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In Good Spirits – InkedMag


Whiskey enthusiasts know there’s something ceremonious about a nightly dram; whether it’s an office pour with colleagues to mark the end of a long workday, or a solo nightcap to unwind. It has been a romanticized ritual in American culture since the spirit was first distilled on U.S. soil in the late 18th century, carried through prohibition, and given a renaissance in modern times thanks to pop culture.

For those seeking alternative potent potables, there is a growing market of premium aged spirits that offers an equally refined tipple with extraordinary tasting notes. There’s añejo tequila that may evade even the savviest whiskey drinker in a blind tasting. For distinctly different alternatives, rum produced using the solera method or barrel-aged gin are undeniable standouts. Highlighted below is a selection of masterful bottles leading the premium aged spirits category.

Barr Hill’s Tom Cat Gin

With its robust Tom Cat Gin, Vermont-based distillery Caledonia Spirits challenges the perceived practice of reserving gin exclusively for dry martinis or gin and tonics. Tom Cat is distilled with juniper and then finished with local raw honey before spending six to nine months in new American oak barrels. The final product is one with warm wooden aromas that carry a suggestion of slight oak through to the palate, with wildflower botanicals imparted from the honey, and a touch of sweetness — a spirit deserving of sipping neat. barrhill.com

Ron Zacapa XO

The solera aging technique systematically blends younger wines stored in the upper tier of casks with mature wines from the lower casks. The technique is most recognized in sherry and port production, but Ron Zacapa made a splash by using it to craft its complex rums in Guatemala.

Zacapa XO is a unique blend crafted exclusively from hand-selected reserve rums between 10 and 25 years old. To add further complexity, the blend is aged in a series of barrels that previously stored American whiskey, sherry, and Pedro Ximénez wines before the liquid is finished in French oak casks that once aged cognac. Aromas include toasted oak and caramel with marzipan; a palate of dark cherry, dates, and clove; and a light mango, raspberry, and ginger finish. zacaparum.com

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Clase Azul Mexico Tequila Añejo

Clase Azul Mexico may be most recognized by its cobalt decanter housing its Tequila Reposado. Still, as the tequila craftspeople added to the celebrated collection over the years, Clase Azul’s full-body Tequila Añejo has emerged as a favorite among serious imbibers. The tequila spends more than two years in American whiskey casks for flavor development and emerges with tasting notes of orange marmalade, nutmeg, toasted oak, and clove. The mouthfeel is silky and sips sublimely, whether neat or on the rocks. claseazul.com

BHAKTA Armagnac

After entering the luxury rye whiskey category with WhistlePig Whiskey, founder Raj Peter Bhakta set his sights on vintage spirits, Armagnac among them. BHAKTA’s Armagnac portfolio spans the decades; the 50-year-old limited edition blended barrel series includes a distillate from 1868 and single vintages spanning 1946 to 2003.  For immediate consumption or gifting to a special someone, the younger vintages have more approachable prices. The oldest single vintages come with a hefty price tag, but also the most nuanced and mature flavors, which beckon for cellaring until a future special occasion. bhaktaspirits.com

Rémy Martin XO Cognac

As the signature expression from Rémy Martin’s cellar master, this XO Cognac Fine Champagne is a classic for a reason. Crafted from Petit and Grande Champagne grapes in the designated origin of Cognac, the extra-old, mahogany-hued liquid exemplifies the premier standard of what fine cognac should be: pure and smooth with a full-body that offers a full progression on the palate. Flavors evolve from fruity plum and candied orange with spices and hazelnut, and a finish of roasted cocoa and honeyed gingerbread. remymartin.com

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Get a Grip – InkedMag


Top-notch tattoo machines packed with innovation and safety provide precision performances. Small in stature and ample in capabilities, these three tattoo pen manufacturers present their latest and greatest instruments, helping tattooers achieve premium results on every canvas.

Mast Archer S by Dragonhawk

Dragonhawk cranks up its technological offerings with the Mast Archer S wireless tattoo machine. The attention-drawing Archer S supplies tattoo professionals with ultra-fast charging capabilities that offer an hour of continual use with merely a five-minute charge. It is powered by Dragonhawk’s self-developed brushless motor, and equipped with MastLabs’ electronic control technology, high-res color display, and powerful performance. Compact, lightweight, and agile, the Archer S provides tattoo professionals with a comfortable grip, a 4.2 mm stroke, and safety features that are recognized internationally. dragonhawkofficial.com

 

FURY by OG Produce

One machine with multiple uses, the FURY by OG PRODUCE packs premium technology into a small package that flows smoothly in the palm. From hairline details to dotting and smudging, tattooers will get up to nine hours of continual use with no tail-heavy feeling. The FURY features a 1.47-inch color screen and three adjustment modes, and is available in vibrant purple, green, or red. It is quiet, safety-protected, and equipped with an RCA connector, so you can amp up your machine even if you forget to put the pen on the charger. OG is offering Inked readers an exclusive discount with code OGFURY. ogtattoo.com

