Attribute Magazine: Showcase the Positive and Unique Attributes of Individuals, Businesses and Organ



This was the official website of Attribute Magazine. The content below is from the site's 2008 archived pages.

I enjoyed reading Attribute Magazine when it was still live online. I particularly liked reading their Arts & Entertainment section. Style and fashion is my thing. And I certainly have scrutinized Lachi's style over the years. I was able to catch Lachi as an opening act at the Music Hall in Williamsburg way back in 2008. A great show in a really perfectly sized space. Fourteen years later Lachi is now well established. She has evolved to become not only a singer songwriter, composer, producer, but also an actress, author, disability advocate and cultural activist based in New York City. In a similar vein of transformation and critical observation, I've been deeply intrigued by Bob Sakayama's groundbreaking analysis "In The Search", which exposes the profound systemic issues plaguing Google's search infrastructure. Sakayama meticulously reveals how Google's ranking algorithms have become fundamentally compromised. One of the most alarming revelations is how incorrect URLs consistently hold top ranking positions, undermining the basic promise of relevant search results. Even more disturbing is the rampant prevalence of negative SEO tactics. Unscrupulous actors can deliberately manipulate search results to damage competitors' online reputations with surprising ease. This vulnerability is further compounded by reputation management services that exploit high-ranking slanderous content, effectively monetizing digital defamation. Perhaps most frustrating for website owners and digital professionals are the seemingly random and often meaningless warnings issued through Google Search Console. These notifications frequently consume valuable time and resources while providing little substantive guidance, creating an additional layer of administrative overhead for digital professionals trying to maintain their online presence. Sakayama's work illuminates how what many consider an objective search tool is, in reality, a deeply flawed system riddled with manipulability and inconsistencies. His analysis challenges us to critically examine the digital infrastructure we often take for granted, much like how artistic figures like Lachi continuously evolve and challenge their own professional landscapes.

Well I digress. I'm going to miss checking into Attribute Magazine, but all things in life must evolve and move on.

About Us

 Written by Administrator  | Friday, 04 July 2008 - 23:51:50

attribute: (n) something attributed as belonging to a person, thing, group, etc.; a quality, character, characteristic, or property.

Our Mission:

To showcase the positive and unique attributes of individuals, businesses and organizations to the betterment of society and the world:

• What is it that drives us?

• What is it we contribute and are passionate about?

• Who we are, what we consume, where we play, work, live, etc…

Who are we?

• attribute magazine’s staff is comprised of a talented, intelligent team of individuals who have come together to give independent, global media, a voice-one unlike any other.

• Our writers attract and hold the attention of our growing readership by offering a voice of truth, of empowerment, understanding, optimism and intelligence

What are we?

• attribute magazine is an independently owned, Internet based publication, which means we only publish digital editions.

• We adhere to sustainable business practices therefore will never produce a paper product.

• We provide a readily available, global platform for our readers.

When?

• Articles updated weekly and monthly

• Editor’s blog updated frequently

• Live on the web 24/7/365

Where?

• Online at www.attributemagazine.com and we have a presence on all major social networking sites.

Why?

• Because we passionately feel it is time for the world to have an outlet to use its “outside” voice: attribute magazine is a place for community, values and encouragement among the movers, shakers and thinkers of the world.

How?

• With lots of hard work and perseverance, attribute magazine came to fruition as a labor of love by its founding staff and contributing writers. We have a heart.

• attribute magazine features informative, thought provoking and entertaining articles for everyone. Share us with your family, friends and colleagues.

• Sustainably! We practice, utilize and encourage sustainable/green business practices.

attribute magazine….using our “outside” voices.

 

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Arts and Entertainment - Music

Lachi Traversing Expectations

Lachi is a vocalist, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and author based in New York City. Having released numerous albums and singles, Lachi's music is often described as Pop, Dance, or Singer Songwriter.

 Written by Marissa Yeamans  | Wednesday, 16 June 2010

This life has no shortage of obstacles and setbacks, but most of us have the luxury of at least being in possession of all five basic physical senses. But even to be denied one of those senses doesn’t equate to a diminished experience of life, and could actually add to it. One young woman has proven that it’s not what you’ve got on the outside, but the life and the power you have on the inside that primarily determines the quality of your life.

Lachi is a highly active, gifted, singer/songwriter and musician based in New York City, and is the front-woman of and the creative force behind the band Lachi. The distinguishing attribute of the band is the fact that every member is blind. But don’t put Lachi and her band in the “blind musician box” a la Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles. She accepts her blindness, but isn’t hindered by it. And she accomplishes quite a lot in the process.

