CUSP Magazine : Fall Edition 2014

Music Dealers & Indie Artists: A Perfect Match 

CUSP 

MAGAZINE 

MAGAZINE 

FALL ISSUE 2014 

Art for your 

BUCKETFEET 

+ 

// A Brief Encounter with Celebrity Chef Sam Talbot 

// Ramen Noodles Take Over Chicago 

// Fall Music New Releases 

// Beastgrip Photography Gear for Mobile Phones 

// DRYV The Future of Dry Cleaning 

// Art Alliance : The Provocateurs curated by Shepard Fairey 

// Summer’s Best Threads on the Streets of Chicago 

cuspmagazine.com


MAGAZINE 

PUBLISHERS 

SHAWN GOBURN 

JOSEPH WENSELL 

MUSICDEALERS 

ART DIRECTOR 

JOSEPH WENSELL 

PUBLIC RELATIONS 

STEPHANIE ECK 

MUSIC LICENSING 

for the independent artist 

PROOF READER 

ZACH MILLER 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

CHLOE AIELLO, CHLOE DOHERTY, KRISTINE CIRSENIS, SEAN LAWRENCE, 

STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ, TIFFANY DILLON, ZACH MILLER 

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS 

AARON DOLAN, BRENDA HERNANDEZ, DANIELLE JONES, 

FELICIA SAADE, KARIN HASLINGER, RYAN KLUMP 

ADVERTISING SALES 

advertising@cuspmagazine.com 

Find us at 

f M w 

ESTABLISHED 2014 

License Your Music for TV, film, commercials and more. 

Write Custom Songs for Specific Projects and Campaigns. 

License your Official Music Videos. 

Put Your Music to Work. 

musicdealers.com

INSIDE 

FALL 2014 ISSUE 

40 

OUR COVER 

OUR COVER 

STORY 

A look at 

Bucketfeet, 

Chicago’s 

hottest 

new shoe 

company. 

COVER, INSIDE COVER & BACK COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY FELICIA SAADE 

CONTENTS PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA HERNANDEZ 

CONTENTS 

// NEWS 8 

4th Annual Oktober Fest 5K Run/Walk To Benefit St. Michael 

Gold Coast Fashion Award Show Marks 59th Year 

The 1968 Exhibit in Chicago 

The Driehaus Museum to Host Murder Mystery 

// FOOD 12 

News 

A Brief Encounter with Celebrity Chef Sam Talbot 

RAMEN NOODLES TAKE OVER CHICAGO 

// BUSINESS 22 

BEASTGRIP Photography Gear for Mobile Phones 

DRYV The Future of Dry Cleaning 

// MUSIC 26 

Weezer News 

Fall New Releases 

MUSIC DEALERS & INDIE ARTISTS 

// ART 50 

ART ALLIANCE: THE PROVOCATEURS 

curated by Shepard Fairey 

// FASHION 76 

Summer’s Best Threads on the Streets of Chicago 

// COMMENTARY 86 

WEED… By Any Other Name……

6 

CUSP MAGAZINE FALL ’14 ISSUE 

PUBLISHER’S NOTE 

For our third issue, we extend many thanks to the featured article participants 

and our creative writers, photographers and videographers, producing “first 

rate” articles that are informative and personal along with beautifully captured 

photographs and video footage. Their contributions is what makes this issue our 

best yet. 

For our Cover Story, we had the privilege to visit Bucketfeet’s headquarters 

for an exclusive sit down and conversational interview to tell the story of the 

shoe company’s success, how they started, and where they are projecting to 

be in the future. How cool is that We thought pretty cool and the cover story 

proves it. 

We also give space to The Driehaus Museum’s Murder Mystery production 

set in October, TV Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless’s Xoco restaurant opening in 

Wicker Park, an impromptu interview with Bravo TV’s Top Chef Sam Talbot, 

new music coming out in the fall, and feature articles and profiles on: Music 

Dealers, Chicago’s burgeoning music licensing company; Beastgrip, a company 

that makes cool photography gear for mobile phones; and DRYV, an innovative 

service that is redefining the dry cleaning industry. 

All of us, at one-time or another, have included Ramen Noodles in our weekly 

if not our daily diets. Go ahead admit, it’s ok. For our Food Feature, we give you 

“Chicago’s Ramen Noodle Craze” – a new vision and popularity for the noodle 

and what restaurant to check out. 

Art in Chicago, there’s all kinds. One the hottest runs, albeit short, was an 

exhibit curated by acclaimed street artist Shepard Fairey. In partnership with 

the Lollopalooza team, Fairey led the exhibit Art Alliance: The Provocateurs, 

which showcased over 30 internationally recognized artists during the festival. 

We dedicated several pages to give you a look at the exhibition. 

In closing out the issue, we threw together the best of our Street Style Chicago, 

a monthly online street fashion post, and lastly, a Commentary piece on the 

Marijuana legislation that recently passed in Illinois. 

We think you’ll feel the same as we do about this issue of CUSP Magazine, 

which is “Wow!” Read On. 

IMPOLIT $OCI TY x SRGMF 

Presents 

A L I V 

& W L L 

C H I C A G O 

LAST THURSDAYS 6-10p 

Alive & Well, CHI. is dedicated to promoting visual and hip-hop artists and 

investigating how they enhance and compliment each other. We hope to 

demonstrate how fine art can be approachable and hip-hop is much more 

than a novelty. 

elee.mosynary gallery 

Chicago Arts District 

645 W. 18th Street 

Chicago 

© Marco Miller. 

“Ghostface Killa.” Acrylic on Paper. 

Rap Splat Collection. 2014. 

aliveandwellchi.com eleegallery.com srgmf.com

NEWS//// 

AND OTHER 

COOL STUFF 

8 

4TH ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST 5K RUN/WALK 

BENEFITTING ST. MICHAEL 

Grab your Lederhosen, dust off your Das Boot and dress up in your best German-themed 

costume! The annual 5K Run and 2 mile walk benefits St. Michael in Old Town and will feature 

best costume awards, a complimentary beverage at the race after-party at Ranalli’s, plus an 

authentic German beer mug to the male and female winners. 

When: Thursday, September 18th at 6:30 p.m. Lincoln Park – 1710 N. Stockton Drive near the 

intersection of Stockton & LaSalle Chicago, IL 60614. 

Register at www.oktoberfest5krun.com 


FASHION AND PHILANTHROPY COLLIDE AT THE 

59TH GOLD COAST FASHION AWARD SHOW 

The 59th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award Show will take place at the Hilton Chicago, 720 

S.Michigan Avenue on Friday, September 19, 2014. A cocktail reception and raffle sales begin at 

10:45 a.m. followed by the luncheon at noon and the fashion presentation at 1 p.m. 

Nearly 1,500 guests are expected to attend the 59th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award Show, 

on September 19 at the Hilton Chicago. The event is the signature fundraising event of The 

Children’s Service Board, an affiliated organization of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital 

of Chicago. In the tradition of the show, new designers compete for the coveted Gold Coast 

Fashion Award with a fabulous display of fashion forward apparel in an array of categories from 

sportswear to evening wear. The show also includes individual store-sponsored segments of fall 

fashions from prestigious retailers. 

Fashions from both designers and retailers will be presented in a fast-paced, live runway show 

with professional models. The competition segment opens the show and allows audience members 

to view the designers’ fashions before casting a ballot for his or her favorite. The designer who 

receives the most votes is announced as the winner and returns the following year to receive 

the Gold Coast Fashion Award and present his or her fall collection. Last year’s winner, Ven 

Budhu, will open the show with his fall collection and is scheduled to be present to accept the 

award. Designers competing for the 2014 award include Charles Harbison, Giovanna Randall 

for HONOR, Jennifer Pickett, Michael De Paulo, Stacy Lomman, Tanya Taylor, and Tia Cibani. 

