You might remember a ‘classic’ HRO post from 2k8 entitled ‘Rave or Die.’
Carles wrote:

Does any one else feel like RAVES are ‘authentic music festivals’? I feel like ‘music festivals’ should really just become drug-fueled parties where people dress in zany costumes and entrylevel alts attempt to find meaning by listening to music/dancing/’trying drugs 4 the first tyme.’

In the 2k9 edition of RAVE OR DIE, Carles will attempt to reconnect with ‘the essence of Rave.’ Who are these ppl/teens/Mexicalts in Southern California who attend raves? What do they want out of life? What personal brand are these ‘ravers’ attempting to implement?

As yall know, a rave is a gathering where ppl do a lot of drugs and listen to ‘the shittest’ kinds of techno/electro music. The women also kinda ‘dress slutty.’

It seems like ppl are trying to ‘return to their childhoodz’ by utilizing images+products from youth [via bracelets, necklaces, other trinkets, and even backpacks.]

‘I want 2 b a kid again.’

‘Wish I had a backpack full of ecstasy.’

Feeling sad that the ‘altbro’ aesthetic has finally made its way to rave culture. The spirit of the electro altbro is dead.

I think that it means some1 is ‘mad fucked up’ when their pupils are dilated.

It seems like ‘lollipops’ are also a good prop to chill with at raves. Not sure if I’d get caramel apple pop or blow pop. Not sure which 1 would ‘taste better’ while on E/acids.

The DJ played some ’sick shit.’ His DJ name was ‘DJ 420 Bob Dank Schwag Marley Bro.’

Got rlly ‘fucked up’ on E and gave DJ 420 a ‘beej.’ Regret it kinda.

But srsly… have u ever fucked while on ecstasy? (they say u can never have an orgasm without it 4 the rest of ur life)

Have u ever grubbed a funnel cake while on ecstasy?

I used the rave as an opportunity to connect with my nuclear family. My mom was the person who taught me how to use drugs, so even though she is ‘disabled’ I was able to bring her out and we ‘dropped’ 2gether. They say u don’t have a relationship with ur parent until u’ve ‘gotten fucked up’ with him/her.


‘Yes. I am a stereotype. I actually sell drugs to children and teenagers.’

‘We just came here because it was an environment that celebrated excessive drug use and gave us the opportunity to grope at bitches whose titties are hanging out.’

‘Dear Lord that’s a whole lotta curve.’

Got sad when my bff started 2 yack. Felt like she ruined the nite by ‘being a pussie.’

It seemed like the rave promoters ‘knew what they were doing’ since they rented a carnival ride.

a couple of my bros are starting a ‘party pic’ site. Really miss 2k7.5, back when there was a 1:1 ratio of ‘regular ppl’ to ‘nighlife photographers’ at every alt event.

Saw some AZN guy’s bulge.

Got sad when my friend ODed and we had to ‘dump her ass off’ on her parents doorstep even though she didn’t have a pulse.

‘I guess this is growing up.’

It honestly wasn’t my scene, but sometimes it is good to experience ‘lower class’ events. I feel more in touch with the SoCal Mexicalt demographic (even though I have an actual high school diploma and not a G.E.D.) It seems like a lot of authentic SoCal Mexicalts used to do ‘tons of farming’/'migrant working’, but it makes me happy to know that they have worked hard to give a better life to their 2nd and 3rd generation spawn.

I feel happy knowing that society is getting better and every1 is able to celebrate and be free.

Have u ever been 2 a rave? What are they like?
Is it an organic experience? What do drugs feel like?

Previous Rave Coverage
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2008/09/rave-or-die.html

Photos by the cobrasnakes
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/?p=4106 Photo via thecobrasnake

I saw this picture portraying a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk. Unfortunately, he had a pee pee accident as his dark yellow urine streamed down towards the star of a celebrity. I felt tons of emotions as my brain processed this digital image. Shame. Guilt. LOLability. Snarkfactor. Sadness. AmericanBeauty. Happiness. Loneliness. Fucksocietivity. Bloggy. Alive. Dead on the inside. Alone. Without a home. Metaphorical. This is the power of photography. A simple man who peed his pants in his sleep [via no home] can say so much about humanity, society, and the struggle 2 create a better life for urself.

