off and in to the trashcan. Basically I had my boxers on and I pooped them off. I wiped and played it off like it never happened.

BP: Do you guys agree that this is the most fucked up thing that Michael has ever done?

Everyone: No, but we won’t talk about that.

BP: Tell me the bands that you’re into.

Joey: Daniel Johnston, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Velvet Underground, and the first B-52s record.

Ian: Calvin Johnson, Joy Division, and Los Campesinos.

VM: Wesley Willis! I went to Chicago in 1997 with my friends, and we were at this hot dog stand at night when I recognized this guy. I was like “Holy shit! That’s Wesley Willis!” so I went up to him and told him how much I love his music, and he said “You wanna buy one of my CDs” in his Wesley Willis voice. I said that I’d love to but I didn’t have any money, then he said “One for 10, two for 20” and I just said I’d love to, but I didn’t have the money. After that he head butted me a good six or seven times and said “Now I wanna hear you say ROCK!” and I was like what, and he said louder “I wanna hear you say ROCK!” so I said rock. Then he said “I wanna hear you say ROLL!” and I said roll. It was awesome, but my friends had since left because they thought I was in a weird situation.

Michael: Frank Zappa, Grateful Dead, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and John McLaughlin.

BP: Any final words?

Michael: I wanna sandwich damn it. I’ll dick a girl five sandwiches deep.

Joey: That was awesome!

VM: I wanna hug.

The tape ran out so there is no more material, but Brenden did talk to me about being friends with Little Wings (Kyle), and working with him on some music, which is really cool. He said that Kyle is a sweet man and a dear friend, and that he’d like to thank him for being who he is.

 

Swap! supports dirty, filthy rock ‘n’ roll!

Check out the New Times article here. Smell the magic!

Download ‘The Cause & The Cure’

Download the comp FREE with the special download sticker found in the latest issue, buy a physical CD at Boo Boo Records/Dr. Cains or get the album directly from Twang N Bang records, here.

June issue & digital album available at SLO Brew May 31!

Come by SLO Brew for the first night of The Cause & The Cure’s release and get a sneak peek at the June issue of Swap! FIVE local bands will be hitting the stage starting at 7 p.m. It’s $7 to get into the show and you will be doing your part in supporting local music. More importantly, you will go home with a download card good for a FREE digital download of the album! Cool, right?!!!! See ya there!

The Cause & The Cure in New Times

Pictured, Yours Truly and Twang N Bang’s Patrick Hayes. Click the pic to read the New Times shout-out. Can’t wait for Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1!

May 31 & June 1 – The Sounds of Swap!

May “DIY & Dirty” issue out now!

I decided to throw the computer away and do a “baby-sized” issue by hand. Typewriter, glue sticks, staples and scissors – the whole nine yards. Click here to check out a facebook photo gallery detailing the steps!

Subscribe to Swap’s Tinyletter Updates

Readers, writers and advertisers will want to keep updated in the coming months. All you have to do if subscribe to my newsletter, here!

A new way to read Swap! Issuu

The next Swap! Cover Artist is…

Our friend Danny Derrick of San Luis Tattoo Company is working on the next Swap! cover. Very excited to see what this local mastermind comes up with. Keep up to date with the fine artist at www.dannyderrick.com.

Local bands interviewing local bands!

This is getting interesting!

Seth Lowe is our friend

We’ve been spotted by local photographer Seth Lowe. Yes, the same Seth you’ll read about in the April 2012 issue of Swap! Zine.  Click here for more on Seth and his current project documenting downtown SLO business owners.

Swap Cartoon Contest Winner Announced

Remember that funny little facebook Cartoon Caption Contest we did in February? Well, we’d like to announce the winner! This cartoon will be printed along with the winning caption in the April edition.

Swap to release local music comp

Check it out: The next issue will be an April/May issue combining both months. That gives me plenty of lead-up for June, which is going to be EPIC. I will be putting out a big, juicy local music issue to coincide with a new music venture. Here’s the inside scoop. Swap Magazine and Twang and Bang records have partnered to produce a rockin’ compilation of local bands with TWO release shows the first weekend of June. The shows will be at The Z and Downtown Brew. The June issue of Swap will include a download card of these bands and you can also buy a physical CD at the shows! What bands are included on the comp? Well, you will have to stay tuned….here’s a hint: They mix country, punk and rock together for vicious results.

Thanks for being a colorful and vital part of the local scene! Your support is my salami sandwich – and that’s a big deal!

Swap featured in New Times

Click here to check out Glen Starkey’s neat little article on Swap! #1. We were stoked to see him at the releae party. I do have a sneaking suspicion that he only came to see his long-lost dog, Mavis, but he wrote a great article. Thanks, Glen!

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