Category: The Publications

Welcome to our second installment of Social Changes! Just as a recap, the only way we experience revival in trends and traditions is after social changes motivate us to reflect on our lives. So, in honor of all the changes that bring us to our lives today, we decided to write about all the major eras of mass movements in 20th century America.

This week, we will be focusing on Y2K! There were technology advances and smooth lines, energy efficiency and even a new subculture-gaining-momentum. How can you possibly come up with so much new stuff without somehow having a retro counterpart? In fact, while iPods and shiny new cars all seem like brand-new concepts, the actual technology boom itself already happened in the same fashion once before. Subcultures like Steampunk and Grunge (yes, even grunge) emerge the same way that flappers and beatniks once did to challenge the mainstream culture of each respective era.

So regarding Y2K: Lots of things were bubbling over. The internet itself was becoming more and more popular and less and less dial-up. Technology and media were entering a surplus situation where users experienced mass web accessibility. Anyone could get online and use a search engine to find information on almost anything. Ironically, while the internet itself was a new commodity for the public, the idea of mass media distribution was also a plagiarized idea from the moment in history where the printing press was made for commercial use.

The idea of countercultures or subcultures within a larger society wasn’t new either. In fact, for every mainstream group, there will be individuals who prefer unique living. Countless comparisons exist throughout the greater part of history broadly. For the earlier segment of the 1900s, this included the beatniks (predecessors of the hippies), flappers that challenged conservative views, hippies that challenged pretty much every aspect of traditional lifestyles in America, and so forth. But, we will get there. Steampunk and Grunge countercultures were just the popular nonconformist trends of the 2000 decade. Their overall tastes were in dark, rock n’ roll styles and later-emerging Steampunk features Victorian derivations and intricate designs in a punk-rock fusion.

The 2000 decade was also known for change in that the protests continued for environmental protection, saving whales, and the drive began building for a later Occupy Wall Street as the minimum wage began to rise by minimum increments. Protests also evolved to include members through invitations on social media platforms, making the turnout for these events exponentially larger. Take, for instance, the women’s march on Washington as being one of the recent examples of this evolution. The showing of people for such the event outnumbered those who attended the presidential inauguration of 2017. The effect of mass media onto protests also made their efforts (the earliest of their kind being in the early to mid-2000s) more available to potential supporters.

Tune in next week for another installment of the Series of Social Change, brought to you by the Retro Revival Blog. Stay curious, darlings!

This pedal was a unique acquisition of mine almost a year ago, and it has taken a very special place in my heart (and in my special effects cupboard). It stays at home for a few reasons, first and foremost it is very difficult to reign in in a live setting. the volume control going from the 8 o clock position to the 9o clock position has a nearly 10 decibel boost, which makes controlling it in a live or practice setting harder. Secondly, this is a character pedal, it has it”s own very unique flavor that goes beyond what a Big Muff Pi, or most other pedals go, and the contour control increases the “broken” sound it has. I personally like cracking the contour and doing double string bends and Nashville bends, resulting in the notes phasing each others waves out which sounds AMAZING (to me) and serves as a unique sound that one has to push any other fuzz much farther. The artwork on this pedal is also worthy of praise on its own, using iconography from the classic “Legend of Zelda” game franchise, hence the name of the pedal and the character of the tone, essentially it is a bit crusher & fuzz. I have used it on guitar solos and it is thought to be “too extreme” depending on the context it is placed in, but it has an irrevocable character to it and for that I love this pedal.

The company is now run by FuzzGoddess and the pedal and its siblings can be found at http://www.fuzzgoddess.com/bit/.

The DeviEver Legend of Fuzz gets a 4/5 losing points for the difficulty in regards to reeling in the great qualities it has for live use.

The Retro Revival always acknowledges and often emphasizes the many aesthetics of years gone by, and it sometimes seems like we don’t reference the changes that took place over time that molded the society we live in. It is easy to forget why we are reviving concepts of the retro culture in the first place, so we decided to start a mini-series of monthly publications about eras of social change that helped fuel major transitions in American culture. Where better to start our journey than talking about today?

In today’s society, we can observe vehicles of change about nearly everything. In macrocosmic levels, look at the protests that have taken place in the US regarding remaining unrest for the political elections this year for an example of what fuels social change. Persuasion can be identified everywhere to support the needs and wants of the greater majority. But let’s take into perspective a microcosmic, less-political experience: in Harpie’s town, there are debates currently ongoing about the use of local emergency services versus outsourcing. People have actively come out to argue their positions to try and keep local services local, indeed. Another grassroots movement earlier that we all recognize from the site, DORIS, sought after preserving a one-of-a-kind landmark. These are all acting as agents of change. Regardless of context, however; one theme remains constant: these activists want to change the minds of those in charge. They fuel others to think critically about their lives, what programs affect them, and the communities they live in. Collectively, this is what drives changes to our environments.