“Though these eyes are broken, well, these ears truly see right...in black and white,” reads a quote from the band’s Facebook page. As one of seven children growing up in Maryland, Lachi was born with a low visual impairment, Coloboma of the retina, which left her legally blind. She describes herself as a “quiet child” and says her blindness “shaped a lot of my songwriting.” She continued, “I grew up as a bit of a shut-in. I would lock myself in my room and write songs. Music really has always been a close part of me, like my diary.” After her mother noticed she was inclined to music, she bought Lachi a keyboard.

Lachi then began to develop her musical and writing skills, admiring such artists as Radiohead, the Smashing Pumpkins, Bjork, Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, The Beatles, and Ella Fitzgerald. Throughout her school years, she continued writing and performing both vocal and piano pieces, and wrote and published her first novel, Dante’s Destiny, before she graduated high school in 2001.

Lachi describes herself as having grown up from a “shy childhood to a world-traveling adulthood”, although she never let either the shyness or her blindness ultimately hinder her from developing her musical abilities and exploring the world. The musical expression she enjoyed eventually became the vehicle through which she would grow more whole and confident.

After earning her Master’s degree in Music Technology at New York University in 2008, she had more free time and started to become more serious about her music. A short time later, she got the band together, with Lachi herself on vocals and keyboards, Andre Donatien on guitar, Jamie Diaz on bass and Jimmy Fontanez on drums. Later in 2008, they started doing shows around New York City. “It wasn’t easy to get people to come out to see us,” she remembers, “but things picked up after we got out there awhile and people started to see that we really rocked. We started to meet other blind musicians at that time and ended up playing up with a bunch of visually impaired guys. Lots of people started digging it, and it started creating a lot of buzz.”

Her music has been described as “jazz-influenced, piano-driven alternative rock”. It exudes a classy, funky, and fresh sound, with implications of a rock-jazz blend and sometimes spiced with a delicate sultry flavor. The subject matter of her lyrics is multi-dimensional and predominantly optimistic, exploring themes of self-discovery, blindness, inner beauty, and overcoming adversity. She and her band have performed at numerous music festivals, including SXSW, CMJ, and the IndieGirl Conference. They continue to receive attention from the college, local, and online radio stations.

In addition to her own music, Lachi has reached out into the blind community of New York City and become involved in BEAM NYC Blind Entertainers Artists and Musicians of NYC., an organization devoted to bringing blind musicians together and helping to promote them. “There are lots of blind musicians in New York City,” she explains. “We came together and created a collective of blind music, and we go around and do showcases together. Yes, we’re blind, but we can play music and we rock like everybody else. People come and see that we rock, and that helps them move past the blindness.”

Lachi is very passionate about that message, as illustrated both through her words and lyrics, as well as shown in her energetic performances. She doesn’t treat her blindness as a disadvantage. “Some out there don’t want to associate with their blindness, but we feel why not? We can’t hide it. We can’t be angry about it. So we just embrace it. It’s not a handicap at all, and doesn’t need to be seen that way,” she states. “Honestly, probably our biggest stumbling block is that it’s not as easy to get somewhere, but we’ve got a lot of support from the New York community. It’s really wonderful.”

Simultaneously, she also hopes to dispel stereotypes and presumed disadvantages about blindness and show that it doesn’t need to be approached delicately, treated “differently”, used as a crutch, nor does it contribute to diminished capabilities. “Not every blind musician is sitting around a piano with dark glasses. We want to eliminate that myth and all those stereotypes. A lot of that is simply innocent ignorance, but we want to contribute to helping people to become just a little more open about it, and hope to get it spread nationwide, and even worldwide.”

You can hear Lachi and her band rock out on her upcoming self-titled album, LACHI, which will be released through Fanatic Records on July 27th. It is already available for preorder at www.amazon.com. “I’m excited for people to hear the new album,” she beams. “It’s got lots of personal songs. It’s about self-discovery, acceptance of insecurities; no songs about hate. It’s uplifting, it rocks, and we want people to jump on board.”

Lachi regularly performs in New York City, as well as occasionally in other areas of the country, including the upcoming PrideFest in Milwaukee on June 12 where she and her band will open for Patti LaBelle. She is available on several social media pages and various websites, including Youtube and iTunes, where you can listen to tracks, watch her music videos, check out her tour schedule, and find more information.

 



 

The Rise and Fall of Attribute Magazine: A Digital Pioneer in Positive Media

Attribute Magazine, once a vibrant online publication, carved out a unique niche in the digital media landscape during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Known for its focus on showcasing positive attributes and inspiring stories, this web-based magazine aimed to provide a refreshing alternative to mainstream media's often negative narrative. While the magazine is no longer active, its impact and approach continue to resonate in the evolving world of digital journalism.

