By Shannon Neu, Staff Writer

Publish in print Mar. 25, 2015

An excited crowd gathered in The Crown at the Carolina Theater on Saturday evening to celebrate the release of AMPLIFIER’s Volume 3, Issue 1 and two-year anniversary. The celebration show featured local bands 1970s Film Stock, Earth Mover, Ivadell and The Bronzed Chorus.

AMPLIFIER is a Greensboro-based magazine that features businesses, local artists and other inspirational individuals. Through a wide variety of stories and interviews from multiple contributors with diverse backgrounds, the publication promotes local culture in North Carolina.

AMPLIFIER’s founder and editor-in-chief, Jen Hasty, strongly believes in the importance of individuals taking charge of their careers and creating their own opportunities. “I realized that in a city like this you have to make your own opportunities,” Hasty said regarding figuring out her career path after graduating from UNC-Greensboro with a degree in English. She established AMPLIFIER two years ago to gain experience and to give local artists an opportunity to have their voices heard. It has since opened up other opportunities for Jen, such as an associate editor position with Pace Communications.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without AMPLIFIER,” Hasty revealed. “AMPLIFIER helped me become who I am now and I will never take it for granted.”

Hasty was inspired to consider pursuing a career in journalism after taking a journalism course in high school with an influential teacher whom she still considers to be a lifelong mentor. Other publications she has worked for include MAGNET Magazine, an alternative music magazine based out of Philadelphia, and MXDWN Magazine, which is based out of Los Angeles.

AMPLIFIER covers a wide range of topics, which makes it stand out from other alternative magazines. “It would be great if it were nationally known,” Hasty mentioned, discussing her hopes for the future of AMPLIFIER. “We are doing something that no one else has done. You have your music magazines that are just dedicated to music. We’re dedicated not only to music but to underground everything.”

Since its first issue, AMPLIFIER has grown from being published in a zine format to being published as a magazine with bleeded pages and perfect binding. Its first issue contained 24 pages that Jen printed and stapled herself. AMPLIFIER’s newest issue contains about 90 pages. “It has surpassed the whole ‘zine culture and come into an actual magazine,” Jen explained proudly.

Each band on the event’s lineup performed energetic sets that well represented the alternative music culture of the Carolinas.

1970s Film Stock, a duo from Winston-Salem, N.C., performed a set that displayed distinctive musicianship. Eddie Garcia’s guitar virtuosity and interesting distortion combined with Ben Braxton’s syncopated rhythms, mixed meters and overall impressive musical talent, created a memorable sound.

Earth Mover, hailing from Boone, N.C., performed next. They drew the audience in by incorporating a powerful instrumental sound, dreamy guitar features, and a deeply emotional element into their music through different musical techniques.

Ivadell, a band from Columbia, SC, played an upbeat, engaging set that featured songs that will be on their upcoming LP. Their performance displayed the band’s distinctive dramatic sound.

The show concluded with a performance by The Bronzed Chorus, who performed an incredible set that well represented the music of Greensboro, NC. Their performance evoked a wide range of emotions through fascinating musical techniques and unique technological effects.

The event ended with a dance party with music provided by Nazca.

Copies of AMPLIFIER’s Volume 3, Issue 1 are available through Glenwood Coffee and Books, New York Pizza, CFBG Records, and Hippo Records. If you are interested in learning more about AMPLIFIER, visit http://www.amplifiergso.com.