Disposable Diaries: Camp Flog Gnaw

November 17, 2023

As the year comes to a relatively chilly and incredibly sudden close, Tyler, The Creator gave us a pre-holiday reason to celebrate with the first Camp Flog Gnaw since 2019. The carnival-themed weekend held in the iconic Dodger’s Stadium (parking lot) welcomed artists, starlets, fans from every corner of California, and an endless supply of music you might not have realized you definitely know all of the words to.

A heroing feature of Camp Flog Gnaw is the range of genres meshed into one jam-packed lineup. Artists like Cuco headlined alongside SZA, Turnstile got the crowd sweating just before Kali Uchis, and Dominic Fike played across the stadium at the same time as Lil Yachty reverberating a rock sound through the air from East to West.

Words and photos by Magdalena O’Neal

Many of our now favorite artists also graced the Flog, Camp, and Golf stages back in 2019. Amidst Dominic Fike’s set he admitted to the audience that in 2018 he snuck into the festival and then the following year played the first set at the Camp stage, and was now the third closer just before Rex Orange County and SZA—a lot can happen in four years (though he did request a later set time next year)! Growth is the theme of this two-day affair with fellow alumni of the fest performing like Fana Hues, Daisy World, Left Brain, Earl Sweatshirt, Willow, Domo Genesis, Syd, and Mike G.

Multifaceted icon, Tyler, The Creator opened up the realm of what fans can expect to receive from a single artist to include a streetwear line, luxury clothing line, eu de parfum, bicycles, ballads, dance hits, festivals and beyond, so it’s no surprise that the masses pulled up ready to impress and turn heads. Keep reading to see all the stars and style icons—through the lens of many disposable cameras—that pulled up to Camp Flog Gnaw in Los Angeles this past weekend.

Special shoutout Manual NYC for the disposables and Last Good Film Lab for the speedy developing.

It’s me! Your totally not professional photographer who definitely overexposed some epic shots—you win some you lose some am I right? My outfit is from Mom n Dad Vintage and the hat is custom by Synph17

One of the many duos paying homage to Tyler’s prep school style. She wore an engagement ring in hope that they would let her bestie into VIP after they mistakenly got different tickets.

Daisy World returned to the Flog Gnaw stage for the second time this year and I gotta say, we all need a pair of perfectly fitting pants with our names in glitter on the ass.

The kings of No Free Coffee enjoying Kendrick’s set after caffeinating the entire festival.

Really truly so curious that if he openly loves gaslighting whether or not she accepts that she's being gaslit or not? Either way I love the pink hues.

Duckwrth and friends making the infamous Mschf boots look not terrible!

Baby Rose glowing after her Saturday afternoon set. Her top three style inspirations are Beth Gibbons from Portishead, Sade, and Joan Jett.

Kelly made an 8pm Sunday night coffee look like the ultimate accessory.

Balming Tiger took to the Flog Stage Saturday afternoon with their uber-unique k-pop alt sound.

You may not be able to tell this is Oscar Santander — one of the producers behind some of your favorite Omar Apollo hits like Useless and Killing Me—but it is him I promise.

Cowboy Rob AKA Black Noi$e AKA man, myth, and legend.

Liv.e and Rico Nasty caught in the crowd. I guess it’s fuck me, right?

Barlos broke down the fit for us: Shirt from Wi Jammin, shorts from Gallery Dept., socks from Hommeboy, shoes ACW Nike.

Teezo Touchdown told me to “Tell the office team I say hi," it’s giving future cover star wink wink.

Barrington Darius and Ravyn Lenae, the starlet who served us a sultry and soul-filled set on Saturday.

Takes balls to wear an all white sweatsuit to a music festival — and I can attest to the fact that Dymond Campbell has big ones — plus, the shimmering Balenciaga bag really sets off the fit.

½ of Paris Texas, who shut shit down per usual with their early evening performance on Saturday at the Gnaw stage.

Officially starting a petition for the Rap Shit girls (KaMillion and Aida Osman) to get a very good, almost headlining set time at next year's festival.

Photographer, fashion killer, side stage icon—Jason Castro has officially entered the chat.

Camp Flog Gnaw partnered with the NFL to give attendees a chance to win a custom embroidered coaches jacket by winning either a touchdown toss or field goal kick. Which do you think I won?

Light leak or ray of sunshine over Seeso’s head? It’s really making his overdyed neon thermal pop if I do say so myself.

AG Club giving BMX biker prom hotties after their Sunday night set.

Cailin Russo and Gage Crismond proving Earl Sweatshirt makes music for lovers.

Nardwuar post interview with Earl Sweatshirt striking a pose with BlackNoi$e and Mez.

I will leave you with the best photo I’ve ever been in and the only person I will ever fangirl over (because Joan raised me through the screen). Tracee Ellis Ross, AKA the most beautiful woman in the world, insisted I get in the photo with her when I asked for a shot of her and it is currently being blown up and framed for my personal records.

Culture

So Far So Good

April 26, 2024

Nolan Zangas’ first solo book So Far So Good, published by Blurring Books, unveils 160 pages of unreleased personal work spanning the last five years of living in New York City. Growing up running around the city's streets, capturing candid moments on disposable cameras during his youth, Nolan's desire to concretize his memories blossomed into the successful career he has today. This project stands apart his expansive body of work as a diaristic exploration of young adulthood, delving into the intersection of beauty and pain, and navigating "the fine line between success and failure" amidst the perpetual motion of a city like New York, shining a light on people and moments that shape its identity yet are often overlooked.

