33 Years of Pure Love: My Life as a Duranie by Maya Garcia
They say you never forget your first love, and in my case I'm lucky- I had five first loves: Simon, Nick, Andy, Roger and John, otherwise known as Duran Duran. Today, August 8, 2015 (or 8.8, as I prefer to call it) marks the 33rd year of my Duranie fandom, or what we'd call my 'Duranniversary' in the fan community. For the most part, in many ways, it's been the happiest relationship of my life. They are so much more than a band to me, they've become a part of my family, their stories have become interwoven within my own, often running in parallel lines, albeit under rather different circumstances, half a world away.
I have spent so much of my life admiring this band and studiously following their careers and lives I hardly know where I start and they begin anymore. This is particularly true with my favorite Duran Duran band member, keyboardist Nick Rhodes. He's been a part of my life for so long now and I know so much about him that I half-jokingly refer to him as my 'other half.' Truthfully, he's been a part of my life longer than both of my marriages combined, let alone any of my other romantic relationships. I know a lot of longtime fans feel the same way about their favorites, but it truly boggles my mind when I think about it. Ever since I was 8 years old (again, the number 8- incidentally, Nick Rhodes was born on the 8th of June: you do the math), Duran Duran has been a part of my life. As a tiny Duranie, dancing around to 'Hungry Like the Wolf,' to that pre-teen girl, who dressed up in makeup and posed for the camera, dreaming about making her favorite fall head over heels for her. As the girl who had floor to ceiling posters, stickers, throw pillows, and every single she could get her hands on (imports too, if you please,) not to mention every other piece of merchandise her parents could afford to buy. That lonely, only child found a home, an outlet, in these five men from England. They showed her that men can wear makeup, dress glamorously and make beautiful music that inspired her to dream, to create, and to not feel so alone.
Even during those "lost years," when I drifted away from the fan base (I was never part of the fan club until I found my way there via social media in 2011), they were still a comforting presence in my life whenever I wanted to reminisce back to my childhood, my more innocent days. My childhood was never easy; in fact it was very traumatic. But Duran Duran were a lifeline in many ways, a happy escape from the duality of coping on the outside, falling apart on the inside, from carrying the weight of sexual and ritual abuse on my shoulders.
I turned to my love of Duran Duran through the darkest days of my life, not just in childhood. After my first marriage fell apart, amidst the devastation it seemed fitting that one of the first things I opened up was my Duran Duran box set of singles (1981-1985), which ironically my ex-husband gave me as a birthday gift a year before we split up. Though the bittersweet memory of listening to it in his car, seat-dancing in unison as he sped down the I-10/Pacific Coast Highway still hurt like hell, I knew that Duran Duran was something that always soothed my soul. Listening to those B-sides again especially brought back so many fond memories. This was something that could never be taken away from me, no matter what else happened in my life.
Duran Duran just so happened to be touring again as I was going through yet another tumultuous shift in my life. It was perfect, cosmic timing, as the second marriage I'd entered into wasn't working out. Deep down I knew it was a mistake early on, yet I persevered. Spending the better part of two years following the band on tour, traveling, making new friends and getting wrapped up in the excitement of the album helped me find my truest self again. I knew that I could stand on my own two feet, I didn't need to settle for an unfulfilling, emotionally-abusive relationship just to avoid being alone. As the Duran Duran song goes, "you don't need anybody, all you need is NOW!"
So now, as yet another new album and full-on tour approaches I face life on my own terms, as a single, self-employed and empowered woman, ready to meet whatever challenges come at me, head on. But I know that Duran Duran will ALWAYS have my back, somehow. They are my "instant happy."
They have given me more joy than pain, more ups than downs, more laughter than tears, and more friendships and years of pure fun than any other. Thank you for always being there for me when I've needed you, for lifting my spirits consistently, and for being an outlet of happy escape through some of the darkest periods of my life. So much more than 'just' a band, hobby, obsession or a crush. Duran Duran is an intrinsic part of my life, and always will be. I love you all, dearly and eternally.
Maya Garcia is a writer, poet, artist, singer and advocate. She has a design firm, Maya’s Divine Designs, and is the author and illustrator of Before the Fire. She is an active member of the survivors’ community, participating in weekly chats on the subjects of sexual abuse and P.T.S.D. and is an outspoken supporter of the “Red My Lips” campaign and Amnesty International.
