LEGENDmag.net » Branded Independent

Life is hard without balance. Melinda Penny is holding a “bootcamp” to help you find your balance!

Rai-mon Nemar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:43:50 +0000

If you’re in the Sacramento Area do yourself a favor and make sure you sign up for this boot camp. You’ll be glad that you did. For more information just search health balance 3 on facebook.

Life is hard without balance. Melinda Penny is holding a “bootcamp” to help you find your balance! is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

“I create art for people with my flowers”….world meet Aili Ice

Rai-mon Nemar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:04:09 +0000

There’s alot going on in the world of art these days. Some have called it a renaissance, while others simply say it’s a reaction to all the corporate bull that we get pushed. While we’ve cover fine art, street art, multimedia, design, archeticture and everything in between, we’ve been hard pressed to find a florist who considers them self to be more artist then business person or at the very list equal parts of both. Aili Ice is such a person, make sure you check her out whenever you get a chance.

“I create art for people with my flowers”….world meet Aili Ice is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

Independent Arts High Holy Days

Chris West — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:04:56 +0000

Though not a member of the tribe, one of the things I always coveted about the lives of my Hebraic friends was High Holy Days. I still do, I may convert one day. Until then, it occurred to me recently that the next month here in San Francisco is a kind of High Holy Days for fans of locally produced Independent Art.

It all kicks off on September 26th with the Expo for Independent Arts, a day-long showcase of community resources for independent artists and musicians. If you’re involved with any phase of producing or encouraging independent art, there’s liable to be something for you there. And this year it’s in the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park, which should be especially nifty.

The next weekend, on October 4th, Scary Cow, a local independent film co-op, is screening films from their ninth round at the Victoria Theatre. Scary Cow provides aspiring local filmmakers an opportunity to pool their resources with others and learn the craft of making movies by, well, actually making movies, and has been responsible for producing over 100 short films in the past year alone. The screening will give you a chance to see what people can make on their own, and find out how you can get involved.

A few days after that, San Francisco hosts Litquake from October 9-17. This nine-day long celebration of literature features a host of local writers reading at venues all around town. There are also literary-themed music and film events. Whatever your chosen art form is, inspiration will abound.

Finally, on consectuive weekends from October 3rd through November 1st you can experience Open Studios. Artists in a cross-section of neighborhoods around the city open up their (you guessed it) studios and display their wares. It’s both a great chance to support local artists financially, and a fascinating opportunity to literally enter their creative spaces.

Nobody will get to miss school or work for this series of “holidays”, but we truly are blessed to live in an area where independent artists have so many opportunities to make and share their art. Let’s spend the next month celebrating!

Independent Arts High Holy Days is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

Phonte of Foreign Exchange breaks it down further “iTunes draconian methods”

Rai-mon Nemar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:16:43 +0000

This was video posted September 9th and I just wanted to make you seen it, this is a follow up to the story we posted last week in regards to Foreign Exchange sending listeners to buy the album from anywhere but iTunes!

Phonte of Foreign Exchange breaks it down further “iTunes draconian methods” is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

The 'indietwins' are giving thanks to indies and you should be there!

Rai-mon Nemar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:24:16 +0000

Be sure to check out Independent Artists’ Week Sunday September 6th – September 12th. You know that the Independent Lifestyle Magazine is going to be there with our partners in full force so make sure you roll through as well. In the mean time….read up on the events founders.

Where are you from?
Melonie: We are from Memphis TN

Where do you look for inspiration?
Melonie: We look to artists, youth and the desire for expansion.

Where is your favorite spot on earth?
Melonie: San Francisco *Mithcell’s Ice Cream (haha);
Melorra: My room so I can stare at my papasan but I can’t sit in it b/c it puts me to sleep and I have too much work to do!

Where is the best place to start?
Melonie: The best place to start is right where you are! Don’t think about what you don’t have, who you dont know. Start now! Start immediately. Even if that means writing down your goals and setting a plan.

How did you start?
Melonie: We started out working with film festivals. *first one- Urbanworld Film Festival in New York, NY; next- SF Black Film Festival (San Fran).

How did you decide on this path/thing?
Melonie: We saw a need. 1. A need for ego free collaboration and creation of opportunities. 2. A need for an official celebration of Independent Artists of all genres and mediums.

How many times have you wanted to quit?
Melonie: Probably twice… where you have one of those “really bad business moments” those suck and it just makes you want to say “fudge it” but since that is not an option (this is our destiny and passion) we could never quit…

How do you pay your bills?
Melonie: We work with non-profits and are contracted to program events or programs that incorporate the artists we work with.

How do you become legendary?
Melonie: Still on the path to that. I’ll let you know when we “arrive” which I hear you never “arrive”.

What makes you good?
Melonie: Continual work, never feeling like you know everything, always seeking to be better, and always asking questions.

What is your end goal?
Melonie: Have indie be the “mainstream” sort of… Self sufficiency for most artists,
Melorra: And when Martians on the moon have IAW – we will feel complete.

What is your style?
Ego free!
What is your formula?
Ego free!

Who influences you?
Father, mother, aunts…

Who is on your team?
Melonie & Melorra: Malcolm Garvey, DJ Delrokz, Mandeep Sethi, segue, and a host of friends that just call out the blue to say “hey I will work the door for you or what day do you need me to help”… but so many to name and when you name people you forget someone. So let’s stop there.