SOL Nova Unlimited by Cheyenne

Discover more artistic capabilities with the wireless SOL Nova Unlimited tattoo pen, Cheyenne’s enhanced version of the SOL Nova. The Berlin-based company created the elevated machine with advanced technology, time-saving, and ease of use in mind. The Unlimited is run by an exchangeable standard battery and available in four different stroke options. It operates with a single button that powers and pauses, switches operating modes, and adjusts quickly and intuitively as you tilt the machine. Thanks to the motion control you won’t be distracted from the tattooing process. cheyennetattoo.com   

 

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Singing for the Misfits – InkedMag


We’re all looking for somewhere to belong. It’s human nature: we need connection, community, and belonging to maintain our well-being. In a world where authenticity can sometimes feel elusive, Ashley McBryde is the lighthouse we’re all searching for. Through her vocals, raw storytelling, and direct actions, she champions the importance of belonging and community, fostering connections that transcend beyond the music industry.

McBryde is one of the most acclaimed country artists to emerge within the past few years. She received six Grammy Awards nominations with one win, one Country Music Awards (CMA) trophy, three Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards, and one nomination for a Daytime Emmy. With success like that, it’s easy to enter a self-obsessed bubble. But McBryde is still badass and a true girl’s girl. She sets the record straight: “I know it can seem like women in country music are catty. We are not. We want you here. We party together. Come on over.”

Growing up as the youngest of six kids, music was always part of McBryde’s life. “I’ve been singing since I was old enough to know that they were throwing shoes at me trying to get me to shut up,” she jokes. With influences like Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, and Trisha Yearwood, McBryde was surrounded by powerhouse female artists who shaped her musical journey.

McBryde found belonging in music, in storytelling, and with audiences. “I remember when I was little, I was really shy and I didn’t want to talk to people, but I could sing to them,” she reflects. Music has served as a gateway to human connection for McBryde. Before embarking on her world tour, McBryde spent some of 2023 touring with Jelly Roll, CMA’s New Artist of the Year. “When we got on tour, he said to me, ‘You’ll never feel more at home anywhere than you will on my tour.’ This rang true for his audience, especially being someone who’s covered in tattoos in country music, where being tall and blond and pristine is standard. And I’m short and brunette and covered in tattoos.”

McBryde wants to return that sense of belonging to her audience — to every person. “I want people in active addiction in my crowd. I want people in recovery in my crowd. These are the people that will stick to the devil they know. These are the guys and girls going nowhere. They’ve been told this. They’ve been told they’re pieces of shit by their teachers, their coworkers, their spouses in some cases, and their parents. That’s who I want to sing to.”

When talking about performing her song “6th of October,” McBryde says, “When we sing, ‘Reckless hearts, the tattered and bruised ones, the slightly confused ones, the ones holding stools down in bars, will show up and find us and gently remind us to not be afraid of our scars and who we are.’ That is my favorite thing to watch. When the audience closes their eyes and turn their head to the side and sing ‘slightly confused ones,’ they are in that moment admitting that’s them or recognizing that’s somebody close to them. And that’s a gift that we can’t just give on our own. That’s only through the power of song and live performance that we can offer them just a couple milliseconds of peace.”

McBryde doesn’t just sing to her audience — she commits to deeply connecting with them, even if they cannot hear her voice. She recently began signing lyrics and phrases on stage. After surgery on her vocal cords, she couldn’t speak for weeks, so McBryde learned enough American Sign Language for necessities, like water and food. “I’m still learning, and sometimes slowly,” she says. “But it just became more and more apparent to me that one: I needed to learn more. And then I remembered we’ve got interpreters. And I thought it would be even cooler if I could thank the interpreters myself. And even better, can I thank my non-hearing and hard-of-hearing crowd? Because they’re there, or there wouldn’t be an interpreter. I want to thank them myself and say things like, ‘We see you, we’re happy you’re here, it’s nice to meet you, welcome to my show.’”

She was right — they were there. “The first reaction that really moved me was a lady at a show who said, ‘My sister is 62 years old and has been deaf her entire life and has been invisible her entire life. And you make me feel like she can be seen right now.’” It’s clear McBryde is committed to creating a community of inclusivity and belonging, and this is just one example.

On the inside of her left elbow is a tattoo of a devil staring into a rearview mirror, inspired by her latest album “The Devil I Know.” The album is filled with tender emotions, tough revelations, and the message of staying true to yourself, even when it’s not so pretty. “That’s the devil I know for sure,” she says. “And this really reminds me of my song ‘Blackout Betty,’ and one of the lines that is ‘I’m a real piece of shit sometimes.’ That’s not necessarily gorgeous, but it is true. And it doesn’t have to be pretty to be true. So, I know that bitch is still in the back seat, and she is ready to take over at any time.”