They say you never forget your first love, and in my case I'm lucky- I had five first loves: Simon, Nick, Andy, Roger and John, otherwise known as Duran Duran. Today, August 8, 2015 (or 8.8, as I prefer to call it) marks the 33rd year of my Duranie fandom, or what we'd call my 'Duranniversary' in the fan community. For the most part, in many ways, it's been the happiest relationship of my life. They are so much more than a band to me, they've become a part of my family, their stories have become interwoven within my own, often running in parallel lines, albeit under rather different circumstances, half a world away.
I have spent so much of my life admiring this band and studiously following their careers and lives I hardly know where I start and they begin anymore. This is particularly true with my favorite Duran Duran band member, keyboardist Nick Rhodes. He's been a part of my life for so long now and I know so much about him that I half-jokingly refer to him as my 'other half.' Truthfully, he's been a part of my life longer than both of my marriages combined, let alone any of my other romantic relationships. I know a lot of longtime fans feel the same way about their favorites, but it truly boggles my mind when I think about it. Ever since I was 8 years old (again, the number 8- incidentally, Nick Rhodes was born on the 8th of June: you do the math), Duran Duran has been a part of my life. As a tiny Duranie, dancing around to 'Hungry Like the Wolf,' to that pre-teen girl, who dressed up in makeup and posed for the camera, dreaming about making her favorite fall head over heels for her. As the girl who had floor to ceiling posters, stickers, throw pillows, and every single she could get her hands on (imports too, if you please,) not to mention every other piece of merchandise her parents could afford to buy. That lonely, only child found a home, an outlet, in these five men from England. They showed her that men can wear makeup, dress glamorously and make beautiful music that inspired her to dream, to create, and to not feel so alone.
Even during those "lost years," when I drifted away from the fan base (I was never part of the fan club until I found my way there via social media in 2011), they were still a comforting presence in my life whenever I wanted to reminisce back to my childhood, my more innocent days. My childhood was never easy; in fact it was very traumatic. But Duran Duran were a lifeline in many ways, a happy escape from the duality of coping on the outside, falling apart on the inside, from carrying the weight of sexual and ritual abuse on my shoulders.
I turned to my love of Duran Duran through the darkest days of my life, not just in childhood. After my first marriage fell apart, amidst the devastation it seemed fitting that one of the first things I opened up was my Duran Duran box set of singles (1981-1985), which ironically my ex-husband gave me as a birthday gift a year before we split up. Though the bittersweet memory of listening to it in his car, seat-dancing in unison as he sped down the I-10/Pacific Coast Highway still hurt like hell, I knew that Duran Duran was something that always soothed my soul. Listening to those B-sides again especially brought back so many fond memories. This was something that could never be taken away from me, no matter what else happened in my life.
Duran Duran just so happened to be touring again as I was going through yet another tumultuous shift in my life. It was perfect, cosmic timing, as the second marriage I'd entered into wasn't working out. Deep down I knew it was a mistake early on, yet I persevered. Spending the better part of two years following the band on tour, traveling, making new friends and getting wrapped up in the excitement of the album helped me find my truest self again. I knew that I could stand on my own two feet, I didn't need to settle for an unfulfilling, emotionally-abusive relationship just to avoid being alone. As the Duran Duran song goes, "you don't need anybody, all you need is NOW!"
So now, as yet another new album and full-on tour approaches I face life on my own terms, as a single, self-employed and empowered woman, ready to meet whatever challenges come at me, head on. But I know that Duran Duran will ALWAYS have my back, somehow. They are my "instant happy."
They have given me more joy than pain, more ups than downs, more laughter than tears, and more friendships and years of pure fun than any other. Thank you for always being there for me when I've needed you, for lifting my spirits consistently, and for being an outlet of happy escape through some of the darkest periods of my life. So much more than 'just' a band, hobby, obsession or a crush. Duran Duran is an intrinsic part of my life, and always will be. I love you all, dearly and eternally.
Maya Garcia is a writer, poet, artist, singer and advocate. She has a design firm, Maya’s Divine Designs, and is the author and illustrator of Before the Fire. She is an active member of the survivors’ community, participating in weekly chats on the subjects of sexual abuse and P.T.S.D. and is an outspoken supporter of the “Red My Lips” campaign and Amnesty International.