The sad/beautiful image of the homeless man made me think of a recent post on the globally acclaimed streetfashion blog ‘the Sartorialist’ in which the photoblogger posted a picture of a coloured homeless man, then wrote an ‘inspiring blurb’.

Photo and blurb by the Sartorialist:

I don’t usually shoot homeless people. I don’t find it romantic or appealing like a lot of street photographers, and if you asked homeless people they are probably not to happy about their situation either. That’s why I was surprised to be so drawn to taking a picture of this gentleman.

I was being interviewed for an article in British Vogue; and while we walked down Bowery back in April I barely stopped walking when I took the shot. Fiona Golfar, the writer, asked why I took the photo. At that moment I couldn’t really explain – but I just had a feeling about the power and grace of how he was sitting there. It wasn’t until later that night when I was working on the image that I realized why I had noticed this man.

Usually people in this man’s position have given up hope. Maybe this gentleman has too, I don’t know, but he hasn’t given up his sense of self or his sense of expressing something about himself to the world. In my quick shot I had noticed his pale blue boots, what I hadn’t noticed at first were the matching blue socks, blue trimmed gloves, and blue framed glasses. This shot isn’t about fashion – but about someone who, while down on his luck, hasn’t lost his need to communicate and express himself through style.

Looking at him dressed like this makes me feel that in some way he hasn’t given in or given up.

Damn. The bloggerbro’s inspirational blurb is actually kinda true… It’s like even though you might be the poorest, most worthless, homeless guy in the world, it doesn’t mean that u can’t have a little bit of pride 2 make sure that your clothes match. Never give up. Every day, u have the opportunity to brand yourself–you have the opportunity to let the world know that you are a person, and within this person is a brand which the whole world can consume.

Homelessness is not a disease–homelessness is the product of a group of people who have no pride. A group of people who don’t play by society’s rules. A group of people living in some demented reality, no longer in touch with the availability of legitimate intrinsic rewards through the power of ‘creating.your.own.image.’ We must inspire the homeless so that they can inspire us to do more than to take artsy pix of them. It is easy for photographers to take pictures of homeless people because they usually look ‘insane’, ‘urban’, and as if society has shat upon them.

A lot of people say that homeless people should ‘get a fucking job’–now I firmly believe that they would get a job if they dressed nicely, and treated people with respect. It seems like they could some how get a job at an investment bank, or perhaps a McDonalds, similar to the plotline of the popular Will Smith joint ‘The Pursuit of Happyness.’

After reading that inspired blurb, it sort of makes me want to tell this guy to ‘get his shit together’, and ‘have a little bit of pride.’ U can’t go around pissing on urself and wearing lame ass clothes if you really want to turn ur life around.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t control your bladder, or if you are mentally challenged, or if you are having ‘terrible flashback dreams.’ Every day, you need to take pride in yourself. You need to realize that your personal brand is being interpreted by every1 who sees you. Do you want to depress your viewers? Or do you want to inspire them? Be a valuable person–not just to yourself, but also to society as a whole.

This is a blog post about hope.

I saw you walk by me. You pretended not to see me so that you didn’t have to talk to me. I understand. I hate having to deal with you, as well. Sometimes I half-heartedly make a pitch, attempting to sell you phone service/Direct TV/TimeWarnerCable/any other sort of service that you are not interested in. It fails 99% of the time. People run away from me. I am trying to sell you something. This is my job.

You are not interested in listening to me. I am just a bro, sitting at a table, wearing a polo shirt that is branded with my company. My job does not pay well. I am paid [via commission]. I have made 2 sales in 6 months.

Do u want to sign up? It’s really a great service. I could tell you all about it. Are you interested in listening to me? You are not interested in me, nor are you interested in the product I represent. You are already satisfied with your service.

Maybe if I look ‘pathetic’ enough, you will sign up, after feeling bad for me. I am not sure if members of the opposite sex find me to ‘not be very attractive’ since I look like a ‘tool.’ Just want you to feel guilty. You did not come to this location to sign up for my company’s service–you came for an entirely different reason. There is no way you will purchase this service from me.