Retailer partners in this year’s show will include Neiman Marcus presenting Veronica Beard, 

Nordstrom presenting Lanvin, Francis Heffernan presenting Ella Zahlan, McElroy Furs and Paul 

Stuart. Chicago’s own Lana Jewelry will host the Grand Staircase entrance during the cocktail 

hour with displays of fabulous jewelry. 

For more information about the show or to purchase tickets, visit www.gcfas.com 


9

Photography: The Driehaus Museum 

NEWS 

THE 1968 EXHIBIT AT 

THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM 

Trace the relentless year 1968, from Vietnam to the flight of Apollo 8. Remember Dr. Martin 

Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. Revisit the battles for civil rights and the explosive Democratic 

National Convention held that August in Chicago. Don’t miss this limited engagement. Peace, 

baby. On October 23rd, from 7 – 10 p.m., celebrate the exhibit and the unforgettable story of 

an extraordinary year! Guests are invited to dress in their best 60’s gear, enjoy some throwback 

cocktails and dance to a live performance by American English! 

War in Vietnam. Women’s liberation. The assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert 

F. Kennedy. Black Panthers, Apollo 8, and the explosive Democratic National Convention held in 

Chicago. In 1968, we saw it all. 

Organized chronologically, The 1968 Exhibit is filled with the sights and sounds of this mediasaturated 

year, including contributions from news anchor Tom Brokaw, legendary folk-pop singer 

José Feliciano, and astronaut James Lovell. Explore stories told by Vietnam vets, self-proclaimed 

hippies, conservative voters, and everyday Americans. Reminisce over fashion, music, food, and 

household items. 

Chicago’s critical role in the conflicts of 1968 grew prominent during the month of August. As 

delegates converged on the city for the Democratic National Convention, so too did activists with 

a diverse range of interests. Tensions were high on the convention floor and in the streets and 

culminated in violent clashes between police and demonstrators. On August 28, chants of “The 

whole world is watching” accompanied a particularly bloody encounter that many came to view 

as signifying a serious rift in the democratic process. The stories of the confusion and anxiety in 

the most heated moments form the core of this section of the exhibition. 

The exhibit opens October 4, 2014. 

THE DRIEHAUS MUSEUM HOSTS 

MURDER MYSTERY AT THE MARBLE PALACE 

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum’s (40 East Erie Street) popular Murder Mystery returns with 

a new format and a new tale. Set in 1915, Feud in Ragtime is filled with countless twists and turns, 

and features a cocktail reception, a seated four-course meal and augmented guest participation – 

you could be the Murderer! 

This year’s event is a lighthearted, bawdy romp into the bloody feud between two prominent 

Chicago families. Hilarious hijinks and scandalous secrets set the stage for a farce of murderous 

proportions! You could solve the crime or get away with murder – either way, be careful – you 

might just die laughing! 

Tickets include a reception, dinner in the Museum’s historic Ballroom and prizes. Period attire 

is encouraged but not required. Guests must be 21 years of age. As space is limited, advance 

ticket purchase is highly recommended. Feud in Ragtime is presented in partnership with Get 

Away with Murder Productions. 

There are two opportunities to attend this special event: Friday, October 24 and Saturday, 

October 25, commencing at 6:30 p.m. A Single Ticket is $110 and a Pair is $200. 

Steps away from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum is a fascinating 

and rare example of the palatial homes erected by the wealthy of America’s Gilded Age. The 

galleries are elegantly furnished with pieces from the most celebrated designers of the late 19th 

and early 20th century, such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and the Herter Brothers. These objets d’art 

are presented in harmony with the immaculately-restored interiors and surviving furnishings of 

the Samuel M. Nickerson Mansion, which was designated as a Chicago landmark in 1977. 

For more upcoming programs, including exhibition-related events and guided tours, please visit 

DriehausMuseum.org or call 312.482.8933. 

For more information visit http://www.chicagohistory.org 

10 



11

FOOD//// 

NEWS AND 

OPENINGS 

RICK BAYLESS’S XOCO OPENS IN WICKER PARK 

Xoco—pronounced “SCHO-ko”—is the 

Aztec word for “little sister.” But there’s nothing 

little about Xoco’s bold Mexican marketplace 

flavors. Open early and closing late, this quickservice 

café from Rick and Deann Bayless 

proffers contemporary expressions of Mexico’s 

most beloved street food and snacks: flaky 

empanadas, hot-from-the-fryer churros, frothy 

Mexican hot chocolate, crusty tortas and 

meal-in-a-bowl caldos. Xoco is led by General 

Manager Arthur Mullen, a marathon runner, 

photographer, and blogger. Sous Chefs Alonso 

Sotelo and Bravo bring years of experience and 

creativity that make Xoco an award winning 

and one of Chicago’s hottest restaurants. 

Xoco has two locations in Chicago for you 

to visit, XoCo River North 449 North Clark 

St (Enter on Illinois) Chicago, IL 60654 and 

Xoco Wicker Park, 1471 North Milwaukee 

Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. 

Photography by Alan Klehr 

MAC & CHEESE FEST TO BENEFIT RONALD 

McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES® OCT 4, 2014 

Cece & Melinda with Raymi Productions are pleased to announce the first annual Mac & 

Cheese Fest to be held on Saturday, October 4 at the UIC Forum from 12-3 p.m. 

“Mac & Cheese Fest is a celebration of the dish! With roots dating back to the 14th century, 

recipes that span continents to entice aficionados galore, the Festival is a time to explore every 

variety of this beloved food,” says Cece Gonzales, President of Cece & Melinda of Raymi 

Productions. 

The event will feature a mind-blowing variety of macaroni and cheese entrees, appetizers and 

sides served with craft beers, wine and soft drinks. 

Mac & Cheese Fest will feature approximately 50 Chicago chefs featuring their versions of Mac 

and Cheese, inspired from cultures, family traditions and their restaurant’s menu. Chefs will be 

asked to use any kind of pasta with any type of cheese as the primary ingredients. One lucky chef, 

recognized by attendees and a panel of foodies, will take home “The Golden Noodle.” 

Tickets will be available through TicketMaster September 1st for $50. Entry includes all you 

can taste from the participating restaurants and 5 drink tickets for craft beer, red and white wines 

and spirits. 

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities® of 

Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. 

The festival will be held at UIC Forum 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60607 on October 

4, 2014 from 12-3 p.m. 

For more information, visit www.macandcheesechicago.com 

Visit RickBayless.com 

12 



13

14 

CUSP MAGAZINE FALL ’14 ISSUE CUSP MAGAZINE FALL ’14 ISSUE 

15 

FOOD//SAM TALBOT Q&A 

Q&A 

Written by 

A Dash of Inspiration: Interview with Chef Sam Talbot 

Chloe 

Aiello 

Photography: ©CUSP Magazine 

Friday, August 22nd may have been a scorcher, but the sun wasn’t the hottest thing in Chicago 

that day. Celebrity chef, Sam Talbot traveled all the way from New York City to commemorate 

“A Magnificent Taste,” the kick-off of the annual Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival and 

the culinary event of the season. You may be familiar with Chef Talbot from Seasons 2 

and 3 of Bravo’s Top Chef; he was voted “Fan Favorite” and it is no wonder why. At 36, his 

impressive credentials include former executive chef of Black Duck, Williamsburg Café and 

Punch, former owner of Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York, and author of The Sweet Life. 