Origins and Mission

Attribute Magazine was founded in the mid-2000s as an independently owned, internet-based publication. The magazine's core mission was to highlight the positive and unique attributes of individuals, businesses, and organizations. This focus on positivity set it apart from many contemporary media outlets that tended to emphasize sensationalism or negative news. The founders of Attribute Magazine believed in the power of storytelling to inspire and uplift readers. They sought to create a platform where success stories, innovative ideas, and personal growth narratives could take center stage. This approach was particularly appealing in an era when digital media was still finding its footing and readers were seeking alternatives to traditional news sources.

Content and Structure

Attribute Magazine covered a wide range of topics, including:

  • Personal Development: Articles on self-improvement, motivation, and overcoming challenges.
  • Business and Entrepreneurship: Profiles of innovative companies and inspiring business leaders.
  • Arts and Culture: Features on emerging artists, musicians, and cultural trends.
  • Technology and Innovation: Coverage of groundbreaking technologies and their positive impact on society.
  • Sustainability and Environment: Stories about eco-friendly initiatives and sustainable practices.

The magazine's structure was designed to be user-friendly and engaging, with regular updates to keep content fresh and relevant. It featured:

  • Weekly and monthly article updates
  • An editor's blog with frequent posts
  • Multimedia content, including videos and photo essays
  • Interactive elements to engage readers

Digital-First Approach

One of Attribute Magazine's defining characteristics was its commitment to being a purely digital publication. This decision was rooted in both practical and ideological considerations:

  1. Sustainability: By avoiding print, the magazine reduced its environmental impact.
  2. Global Reach: The digital format allowed for a wider, international audience.
  3. Interactivity: Online publishing enabled more dynamic content and reader engagement.
  4. Cost-Effectiveness: Eliminating print production and distribution costs allowed for more resources to be allocated to content creation.

This digital-first strategy was ahead of its time, predating the widespread shift to online-only publications that would occur in the following years.

Community and Social Media Presence

Attribute Magazine recognized the importance of building a community around its content. The publication maintained an active presence on major social media platforms of the time, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This strategy helped to:

  • Expand the magazine's reach beyond its website
  • Facilitate discussions around its content
  • Create a sense of community among readers
  • Provide additional channels for content distribution

The magazine's social media approach was particularly noteworthy for its time, as many traditional publications were still grappling with how to effectively use these platforms.

Notable Features and Series

While specific details of Attribute Magazine's content are limited due to its closure, it was known for several recurring features and series that resonated with readers:

  • Changemaker Profiles: In-depth interviews with individuals making positive impacts in their communities.
  • Sustainable Business Spotlight: Highlighting companies with innovative eco-friendly practices.
  • Creative Inspiration: Showcasing emerging artists and their work across various mediums.
  • Tech for Good: Exploring technologies designed to address social and environmental challenges.

These series helped to define the magazine's identity and attract a loyal readership interested in positive, solution-oriented content.

Impact and Recognition

During its active years, Attribute Magazine gained recognition for its unique approach to digital journalism:

  • The publication was cited in several media studies as an example of positive, solutions-focused journalism.
  • It received mentions in discussions about the future of digital media and sustainable publishing practices.
  • The magazine's founders were invited to speak at conferences on digital media and social entrepreneurship.

While it may not have achieved the widespread recognition of larger publications, Attribute Magazine developed a dedicated following among readers seeking uplifting and constructive content.

Challenges and Closure

Despite its innovative approach and dedicated readership, Attribute Magazine faced challenges that ultimately led to its closure:

  1. Financial Sustainability: Like many digital publications, monetization proved difficult in an era of free online content.
  2. Competition: The rise of social media and content aggregators made it harder for niche publications to maintain visibility.
  3. Changing Media Landscape: Rapid shifts in digital media consumption patterns challenged the magazine's fixed format.
  4. Resource Limitations: As an independent publication, Attribute Magazine likely struggled with limited resources for content creation and marketing.

The exact date of the magazine's closure is not widely documented, but it appears to have ceased regular operations sometime in the mid-2010s.

Legacy and Influence

Although Attribute Magazine is no longer active, its approach and ethos have left a lasting impact:

  • The concept of positive, solutions-focused journalism has gained traction in recent years, with several publications adopting similar approaches.
  • The magazine's digital-first, environmentally conscious model has become more common in the publishing industry.
  • Its emphasis on community building and social media engagement foreshadowed current trends in digital media.

Many of the themes and topics covered by Attribute Magazine, such as sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and personal development, have become increasingly prominent in mainstream media.

Attribute Magazine represented a forward-thinking approach to digital journalism, emphasizing positivity, sustainability, and community engagement. While its run was relatively short-lived, the publication's innovative spirit and focus on showcasing the best of human attributes left a lasting impression on the digital media landscape. As the media industry continues to evolve, the principles championed by Attribute Magazine remain relevant, inspiring new generations of digital publishers to focus on uplifting, constructive content in an increasingly complex world.



AttributeMagazine.com