Features: Why I want the Manic Street Preachers to be huge in America, and why I don't. By Maya Garcia
It's no secret that I love the Manic Street Preachers, or 'Manics,' as they're more affectionately known by their legion of fans. I've made that pretty clear, to most of my family and friends. But what I haven't explained to very many people is why I'm such a passionate supporter of this band of 'rebels' from Blackwood, Wales.
First of all, the Manics often say the things most people are afraid to say. They are 'rabble rousers,' disrupters in the truest sense of the word. They 'preach' about everything from the subjugation of women to the globalization of the world's economy, in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. That might have something to do with the fact that Nicky Wire, bassist and poet laureate of the band, was a political science major at University. And it shows. But what I also love about this band are their sense of style, their 'DIY punk destruction,' 'fuck it all' attitude. They don't care who loves them, and who doesn't. That's always refreshing in an industry that, frankly, gets on my last nerve with kowtowing to public demand. It may have hindered their success in America to a certain extent, but they don't care.
Having said that, they have been doing a bang-up job, publicizing the North American leg of their most recent,'The Holy Bible' tour. In honor of the 20th-anniversary reissue of that album's posthumous release. I had the opportunity to see the Manics play in my hometown of Chicago, at the Metro, as part of the tour. Needless to say, they rocked- hard. They played 'The Holy Bible' in its entirety. In addition, they added a few other choice gems. 'A Design for Life,' and 'You Stole the Sun From Heart,' a nod to the dearly-departed former rhythm guitarist and co-lyricist Richey Edwards, who disappeared just shy of the Manics' U.S. Tour in 1995. Even folks who don't know the Manics' music know of the disappearance of Edwards, who was presumed dead in 2008, after the search officially ended. While it adds to their legend, you sometimes forget the impact it had on the lives of those he left behind. I can't help but wonder- would the Manics have been as at least as popular in America as a few other British bands, such as Blur or maybe even Radiohead, had Richey not disappeared? I've also wondered if perhaps one day he'll just show up out of the blue like Syd Barrett did. Who knows for sure? He could be selling alpaca meat in Patagonia (where many Manics fans fantasize he ended up escaping to) for all we know. But one thing's for sure- the Manics were never going to be an easy sell to the American market, who prefer their British bands 'shoegazey,' or 'floppy-haired' and pretty. The Manics' brand of piss n' vinegar, in-your-face politics, sleazy-glam sex appeal and openly-Marxist views, might leave a bad taste in the mouth of some American music journalists. But not this one. I say bring it, motor-mouthed, sex on long-legs, Nicky Wire, silky-voiced, charming as all get out James Dean Bradfield, and co.! Except for one problem- the sense of ownership I seem to have with this band, after having been their supporter and champion for nearly 20 years. What's a girl to do? I've spent so long talking them up and defending them on two continents, if they suddenly became famous in America I'd have to find some other band to champion. And God forbid, what if they stopped being- controversial?! My poor little heart can't even fathom the notion!
So while I genuinely wish them every success on both sides of the pond, I do hope they never lose their spitfire attitude and 'manic' energy. May they retain their constant need to right the wrongs of our society because somebody's gotta do it. And this girl isn't well-known enough to be the only one constantly getting up on her soapbox for causes! So keep on, keepin' on, boys, and Godspeed! Stay beautiful. xxx
Music-Inspired Art, by Maya Garcia
Inspiration 101, by Maya Garcia
To kick things off, I'd like to share some things that have inspired me to create this blog. Namely, the good "old-fashioned" 'zine; an underground publication geared towards passions, hobbies and various subcultures. These publications were cheaply produced, sold for next to nothing, and very low-tech in terms of graphics. But there was something sexy and alluring about their free-spirited ethos, and the writing was often edgy and entertaining. The spirit of the 'zine is sorely lacking in modern media, in my opinion. While I recognize that reading this blog on a tablet, smartphone or laptop hardly has the same sex appeal as holding a cheap piece of newsprint, which invariably stained your fingers, I hope it will still capture the carefree spirit of the classic 'zine.
So what do I know about 'zines, or about the era during which they thrived? Well, for starters I was born in the mid-70's, so smack dab in the middle of the Disco era. With pulsating basslines and electro strings ringing in my ears I spent my formative years listening to as much music as I could digest on either my orange Fisher Price vinyl record player, or on my grandma's honking great big vintage radio. From the Beatles and Motown of my parent's collections to the 80's New Wave/Electro of my own personal stash, I became a music junkie from a very tender age.