So let’s examine some classic tactics for instigating change that has been utilized for nearly 200 years. Sit-ins, protests, walks and congregations, petitions, and even legal battles have been waged to help people modify their situations. Take a look at DORIS and their use of almost every method aforementioned, Stand with Standing Rock and their weeks-long sit-ins that captured international attention, Occupy Wall Street in a similar fashion, or even the Justice Democrat Movement which focuses on regulating the party’s standards of conduct. When an activist or group of activists disputes a suggestion or challenges the status quo, using tactics helps gain media attention and the hope for recruiting more like-minded thinkers.

During these arguments, influential figures (most often) try to maintain the simplest, most subjectively compelling circumstances they can. They act in such a way regardless of if it compromises the integrity of sacred land (Standing Rock), public interest (Occupy Wall Street), or even the necessities of life, like water (Standing Rock, most pipelines).

Every single one of these change directives has roots and derivations from past experiences. Standing Rock, for example, has themes back as far as the Battle of Wounded Knee. As baffling as it sounds that in 2017 we are still having fights erupt over land demarcation, it is all the same. Not only does Standing Rock suffer the damages to their land, but we also run a high risk of potential water contamination. Sound familiar? It should: think about Flint, Michigan or the constant problems that the Levittowns experienced in tap water becoming contaminated with domestic washing machine wastes. All these things have some historical counterparts.

Occupy Wall Street is probably an estranged twin of the Tammany Hall corruption ring except in the finance world. The people in lower classes got sick of hearing about higher values of companies that they shared stocks in while their wages and stock values did not see any of the increases that others in the upper echelons bragged about. How are the average people supposed to feed their families when the richest rich don’t feel like sharing? The lack of trickle-down, much like the withheld wealth from Tammany Hall from 1954-1934, serves as a reminder of why these protests are, in fact timeless.

Democrat Justice Movement seems to be instigated as a result of people trying preventative measures against another LBJ tactic. (Author’s note, LBJ [Lyndon B. Johnson] had a reputation for using intimidation against individuals who he felt would challenge his opinions. He would use his imposing figure to stand over other people as they spoke to him while in office). While this seems petty, it has more to do with ensuring that no representative abuses power or oppresses another person or group. In order to prevent acts of bullying or intimidation within the political party, the Democrat Justice Movement seeks to impose higher standards of conduct on the entire party.

Where does the change end? Well that’s easy: changes never end if we continue to strive toward a classic vision of a happy community. Stay curious, darlings.

Chunky cable-knit sweaters, itchy scarves, and pom-pom adorned hats are all things that come to mind when we think of vintage knitting. Winter (and autumn) is the time of year when the knitting needles reappear out of nowhere and suddenly the entire family has the same pair of heavy wool socks from the household knit addict. Cold weather has always been a time of creating new things from a good ball of yarn, but the revival of blissfully warm sweaters and cozy shawls has commenced!

Knitting has a sort of second life these days. What was once the craft of choice for grandmothers and Amish women alike has become a booming industry for whomever is brave enough to pick up a pair of needles. It has been around for generations, and although there was a lull in the craft’s popularity, it has only grown into an empire in the last ten years, roughly.

Especially in the preparation for the two major World Wars, knitting became a way for women to engage in the efforts to support troops overseas. From there, the interest and addiction to knit stayed rather constant. Sometimes, there were declines in the overall numbers of knitters, but in the grand scheme of things, the craft has stayed alive. In the most recent years, (approx. 2009-), knitting has gained serious praise and popularity across the nation once again. Although not fueled by necessity or war efforts, knitting became a stylish method of hobby uptake.

For those who have stigmatized knitting into the ‘chunky, itchy sweaters that great-grandmother used to force on the kids in December’, this classic craft has many different displays of elegance, for both beginners and experts alike. Look at the wares of Forever 21, Macy’s, J.C.Penney’s and other name brand carriers for the rapid marketing of all things knit and nuzzle-worthy. Pair a sweater or capelet with your favorite skirt, long wool socks, or toasty mittens. For the gentlemen, warm socks and felt hats match marvelously for a timeless, shamelessly snug wintry-welcoming outing. Bundle up, darlings!

The recent premier of the televised “Hairspray Live” with its star-studded cast has me pondering. Across the country, people were thrilled about this particular show- so much that viewing parties were established and ornate, authentic vintage costumes were prepared. Questions are beckoned to be answered.

What is it about ‘Hairspray’ specifically that the entire country of fans went absolutely nuts? We have some theories. As a little background, both of us watched the show from start to end and loved it. First of all, there is a not-so-subtle desire that a great fraction of America shares to bring back the iconic aesthetic and ‘vibe’ of midcentury and postwar American pop culture. Second, our political climate has reflected this, but in a unique way. Third, people long for unity, compassion, understanding, and love. Interracial (or intersecting denominations of any sort, really) relationships, friendships, and interactions shouldn’t be taboo after all we have been through in this land of ours or anywhere across the world. Finally, everyone has a perspective of ‘the good old days’ that they long for… But here’s the catch: The good old days were different experiences for people. So here we are, going into 2017, and collectively, there needs to be some serious dialogue going on what good old days look like without compromising the integrity of any one group. Cue in ‘revivalism’: we bring back the good traits without the lingering negativity. So let’s dive into ‘Hairspray Live’.