I was lucky enough to sit-down briefly with this rising star. After a no less than inspirational 

conversation and a cryptic peek into the next few years, it’s clear: Sam Talbot is a man on fire. 

CA: What inspired you to become a chef 

ST: When I was very young, my grandmother would take me to the farmers’ market. We would 

pick out farm fresh eggs, milk and cheese, and that’s how it started, by scrambling eggs in the 

kitchen at 8 or 9 years old. But what began so simply really transpired into a full-blown career. 

First I was a busboy, then a dishwasher; by the time I was 16, I was a prep cook at Dean and 

Deluca in Charlotte, North Carolina. That was when the switch flipped. I knew I wasn’t in it just 

for beer money. (He’s funny too!) When I received a copy of Larousse Gastronomique at 17 years 

old, it turned into a love affair. 

CA: What advice do you have for a young Chicagoan trying to break into the culinary industry 

ST: The best advice I could give would be to get right into the game. Whether you are 15 or 57, 

whether you work or are in school, or are looking for a change in career, it is your time. Make 

cooking your priority, and put as much energy as possible into honing your craft. Especially when 

you live in a metropolis, like Chicago, you have access to some fantastic resources. In Chicago you 

have Grant Achatz and Rick Bayless, some of the greatest chefs out there. Go to them. Say, “Hey 

listen, I am going to work for you for free.” Show them you have backbone. Still go to school, still 

keep your other job, but show up after work or after school and learn from the best. It is when 

you become immersed and really see the whimsicality of the magician’s hand that you truly start 

thinking like a chef. Watch them, study them, and take notes because I guarantee that the things 

that they say are meaningful. Those are the things that you can gravitate toward and make your 

own; that’s what makes you a great chef. 

CA: How would you say Top Chef impacted the direction and/or success of your career 

ST: Top Chef impacted me in a few different ways. It taught me that as a chef you are an artist. 

And when you are an artist, whether a painter, a musician or a writer, you are constantly subjecting 

yourself to scrutiny and criticism. Being on a national platform like Top Chef, where people are 

constantly drilling you, makes you realize that you can’t please everybody, everybody will always 

have an opinion. But as long as you believe in yourself and your work ethic, as long as you have 

pride in what you do and your final product, all of that scrutiny and that criticism that comes at 

you will just roll off your shoulders, because you know you did your best. It really just gives you a 

good foundation. 

CA: What do you hope to achieve in the next five years 

ST: I am opening a new restaurant in Brooklyn, I am writing a book now and I have a new show 

coming out on FYI. I have spent my whole life working really hard on my career. I am 36 now but 

even when I was 20 years old, I was never the type of person to quantify my success. My five-year 

goal was never about having 5 restaurants; it was about finding inner peace and inner happiness 

and being able to go to bed at night knowing, each day, that I was giving my best. Everyone is 

blessed. I was blessed with the ability to cook well. I know that I cook well and I don’t need anyone 

else to tell me that. In five years I want to be able to say that I am still cooking well and still doing 

the best I can, that is all that really matters. Visit SamTalbot.com to learn more about Sam.

FOOD//RAMEN CRAZE 

chicago’s 

ramen 

craze 

The Student Staple becomes Strings of Sophistication 

Written by Chloe Doherty 

Photography by Chromacity Studio


It’s reliable. It’s cheap. And it’s gaining 

popularity in Chicago. It may not be 

the most gourmet dish, but ramen 

noodles have satisfied college students 

everywhere for decades. Its simple 

cooking (literally heating up water, 

noodles and seasonings in a disposable 

cup) combined with inexpensive price 

(got a dollar lying around Dinner for 

the night!) have made ramen noodles 

a hit among college students as they 

act as a satisfying meal that provides 

the necessary sustenance for studying 

(and maybe drinking a few beers). The 

latest food craze, however, debunks this 

college staple stereotype as critically 

acclaimed (and self-proclaimed) foodies 

across America rave about ramen. 

Yes, ramen noodles are experiencing 

a surge in popularity, but not because 

of their typical cheap and simple 

characteristics for which they have 

become known and loved. Renowned 

chefs have refined ramen dishes with 

fresh in-house noodles, real Japanese 

spices, and flavorful, hot broths made 

from authentic family recipes. 

Even though ramen noodle 

consumers today associate the popular 

dish with Japanese culture, it actually 

began in China. Ramen noodles did 

not become popular in Japan until 

after World War II when the United 

States began sending its excess wheat 

to Japan in response to Japan’s food 

shortage. Even though ramen had been 

introduced by Chinese migrants years 

earlier, wheat still remained a very small 

part of the Japanese diet. With the 

copious numbers of American wheat 

noodles, however, Japan began eating 

ramen more and more until it became 

known as the “workingman’s comfort 

food.” Today, Japan is home to over 35,000 ramen 

noodle shops that offer every type of ramen dish 

from the very basic noodles, broth, and pork to the 

complex dishes featuring different broths, vegetables, 

and meats. 

While Japan has been enjoying ramen for 

decades, the United States only recently jumped on 

the ramen craze as New York City began opening 

ramen-centered restaurants just two years ago. 

With Chicago seeing the opening of more ramen 

restaurants and more ramen items being added to 

menus, Chicago has expanded on the popularity 

of the Japanese dish. Strings Ramen Noodles was 

the first restaurant in Chicago to take on the ramen 

craze completely. After witnessing ramen’s rise to 

popularity in New York, Kee Chan, owner and 

Photography by DLM Photography & Design 

executive chef of the noodle house, 

decided to open his own ramen 

restaurant that would focus only on 

noodles. 

“We want to focus on ramen; we want 

to make a good noodle for everybody,” 

Strings manager Katie Dong said. “In 

this house everything is about noodle.” 

Strings manager Katie Dong said. 

Strings Ramen became the first ramencentered 

restaurant in Chicago after 

opening up in February 2014. 

Since then, the noodle house has 

served over 50,000 bowls of ramen to 

Chicagoans. 

For Chan, Strings’ first location in 

Chicago was ideal as the Chicago’s 

weather complements the hearty 

ramen soup. “For our [Chicago’s] 

weather, eighty percent of the year we 

are covered with snow,” Dong said. “A 

bowl of hot ramen [fits] perfectly with 

Chicago weather.” 

Even though Strings provides a warm 

meal during winter months, Strings also 

opened up its own patio recently. As the 

only patio in Chinatown, patrons can 

enjoy their authentic ramen noodles 

while enjoying what little summer 

Chicago has. 

While Chan and his team hope to feed 

and satisfy customers, they also hope to 

educate customers about the noodle 

itself. Many people, Dong says, know 

that ramen is an instant noodle but 

they do not actually know the history, 

culture, or even the ingredients of the 

ramen noodle. With its own in-house 

noodle machine, the only Japaneseimported 

noodle machine in Chicago, 

Strings hopes to teach a little bit about 

the history of the popular noodle. 

“In this 

house, 

everything 

is about 

noodle.” 


18 



19



In an age where genetically modified 

and chemical ingredients make up the 

majority of food on the market, Strings 

proudly boasts of its commitment to green 

and fresh ingredients. 

“We don’t do to-go orders for ramen,” 

Dong said. “We would rather focus on 

[people] dining.” 

Despite Strings’ popularity, the 

restaurant does not do delivery or takeout 

for their bowls of ramen. They feel, 

Dong said, that the quality of their food 

immediately drops as soon as it is packed 

up for a takeout order. Ramen, Dong 

says, is best when it has just been made. 

Furthermore, in adhering to their promise 

to being environmentally friendly, Strings 

wants to avoid wasting unnecessary boxes 

and plastic. 