Why are you independent?
Because we have to be!

Why do you do what you do?
Social butterflies should use their powers for good!

Why should we care?
Melonie: Because everyone knows an artist and if you want to stop loaning them money, you better care enough to jump on the movement to get them self sufficient and successful!
Melorra: I think you should care because you already do. I’m a firm believer that MOST people can appreciate good art. It’s everywhere! We strive to keep GOOD art alive, self expression alive, with no boundaries, no color lines, no gender lines, no sexuality lines, lines are meant to be crossed in the arts. We cross them every day! You do too… sometimes you just don’t know it.

Why don’t most people make it?
Melonie: They don’t try long enough. When the “glory” doesn’t come in the form they expect, they quit. You MUST keep pushing, you must realize the hallmarks in your path and keep going.

The 'indietwins' are giving thanks to indies and you should be there! is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

Indie beer brewery "The Stone" goes verticle on 9.9.09

Rai-mon Nemar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:37:36 +0000

If you haven’t seen the movie Beer Wars yet, you’re going to be excited to here about the screenings we have scheduled soon in San Francisco and Sacramento (information TBA). But until then you’re going to need something to hold you over and we say why not let it be beer. If you’re thinking we would suggest some tasteless beer that identifies themself more by brand then fine tasting brews you’d be wrong there, indies do it right…..great branding AND a great product.

The Stone Brewery knows what you like and to prove it they started making their Verticle Epic Ale brew series in on 2.2.02, we think they tell it best.

(from The Stone brew blog)

When I hear the term “epic,” I think of things like Beowulf and Jan Crouch’s hairdo. However, the term isn’t solely reserved for grandiose tales of heroism and towering pink wigs. It can apply to finely crafted beer too, as we’ve proven year after year with our Belgian-inspired Stone Vertical Epic Ale series. Beginning with the first release in 02.02.02, our Stone Vertical Epic Ale series is an eleven-year series with a new edition released one year, one month, and one day after the previous, culminating in a truly Epic vertical tasting on 12.12.12.

The last few Stone Vertical Epic Ales have been lighter in color, but this year’s Ale is a sinfully dark Belgian Porter, and instead of using American hops like last year, we’re using two European hop strains: Perle and Magnum. Staying true to the series, this year’s batch also comes packed with some unique, mouth-watering ingredients. If you follow us on Twitter, you already know what some of them are.

Here’s what they twitted – Four delicious facts about Stone 09.09.09 Vertical Epic Ale 1)Tangerine Peel 2)Vanilla Beans 3)Chocolate Malt 4)French Oak. More facts soon!
We can’t wait!

Indie beer brewery "The Stone" goes verticle on 9.9.09 is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

Indie alert! Make sure your face isn't being used by advertisers on facebook.

Rai-mon Nemar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:29:39 +0000

*Indie Alert*
IMPORTANT – Facebook has agreed to let third party advertisers use your posted pictures. Although they do have an opt out feature, if you don’t opt out, you’re in.
Here’s what to do:
Click on SETTINGS up where you see the log out link.

Select PRIVACY SETTINGS.

Select NEWS FEEDS AND WALL.

Select the tab that reads FACE BOOK ADS.

There is a drop down box, select NO ONE.

Save your changes.
(Thank indies Elliott for the information and Mylan for passing along! )

Indie alert! Make sure your face isn't being used by advertisers on facebook. is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

Independent beer companies across the nation are battling the big guys, the Beer Wars are under way.

Rai-mon Nemar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:22:19 +0000

If you are even a casual beer drinker, I’d say you have to have noticed small beers moving into your favorite pubs and bars at higher rates and the push back by the bigger guys marketing themselves as lagers instead of “the king of beers” and trying to let you know they put hops in “three times during the process”. It sounds fairly despret especially when set up along side great beer brewers like Full Sail Brewing Company out of Portland. I’m excited to see the shake out but have no doubt who we’re rooting for.

Independent beer companies across the nation are battling the big guys, the Beer Wars are under way. is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

Apple (itunes) bites LEGENDmag, with indie-pendence day campaign

Rai-mon Nemar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:07:00 +0000

We figure we won’t do alot of talking about it we’ll let you be the judge!

Our INDIEpendence day campaign ’09

or maybe try 2 years ago

Apple (itunes) bites LEGENDmag, with indie-pendence day campaign is a post from: LEGENDmag.net

Murphy-Goode Winery Holds Contest for Employment

kc! Bradshaw — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:11:53 +0000

Nothing like independent thinking outside the box, right? Well Murphy-Goode has done just that by holding a contest to win 6 months of employment as their social media coordinator. The requirements were simple:

–Create a 60-second video
–Submit an application
–Promote the crap out of your video
–Wait for the votes to roll in!

The winner gets a job making $10,000 per month, for six months, serving as the winery’s own lifestyle correspondent in Healdburg! WOO!

We have been going through the videos and love the concept. As expected they run the gamut from dry and boring, to fun and creative. But LEGENDmag’s own Sabina Fowler has entered and (as biased as we already are) we think it is top notch!

Nevertheless, whatever happens from the contest… it is refreshing to see that indie companies continue to lead the way in creative employment techniques!

Watch all the videos here.

Murphy-Goode Winery Holds Contest for Employment is a post from: LEGENDmag.net