That fiendish passenger may still be in the back seat, but McBryde wouldn’t change a thing. “If I could go back and make it easier on younger me, her skin wouldn’t be as thick, and she wouldn’t be as strong as I get to be now.” It’s that mix of tough exterior, authenticity, and deep connection with audiences that keeps fans returning to the main stage.

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Digital Age Dynamo – InkedMag


In the ever-evolving music industry universe, there are those rare talents that completely transcend boundaries. These days, artists who can utterly captivate audiences with their raw talent, creativity, and unapologetic individuality are few and far between. Doja Cat, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, is a shining example of such a rare character.

Breaking through the surface of the music industry, a product ushered in purely by the digital age, the Grammy Award-winning superstar planted her roots firmly in the SoundCloud scene before headlining an international arena tour. The tattoo-clad icon’s rise to global stardom is nothing short of extraordinary, indicative of her pure and unflinching star power.

Born and raised in the vibrant cultural hub of Los Angeles, Doja Cat’s upbringing was steeped in a rich pool of musical influences. With a childhood that found the star lost in the eclectic sounds of artists like Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, and Nicki Minaj, coupled with an enthralling passion for piano, Doja’s love of music and innate talent ignited a spark that would set the world on fire. These early influences laid the groundwork for pop-focused rap which the star finds herself consistently breaking records in today.

At 16 years old, Doja Cat made her mark on the music scene in 2013 with her first upload to SoundCloud, a platform that served as the launching pad for her historic rise to fame. From there, it wasn’t long before the star’s undeniable talent caught the attention of industry insiders, leading to a pivotal moment in 2014 when she officially signed with Kemosabe/RCA Records, setting the stage for her rapid ascent to stardom.

The release of her EP “Purrr!” and debut album “Amala” paved the way for Doja Cat’s burgeoning career, but it was her August 2018 single “MOOO!” that catapulted her into the mainstream consciousness. With its infectious beat and irreverent charm, “MOOO!” captured the attention of fans worldwide, earning critical acclaim and labeling Doja Cat as a rising star to watch.

Her sophomore album, “Hot Pink,” released in November 2019, further solidified her position as a musical powerhouse. Boasting more than 6 billion streams worldwide, the album showcased Doja Cat’s versatility as an artist, with hits like “Streets,” the soundtrack behind the viral Tik Tok Silhouette Challenge that blew up on everyone’s FYP during the COVID lockdown, and the Grammy-nominated “Say So” drawing in audiences and critics alike in record-breaking numbers.

In June 2021, Doja Cat released her Grammy Award-winning album “Planet Her,” a tour de force of creativity and innovation. Dominating the charts and generating a historic number of streams on Spotify, “Planet Her” is what solidified Doja Cat as a global superstar. Collaborations with fellow artists like SZA on the multi-platinum hit “Kiss Me More” further elevated her continuous influence and widespread appeal.

The release of her fourth and most recent studio album, “Scarlet,” in September 2023 marked yet another milestone in Doja Cat’s illustrious career. Featuring the smash hit single “Paint the Town Red,” which made history by becoming the first rap song to top the Billboard 200 chart since August 2022.

“Scarlet” showcased Doja Cat’s evolution as an artist and solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. A complete shift from her previous public persona, “Scarlet” is a horror-infused era for Doja. Shifting away from the divine femininity that simply oozes from “Planet Her,” “Scarlet” showcases the scarier side of the star. Once again, captivating the masses and maintaining a steady hold over pop culture and the A-list music industry she’s had for the better part of a decade.

Doja’s impact extends beyond music, as the pop culture icon recently brought tattoos to the forefront of the fashion and beauty industry during the 2024 Grammy Awards. Styled by Turkish-British designer, Dilara Findikoglu, the singer found herself gloriously drenched from head to toe in faux tattoos that peeked out beneath a sheer floor-length gown. This iconic look became arguably the most discussed appearance of the night, with Doja Cat garnering immediate praise for her boldness and individuality, further highlighting her fearless approach to self-expression. The highly decorated star continues to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, on and off the runway.

In 2024, Doja Cat shows no signs of slowing down. Recently treating fans to two electrifying singles: “n.h.i.e.” with British rapper 21 Savage and a feature on “Jeezu” with the multi-faceted artist Jeymes “The Bullitts” Samuel. Lending her production capabilities to the latter, “Jeezu” was featured in Samuel’s most recent cinematic foray, “The Book of Clarence” released in January 2024. These collaborations underscore her versatility as an artist and her unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of her craft.

Perhaps the most exciting news is the recent announcement of the U.K. and European dates for the Scarlet Tour 2024. Kicking off in June, Doja will grace the stages of iconic venues in cities such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam. And before embarking on her European adventure, she’ll captivate audiences at Coachella in April, solidifying her standing as one of the most sought-after performers in the world.