While Strings goes against the artificial 

ingredients of the typical instant ramen 

noodle cup, the restaurant has tried to 

continue to deliver a satisfying meal at 

a reasonable price. At just $12, Strings’ 

ramen dishes provide a filling and 

healthy dinner. Strings is also BYOB, so 

customers do not have to worry about 

expensive drinks. Instead they can bring 

their favorite alcohol and simply add it to 

Strings’ popular Stringrias, fruity virgin 

cocktails that turn into refreshing sangria 

when customers add their favorite wines. 

Even though Strings has remained 

true to its Japanese background, Strings 

Ramen also brings Chicago into its dishes. 

While the recipes and cooking techniques 

come from Chan’s background, the water 

used in the broth is Chicago’s water. 

While seemingly insignificant, the water 

plays a huge role in how the broth tastes, 

Dong says. Chicago’s water, as opposed to 

Japan’s water, gives the broth a unique, but 

delicious soup to hold the fresh noodles. 

“We really just want to 

focus on the noodle. That’s 

what makes us so special.” 

Right now, Strings Ramen’s menu focuses around four broths: shio (chicken and turkey), 

tonkotsu, shoyu (seafood), and miso. The tonkotsu broth is the restaurant’s most popuar dish 

and gets its strong pork flavor after cooking black pork for 48 hours. The broth becomes very 

concentrated before being topped with noodles and pork belly. 

For those who prefer a noodle dish without ramen broth, Strings provides dishes without the 

ramen broth. Yakisoba, a Japanese stir-fried noodle cooked in homemade duck oil and seasoned 

with dashi and soy sauce, provides the same heartiness and Japanese authenticity as the typical 

ramen dish without the broth. In further distinguishing themselves from other Japanese restaurants 

in Chicago, Strings also offers a Japanese-style shish kabob called oden. This traditional street 

food works as a perfect appetizer before the main ramen dish. 

As Strings continues to gain popularity in Chicago, Chan and his team hope to expand the 

restaurant into a franchise company. Ultimately, they plan to have a Strings in every 10-15 mile 

radius. Different from typical franchises, however, Strings plans to focus on a different broth for 

each location. “We want to expand our noodle shop to every corner so people don’t have to go too 

far to find a great bowl of ramen,” Dong said. For right now, Dong says, the team behind Strings 

is just enjoying making ramen and feeding Chicago. “We really just want to focus on the noodle. 

That’s what makes us so special.” 

2141 S. ARCHER AVE. CHICAGO, IL 60616 

info@stringsramen.com Tel: 312.374.3450 

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK SUN - THURS 11am -12am FRI - SAT 11am - 2am 

ramenchicago.com 

Photography courtesy of Strings Ramen Noodle 

20 



21

BUSINESS//TECH START UP 

BEASTGRIP 

Your Pictures Will Thank You 

Written by Sean Lawrence 

Mankind is curious. Since the dawn of time our greatest inventors have challenged the status 

quo and made something better. Chicago’s own, Beastgrip, is no different. Smartphones can do 

many things, but no matter how hard we all try, you simply can’t take a professional quality photountil 

now. 

Beastgrip allows you to attach any professional lens of your choice directly to your phone. On 

top of that, you can mount its hard shell casing to any 1/4 inch camera mount for even more 

options. No more excuses for bad pictures; your only limitation is your imagination. Whether 

you’re recording a skateboard video, capturing the sunset bounce off the Pacific Ocean or taking a 

family photo, Beastgrip has you covered. We sat with Vadym Chalenko, the man behind the beast, 

to see it in action and talk about how he started. “I’ve taken pictures all my life and I’ve missed so 

many great opportunities because of the limitations my smartphone’s stock camera has.. 

Photography: ©Beastgrip 



“Anyone can 

take a good 

picture with the 

right tools.” 

I set out to design something that could 

take the quality of a professional camera and 

put it on my phone.” 

How does it work “It’s a case that you slip 

your phone into that has an opening that 

fits any camera lens and standard camera 

mount. It holds the phone firmly in place 

and allows you to do almost anything a 

professional camera can do.” 

It took me about three seconds to take 

my iPhone 5 in and out, and despite my 

hardest attempts to shake my phone out, it 

wouldn’t budge. The first picture I took was 

on a rooftop in Chicago’s River North. The 

case fit comfortably in my hands and gave 

me amazing control-unlike the usual tango 

I have to do to get a good angle without 

dropping it. 

The twelve dollar lens I used gave me one 

of the best pictures I’ve ever seen of Chicago 

since I’ve lived here. “Anyone can take a 

good picture with the right tools.” With my 

excitement at an all-time high, he showed 

me the videos he’s taken with the attachment 

on his startup video. I was floored. 

What do you see in Chicago that you don’t 

see anywhere else “Chicago was the first 

place that I moved to when I came to America 

from Ukraine. It has so much beauty and 

curiosity, which I love to surround myself 

with as a photographer.” 

I know, I know… You wish you thought 

of this first; me too. But since you didn’t, get 

online www.beastgrip.com and snatch one 

up now! Your pictures will thank you. 

22 


23

BUSINESS//TECH START UP 

Your life is complicated 

enough already, which is why 

they’ve built a ridiculously 

simple and minimalistic layout 

to get straight to the point. 

Pick a time, place, and when 

you need it back; and voila! 

“Dryvers” are able to pick 

up your clothes as soon as 60 

minutes from the time of the 

request and have it ready the 

same day for a small surcharge. 

Oh, and did I mention the 

pickup and delivery service is 

complimentary-that’s right, no 

need to tip. 

We asked them where the 

idea came from, how it feels 

to see their idea come to life, 

and most importantly, why 

Chicago “I had a pair of 

pants “misplaced” by my 

neighborhood cleaner, and 

when I asked what happened 

they told me they’re not the 

ones who lost them and to my 

surprise they service everything 

offsite through someone else. 

After doing some research, 

I found out this is how most 

cleaners do business. After 

months of research my partner 

and I realized we could make 

the entire process better for the 

consumer.” 

They’ve recently won “Best 

Pitch,” at the Chicago Startup 

Showcase, but that didn’t come 

easy. “As a business owner, you 

have a lot of ups and downs, 

especially when starting out. 

But what kept us motivated 

was to see our vision come to 

life and do something great 

for our community. We strive 

to help the environment by 

recycling your old wire hangers 

and operating with green 

products.” 

“There isn’t a better place 

to do business than Chicago. 

Although we plan to expand 

in the near future, we’ll always 

be firmly planted here. Our 

people work hard and we’re 

here to work hard for them.” 

Who would’ve thought 

a lost pair of pants would 

revolutionize the dry cleaning 

industry forever (Heck, I 

would’ve just bought a new 

pair of pants.) But I can say 

with tremendous gratitude, 

I’m sure glad the guys at Dryv 

went the extra mile to make 

my life that much easier. 

Go to www.dryv.com and try 

it today! 

DRYV 

The Future of Dry Cleaning 

Written by Sean Lawrence Photography by Danielle Jones 

The future is here. No more walking to the cleaners with a heavy bag of clothes and a handful 

of crimpy hangers to finally get there and wait in line for God knows how long. No more haggling 

with the owner to get what you paid for with the priceless wedding dress they “misplaced.” 