“In the spirit of La Haine as Vinz describes the man who falls from a skyscraper reassuring himself: ‘So far, so good...so far, so good’ on the way down,” the book serves as a tangible reminder that in life ‘It’s not how you fall that matters. It’s how you land.’”

Ahead of the launch at earshot.nyc tomorrow, we caught up with Nolan over email to talk about his selection process, how he got started taking photos, and why he doesn't post everything on Instagram.

Photography Nolan Zangas

How did you select what made it into the book?
My process is very physical. I hand print my images in a darkroom. I start by making a contact sheet. If I like the images on the contact sheet, I often cut them out and glue them into a notebook. Then I go back and print the images I like. Sometimes im in the darkroom like 30 hours in a week.
How many did you have to sort through?
It’s so hard to say. Easily over 100,000 frames. I made over 1,000 prints and most of them did not make the cut.
A book can act almost like an artifact, in that when you’re picking it up, it exists in that moment — whether that’s the day after it launches or five years from then. Did that come to mind and was there a specific thread you followed to ensure that timelessness?
I think that’s what makes books so important. I collect a lot of books. Images now feel so disposable, and I really like physical things. I think the selection of images are feel timeless, and the layout adds a bit of character to it all.
Not every upbringing is the same and as someone who also grew up in NYC, coming of age here is very different from any other place — at what point in your adolescence did you decide to start documenting your life and the people around you?
I started taking pictures of my friends on disposables around the age of 12. I lost or never picked up any of the negatives and the files are long gone. That really upsets me, and I think that made me want to take a lot more pictures as I got older. Around 18 is when I really started taking pictures of my life and things around me. I wanted to be able to look back at it all one day. I also think I’ve been surrounded with such diverse people. I think everyone deserves to have their picture taken.

How do you know when you’ve found a good picture?
There are a bunch of technical aspects that go into a good picture but I feel like for this project that stuff matters less. If it’s a good moment, and the picture makes me feel like I’m there, it’s a good picture.
The title is self-explanatory in context but I’m curious to know what led you to pick So Far So Good as the book's title.
Pretty early on in the process of making a layout actually. I think one of my friends said “so far so good” in conversation, and I instantly thought about the scene in La Haine where they talk about falling from a building. Then in my head I was like, holy shit thats the name right there”. It’s like, how far can you stretch a rubber band before it snaps. It felt really fitting to that point in my life and the book as a whole. A lot of good and a lot of bad around me.
Creating anything is an act of giving. How do you hope people, and those featured in its pages, receive the book?
I think it’s going to be cool for people who are in it because most of them don’t even know the pictures exist. I haven’t really been sending or showing anyone pictures because then they just end up on Instagram and in my head thats basically the trash can. I think some people won’t get it and others will. I don’t really mind. Everyone grew up doing different things.

It’s like, how far can you stretch a rubber band before it snaps. It felt really fitting to that point in my life and the book as a whole. A lot of good and a lot of bad around me.

Culture

I Only Came For the Parties

Between Rihanna and A$AP Rocky surprise appearance to the open bars, food trucks, and dance floors, the party was wild. As I arrived at the ranch, I was immediately met with a friend of mine running up to me saying, “Pookie and Jett are here. We NEED to party with them.” We began the hunt after stopping by the Passes.com table for some cotton candy. With a wrist full of stacked bands on one arm and a drink in my other, I hurried past Justin and Hailey Bieber before reaching the packed dance floor. It must’ve been close to sunrise when I finally came to and headed for the exit. Walking out, I ran into my friends who told me they just drove in from LA and NYC just for the party. This being my 10th Coachella, I'd probably stay home next year if it weren’t for this party.

Culture

Celebrating Earth Day w/ Nike x office

No Earth Day celebration is complete without action, so here are 10 local NYC-based initiatives you can get involved in to preserve the planet we all share.

Join a community garden: NYC has many community gardens (Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Queens Botanic Garden, The High Line) that offer volunteer opportunities and workshops on sustainable gardening practices.
Volunteer with NYC Parks: The NYC Parks Department offers various volunteer programs, including tree planting, cleanups, and habitat restoration.
Participate in beach cleanups: Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation and the NYC Parks Department organize regular beach cleanups in NYC's coastal areas.
Get involved with local environmental groups: Groups like the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, and the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance offer various volunteer opportunities and campaigns.
Take part in citizen science projects: Organizations like the NYC Audubon Society and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offer citizen science projects that allow individuals to contribute to environmental research.
Join a local recycling program: NYC's Department of Sanitation offers various recycling programs, including organics collection and textile recycling.
Support local sustainable businesses: Choose to shop at local businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. (Here's a great resource for finding them)
Advocate for environmental policy change: Contact local representatives and participate in advocacy campaigns with organizations like the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance.
Participate in park cleanups: Organizations like the Central Park Conservancy and the Prospect Park Alliance offer regular cleanup events.
Join a local environmental activism group: Groups like Extinction Rebellion NYC and the Sunrise Movement NYC offer opportunities for individuals to get involved in environmental activism and advocacy.

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Disposable Diaries: Camp Flog Gnaw

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