As Doja Cat prepares for this new chapter of her journey, her dedication to her craft and her fearless approach to self-expression continue to inspire fans and fellow artists alike. With each step, she reaffirms her status as a true visionary in the world of music, leaving a scarlet mark on the hearts and minds of all who have the pleasure of experiencing her artistry firsthand.

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Singing for the Misfits – InkedMag


We’re all looking for somewhere to belong. It’s human nature: we need connection, community, and belonging to maintain our well-being. In a world where authenticity can sometimes feel elusive, Ashley McBryde is the lighthouse we’re all searching for. Through her vocals, raw storytelling, and direct actions, she champions the importance of belonging and community, fostering connections that transcend beyond the music industry.

McBryde is one of the most acclaimed country artists to emerge within the past few years. She received six Grammy Awards nominations with one win, one Country Music Awards (CMA) trophy, three Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards, and one nomination for a Daytime Emmy. With success like that, it’s easy to enter a self-obsessed bubble. But McBryde is still badass and a true girl’s girl. She sets the record straight: “I know it can seem like women in country music are catty. We are not. We want you here. We party together. Come on over.”

Growing up as the youngest of six kids, music was always part of McBryde’s life. “I’ve been singing since I was old enough to know that they were throwing shoes at me trying to get me to shut up,” she jokes. With influences like Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, and Trisha Yearwood, McBryde was surrounded by powerhouse female artists who shaped her musical journey.

McBryde found belonging in music, in storytelling, and with audiences. “I remember when I was little, I was really shy and I didn’t want to talk to people, but I could sing to them,” she reflects. Music has served as a gateway to human connection for McBryde. Before embarking on her world tour, McBryde spent some of 2023 touring with Jelly Roll, CMA’s New Artist of the Year. “When we got on tour, he said to me, ‘You’ll never feel more at home anywhere than you will on my tour.’ This rang true for his audience, especially being someone who’s covered in tattoos in country music, where being tall and blond and pristine is standard. And I’m short and brunette and covered in tattoos.”

McBryde wants to return that sense of belonging to her audience — to every person. “I want people in active addiction in my crowd. I want people in recovery in my crowd. These are the people that will stick to the devil they know. These are the guys and girls going nowhere. They’ve been told this. They’ve been told they’re pieces of shit by their teachers, their coworkers, their spouses in some cases, and their parents. That’s who I want to sing to.”

When talking about performing her song “6th of October,” McBryde says, “When we sing, ‘Reckless hearts, the tattered and bruised ones, the slightly confused ones, the ones holding stools down in bars, will show up and find us and gently remind us to not be afraid of our scars and who we are.’ That is my favorite thing to watch. When the audience closes their eyes and turn their head to the side and sing ‘slightly confused ones,’ they are in that moment admitting that’s them or recognizing that’s somebody close to them. And that’s a gift that we can’t just give on our own. That’s only through the power of song and live performance that we can offer them just a couple milliseconds of peace.”

McBryde doesn’t just sing to her audience — she commits to deeply connecting with them, even if they cannot hear her voice. She recently began signing lyrics and phrases on stage. After surgery on her vocal cords, she couldn’t speak for weeks, so McBryde learned enough American Sign Language for necessities, like water and food. “I’m still learning, and sometimes slowly,” she says. “But it just became more and more apparent to me that one: I needed to learn more. And then I remembered we’ve got interpreters. And I thought it would be even cooler if I could thank the interpreters myself. And even better, can I thank my non-hearing and hard-of-hearing crowd? Because they’re there, or there wouldn’t be an interpreter. I want to thank them myself and say things like, ‘We see you, we’re happy you’re here, it’s nice to meet you, welcome to my show.’”

She was right — they were there. “The first reaction that really moved me was a lady at a show who said, ‘My sister is 62 years old and has been deaf her entire life and has been invisible her entire life. And you make me feel like she can be seen right now.’” It’s clear McBryde is committed to creating a community of inclusivity and belonging, and this is just one example.

On the inside of her left elbow is a tattoo of a devil staring into a rearview mirror, inspired by her latest album “The Devil I Know.” The album is filled with tender emotions, tough revelations, and the message of staying true to yourself, even when it’s not so pretty. “That’s the devil I know for sure,” she says. “And this really reminds me of my song ‘Blackout Betty,’ and one of the lines that is ‘I’m a real piece of shit sometimes.’ That’s not necessarily gorgeous, but it is true. And it doesn’t have to be pretty to be true. So, I know that bitch is still in the back seat, and she is ready to take over at any time.”

That fiendish passenger may still be in the back seat, but McBryde wouldn’t change a thing. “If I could go back and make it easier on younger me, her skin wouldn’t be as thick, and she wouldn’t be as strong as I get to be now.” It’s that mix of tough exterior, authenticity, and deep connection with audiences that keeps fans returning to the main stage.

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Get a Grip – InkedMag


Top-notch tattoo machines packed with innovation and safety provide precision performances. Small in stature and ample in capabilities, these three tattoo pen manufacturers present their latest and greatest instruments, helping tattooers achieve premium results on every canvas.