I am a bro. I lurk around a table for my company, trying to increase sales + brand awareness. My regional manager sends me to the worst locations. She is always pressuring me to ‘talk to more people.’ She doesn’t understand. I will never make a sale at the places she sends me to. I am embarrassed. I hope that no1 I know sees me. Wearing this stupid polo shirt. I will pretend to ‘text’ the entire time I am here. I will look disinterested and unapproachable. Some1 will come up to me who already has our cable service, and ask us why their ESPN channel is ‘blurry.’ I will tell them to contact technical support. This is my only contribution to the company today.

I am an adult. It seems like I always thought I would have a better job than this when I grew up. I will convince myself that I am ’starting at ground 0′, and ‘moving up the corporate ladder.’

I am a bro.
Sitting at a table
making a difference
Representing a brand.

Do u want 2 sign up for Comcast/Time Warner/tMobile/Sprint/a credit card with a ‘generous’ ‘rewards program’?

I am sitting at a table.
This is my job.
I am going to send another text message.

This is me 2 hours later.

In 2 minutes I will close. I am about to close up for the day and go home. I will stop at Quizno’s and get a sandwich.

This is me tomorrow. I am sitting at a table. I carry around the branded table cloth in my car.

I am employed. This bro is me. Do you want to sign up? You will receive a seat cushion if you sign up.

How about if I just give you this informational handout and my business card, and you can call me if you’re interested.

Do you want to sign up?

Please do me a favor and just don’t make eye contact if you’re not interested in signing up.

I am a vessel of brand awareness. My personal brand has been outsourced.

I am Carles.

I am a designer.

I am Carles.

I am a designer.

I am Carles.

I am a designer.

I am Carles.

We are designers on Mac Apple computers.

I am Carles.

I am a designer.

I am Carles.

I am a designer.

I am Carles.

I am a designer.

I am Carles.

I am a designer. I am Carles.
U r both. We are designer Carleses.

http://www.iamcarles.com

This post was indirectly ’sponsored by iamcarles.com.

Carles Presents I Am Carles dot-com
http://www.iamcarles.com

I am Carles is a lifestyle brand, created by Carles.

The brand is meant to be ‘high level’ but also ‘relatable.’ Similar to Chili’s. You feel comfortable when you eat there, but you are also having a unique experience.

Do u feel alone? The IAMCARLES.com brand is attempting to be similar to the HIPSTERRUNOFF.com brand. It wants u 2 feel like it ‘gets’ u. Carles wants to relate to you.

Bro
alone on the internet
downloading illegal mp3s
Pulls out credit card
purchases t-shirts of bands and brands
because buying things off the internet
seems ‘more authentic’ than the limited selection of
local shops in his suburban area.

//////This post is ’sponsored’ by iamcarles.com

‘I will take a picture of u and remember it 4 ever
the way u looked that day
young 4evr and ever’ -something a fashion line would say, I think.

It feels good to finally put my design school degree 2 use.
I never thought I could create something.
Bringing a product to market requires tons of teamwork and dedication.
Lots of emails, lots of decisions.
Just doing your best to ‘preserve/strengthen ur brand’ without ‘losing authenticity.’
It means not isolating ppl.

Please see our limited time offer which includes a shirt hand delivered by Carles

I wonder if this tshirt will cut into the ‘band tee shirt’ demographic.

‘For a limited time, I will offer you free shipping’
- a company that doesn’t understand that consumers know that they are ‘paying for shipping’ somehow.

Carles will be adding new authentic products soon. Please let Carles know what products you need.

R U CARLES? //// I AM CARLES?























This post was sponsored by IAMCARLES.com. For more information, visit http://www.iamcarles.com

Please email carleser [at] gmail.com if you would like to interview Carles about his design process + brand goals.

Sometimes I wonder about the role of the female within alternative society. Are women ‘more respected’ by alternative men, or are they still ’sex objects who are meant to do chores’? From what I understand, non-self aware females ‘just want to get married and birth kids’, even if it means that their husband is aloof and distant (as long as he makes at least $100K per year). Sometimes I feel confused by the motives of alternative girls, bc it seems like even they ‘don’t know what they want.’ Somtimes I wonder if females can be ‘authentic alts’ if they are using ‘altdom’ as a rebellion against their parents.

I feel like mainstream women raising families, who are ‘trapped’ in their situations might be stronger women than ‘lil alternative cunts’ because they know how to put other ppl first. I am not sure what alternative women want to be when they grow up. Possibly something in ‘corporate retail’, or possibly ‘public relations’, or if they are lucky, ’something artistic.’ I am not sure how much altGirls really want to independently ‘make it’, or if they would be happy ‘marrying some rich bro at age 26 just in case their life doesn’t pan out.’