Thanks to Dryv, a startup dry cleaning service in Chicago, you can now have your clothes 

picked up, cleaned, and delivered whenever you want with the push of a button. Sounds expensive 

right Think again. Dryv’s prices compete with every dry cleaner in Chicago, but with a massive 

advantage. Let’s say you have a busy lifestyle-as most of us Chicagoans do-I’ll bet money that 

you’ve thought twice about risking your suit for the big meeting not being ready on time or 

arriving five minutes after closing to pick up Junior’s football jersey. Relax, they’ve got the perfect 

solution-an app that with a few choice clicks will send a “dryver” to come straight to you exactly 

when you need them to pick up and drop off whatever you want professionally cleaned. 

24 


25

Photography: weezer.com 

MUSIC//// 

FALL NEW 

RELEASES 

WEEZER 

EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE END 

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 

In 2014, the conventional wisdom is that the album 

is dead, and that nobody listens to a record the whole 

way through. Rivers Cuomo figures there’s two ways to 

respond. “You can change with the times, give in, and 

not put a lot into your album,” he says. “Or you can 

say that for artistic and creative reasons, we have to try 

so hard to make this an album people want to listen to. 

We decided to respect it.” 

> PRE-ORDER 

C M w

MUSIC// FALL NEW RELEASES 

SRGMF 

CONSULTING BRANDING CREATING 

BUSINESS CONSULTING 

BRAND MANAGEMENT 

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DREAMING IT AND LIVING IT. 

28 


C M F 

www.SRGMF.com

MUSIC//MUSIC DEALERS 

Music 

Dealers 

Written by Zach Miller 

Photography Courtesy of Music Dealers. 

to Deal Winning Hand 

Indie Artists 

for 

Music Licensing Company Creates New Revenue Stream for Musicians


Being a professional 

artist also means 

being a business 

with longevity. It 

requires creativity, 

collaboration, marketing, sales, 

socializing and networking. It 

requires sharing, technology, 

touring, interviewing, recording, 

collections and distribution. All 

of this – and more – differentiates 

a paid, professional artist from a 

hobbyist. 

Music Dealers, a Chicagobased 

music agency, strives to 

help all artists graduate into 

paid professionals by licensing 

independent music in a way 

that delivers artists’ work to 

audiences across the world. 

Music licensing provides artists 

a means by which they can 

share their music on a global 

platform through commercials, 

advertisements,television shows, 

films, video games and more, 

while also providing artists 

reliable revenue for their work. 

32 



33


34 

Built By Artists, For Artists 

The artist community of Music 

Dealers is comprised of thousands 

of independent, emerging artists 

who wish to share their craft with 

the world, to touch and impact 

lives through their music, and to 

sustain themselves through their 

art. In 2008, CEO Eric Sheinkop 

(pictured right) founded Music Dealers 

in order to connect rising artists 

with the proper channels by which 

they could realize these goals. 

“Music Dealers was created 

to help more artists be able to 

make a living off of and sustain 

themselves through their art,” said 

Sheinkop. “Music licensing is the 

number one way an artist can get 

into the music industry and make 

a living these days, whether it’s a 

major label artist or an artist just 

starting out. Licensing is the most 

available opportunity for them to 

earn income through their music.” 

At Music Dealers, artists retain 

100% ownership of their work at 

all times and are never charged 

for the company’s services. When 

a sale with a client, such as an 

ad agency or production house, 

occurs, Music Dealers splits 

the upfront income 50/50 with 

the artist. Additionally, artists 

retain 50% of the revenue from 

publishing royalties and 100% 

from writing royalties. 


“We are an artist company: built by artists, 

for artists,” said Sheinkop. “That’s first and 

foremost. So there will never be a charge to an 

artist at Music Dealers.” 

Global Demand for Indie Music 

Companies like Music Dealers have grown 

through a societal evolution that celebrates 

new, up-and-coming artists and that recognizes 

the power of rising talent. Brands such Coca- 

Cola, which formed a global music partnership 

with Music Dealers in 2011, are seeking sounds 

that aurally match their brand message. For 

example, Coca-Cola, who endeavors to spread 

happiness wherever a Coke is consumed, seeks 

music that communicates that brand essence 

through specific harmonies, melodies, lyrics, 

etc. 

“The power of music to evoke emotions is 

harnessed by advertising executives, filmmakers, 

military commanders, and mothers,” wrote 

cognitive psychologist Daniel Levitin in his 

book, This Is Your Brain On Music. “Music is 

being used to manipulate our emotions, and we 

tend to accept, if not outright enjoy, the power 

of music to make us experience these different 

feelings.” 

Music discovery has quickly become an 

important aspect of many young adults’ lives. 

In a widespread, generational shift, consumers 

value new music that is released by emerging 

artists over popular songs from household 

names. Brands, agencies and filmmakers have 

recognized this trend and are therefore actively 

seeking songs by independent artists that can 

effectively communicate their brand message 

through music. Music Dealers is a strong 

advocate of the independent artist and works 

diligently to connect artists with clients whose 

goals fit the sound and feel of the artist’s work. 

Through maintaining a very artist-oriented 

perspective, the company has quickly secured 

music licensing as a proven model for independent 

artists to earn significant revenue from their music. 

One example of a Music Dealers artist whose 

success grew through music licensing is the 

London-based artist Metis, who had left his job in 

investment banking to pursue a career in music. 

Metis submitted his work to Music Dealers 

and explained to Sheinkop how he wanted to 

increase the reach of his music. When Coke 

Zero partnered with Music Dealers for their 

“A Step From Zero” campaign, they wanted 

an artist whose personal journey fit their brand 

message of possibility. Music Dealers submitted 

Metis’ song “All In” for the project, which 

became Coke Zero’s global anthem for the 

campaign. Through the worldwide reach of the 

commercial, Metis was able to share his music 

across continents and afterward was signed to 

Sony Music Entertainment in Latin America, 

to Universal Music Group in the UK, and to 

Warner Music Group in France. 


35


36 

“We know that when you hear your 

music playing in your favorite TV 

shows, an incredibly rewarding feeling 

shoots straight through your body.” 

New Revenue for Musicians 

Nearly six years after the company’s 

foundation, Music Dealers continues to look 

for new ways to create dependable sources of 

income for independent artists. Most recently, 

Music Dealers has announced two new services 

that it will be offering for its artists: the licensing 

of music videos and live events. 

According to the Music Dealers Artist 

Services department, the company has received 

numerous requests from clients for music videos 

to license for their television productions. In 

addition to searching for great songs from 

independent artists, television shows, movies 

and even storefronts are now also seeking 

original music videos that they can license from 

up-and-coming artists for various projects. 

“We have the opportunity to place your music 


video on that screen and get you some cash,” 

wrote Music Dealers in an email to its artist 

community. “We know that when you hear 

your music playing in your favorite TV shows, 

an incredibly rewarding feeling shoots straight 

through your body. Now, we’re excited to begin 

working to place your music videos into your 

favorite shows, movies, and store locations.” 

This innovative service represents a recent 

push for more exposure of the independent 

artist community. Audiences are clamoring for 

brands, films and companies to incorporate 

new songs from emerging artists; in tandem, upand-coming 

artists are seeking ways to continue 

their craft and spread their music to as many 

eager ears as they can reach. Music Dealers and 

its new music video licensing services are the 

bridge between artists and audiences, brands 

and bands. 

By licensing their original music videos, 

artists are able to connect with potential fans 

both aurally and visually. This allows artists to 

communicate their craft and demonstrate their 

personalities in a doubly powerful way, one 

which is truly new to the music licensing industry 

and to the independent artist community. 

A television show may license a music video to 

play in the background of a scene; a production 

house may license one to incorporate in its 

movie trailer; a sporting goods store may 

license one to appear on TVs in its storefront. 

The possibilities for music video licensing seem 

as endless as those for regular music licensing. 

