Tuesday night was something special for us: we not only teamed up with Converse to exhibit stunning photographs by legendary Derek Ridgers who portrayed the British punk and skinhead scene in the 70s and 80s but also celebrated the launch of the ‘INDIE Revolution Issue’. Our latest baby featuring a Vivienne Westwood fashion special, an editorial with future icon Yoshi, a Rejjie Snow shooting, an interview with Ridgers, and so much more. Obviously we had to share this with all our dearest Berlin friends. Photographer Daan Dam captured some of them on good ol’ polaroids and we couldn’t help but ask them a few questions about their own revolutionary life…
Caroline Daniels
What change would you like to see in 2017?
Accountability for one’s own actions and words. We need to change our strategies and we also need to change our educational system, we’re gonna have to teach children a slightly different way because what we taught so far is obviously not working.
Is there something you do to promote change?
At the moment I’m writing a sci-fi book, within that book I’m trying to share some ancient secrets of the afro-based religions or cults. I’m also an afro hair specialist and stylist and I found a massive client group in Berlin so I’m trying to help them and just trying to appease the – what’s the word for that? – crap we have to deal with, with our hair. It’s about beauty, it’s about having our hair done at reasonable prices and with good energy. It’s not new but I’m just trying to continue it a little bit more.
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
Michaela Coel who is the writer of “Chewing Gum”, the BBC Series. Issa Rae the writer of “Awkward Black Girl” and “Insecure”: these ladies inspire me to change my game, to hurry up and finish that book and to be part of this tremendous ascension of black woman at the moment which will be the gateway for a lot of people of different social and racial groups to ascent in this world.
Kean Farrar
What change would you like to see in 2017?
I should blow up!
Is there something you do to promote change?
I create music and art and try to keep myself interested in culture.
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
That’s hard. Let me think… Wait… No one yet. No one yet!
Juule Kay
What change would you like to see in 2017?
A lot. I know it’s very cliché but it’s still something that must be discussed today: equality. And politics in general for sure. To me the current situation is extreme, with Brexit and all that: the European Union needs to be saved. Something must really be done!
Is there something you do to promote change?
The excuse that we should let other people do all the work for us is not ok. Everybody should do something even if it’s just a small gesture like just talking about it with friends and people around you.
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
I can’t name just one person. I think for me it’s all the people around me that inspire me to push and work harder, who make me want more and they are mostly people like you and me and not some celebrities but just the people you surround yourself with.
Giselle Mapp
What change would you like to see in 2017?
America needs to change! Just politics in general, the way we treat people – and giving: we have to give out of generosity because I feel we are all a bit too selfish right now.
Is there something you do to promote change?
I hope that my music can change something. I also do a lot of volunteering, I used to volunteer for a women’s community and now that I moved to Berlin I hope to volunteer a little bit more here.
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
There is so many but there is not one that really stands out to me. I’ve been listening to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and I love what she stands for but I think if we can all try and be a little more aware of ourselves and not being all loving to everyone but just be aware that our footprint is affecting other people, I think we can all be our own big activist, our own icon.
Clement L’Oxien
What change would you like to see in 2017?
Drugs need to be legalized!
Is there something you do to promote change?
I moved to Berlin?!
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
In 2017? No one, fuck that! Everybody is just a sap, they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing!
Rachael Rodgers
What change would you like to see in 2017?
Apart from the obvious political situation? Yeah I guess the bigger picture politically, I think that’s the main thing to concentrate on before you start thinking about other things.
Is there something you do to promote change?
Oh I don’t really know, maybe I should do more! (Laughs)
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
It sounds very cheesy but I would say my boyfriend, he is a genuine person, he inspires me, he makes me want to be a better person.
Joshua Martin Hyde
What change would you like to see in 2017?
This fascist movement that is happening all over Europe mainly, people just need to chill out and realise that Europe is like one country almost and should just live happily together. And over the world as well, fascism, this whole nationalist shit needs to stop!
Is there something you do to promote change?
Awareness I think. I try to create as much awareness as possible and not educate because I don’t want to patronize people but just talk with them. Like with Brexit for me in England, I try to talk to my family and friends, understanding why and just try to show them how it should be.
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
Fuck this is very difficult! I wanna go with Merkel to be honest! She’s done so much and I think she has still so much power, she’s got her shit together.
Jakob Strunk
What change would you like to see in 2017?
Currently, through my studies I am reading a lot about migration and I think it is a huge problem that so many things are blamed on migrantion, which are actually society problems. We should just try to do a little more and not always blame others for our own problems.
Is there something you do to promote change?
I have a lot of friends organising parties so at the last one I gathered money and gave it to an organisation who supports homeless people. I want do this more often now, because we have all the fun, we party a lot and get stuff for free, I want to try and give back to the ones who really need it.
Can you name someone who is revolutionary to you today in 2017?
Tough question! I have a group of friends who started an organisation called Rückenwind Fahrräder für Flüchtlinge who repairs bicycles for migrants so that each one of them can have a bike and can go places without having to pay for public transportation. I don’t know if this is revolutionary but they are trying to change something for the better, they started small and realised they could actually do so much more for these people. To me, this is how a revolution can start even if it is little by little, step by step.