Not sure if AltWomen would know how 2 do ‘mainstream chores’ like washing dishes, clothes, dusting, swiffering, cleaning toilets, driving vans, going to the store, planting flowers in the front lawn, living in suburbia, carrying a child, or other mainstream female duties.

Feel like I have always semi-ironically done ‘chores’ and stuff, and sometimes used them as an excuse to bond with people from my local scene. Like when me and all my ‘flatmates’ would ‘get buzzed and do laundry.’

Photo via Pregnant Goldfish

I feel like there is more pressure on women to ‘conform’ to society’s expectations of ‘being clean’, ‘being happy’, and ’staying tidy.’ Seems like it is more socially acceptable for a bro to end up being ‘really tragic’ bc he is a 45 year old man who is ’still trying to be alt.’ Not sure if altWomen’s flaws within alternative society make them ‘more functional within society’ than altMen, but I think they might be a good thing for physical mental health.

Would yall rather be a boy or a girl?
Do yall want a family with a happy home?
What are ur expectations of women?
Do yall honestly believe that women are capable of the same things that men are?
Is society ‘bullshit’?

Did yall have an authentic brand during High School, or were u just trying to ‘find urself’ utilizing the resources at your local mall? Do u think it is ‘bad parenting’ if ur parents let you ‘express yourself’ before the age of 18?

If u could only choose 1 brand to utilize during ur high school years, which 1 would it be?

Brand #1: The Zany Bro who wears bright stuff & tshirts that reference nostalgic tv shows/brands

Photos by Every1isFamous

or

Brand #2: The alone bro, thinking about important life issues.

I feel like both of these brands were strategies that non-alphabros would use to ‘get attention’ from females. It was often difficult for ZanyBro to make a girl find him to be ‘date-able.’ He was more of a ‘jester’/'joker’, and wasn’t meant to be taken seriously. By cultivating attention for himself by replicating the stereotypes associated with ‘bein all zany’, he made it impossible to create meaningful relationships with people. ZanyBro is sometimes fun 2 b around, but might not have the ability to ’shut off zany mode’, making it hard for him to find consistent bros. A life without consistent bros seems like a ‘desolate prison.’

The LonerDeepBro was able to forge connections with ppl, but you were often let down by how ’simple’ the lonerbro was. Girls would think that the has an understanding of beauty which no1 else could recognize, but then you talked to him, and he was just ‘a bro who had a really weird perspective of himself + the world.’ I think it might be more difficult to be an authentic ‘loneBro’ because of online social networks, but most lonebros will have a ‘minimal profile’ that just has some dumb quote on it, or maybe that his fave author is Edgar Allen Poe.

Both of these brands are searching 4 meaning, and are only temporary personal brands on the personal branding timeline of your life. However, it is important to understand that if you are a zanyBro, part of you will always be a zany bro, because people will remember ‘the real you’, even when you grow up and your brand matures. Not sure which 1 I would pick if I had to live my life all over again.

Which 1 would yall choose?
What is a good alternative brand to have during high school?
Some1 who is into ‘punk music’ like Green Day?
R u ashamed of the person u used 2 b?
Are u ‘relieved’ that u didn’t go to high school during the Napoleon Dynamite era?
Is Am Appy going to become a ‘parody brand’ when the tweens of this generation grow up, sorta like Old Navy?
What were u like in hi school and how did u change when u went away 2 (community) college?

According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Che Guevara was born in 1928. I feel bad for him, because there is no way that he could have effectively monetized his Communist Revolutionary brand correctly (facial image + kute lil miltary bro hat). I feel like there should be some sort of ‘licensing privileges’ for his family, because ppl freely use his image just to ’seem kewl’ when they go out 2 party. I know that Ralph Lauren gets paid when any1 wears ‘a lil polo bro’, but I am not sure if Che gets money when u wear one of his shirts. I am not sure what Che Guevara stands for–I think he was a commy/’red.’ Not sure if communism would save us right now even though we are in an economic crisis. It might be sweet because I recently went to a sweet art show in a public space held by ‘communist vegans.’

