I have so much to share with you all about life, work, changes, and growth over the past week. So much. For now I’ll save my personal stories, and share with you all something that has been in the works for the better part of 6 months. Yes, you read correctly! But no matter how long it has taken to arrive, arrive it has. Today I am so very excited to announce the launch of the fifth volume of Off Switch Magazine (my baby, for those of you new around here)! If you’ve followed Off Switch’s journey over the previous four volumes, I really think you’ll be delighted by what you see when you click right here. That’s right, we’re back to launching full volumes for free online! Don’t worry all you print lovers, paper copies will be available in the next couple weeks!

I’m actually out of town for the week in sunny California, a welcome change of pace from the chilly weather we’ve been having in the Chicago area. While I’m away I’ve planned a whole bunch of fun posts for you to enjoy, a few of which tie in directly with the new volume. So what are you waiting for? Head on over, check out all 80 pages, and get ready to CELEBRATE!

PS: While I’m out I’ll be snapping loads of iPhone photos and sharing them on my Instagram account! Just click on that nifty button in the right sidebar called “instagram” and you can see all the photos, no matter if you own a smart phone or a rotary phone. Yay!

With ALL volumes of Off Switch Magazine now being made available for viewing online in their entirety, I realized that I should introduce you all to some of the awesome interviews, projects, and people we have been blessed to collaborate with and feature in our pages. Please reference this post if you have any questions about what volumes were previously only available as previews, etc. I hope you enjoy this series of posts that are intended to serve as a reminder of all the fun things we’ve been able to do at Off Switch so far. Enjoy!

Who doesn’t love a good indie band living by the beat of their own drum? I know I do! And with so many new musical artists popping up on the internet these days, it’s often hard to find a favorite amidst the sea of sweet tunes and guitar chords. Ever since our second volume we have loved featuring new bands, each of which have had inspiring messages and thoughts on living without an off switch. Because these guys really are, and their persistence and talent and kindness blow me away. Three cheers to hard work and doing what you love!

Our first band interview! This one was an interesting find as I actually discovered Lower Lights Burning‘s photo set by the talented Pacific Northwest photographer Ben Blood before ever listening to their music. Once I did I realized that they were a wonderful group with a unique and addictive sound! I seriously recommend having a listen to their entire 7 track album, Coming Back when you’re working at your computer the next time. I asked a friend of a friend to interview them, and in the process she too became a fan of Amanda, Graydon, and Michael. Check out Caroline’s interview with the trio in volume 2 of Off Switch Mag right here!

In the spring of last year, I sent an email to the always delightful Kelly Ann Mount asking her what indie bands she was loving at the moment. I was searching for a band to interview for the next volume, and knew my own limitations when it came to keeping up with new musical talent. I told Kelly Ann that if one of the bands I contacted from her list agreed to a Q & A, she would have the opportunity to do the interview. Whelp, that summer we were lucky to get an interview with Watford, England sister trio, The Staves. These ladies harmonize so beautifully, a true breath of fresh air. They have several EPs as well as a full length album called Dead and Born and Grown, all available on their iTunes page. Check out Kelly Ann’s interview with the girls in volume 3 of Off Switch Mag right here!

Late last summer I asked the lovely Meg Fee who she thought would make for a great Off Switch band interview. I remember telling her something like, think big! And thing big she most certainly did. Off Switch Mag was beyond lucky to interview Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers. I know Meg is a big fan of this group and to be able to give her the opportunity to speak with one of it’s members—on the phone, no less—gave me such joy. The interview was perfectly timed, too, as their new album The Carpenter came out right as our issue did last fall. Check all their albums out on their iTunes page, and please take a few moments to read the thoughtful interview in volume 4 of Off Switch Mag right here!

By now it looks as if we have a thing for trios here at Off Switch! I promise you we’re not biased, just the product of coincidence. Kindlewood is our most recent musical group feature for Off Switch Magazine, and their interview is in our spring 2013 volume! I think you will all fall in love with these guys. After introducing me to this good-hearted group, Kelly Ann returned to interview Kelci, Galen, and Jamison for our latest issue. Kindlewood even let us use their beautiful song “This House” in our Kickstarter video a few months back—so nice of them! With their newest song “Give and Take” debuting recently on Paste Magazine’s website, I know these three are destined to achieve greatness. And just think, now you too can follow in their journey! (Volume 5 will be released on May 13, 2013.)

With ALL volumes of Off Switch Magazine now being made available for viewing online in their entirety, I realized that I should introduce you all to some of the awesome interviews, projects, and people we have been blessed to collaborate with and feature in our pages. Please reference this post if you have any questions about what volumes were previously only available as previews, etc. I hope you enjoy this series of posts that are intended to serve as a reminder of all the fun things we’ve been able to do at Off Switch so far. Enjoy!

Illustrations — Julia Manchik

Hi guys! Today I’ve got a special treat for you all. I will hold off on a big and lengthy explanation except to say that I think you’re going to really love this surprise: Today I am revealing the two volumes of Off Switch Mag (Vol 3 & 4) which have never been released in full online! Previously only a several page sneak peek was available for both of these issues, but today that all changes. I have added both volumes — summer and fall of 2012 — to our issuu.com account as well as embedded them into this post. So! Take a seat, kick back with your viewing device of choice, and get all caught up on the full collection of Off Switch Magazine.

Our spring (er…summer?) 2013 volume will be released online soon.

* Updates to the magazine website — offswitchmagazine.com — will be forthcoming.

Marcus Mumford and the gang have kept permanent residence in my car since the week their sophomore album, Babel, came out. And by that I mean their CD has been the only CD to stay in my player for the past six or more months. Yes, yes. I’m obsessive. But, I’m also a girl in love with a band for over two years now. And no matter what music you love, I think we can all agree that the moment you find an artist who you feel such a connection with is the moment you have discovered your passion for music. My tastes may not be for everyone and I don’t profess to be the “biggest Mumford fan alive,” but I am inspired and invigorated by this band and their love for making music. Someday I’ll see them live and in that moment — as I’m jumping up and down to the beat of I Will Wait — I’ll think of all the months and years spent listening to them in my car. And I will smile. Because music can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere. That’s the beauty — there are no rules, just songs.

If you want to learn just what discovering one’s “Ella” means, I invite you to read the wonderful essay that Meg Fee wrote for the spring 2012 volume of Off Switch Magazine entitled, The Bold Year. It’s always been one of my favorites. And after you’ve read the essay, I invite you all to come back here and share in the comments who your “Ella” is. I’d love to know!

Illustration — Faye West