Mast Archer S by Dragonhawk

Inkedshop

Dragonhawk cranks up its technological offerings with the Mast Archer S wireless tattoo machine. The attention-drawing Archer S supplies tattoo professionals with ultra-fast charging capabilities that offer an hour of continual use with merely a five-minute charge. It is powered by Dragonhawk’s self-developed brushless motor, and equipped with MastLabs’ electronic control technology, high-res color display, and powerful performance. Compact, lightweight, and agile, the Archer S provides tattoo professionals with a comfortable grip, a 4.2 mm stroke, and safety features that are recognized internationally. dragonhawkofficial.com

 

FURY by OG Produce

Inkedshop

One machine with multiple uses, the FURY by OG PRODUCE packs premium technology into a small package that flows smoothly in the palm. From hairline details to dotting and smudging, tattooers will get up to nine hours of continual use with no tail-heavy feeling. The FURY features a 1.47-inch color screen and three adjustment modes, and is available in vibrant purple, green, or red. It is quiet, safety-protected, and equipped with an RCA connector, so you can amp up your machine even if you forget to put the pen on the charger. OG is offering Inked readers an exclusive discount with code OGFURY. ogtattoo.com

SOL Nova Unlimited by Cheyenne

Discover more artistic capabilities with the wireless SOL Nova Unlimited tattoo pen, Cheyenne’s enhanced version of the SOL Nova. The Berlin-based company created the elevated machine with advanced technology, time-saving, and ease of use in mind. The Unlimited is run by an exchangeable standard battery and available in four different stroke options. It operates with a single button that powers and pauses, switches operating modes, and adjusts quickly and intuitively as you tilt the machine. Thanks to the motion control you won’t be distracted from the tattooing process. cheyennetattoo.com   

 

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A Glimpse into the Future


Prior to the late 1990s, tattoo culture primarily existed on the outskirts of the mainstream. A badge of honor amongst sailors in the U.S. Navy and cultural subgroups, as well as an artistically rebellious symbol of expression for curators of punk, metal, goth music, and more. Subsequently, during the 2000s, the painfully enticing trend of getting inked transcended emo, hip-hop, the NBA, Hollywood, and the corporate world. Near the turn of the 2020s, a number of tech companies began implementing inventive ways of tatting up their clientele with new software, 3D tattooing, eco-friendly methods, and more. In November, Blackdot, a tech company based in Austin, Texas, introduced the “V1 Device” as part of a game-changing initiative that also includes an online tattoo marketplace where consumers can purchase signature designs from entrepreneurial-minded artists all over the world. Blackdot’s V1 Device generates body art in high definition, utilizing an unprecedented technique that serves as a fresh alternative to modern wireless tattoo machines and traditional hand-tapping methods. The future is here. But, according to the company’s CEO/Founder Joel Pennington, it should not deter tattoo enthusiasts and artists who view the time-honored process as a rite of passage.

“Blackdot is not a substitute for the experience found by way of various traditional tattooing methods,” explained Pennington. “Instead, Blackdot offers an entirely different tattooing experience; it’s an interesting option for tattoo seekers looking for something new and forward-looking…The Blackdot device can be thought of as a futuristic stick-and-poke device whereby each dot that we tattoo is intentional…We use continuous suction for ink removal and are therefore able to tattoo without the need to wipe-think-tattoo-repeat.”

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Alongside Pennington at the forefront of the Blackdot technocentric movement is the company’s Chief Technology Officer Yan Azdoud. The pair of business partners met in 2017 after Pennington took on a mentorship role with a startup established by Azdoud called Project Canary. This experience gave Pennington an up close and personal view of Azdoud’s penchant for navigating scientific principles. It also sparked a resolution about how their ideals in the tech world could add a new dimension to the tattoo industry.

“After the three-month program, I debriefed with Yan Azdoud,” recalled Pennington. “Yan had a great deal of experience with hyper-elastic surfaces, medical devices, and mechanical design–he was uniquely qualified to help bring my vision to fruition.”

Shortly thereafter, Blackdot entered a developmental phase that lasted nearly half a decade. Two years into the stealth period, during the Summer of 2019, the company administered its first-ever tattoo on human skin. In addition to presenting Blackdot’s inaugural recipient with hi-res body art, Pennington wanted to ensure that the gift from his company also came with quality that would stand the test of time without the common necessity of tattoo retouching.

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“Our first human tattoo was executed on a gentleman named Chris Harvey,” Pennington said. “We then developed the first version of our automated tattooing device (the V1), followed by the commercially viable version we’re using today—the V1c… Blackdot is able to minimize the discomfort associated with tattooing. As for healing, we use a slim needle and do not tattoo deeper than necessary. We’ve conducted [more than 90] tattooing sessions over the past five years and have never caused bleeding or scarring.”