Feel bad for Obama. Not sure if his ‘image’ belongs to any one. When the HOPE meme was first made, I thought it was ‘just an internet meme’, but I can imagine African Americans wearing that shirt in 10-1000 years as some sort of metaphorical figure who was ‘kewler than MLK.’ Sorta like ‘the Michael Jackson of politics.’

I am not sure how to feel about memes, and images of people who apparently ’stand for more than just themselves.’ Feel like they need to be able to protect themselves.’

Hope that the now deceased singer ‘Michael Jackson’ was compensated appropriately when Crystal Castles used an image of her for their tshirt.

I am worried that when Che Guevara dies, no one who represents his estate will be able to capitalize off his image if places like Hot Topic start to sell pix of him on tshirts.

Just want every1 to get paid for the art that they make. Want people with extraordinary personal brands to be compensated appropriately when people piggyback on their personal brands to seem ‘way more authentic.’

Yall probably remember my American Idol liveblog, where I watched AmIddy for the first time. There was a character on the show named Adam Lambert who ’seemed kinda ghey’ but no1 was really sure. There were moments during the season where he did ‘really gay stuff’ but no1 was allowed to say he was gay or else he wouldn’t get a record contract and Middle Americans/Christians are the only ppl who ‘buy CDs’/’songs off iTunes’ today. Not sure if Adam Lambert is ‘a huge coward’ for not ‘coming out.’ Maybe he didn’t see the movie MILK so he doesn’t understand what homosexuals have gone through. I feel like young people take ‘the gift of homosexuality’ for granted, and don’t realize that we basically live in utopia.

Anyways, he ‘apparently came out’ and is now ‘officially ghey.’ Not sure if the bro in the picture is his ‘lover’ or if it is just a big fan of Am Idol. Can’t believe his BF is ‘an altbro.’

Do yall think that mainstream celebs should be forced to tell the world their sexualities? Or only the ghey ones? I wish that there was some sort of celebrity trading card where u could get the stats on a famous person. Or maybe homosexuals could wear some sort of ’scarlet letter’ like eye liner, or bootcut jeans, or some other trend that u see in ur local homosexual circuit. Feel like they ‘wouldn’t mind.’

I am not sure if ‘being ghey’ is something that ur born with, or if it is a choice u make, or if it is ‘bad parenting.’ Probably ‘a lil bit of everything.’ I have heard that there is a problem in high schools where teenagers are ‘being gay’ just to rebel against their parents. Even though the kidz aren’t ‘actually gay’ they see ‘being a homosexual’ as ‘being an individual.’ Tweens apparently see ‘being gay’ as some sort of decision that means ur ‘more committed to ur individuality’ than ‘just wearing a Fall Out Boy t-shirt.’ Feel weird that tweens who are ‘not actually ghey’ might be performing some ‘very intense sexual acts.’ Worried.

Wish either ‘every1 was ghey’ or ‘every1 was straight’ and we didn’t have to deal with these issues. It makes more sense for ppl to all be ’straight’ so that the ‘human race’ can ‘live on.’ Might start experimenting though.

Do yall know any1 who is a homosexual? What are they like? Are they ‘just like us’ or do you have to ‘treat them differently’? Share your stories in the comments.

I am not your standard bro.
I see the world with a different pair of glasses, which are not ‘rose coloured.’
I mix elements of Christianity and the Matrix in2 my personal brand.
I do not believe in concepts like ‘time’, ’space’, and ‘love.’
I do not find pleasure in any sensory activities.
I try to have ‘no aesthetic’ but unfortunately people try to call me ‘fashion forward.’
I walk down the street and people stare at me. They wonder ‘what is up with that bro.’ They would never be able to understand what is up with me.

“I” do not “exist.” I am just sort of here to ‘challenge’ people and their ‘realities.’ I make you uncomfortable because I do not exist for the same reason you exist. I am a conceptual bro. I want to make u ‘think’ about ‘the big picture.’ Want to make u ask ‘why?‘

I want to be noticed. I do not want to be noticed.

This is me.
These are my rings (collected while my family vacationed in Arizona and New Mexico).
This is my cross. This is my faith.
This is me underneath my dark hood.

I am sort of like a ‘fameball celeb’ who makes u wonder WHY/HOW ppl get famous.
I am a think piece.
I am more than just a human who is ‘alive.’
I exist for a reason that extends beyond ‘general humanity.’