Furthermore, according to Music Dealers, the 

rights of the video are similarly retained by 

the artist, as is the case when licensing music 

through Music Dealers. Artists retain ownership 

over the music video at all times and are free to 

use their video for whatever purpose, even while 

licensing their work to a company. Just like with 

music licensing, music video licensing at Music 

Dealers allows the artist to generate revenue for 

their work without sacrificing ownership of it. 


37


For any artists that are interested in licensing 

their music videos or songs, Music Dealers 

encourages them to create a profile on the 

company’s website and submit their music for 

review. Because of the complexity of licensing 

music videos (which includes both visual files 

and audio tracks), Music Dealers can only 

license music videos for songs that have been 

loaded onto the artist’s Music Dealers profile. 

According to the email, Music Dealers is 

accepting original music videos for approved 

songs, and is not seeking live performance 

videos, cover-song videos or lyric videos. In 

this way, Music Dealers is able to match clients 

with music videos that best align with both the 

artist’s goals and the client’s needs. 

MusicDealers.com 

“My favorite thing, 

and I think the 

greatest thing that 

we do, is we really 

help artists every 

single day. And 

we change artists’ 

lives sometimes. 

It’s at least giving 

them the ability 

to look back and 

say, ‘Look, I’m 

creating art that 

has value. I’m 

creating art that’s 

appreciated.’” 

- Eric Sheinkop, 

CEO/Founder of 

Music Dealers 

38 



39

COVER FEATURE 

Bucketfeet 

Fun, Useful, Portable Art. 

WRITTEN BY 

KRISTINE CIRSENIS 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY 

FELICIA SAADE

COVER FEATURE 

42 

What do Argentina, social media and 

Chicago have in common All three 

are responsible for the success of one 

of the hottest names in footwear of this 

generation: Bucketfeet. Created in 2011 

by Aaron Firestein and Raaja Nemani, 

in three short years Bucketfeet has 

committed itself to connecting people 

across the world through art. 

Bucketfeet’s story begins in central 

California where Aaron Firestein was 

selling customized canvas shoes to 

friends and on Facebook. In 2008, 

Firestein decided to pack up his bags and 

move from the Bay Area of California 

to Argentina without much of a plan in 

mind. While volunteering, he met Raaja 

Nemani, a Northwestern grad, fluent 

in finance, who had just quit his job to 

travel around the world. After becoming 

friends and discussing Firestein’s shoe 

customizing hobby, Nemani bought a pair 

and wore them on his travels throughout 

the rest of the world. While jet setting 

across the globe, many stopped Nemani 

to talk about his shoes. In 2010, Nemani 

reached out to the man behind the shoes 

and asked Firestein if he was interested 

in turning his hobby into a business. And 

in 2011, Bucketfeet was born. 

What does Chicago have anything to 

do with their success Chicago provides 

Bucketfeet with a creative network of 

artists and a home. “In retrospect, it’s a 

really, really good thing we didn’t move to 

either New York City or San Francisco,” 

Firestein told us in an exclusive interview. 


“We want to set up a 

sort of culture and 

community; something 

that artists want to 

aspire to become a 

part of.” 


43

COVER FEATURE 

Not only was it much more economically 

savvy to set up shop in Chicago, but Nemani 

had contacts in the area that could help the duo 

get on their feet. New York City is infamous 

as the fashion capital of the United States, but 

Chicago gave the young startup a competitive 

edge in the footwear industry. “There’s literally 

no one else in the city that is doing anything 

close to what we’re doing,” beamed Firestein. 

Now in 2014, Bucketfeet has made a name for 

itself among this generation of 20-somethings 

as a way to display artistic talent in a fun, 

useful, and portable way. Giving social media 

huge credit for their success, they also pride 

themselves on remaining true to their vision: 

connecting people through art. “Our whole 

thing is that we don’t want to discriminate 

people on any level,” Firestein said, “we work 

with artists who work with almost all mediums.” 

With graffiti artists, graphic designers, 

sculptors and illustrators among their designers, 

Bucketfeet aims for each collection of shoes 

they release to be well rounded. When asked 

how they find artists to design a pair of shoes 

Firestein described their network of artists. 

At first, designers were a lot of their personal 

contacts. As with any start up, utilization of 

friends, family, and former colleagues was a 

common practice in Bucketfeet’s early days as 

well as the utilization of Firestein’s own artistic 

talent. 

Now after incredible online growth due to 

their popularity on social media, Bucketfeet 

receives many inquiries daily from artists in 

Chicago and around the world hoping to get 

their designs on a pair of shoes. With a unique 

crop of artists working with them, Bucketfeet 

shoes aren’t necessarily trendy. “I think the 

best way to describe it is, while we are aware 

of what the trends are, we don’t make as much 

of a conscious effort to follow them,” explained 

Firestein. 

At the end of the day, Bucketfeet shoes are 

about making a statement while staying true to 

the culture and ideas of the artist. 

Staying true to an idea and a vision compose 

the foundation of Bucketfeet. If you find 

yourself to be an aspiring artist or a conflicted 

entrepreneur, Firestein suggested you stick 

to your guns and continue to believe in what 

your skills can offer. “Art is tricky,” he said. “It’s 

such a subjective thing where everyone has a 

different viewpoint on every single piece of art 

there is.” At the end of the day, it comes down 

to whether or not you’re willing to risk falling 

flat on your face. If you believe in what you’re 

producing or the vision that you have, Firestein 

suggested taking that risk. “Worst thing that’ll 

happen if you fail is you’ll have to go back to 

school or start another job and try it again. 

You’ll be glad you tried it and regret it if you 

didn’t.” The twenty-first century is not the time 

for ‘what-ifs’. 

44 



45

COVER FEATURE 

Growing pains are also a part of creating a business. In the first year and a half to two years of 

Bucketfeet’s existence, the two-man team chose a divide-and-conquer approach when it came to 

work that needed to get done. Now, with a larger, positive team, they’ve together built up the brand 

bit by bit to what we see today. At first, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Having a team to work 

with is completely different from the dynamic duo during the early days. “It’s one [a landscape] 

that you need to coordinate as much as possible, which has been a very real sort of growing pain,” 

disclosed Firestein. He advised that everyone be relatively aware of what everyone else is doing to 

avoid having multiple people working on the same project and miscommunications. 

Despite some difficulties, I’m confident that Bucketfeet has much more success ahead. “We 

want to set up a sort of culture and community; something that artists want to aspire to become 

a part of,” Firestein said when discussing the future of the brand. Currently their artist network 

includes 3,000 artists, but they hope to see that number grow to reach hundreds of thousands 

and even millions of artists in years to come. They also hope to open up more pop-up stores 

and perhaps permanent stores. Firestein also discussed the possibility of expanding their artists’ 

designs to different mediums, but claims that “no matter what we end up going into, things will 

likely stay around the ankles.” 

