Audreyanna Garrett, Feature Editor

What is the value of perfection? Nothing… The air that we breathe, the life we live and the very essence of our being is exactly the same as of someone adorned, or deemed perfect. Society imposes the norm that which so many Americans fix their lives around; the best car, the best figure, the best home, the best family qualities, etc. Happiness, no matter how much we endure to obtain it, should be the object of our perfection. We need to encourage happiness of the simple things in life. So often we learn the essence of life after it is either threatened or taken away. If we can recognize the value in nothing, we will appreciate everything.

Everywhere we turn we see an example of what we need to aspire to be. We see woman and men with the “perfect” figure, the “perfect” career, the “perfect” family and the “perfect” home. I am not trying to entirely criticize and credit society for our problem; parents, in most cases, feed the contradiction by allowing the children to believe that everything they see is what they should aspire to become. Some of these social norms feed into the attitudes of envy, rebellion and hate. I am by no means saying that we should entirely omit social norm because not all are negative, for example, the promotion of healthy living, optimism, education and outlaw of illicit acts; but I am simply suggesting that we reflect on the value of perfection.

Briefly consider life without socialized standards—there would theoretically be no prejudice, segregation or social classes. Social standards encourage social division. If every person is genuinely content in their skin and with their economic situation, there would be no dissension. No rivalry leaves room for peace. The peace that we so desperately long for but do not contribute to. We are guilty of being vulnerable. We are guilty for longing to fit in, so we devalue ourselves; we discredit the very attributes that make us who we are. I am not exactly sure who is setting the standard, but I do know that we are allowing it to continue. We feed into the norm, amplifying the problem by voting against individual choice or frowning upon individualism.

The object of perfection is individual choice and happiness, and with happiness comes wealth. Wealth being defined as an overwhelming presence of peace, love for self, love for neighbors and love for life. If we embrace individualism we will soon understand its gratification. If we consent to expectations acknowledge one another for what we are, we will see the change.

BE YOU. BE INFORMED. BE INSPIRED. BE CHIC.

By: Mical J. Roy, Entertainment Editor

A Culmination of Many Things

 The tone is set and there are an array of moods, all of them reflecting peace and the need to bathe in the moment. Erykah Badu is in concert, and the energy billowing through the Arena is magical. The citizen’s in attendance are grown and unbothered by the smog and debris which fills the world outside. We are literally living IN the moment.

ENTER Neon Collars, Ms. Badu’s headliners, through nothing like any experience you can even begin to decipher. They appear, even before the music starts to be humbled at the experience; nevertheless, please believe they’re going to give you every ounce of energy they possess.

The live band floods the room suffocating every ear drum, so much to the point that the masses stand in awe…breathless. We are studying the lesson being offered on stage, hoping to catch every word, every note, every intricate sound as its being tossed and not thrown at us. The people appear totally satisfied. Neon seems to be so well breed. They don’t move and sing like a band whose existence is rather new. The appear to be quite seasoned, which is one of the reasons we love them.

Every selection is innovative and emergent. We’ve needed this for so long, and how fitting for them to be Erykah Badu’s musical introduction. How could they ever repay her, much rather, how could she ever repay them?

I knew I’d need a minute to march into the world of ‘NEON COLLARS’. Would I possibly be able to find out what inspires such positive energy to a group of young people? This movement they’re giving me as the adom the stage is whimsical. Teen Chic readers, you are going to love this…

 TCM: Where did you all get your name? Is there any specific meaning behind it?

NC: Ours is actually a play on words. Most people categorize their job or occupation in two ways, white or blue collar. We don’t except either and create a new collar, NEON. Being not just one color, yet many that aren’t specific, we are artists, which can be put in any color of the spectrum.

TCM: How long has Neon Collars been an offical group and when did you all get your first gig?

NC: We have only been a group for 5 months, our first show was an Autumn Festival last November in which we were asked to play.

TCM: What do you think motivates Neon Collars collectively and what does everyone bring to the table to complete the group?

NC: We are motivated by the creation of new sounds, ideas and thoughts. We are trying to open minds to something more than staying inside the box of society. We all come from different backgrounds, different parts of the country and bring fresh approaches to something that’s been around since the beginning of time, MUSIC.

 TCM: If you could offer the Teen Chic Mag readers insight pretaining to breaking into the entertainment industry, what would it be?

NC: Persistence - Practice your craft and don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough.

TCM: Besides the beautiful music you all make, what could you say you have in common?

NC: We all have a creative way of seeing life and music. None of us desire trying to do the same thing twice.

TCM: When you all are doing shows and on the go, name 2 things you all can’t live without?

NC: Our IPODS and good food.

TCM: What are your views on the state of our economy right now and how this may affect everyone?

NC: The economy is created to have ups and downs. It affects everyone from teachers to the president. The changes that are being made in congress and in our everyday lives will have to change so that it can become better.

TCM: Do you all consider yourself Jazz, Neo Soul, R&B, etc. or a combination of many things?

NC: To be honest, we don’t categorize ourselves at all. We really just try and create new music, we are a combination of them all because we all are from different musical backgrounds.

TCM: Tell the Teen Chic Mag readers all about your experience headlining for Ms. Erykah Badu?

NC: It was amazing, the energy, the crowd and the music. It seemed as if we hadn’t heard our own music before. It was a great experience that all artists want to feel and we got so much love from the audience at our coming out event.

TCM: Who are some of Neon Collars’ favorite artist?

NC: There are thousands of influences! Some of our favorites are The Foundation, Erykah Badu, Common, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Kanye West and hundres more “out of the box” artists.

TCM: Give us one bold adjective to describe the image you hope is being conveyed?

NC: Innovative.

 


Neon Collars “Reality” Live from FWMJ on Vimeo.

To learn more about Neon Collars, visit them online at www.myspace.com/neoncollars