Today, Blackdot is fully operational with plans to expand to major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Las Vegas. In recent years, these regions have hosted some of the biggest live events in sports entertainment, from Super Bowl LVI, WrestleMania 39, and Rolling Loud to ComicCon, EDC, and the Met Gala. During his exclusive interview with Inked Magazine, Pennington floated the idea of teaming up with notable fashion lines to provide attendees at similar affairs with customized body art ranging from the song lyrics of iconic recording artists to Marvel Comics’ sketches and skateboard decks from old-school skaters. For now, shoppers can purchase their next tattoos at the company’s flagship location in Austin, Texas, or remotely through the Blackdot Certified Artist Program. The BCA allows online shoppers to survey Flyway designs drawn by prominent visual artists such as Tyler Hobbs and other notable creators.

Kevin Rose, a California-based entrepreneur, recently stopped by Blackdot’s headquarters where he became one of the first costumers to procure Hobbs’ signature Flyway design. The on-camera session depicted the founder of Revision3 resting comfortably in an exam chair while the V1 Device tattooed the image of three birds on his inner right arm. As for the founder of Blackdot? Pennington suggested that the next time he is under the V1 Device, he will get a tattoo that combines the love of his youngest daughter, Naiya, with his admiration for the Smashing Pumpkins. Pennington and his staff met up with Jimmy Chamberlin and Jeff Schroeder from the two-time Grammy Award-winning band in the Winter of 2022 after being given backstage access. 

“I found myself sitting on the couch beside [Schroeder], a Pumpkins guitarist,” Pennington said. “I struck up a conversation and eventually asked if I might show him some tattoo designs made by my young daughter…His favorite was the dragon holding the guitar. He let me take a photo of him holding the drawing and signed the back of it. Naiya would be thrilled. I looked up to see my team was already chatting with [Chamberlin]…They were discussing how he might potentially be able to help Blackdot…I later showed [Chamberlin] Naiya’s designs and asked him the same question. He also went for the dragon holding the guitar and signed the back of it. Naiya’s drawing of a dragon holding a guitar, affectionately referred to as ‘The Pumpkins-approved tattoo,’ is likely my next tattoo.”

Blackdot was made with advanced technology. But if Joel Pennington’s company grows into a well-known commodity, it will likely be due to principles based on diversity, where everyday people and his kids have input just like his business partners and favorite Rock stars.

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Psychedelic Visionary Art in Ink


 

By Anne-Marie Pritchett

Alex Grey is renowned for his multi-dimensional depictions of the body, exploring anatomical, psychic, and spiritual forces. For nearly five decades, his art has centered on consciousness and psychedelic visionary experiences. Grey and his lifelong partner, Allyson, underwent a transformative mystical experience in 1976, shifting their perspective from agnostic existentialism to transcendentalism. They have since co-founded the Foundation for the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM), a 501(c)(3) charity, opened the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in NYC, an inter-spiritual art church, and erected Entheon, a stunning 12,000-square-foot exhibition of the finest original works of Visionary Art located in Hudson Valley. 

As a visionary artist somewhat on the fringes of contemporary art and connected with psychedelics and outsider culture, Grey’s association with the band TOOL changed the game for his art and career. More people came to know his work and began tattooing the imagery onto their bodies. We sat down with Grey to discuss inspiration, transformation, and innovation in the ever-emerging world of psychedelic art. 

How has your art transformed over the past five decades? 

I have often used human anatomy as the basis of my art. The body is the conduit through which consciousness is experienced. The mind is formless and invisible, except to the clairvoyant seer or tripping psychonaut who perceives multidimensionally, viewing the light-body flashing its chakras, auras, and thought forms. Transcendent spirit can be symbolized as light, tunnels, and expanses of eyes as the ultimate symbol of consciousness. Infinite eyes represent infinite awareness. 

 What was the first inspiration behind the TOOL album covers, and how did your visions for them evolve over time?

 Adam Jones, lead guitar, visionary artist, graphic designer, and filmmaker, asked me to collaborate on the album art and then the animation for Lateralus. He wanted to create anatomical overlays, as seen in health books, printed on clear vinyl. Some of my previous art featured the flaming eye, so the symbol came to me as I was trying to visualize “illuminated consciousness” woven into the anatomy of the figure. The heart, the hand, and the throat are three eyes/centers of creative expression. Adam designs each album as a TOOL.

 For the 10,000 Days album, Adam called when I had been working on the Net of Being for over a year. It had not been published anywhere, so I sent a picture to Adam to propose it as a possible solution to the album cover art. He loved it. For the Fear Inoculum album, Adam inquired again as I was developing studies and a maquette for my twelve-foot by eight-foot painting, The Great Turn. Computer graphic animation helped me visualize the final image. The way the video became part of the innovative package was pure magic for this Grammy-winning album.

 What’s important to you that someone captures in a tattoo they get of your work?

 That the tattoo artist works very carefully and offers the best possible translation of the painting onto the skin is my highest and deepest wish for anyone’s tattoo. I reverence tattoo collectors and artists of my work, and I pray that they will offer the same sacred respect for my artwork. 