46 



47

COVER FEATURE 

where 

to buy 

USA 

BucketFeet 

ShoeFly 

Shuzy Q 

Qio Fashion Boutique 

C Wonder 

Nordstrom 

Turquoise 

SoleSpace 

Ryzen7 

Private 

Millenium Shoes 

LORIN 

LASC 

Quiet Storm 

Shore 

Archives 

Flip Flop Life 

Walking in Paradise 

Sandal Tree 

Sofia 

Formally Modern 

City Soles 

Belmont Army 

Englin’s Fine Footwear 

Maven 

Malibu’s Surf Shop 

Complex 

Bunker 

10 Denza 

Footloose & Fancy 

McLovin 

Bill’s Work & Outdoor 

DNA Footwear 

Darling 

Simply Chic 

Get Notice 

BucketFeet HQ 

935 W. Randolph St., 2nd Fl. 

Chicago, IL 60607 

bucketfeet.com 

AUSTRAILIA 

Monsterthreads 

BAHAMAS 

Carlo Milano 

CANADA 

Sporting Life 

Little Burgundy 

Lazare’s 

Sicily Clothing 

Sail 

Olgivy 

Capezio 

Cosset Shoes 

Collections 24 

Abe & Mary’s 

IRELAND 

Schuh 

ITALY 

Cairoli 19 

G & P Company 

Pierrot 

Morini 

DESII 

MMEGA 

LUISAVIAROMA 

JAPAN 

Shoe Bar-Zozo 

Lucondo 

Stefis 

Shoe Planet 

Shoe Bar Dessee 

Shoe Bar 

Scot Club 

PX 

ISETAN 

Ground Green Store 

Fredy 

Chumchum by Chapter 

Charger 

Chapter Harajyuku 

CAPRICE 

Bliss Point 

Piche Abehouse 

MALAYSIA 

Actually 

NIGERIA 

Jumia 

SINGAPORE 

Rockstar at Somerset 

Actually 

SOUTH KOREA 

Jinju 

Mag n Mag 

LARC 

Lotte Department Store 

SPAIN 

Lecar 172 

Mundaka 

Zapas 

Deportes Xesta 

Saxo 

Sneakers & Co. 

Urban Sport 

Urban Woman 

Too Valencia 

Base 

Sports Plaza 

Avalancha 

TAIWAN 

Hotel V 

U.K. 

Zalando 

USC 

Surf Fusion 

Music & Merchandise 

Extreme Pie 

Blackleaf 

Roys Wroxham 

Schuh 

48 



49

ART FEATURE 

art alliance: 

Chicago leapt into its final month of summer with a splash of paint during the vibrant art exhibit, Art Alliance: 

The Provocateurs. From July 31 to August 4, Block 37 at 108 N. State St. hosted Art Alliance: The Provocateurs, 

an art exhibit curated by acclaimed contemporary street artist, Shepard Fairey. Hosted in partnership with 

Lollapalooza, the event showcased the work of over 40 contemporary artists, including Swoon, Haze and Space 

Invader, combining a variety of unique styles into one exhibition. The highly anticipated show also featured 

music, panel discussions, charities, education and other topics in a sweeping celebration of local, national and 

global art initiatives. Additionally, alternative hip-hop group Deltron 3030 performed an aftershow on August 

2, an apt conclusion to a weekend of energy and creativity. 

the 

provocateurs 

CURATED BY SHEPARD FAIREY 

A portion of the proceeds from the event were donated 

to Chicago Art Partnerships in Education (CAPE), an 

organization that enhances students’ classroom experiences 

by integrating visual and performing arts into their lesson 

plans. CAPE was one of four sponsors of the exhibit, 

along with Bud Light, Herradura Tequila and Hennessy. 

Hennessy V.S. currently offers a limited edition bottle that 

was designed in collaboration with Fairey.. 

Written by 

Zach Miller 

Photography by 

Danielle Jones

art alliance: the provocateurs 

ART FEATURE 

CAMILLE ROSE GARCIA 

Unsustainable Performance 

(2012) 

Sneewittchen 

(2009) 

ANDREW SCHOULTZ 

Gold Dripping Flag 

(2013) 

Don’t Tread 

(2013) 

Broken Wall 

(2013) 

Up Against A Wall 

(2013) 

C215 

Forever 

(2014) 

Love 


52 


CLARE ROJAS 

Untitled (2014) Untitled (2014) 


53


ART FEATURE 

COPE2 

Durability 


CLEON PETERSON 

Mercy 


The Shadow of Power 

(2013) 

In The Night 


Dark City 

(2013) 

54 



55

ART FEATURE 

D*FACE 

Grim Tales (2013) 

F**K (2013) 

Sweet Nothings (2013) 

Love Her, Hate Him (2013) 


CYRCLE 

Fall From Grace 


56 CUSP MAGAZINE FALL ’14 ISSUE 


57

ART FEATURE 

DEEDEE CHERIEL 

If You Love Something Set It Free (2014) Desire Is The Root Of All Suffering (2014) 


DZINE 

If You Love Something Set It Free (2014) Desire Is The Root Of All Suffering (2014) 

ESTEVAN ORIEL 

‘63 Damu BBQ (2011) 

Ruby’s Burgers (2011) 

Cruising Through Time (2011) 

HHS (2011) 

DANA LOUISE KIRKPATRICK 

My Heroes Have Always Killed Cowboys 


58 CUSP MAGAZINE FALL ’14 ISSUE 

ERNESTO 

YERENA 

Colonium 

Deductam 



59

ART FEATURE 

EVAN HECOX 

Tulum Graveyard (2014) 

FAILE 

World Finals, Valley of Silence (2013) 

2 Seat Faile (2013) 

HOW and NOSM 

From Another Angle 


Lost Fragments 

(2013) 


JAMES CAUTY 

SRS 88 Orange (2014) 

GARY PANTER 

Traffic (2004) Spray (2004) 

HAZE 

Crowns #1 (2008) 

Crowns #2 (2008) 

Abstracts #1, #2, #3 (2011) 

JAMIE REID 

Liberty (Red) Ed 6/10 (2011) 

(Liberty (Black) Ed 10/10 (2011) 

60 



61

ARTS FEATURE 

JEN STARK 

Cosmographic (2014) Splatter (2014) 

KEITH HARING 

The Blueprint Drawings Ed. 24/33 (1990) 

The Blueprint Drawings Ed. 24/33 Bottom (1990) 


LEE QUINONES 

We All Live In A Mellow Subliminal (2014) 

JIM HOUSER 

In The Red (2012) 

62 



63

ART FEATURE 

MAYA HAYUK 

Big Bang Breakthrough Color Trial (2013) 


MARK MOTHERSBRAUGH 

Pixalation and Teardrop (2014) Things I Need To Say To You (2014) 

MONICA CANILAO 

The Common Snipe (2014) 

The Great Snipe (2014) 

The Quail (2014) 

64 



65

ART FEATURE 

NECKFACE 

In The Red 

(2012) 


POSE 

Newsies 2 (2014) Shortsale (2014) 

RAVI SUPTA 

Mightier Than, Rifle Mightier Than, Submachine (2014) 

Opposable Thumbs-Sheep, Deer, Baboon (2013) 

66 



67

ART FEATURE 

RETNA 

Blood, Sweat and Tears Sex, Love and Paintings (2014) 

REVOK 

A2.4 (2014) 


SHEPARD FAIREY 

Endless Power, Version 1 (2013) Paint It Black (Hand) (2014) Imperial Glory (2014) 

World Police Champs (2014) Operation Oil Freedom (2014) 

RICHARD COLMAN 

17 Eyes (2013) Hair Eaters (2014) 

RYAN MCGINNESS 

Untitled 

BH8 in.3 Ed. 5/7 


68 



69

ART FEATURE 

SKULLFACE 

Neon Painting (2014) 

SPACE INVADER 

Rubik, The Man Machine Rubik, Bela Lugosi’s Dead 

Rubik, Horse Rubik, In God We Trust 

(2011) 

SWOON 

#257/Monica (2014) #259/Ice Queen (2014) 

THOMAS CAMPBELL 

Der Nang (2014) 


STANLEY DONWOOD 

Forgot Was Sorry (2010) Hollywood (2011) 

70 



71

ART FEATURE 

WK INTERACT 

Watch Me (2014) This End Up (2014) 


TIM ARMSTRONG 

Gilman Street Sign 

Two Black Guitars 

A Poet’s Life 

11th Hour 

Mohawk Skull 


WINSTON SMITH 

The Ruling Class (1982) Paranoid’s Nightmare (1982) 

72 



73

ART FEATURE 

Shepard 

Fairey 

was born in Charleston, SC. He 

received his B.F.A. at the Rhode 

Island School of Design in 

Providence. 