Let’s finally say it together: Vintage is IN! Retro is hip! Classic is the way to go! While there is so much resistance out there, I thoroughly affirm that there is something about the yesteryears that is appealing to the general public. Keep your eyes open for the blatant and obvious signs: like Forever21 and Macy’s selling circle skirts, vinyl records of your modern favorites popping up, or the evidence of happiness in the small moments of life with younger people. But let’s dig more. The biggest theme of ‘Hairspray’ is integration and unity. Aren’t we dealing with the same fight for equality today as we were before? Usually we could say that the difference now is that we are civil and don’t sic dogs or use fire hoses against peaceful protesters, but Standing Rock voided that statement. It is all the same fight for love and peace on Earth. This is nothing new, and unity is timeless, people! So yes, be a checkerboard chick- and dance with everyone of every color and denomination. This is also part of the third reason. There is a longing for unity and for retro. What a swell, nifty, neato concept!

Moving right along… The political climate (which we both look at each other and cringe about) reflects the desire people have to go back to another time, which ties into the final point as well. People voted for a president this year in America, and as the world knows, Donald Trump is slated to begin his term. Why did people vote for him? He promised change and to reinstate ‘greatness’ again. When people hear the word ‘great’ they think of the good times rolling, just like Sam Cooke always sang about. The word ‘again’ denotes that there was a greatness before. The conflict occurs when everyone has a different sense of what ‘great’ was and if it applies to them. So let’s go to the textbook example of the early 1960s. Its getting hippie-ish but still retains the poise and clean-cut domestic expectation of the 50s. Racial tensions are rampant and the number of peaceful protests grows routinely. These are the good old days for a middle class homeowner in a Caucasian neighborhood. I can’t ever morally attest to these being such good old days for the gentleman who is middle class, African American, and is getting ripped to pieces by a German Shephard police dog for sitting on a curb outside an all-white bowling alley. When we say ‘great again’ what I think people really mean is bring back (or Retro Revive) the aesthetic; the drive for positive change; peace, unity, and dance; and the neighborliness that I guarantee we all secretly (or openly) want from one another. That’s all anyone could ever want, no?

So with this in mind, a live musical set in the early 1960s was an inevitable success on national television. It was everything we all wanted packaged, tied with a ribbon, and delivered by your preference of cable provider. Thank you ‘Hairspray’ for being the latest staple of Retro Living. Cheers, darlings!

Is the world moving too rapidly to stop and smell the gingerbread? NO! We dictate how quickly the world moves. This time of year, it’s especially important to slow down and make the moments count. Christmas is one of the greatest opportunities to celebrate all that we have: family, friends, good will, joy, and the best things in the world that money just can’t buy. Even for those who celebrate differently through Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Diwali or anything else, its about spreading the spirit of humility, life, and good fortune. Back in the day, the elaborate Christmas parties, ornate dishes of jellos and cookies that piled to the ceiling were standard to the host and hostess. Christmas cards and season greetings were sure to fill mailboxes for days!

Times have changed for better and worse since the days of Burl Ives, but there are so many ways to harness the warmth of the season from ages past. Last year’s Pledge Commercial (click on it!) was precious in highlighting what attributes of a holiday people want to keep close. Family and traditions are a brilliant source of spirit lifting- no matter how small or large.

The real question is how can we spread the spirit? Well, the greatest way to give others a lasting sense of love and community is subjective. For us, cookies and cards are the seasonal sentiments. There’s something incomparable about coming home to the sweet scent of ginger-raisin cookies and a stack of cards on the table. Money can buy ingredients, envelopes, and postage. What we sometimes forget in the rise of prices is that coins and paper can’t tell us what sentiments belong inside a card. Money can’t decide who needs a warm cookie from your oven or what families could use company on a cold winter’s night. While it seems to commercialize the season, the best gifts are the ones that have heart.

It is so important in this political climate to spread the goodness in who we are, be us Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Rastafarian…. you can be a turkey sandwich if you’d like… so this means that political correctness isn’t always right. Saying ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah’ isn’t wrong. It is offering your sentiments of happiness or ‘merrriness’ to a person on a given celebration. This doesn’t obligate the person to celebrate your holiday. So this year, spread the love and human spirit in whatever way you feel can help another.

The most vintage December, regardless of what you celebrate, is one that your heart is devoted to. So this year, go the extra mile!  Learn a new recipe and share your creations, ship out some cards to people you haven’t talked to in a while, invite over friends, decorate to your heart’s content- but most importantly, make those around you feel the love. After all, the retro postcards of wintertime funzies all centralize around the same idea: celebration. Have a very Merry December, darlings!