 Allyson and I and the CoSM crew are fully engaged in raising funds to complete Entheon with a sculptural countenance of monumental faces that will wrap around the entire outer Entheon structure. Tattoo artists and collectors who earn their living using my work might consider making an offering/donation to CoSM to help complete the Sanctuary of Visionary Art. You would be part of helping build something together. We ask that tattoo artists and collectors provide us with a good photo document of the piece, and please email it to [email protected]. A wall of the TOOL Shrine in Entheon is dedicated to honoring myriads of tattoos (and even a few scarifications) of my artwork and symbols. Gratitude to all the amazing folks over the years who have committed my art to their skin.

 What’s the best tattoo of your work that you’ve seen?

 Some of the full-body tattoos are outrageous and inventive. Saw a few cute butt tats. The head tats are next level. I can’t say the best one because there have been so many. 

 Net of Being has become so iconic. What does it mean to you when you see it tattooed on someone?

 Well, it means that they are part of the great net of beings! And they probably love TOOL!

 

 Tell us about Entheon and the Portal, and walk us through the exhibition.

 Entheon exhibits the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, plus many significant works by myself, notable art by Allyson, and artwork by accomplished contemporary visionary and psychedelic artists. First-floor exhibits include the All One Gallery Inaugural Exhibition, the TOOL Shrine, the Psychedelic Reliquary with display relics that include the glasses that Dr. Hofmann wore when he discovered LSD, the ashes of Ralph Metzner and Timothy Leary, and historical artifacts and ephemera related to the history of psychedelics. 

 The second and third-floor galleries exhibit the CoSM Collection of works by Allyson and myself, identifying our common subject as Transcendental Light. The Chaos, Order & Secret Writing Gallery features artwork by Allyson. Progress of the Soul Gallery presents a selection of my paintings that “x-ray” multiple layers of reality, while the Performance Gallery shares video and photographic documentation from selected pieces, including Prayer Wheel, Living Cross, Goddess, Meditations On Mortality, Wasteland, and Burnt Offering. The Great Hall features the largest and most transcendental of our paintings, including Cosmic Christ, Net of Being, and Godself.

Electro Man_scan, 6/7/18, 7:43 PM, 8C, 7686×9558 (312+360), 100%, Default Settin, 1/12 s, R79.7, G34.7, B49.3

 How does someone begin to stimulate awareness of their vital sources? 

 Learn to meditate. Psychedelics may help catalyze your awakening consciousness, but consider the risks. Many of us have taken psychedelics without guidance, and it has been enlightening and turned out fine. But if you question your mental stability, have personality disorders, or have a history of mental struggle, seek a guide before self-medicating. We are fortunate to be entering an age when treatment is readily available, and even psychedelic psycho-therapy is becoming accepted.

 What are you currently working on—any new pieces/collections you’d like to share?

 Allyson’s and my drawings and paintings continue to evolve. We have long-collaborated on a 35-foot-long mural called Stardancers that we intend to complete this year. The most exciting project on our horizon is completing Entheon by creating and mounting the building’s sculptural outer “faces.” Those who would like to participate with us in building a Visionary temple can say a prayer for its realization, become a member of CoSM, attend a CoSM event, make a contribution, and buy a beautiful object or work of art from CoSM Shop on the CoSM site or online store shop.cosm.org. All proceeds coming our way go toward sustaining CoSM and taking this next creative step. 



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Forged In Steel – InkedMag


Photo by Steven Le

 

It’s been one hell of a ride and it’s far from over. Paul Teutul Sr. has spent over 50 years building bikes and bending metal. He started building bikes in his senior year of high school and never really stopped. Paul came from an extremely abusive household where you’d catch a beating because you looked like you might do something. Worse than getting beat was watching your little sister get dragged across the floor, knowing you couldn’t help. Bikes and animals were the two things that brought him comfort in that life of hell.

Paul got out the first chance he could and joined the Merchant Marines, delivering ammunition overseas. Once he returned, he got married and started a family. It was then he knew that he had to find another way to take care of the people he loved. He bought an old truck and a welder and started Paul’s Welding. He took any and every job he could. Most of the time, he worked seven days a week building his company. As time passed, the hard work paid off and the company grew. Paul knew he needed a bigger name, so he started Orange County Iron Works, which is now owned and operated by his son Dan.

As hard as he worked, Paul still found time to build a bike here and there. But unfortunately, with the increased pressure came increased drinking. Senior would like to share those stories, but there are not enough pages to tell them all. After losing his business partner, his uncle and his best friend to alcoholism, he knew he wouldn’t be far behind if things didn’t change. He made a decision to live.

On January 7th, 1985, Paul decided not to drink, just for a day. That day became every day for the last 38 years. When he became sober, he had a one-year-old daughter and three sons, aged 9, 6 and 4. Paul is grateful to have been able to take his kids fishing, snowmobiling and to play their favorite family game, tennis. Paul knows one thing for sure—if he had not stopped drinking, he would not be alive today. “I would have missed out on watching my kids grow up and become the amazing people they are today,” he says.