Leading up to dance, house and eventually goth/industrial in the late 80's/early 90's, this was around the time that I started to embrace the subcultures surrounding the music, and the late-night club scene, once I was old enough to purchase a fake I.D. (Shh- my mom might be reading this!)
I also discovered the 'zine at this time, from the hours I spent perusing the aisles of record stores. The British music magazines and underground 'zines were always more alluring to me than Spin or Rolling Stone, though I respected their place in the industry, as institutions. After all, my favorite band, Duran Duran, had made the cover of Rolling Stone, so it couldn't be ALL bad, right? But I knew somehow even then that the raw energy and passion of the 'zines excited and entertained me so much more, despite the primitive design and cheap materials used to produce them. You could find 'zines dedicated to every favorite flavor, no matter how obscure, quirky or even kinky those flavors might be.
Something was lost along the way, in the rush to digitize everything. The heart, soul and creativity might still be there, but the "fuck it all" attitude, the willingness to take risks, no matter how crazy or naive they might seem, has almost gone from the publishing industry. Much like the music industry those 'zines were often part and parcel of, in my opinion.
So here's to the 'zine revival! For your viewing pleasure, I submit a few sites that serve as virtual museums, dedicated to the humble yet mighty 'zine. Enjoy!
'Zines of the 80's and 90's:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193825@N00/sets/72157626536509786/
"Skate and Annoy:" a 'zine for the digital age!
http://skateandannoy.com/galleries/zines/
"Before the blog – zines from the 80s…"
http://pirancafe.com/2007/03/15/before-the-blog-zines-from-the-80s/
To kick things off, I'd like to share some things that have inspired me to create this blog. Namely, the good "old-fashioned" 'zine; an underground publication geared towards passions, hobbies and various subcultures. These publications were cheaply produced, sold for next to nothing, and very low-tech in terms of graphics. But there was something sexy and alluring about their free-spirited ethos, and the writing was often edgy and entertaining. The spirit of the 'zine is sorely lacking in modern media, in my opinion. While I recognize that reading this blog on a tablet, smartphone or laptop hardly has the same sex appeal as holding a cheap piece of newsprint, which invariably stained your fingers, I hope it will still capture the carefree spirit of the classic 'zine.
So what do I know about 'zines, or about the era during which they thrived? Well, for starters I was born in the mid-70's, so smack dab in the middle of the Disco era. With pulsating basslines and electro strings ringing in my ears I spent my formative years listening to as much music as I could digest on either my orange Fisher Price vinyl record player, or on my grandma's honking great big vintage radio. From the Beatles and Motown of my parent's collections to the 80's New Wave/Electro of my own personal stash, I became a music junkie from a very tender age.
Leading up to dance, house and eventually goth/industrial in the late 80's/early 90's, this was around the time that I started to embrace the subcultures surrounding the music, and the late-night club scene, once I was old enough to purchase a fake I.D. (Shh- my mom might be reading this!)
I also discovered the 'zine at this time, from the hours I spent perusing the aisles of record stores. The British music magazines and underground 'zines were always more alluring to me than Spin or Rolling Stone, though I respected their place in the industry, as institutions. After all, my favorite band, Duran Duran, had made the cover of Rolling Stone, so it couldn't be ALL bad, right? But I knew somehow even then that the raw energy and passion of the 'zines excited and entertained me so much more, despite the primitive design and cheap materials used to produce them. You could find 'zines dedicated to every favorite flavor, no matter how obscure, quirky or even kinky those flavors might be.
Something was lost along the way, in the rush to digitize everything. The heart, soul and creativity might still be there, but the "fuck it all" attitude, the willingness to take risks, no matter how crazy or naive they might seem, has almost gone from the publishing industry. Much like the music industry those 'zines were often part and parcel of, in my opinion.
So here's to the 'zine revival! For your viewing pleasure, I submit a few sites that serve as virtual museums, dedicated to the humble yet mighty 'zine. Enjoy!
'Zines of the 80's and 90's:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27193825@N00/sets/72157626536509786/
"Skate and Annoy:" a 'zine for the digital age!
http://skateandannoy.com/galleries/zines/
"Before the blog – zines from the 80s…"
http://pirancafe.com/2007/03/15/before-the-blog-zines-from-the-80s/