First Double Page Spread Draft

Using images I found on the internet and my own editing skills, I created a draft double page spread. This is only the first double-page - I will have to make a second, or at least a single page, in order to fit the rest of the article. This serves as a basis, however, through which I can see how the magazine would be styled.

Article

With a debut album that landed at #1 on the charts, it’s no surprise that Pixel8 has the eyes of the EDM world. We’ve met with her to learn about her, her style – unlike no other – and what comes next…

It’s a cold autumn day in East London. The heavens have opened and unleashed a heavy torrent on the unprepared citizens, and the skies are grey with dark clouds. Inside the restaurant, however, you would have no idea how gloomy it was outside if you didn’t take a look out the window yourself. The bright lights and lively tunes of West Africa, the walls adorned with colourful pieces of art… It was a stark contrast to the outside world. Just like the girl I was speaking to, Celeste Rayne, as she insisted I call her. Her dress was a bright colour, and her big friendly eyes were staring at the table between us. That is, until she started talking. Then it was as if she was eager to share her story with me.

“I’ve always loved this place,” she told me, clearly waiting for me to start off my meal before she did. “Ever since I was a kid I’ve been coming to this place. It’s changed a lot, but it’s always been so upbeat, you know what I mean? I always leave here feeling inspired – or at least very full!” We both laughed together and dug into our food. She told me that the restaurant is owned by her parents, but she insisted that that wasn’t the only reason she enjoyed being there. And eating wasn’t the only reason I was with her, so the conversation quickly turned towards her.

At age twenty, her LP had shot to #1 in the charts. Nightclubs and radios alike were playing her tracks several times a day. Why wouldn’t they be? Her style of music was something that had been missing from the charts for the longest time. At its core, it was electronic music, but at the same time it sounded like the remix of something out of a 90s video game. There was a great charm to it, not just because it was just as bubbly as she was, but because it was a style most people had never heard before. Not to mention that an album name like Lollipops and Gumdrops was inevitably going to turn some heads. “In hindsight, maybe the name was too much,” she admitted, but the grin on her face made me think otherwise.  “It’s like pop music since the songs can be so damn catchy, but it isn’t shooting ponies out at you either. Maybe I’ll balance things out in my next album, Exploding Puppies”. She laughed, but it’s still hard to tell whether or not she was serious.

Still, it’s hard not to admire Celeste. Strange name aside, the LP is certainly one that must be heard, even by the music-lovers out there that aren’t fans of EDM. Even other artists liked what they heard. A few are the tracks on the album are collaborations with other DJs, such as veteran DJ Headhunterz. “He was a lovely guy to work with,” she told me. “Even better, our two styles seemed to complement each other so well. It doesn’t sound too out there – just really upbeat, like all my other tracks!”

From there, the conversation side tracked onto what others thought of her work, but she already had her mind made on where she stood. “I know my album isn’t perfect. To be honest, I doubt I’ll ever think it is. Whenever you have a piece of work, you’ll always find little things that bother you about it. I could work on an album for a decade and still think there’s room for improvement. Everybody does it. At some point I just need to grab my own hands and say enough is enough. That’s not until it sounds great, of course!” And it definitely does.

My eyes had wandered around the restaurant a few times whilst we ate, and my gaze hadn’t gone unnoticed by Celeste.  “It’s nice to look at, right?” She asked, and I nodded in agreement. “I think it influenced me quite a bit. Or at least, the colours in general. We weren’t an especially rich family or anything, but my parents always liked to try and put some colour in my life when they could. And I loved it, as you can see – and hear.”

“It wasn’t easy, making the music and all. The equipment a DJ needs doesn’t come cheap. I had to save up my pocket money to add to what my parents had to give to buy the stuff. Do odd jobs around the neighbourhood. Not to mention I had school and then sixth form to do. When I finally had the equipment, it became my new hobby to just experiment, play with the set. It didn’t sound too great, but I was trying to improve. Then I started asking around for clubs that were looking for somebody to play, but I was too young for that, apparently. So I started posting my tracks on YouTube, Soundcloud, wherever I could.” And we know the story from there – her music hit big and caught the attention of Big Beat Records. The rest is history. “But in the end, I made it – well, I’m still making it. I’m changing up the dance scene, and there’s still so much more to come!”

“If there’s one thing I can take from this, it’s that hard work really does pay off. It was a long journey, and I know it’s not over yet, but I’ve reached my goal and it feels like the best thing in the world. I’m just hoping it only gets better from here.” And it just might, since she’s been confirmed to play at Bestival 2014. “It’s definitely a huge change. One month I’m struggling to find a club I can play at, the next people are inviting me to play in front of thousands! I’m not complaining though!” She started laughing again, and I could see in her eyes – she was genuinely happy that she had made it.

Pixel8’s album, Lollipops and Gumdrops, is available in stores and on iTunes now. Stay tuned for the confirmed dates for Bestival 2014.