 

Photo by Steven Le

Life got really crazy when a call came in from a producer that saw one of Paul’s bikes on the cover of a magazine along with a picture of Paul that fit the archetype they were looking for. The producer asked Paul if he would do a pilot episode for a reality TV show. They were looking for an East Coast personality similar to West Coast Choppers’ Jesse James.

He hung up not having a clue what this meant. As a 54-year-old blue collar guy running a steel shop, being on TV was not something that ever crossed his mind. He only had a little bike shop in the basement of his steel shop. What would people think? What if he sounded stupid? Would it affect his business? The rest, as they say, is history. After the first episode of American Chopper aired, he thought for sure he was ruined, but the ratings said otherwise. The offers to do more shows came in, and the public could not get enough.

While there were many great times during their 20 years of filming, there was also heartache. It meant filming 240 hours for each episode, only to find out that the final cut did not always paint him in the most flattering light. Imagine a camera following you for 240 hours of your everyday life and taking your worst moments and stringing them together in any order that sells. “Now let’s be clear,” Paul says, “I am by no means an angel. I gave them plenty of content. I was and still am an old school guy that knows how to get a job done, but when it came to communication, that toolbox was pretty empty.”

Paul still considers it a privilege to have had such an amazing opportunity and is grateful to Discovery for all they did over the years. Everyone asks, “What is Paul Teutul Sr. doing now?” His answer is simple, “building bikes.” He also wanted to keep OCC as a fun and exciting brand. A few years back, he met his business partner Keith Overton. Together, they have taken all of the bikes and memorabilia collected over 30 years and created a museum, restaurant and entertainment space all in one.

Paul is very proud of the OCC Roadhouse & Museum in St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida. It is the final resting place for 14 of his most iconic bikes that were actually built on American Chopper. OCC Roadhouse is now home to his personal memorabilia, most of which has never been seen before because it wasn’t featured on the show. The restaurant is more than just your ordinary bar and restaurant, although the food is amazing. Paul knows because he eats there a couple of times a week, and when it comes to food, he is a hard guy to please.

Photo by Steven Le

The OCC Roadhouse has over 11-thousand square feet of indoor restaurant space. It is attached to a 25-thousand square foot, open-air pavilion that hosts events every night of the week, including some of the best bands in Florida, the largest weekly cornhole tournament in the state, family night and karaoke, and country line dancing with a live band. However, Paul’s favorite aspect of the OCC Roadhouse is that they are the largest pet-friendly venue in all of Florida.

OCC Roadhouse shares a 10-acre campus with Bert’s Barracuda Harley Davidson Dealership, one of the largest Harley stores in Florida. Behind the Harley dealership is Paul’s newest shop where he’s always building 4-5 bikes at a time and loving it. No drama, just builds. The OCC brand is still alive and well, and while he is supposed to be enjoying semi-retirement, he can’t stop building bikes. When you love what you do,, it’s not work.

Despite his semi-retirement, Paul says that his life is still a crazy ride, and that he is just going to hold on and enjoy it. He loves Florida and plans on continuing the growth of the Orange County Choppers brand there.

One thing that has stayed constant in Paul’s life is his love of animals. Paul and his wife Joannie have a rescue farm that includes cows, horses, pigs, dogs and cats. They also continue to run the Hudson Valley SPCA in New Windsor, New York.



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Daring ‘Hunger Games’ Tattoos – InkedMag


It is increasingly rare for a series of books to permeate the cultural stratosphere and solidify itself amongst the pop culture pantheon. Yet, that is exactly what Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” trilogy has accomplished. Introducing the world to Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant heroine who allowed herself to become the face and bleeding heart of a rebellion that would bring an end to a tyrannical caste system in the not so distant future. Collins’ novels defined a generation of readers and sparked a pop culture frenzy not unlike when the “Harry Potter” franchise exploded on to  the scene.

After four critically acclaimed films, resulting in wide-spread box office success, it’s no shock that Collins opted to return to the world of Panem and deliver up a self-contained prequel novel in, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” which hit bookstands backs in May of 2020. The entertainment industry being what it is, the film rights were quickly sold off and here we are now on the eve of the much anticipated feature film adaptation of that very THG installment.

Cultural phenomenon is a brain worm of a thing. “Stan” culture, especially amongst avid readers and YA book fans alike has a tendency to root itself in fans and audiences hearts and remain there for years and years. Once and “stan”, always a “stan”. For many, this extends all the way to permanently covering your body in symbolism from the very books and films that you hold so near and dear to your heart. In honor of “The Ballad of Songsbirds and Snakes hitting theaters, take a look at some of the best “The Hunger Games” inspired tattoos out there.

You can catch “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” in theaters on November 17th.



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