Friday, August 8, 2008

Story of My Life

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief

I have been reading since I was three years old, reading at a second grade level in Kindergarten [once I became beyond my social anxiety]. I have been writing books since I was eight years old and became involved with journalism when I was only 12-years-old. I was in 8th grade ['92] and I cut and pasted my 'fun page' for our school 'paper' ...er newsletter. I collected jokes for the day, cross word puzzles, listed random trends and mind puzzles.

I was put off by the fact that I didn't get into Honors English as a freshman [due to sloppy handwriting; hence actual writer, I can think faster than I can write -- wow!!] so I didn't join Journalism until I was 16-years-old [a couple got in as sophomores and I am sure I could have with my experience but I was not happy]. I wrote ten pieces a month as well as conducted online research as the internet was in its primative modern times ['96]. I wrote anything from news to opinion to features -- I even covered some horoscope pieces.

My senior year, I had a talk with my Journalism Advisor and suggested that I should move to High School Yearbook so I could learn layout. He told me that if I stayed I could have any section I wanted. I picked Features.

I still wrote ten pieces a month in a SacBee type layout and feel. I also edited stories from not just my section but overflow from the news section. On top of that, I didn't just lay out one page but two -- the same size as The Sacramento Bee. I used Pagemaker ['97-'98] and also printed out each section and cut and pasted them on our grid and sent them off to press; old skool style.

College came around and I opted for junior college. As I was taking various classes I was working my ass off trying to get a job at a publication with no avail. I submitted for several editing and staffwriting positions; whether they were hiring or not for such publications as Rocklin News, Orangevale News, West Sacramento News, The Roseville Tribune, Sacramento News and Review, Jane Magazine and Teen People.

Teen People made me a TrendSpotter in my community and Sacramento News and Review made me a contributing writer.

As I was persued my professional career, I enrolled in the college newspaper course where, first semester was deemed features and assigning editor. There were a lot of jealous personalities surrounding me but I made it happen nonetheless. I already was one. I had been one since I was a kid.

August '01 brought UBO Magazine, or should I say UndergroundBeat Online. With help from three wonderful men, Mike Steiner, Dave Drever and Chris Schmalbeck -- my goal of my own magazine came to life. Business direction, graphic design and layout assisted my while I wrote, networked, gathered staff and edited content. I attended events, collected press kits, interviewed bands and reviewed events and albums.

This was the life! I found what I wanted so I continued in this path which lead me into becoming a publicist for artists, musicians and independent business events as well as booking, marketing and promoting local events.

I am now sponsored by Redbull, I freelance for Sacramento News and Review and I make money as I support and assist local artists. UBO Magazine is thriving as I was able to be a critic for the Sacramento Music Awards [SAMMIES] given by Sacramento News and Review. I was honored to awknowledge Sacramento's best hip-hop artist/band. I am also; second year running, a judge for the American Marijuana Music Awards yet this year I am the solo hip-hop judge -- this means if you make Mary Jane Music -- I am picking your song for America! I am also judging the Reggae, Dub and Ska World Section. I book and market shows locally -- everything is looking up and I am excited about the future!!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

In The News and Streets

By Aaris A. Schroeder
June 26, 2008

Sounding much like a blog, editorials are meant to keep readers up to speed with their favorite publication. UBO Magazine has moved forward by getting a story published about myself in Sacramento News and Review. Yes, the same publication that I once 'freelanced' for but never published anything since SNR didn't want to publish what I had to offer. This was when my network was fresh in '01 but still much heartier than theirs within the hip-hop community.

Now, with the help of networking websites such as MySpace, BiteClub.com, SacLights.com and MidtownGrid.com, UBO Magazine has become known as the local hip-hop source for indie reviews -- we do much more than that, of course but hey, that's a start right?

Seven years later, it seems like I still have much to learn in this game of life and in within the hip-hop community. I will say one thing though, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am happy to be here and am going to continue to share news-worthy features, reviews and news to all of you who are willing to read.

UBO has been working on shows this last year with Ultra Mega Collective, Spyn Cycal and now CavernMen [which is Mahtie Bush (Alumni), Wyzdom and 24-Hrz. (Verbal Venom)and 2Ugli (Apes In English), better known as SacHatesHipHop]. Bands that have performed for UBO's audience include and are not limited to: Verbal Venom, Nieghborhood Watch, Alumni, A.R.A.B., DJ RockBottom, SOMOBE, Giant Panda, State Cap., 5th Ave, Jupiter7, Blu, Righteous Movement, Random Abyladese, Scotty Beagle [Forms in Flux], Miss Ashleigh, Another Rap Group, Live Manikins, Jus-Luv [Lost Tribe], SupaCMunky, 7evin, Bru Lei and Tribe of Levi.

By the end of the summer, UBO will have also had the privilege to have worked with Braille, The BREAX, Iz. Real, Jise 1 of The Arsonists, Indrid Cold from Society of the Invisables, 2Ugli, The Desparados, M.I. Geezus, From Parts Unknown, Kest & Horizon, and DJ Limegreen [The Alkoholiks] and several others.

UBO Public Relations is currently working with Shane Grammer and Marie Carmeli with marketing to art galleries, consignment and rewriting his website. This past year, UBO has worked with Raja, Ed Wordz, Da Profit, Felicia Stratti, Midtown Grid, Neighborhood Watch, Mr. P Chill, P.I. Entertainment, East County Global Groove Multi-Cultural Festival, SacHatesHipHop.com, Spyn Cycal Concert Series and Ruin.

If you want to work with UBO Magazine, UBO Marketing or UBO P.R. Services, just hit me up! I am more than willing to work with you and so is my staff!

ubomag@gmail.com / (916) 548-8391 / www.ubomag.com / www.myspace.com/ubomagazine

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

February 2008

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief

This is going to be my first published editorial online, possibly ever -- although I have written them, I just have been spending so much time getting everything else in order from writing to editing to posting to working the business to finding staff that I haven't had much time to get an editorial out of myself.

Luckily, I make the rules to my own editorial and here they are:

1. My editorials are to be written on my own accord much like a diary or journal entry.

2. I may switch up the subjects but won't leave you confused

3. I have a lot to say, so I hope you like reading [part of why journalists have paragraphs consisting of one-three sentences

Alright, enough with my rules and regulations in editorialism. Here is the deal. I am not going to quit UBO Mag. Not just because written journalism as a whole is a dying art or because I have too much pride -- we pride may have something to do with it -- but because I was one of the first online e-zines in Northern CA. The month I decide to attempt going hardcopy everyone I know around me is being threatened to go under -- McClatchy who runs Sac Bee -- I know SNR is moving from their comfy Midtown location to DPH [Del Paso Hieghts, if you don't know], Prosper is going under, Sacramento Magazine is doing okay but I am sure that Sactown Mag [ran by McClatchy or is it Sacramento Mag?] and Midtown Monthly [which got bought out from a load of other blah-blah-blah Monthlies] is soon to follow. I don't like seeing this because for myself, someone who is working in my field because I love it, not because I want to make a load of money from it will suffer the most. Every small magazine like 916, The Legend, Yellow Bus and whoever else can't survive in this economy. Being independent is hard -- you have to know how to hustle. We are staying online but in the meantime, I will continue to e-press UBO for you -- if it makes you feel better, print out a copy for yourself and show your friends. It will save me and my potential, purposive advertisers a lot of money.