While at R.I.S.D. he created the 

Andre the Giant has a Posse sticker 

that transformed into the OBEY 

GIANT art campaign with imagery 

that has changed the way people see 

art and the urban landscape. He is 

also the founder of OBEY Clothing. 

His work has evolved into an 

acclaimed body of art, which 

includes the 2008 “Hope” portrait 

of Barack Obama, which can be 

found in the Smithsonian’s National 

Portrait gallery. 

Since the beginning of his career in 

1989 he has exhibited in galleries 

and museums around the around the 

world, indoor and outdoor. 

His works are in the permanent 

collections of the MOMA, the 

Victoria and Albert Museum, the 

Boston ICA and many others. 

THE 

ARTISTS 

ANDREW SCHOULTZ C215 CAMILLE ROSE GARCIA 

CLARE ROJAS CLEON PETERSON COPE2 CYRCLE D*FACE 

DANA LOUISE KIRKPATRICK DEEDEE CHERIEL DZINE 

ERNESTO YERENA MONTEJANO ESTEVAN ORIOL EVAN HECOX FAILE 

GARY PANTER HAZE HOW AND NOSM JAMES CAUTY JAMIE REID 

JEN STARK JIM HOUSER KEITH HARING LEE QUINONES 

MARK MOTHERSBAUGH MAYA HAYUK MONICA CANILAO NECK FACE 

POSE RAVI ZUPA RETNA REVOK RICHARD COLMAN 

RYAN MCGINNESS SHEPARD FAIREY SKULLPHONE SPACE INVADER 

STANLEY DONWOOD SWOON THOMAS CAMPBELL 

TIM ARMSTRONG WINSTON SMITH WK INTERACT 


obeygiant.com 

artalliance.com 

74 



75

Photography by Aaron Dolan 

FASHION//STREET STYLE CHICAGO 

A Pictorial SummerRoundup of 

Chicago is a diverse city with a copious 

amount of food, music and most 

STREET 

importantly fashion. This Summer we 

scoured the pinnacle of fashion on our 

very own Michigan Ave and Damen Street 

STYLE 

in the ultra hip neighborhood of Wicker 

Park to find a few different styles that help 

make Chicago fashion so unique. Here’s a 

selection of the best of the Summer season. 

CHICAGO 

Written by Stephanie Hernandez 

Photography by Aaron Dolan and Brenda Hernandez 

76 



77


This man looks dapper as 

ever in a Ralph Lauren 

suit; showing that even 

to work Chicagoans 

are on point. 

Her must have 

boho chic outfit 

can be found at 

Muse-hat, Top 

Shop for the 

dazzling fringe 

kimono, H&M 

for the shorts, 

and Akira for the 

trendiest gladiator 

sandals. 



78 



79



A good pop 

of color and 

pattern is what 

Ace brought 

to the scene 

that day. He 

matched his 

hat with his eye 

catching Urban 

Outfitter shorts 

and paired it 

with a crisp 

white T. 

This power 

couple is 

on vacation 

revisiting their 

old stomping 

grounds and 

brought their 

A-game. 

Dressed in 

Express this 

Teacher and 

Culinary 

expertise made 

Michigan Ave 

their runway. 


80 



81


Marlene’s outfit 

was put together 

with pieces from all 

over; her top dates 

back to the 70s, 

and other pieces 

of her look came 

from a boutique 

in the big apple 

as well as Uniflo. 

She was strutting 

down Western Ave 

looking like a total 

rock star with her 

street style and 

black wayfarers. 

Bow-Ty was the epitome of 

outside the lines fashion. This 

guy chooses to live his life in 

full color and we applaud him 

for it. 

He mixed and matched a bit 

of everything, denim, stripes, 

mismatched shoes and a bow tie; 

not to be confused with his name, 

Bow-Ty. 

Photography by Brenda Hernandez 


82 



83


Adam works at a Wicker 

Park pub and was sitting 

atop a bike posing so 

eloquently when we 

stumbled upon him 

wearing tan corduroy 

pants, a tan button up 

paired with red suspenders 

for a pop of color. That 

great paper boy hat he’s 

rocking ties the whole look 

together. 

Zach looked 

as dapper 

as can be in 

his all black 

attire with a 

red feathered 

fedora. This 

swoon worthy 

outfit can 

be found at 

Chicago’s own 

Habberdash 

boutique and 

the fedora at 

Goorin. 



84 



85

COMMENTARY 

It goes by many names. Ganja, kush, herb, mary jane... No matter how 

creative people get with the terminology, most can recognize this drug by 

its common name: marijuana. 

For years marijuana has been illegal not only in Illinois, but throughout 

the country. However, with new regulations allowing the use of marijuana 

or decreasing the penalties that come with possessing the drug, it seems 

fitting that Chicago would also consider jumping on board. 

Marijuana has been proven to aid people in dealing with many difficult 

illnesses. People suffering from extreme cases of epilepsy, for instance, have 

reported that marijuana helped decrease their seizures. Cancer patients 

also claim many of their pains have been decreased due to the effects of 

marijuana. 

But, we must remember why marijuana was deemed illegal in the first 

place. The drug can produce various negative psychological and physical 

affects ranging from amotivational syndrome to lung damage. 

Illinois government officials have considered all of these positive and 

negative consequences and, in the end, decided to make marijuana legal 

for medical purposes. This law took effect on January 1st and, as a result, 

Chicago will soon be home to various medical marijuana spots. 

Hopefully these changes will produce more positive than negative effects 

for the city. Chicagoans suffering from many diseases might find relief 

with marijuana usage. Maybe the legalization of marijuana in its medical 

form will decrease crime rates related to illegal drug usage and selling. Or 

perhaps the individuals involved in illegally obtaining the drug will now 

begin to invest their time on working legally with it. 

It’s possible that many Chicagoans would argue that legalizing medical 

marijuana is just one step closer to having recreational marijuana spots 

opening. These individuals might argue that doing so may cause people to 

abuse the drug even more. 

Considering all of these possibilities and Chicago’s current stance on 

medical marijuana, what are your thoughts Will putting these shops in our 

city pose additional threats that our government has not yet considered Or 

do you believe there are many benefits to marijuana usage that marijuana 

opponents consistently overlook We would love to hear your opinions. 

86 CUSP MAGAZINE FALL ’14 ISSUE by TIFFANY DILLON 

HuNGEr 

sINGs 

IN tHE 

sHoWEr, 

too. 

1 IN 6 AMErIcANs struGGlEs WItH HuNGEr. 

toGEtHEr 

WE’rE 

Hunger is closer than you think. reach out to your local food bank 

for ways to do your part. Visit FeedingAmerica.org today.

Music Dealers & Indie Artists: A Perfect Match 


MAGAZINE 

FALL ISSUE 2014 

Art for your... 

BUCKETFEET 

+// A Brief Encounter with Celebrity Chef Sam Talbot 

// Ramen Noodles Take Over Chicago 

// Fall Music New Releases 

// Beastgrip Photography Gear for Mobile Phones 

// DRYV The Future of Dry Cleaning 

// Art Alliance : The Provocateurs curated by Shepard Fairey 

// Summer’s Best Threads on the Streets of Chicago 

cuspmagazine.com

CUSP Magazine : Fall Edition 2014

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