WE ARE THE INITIATIVE FOR INDIE MUSIC WORLDWIDE!
WE GET INDIE MUSIC READ ABOUT, SEEN, AND HEARD!
OUR STAFF
ION Indie Magazine is comprised of a volunteer team of journalists, photojournalists and music industry professionals who share the same passion for independent music. Many members of the ION journalistic team are musicians themselves, thus, they understand the struggles of today's artists. One of these hurdles is acquiring media coverage, which is a necessary element to promote their music. ION Indie Magazine was founded on the premise of providing valuable exposure in an effort to support the careers of hard-working and career-minded artists of all genres worldwide. To this end, each of the dedicated individuals of the staff of ION Indie Magazine lends their time and talent to produce an indie-focused publication that is both informative and entertaining, served in an interactive format.
Meet The Staff
KIKI PLESHA (THE FAIRY ROCK MOTHER) // Editor-in-Chief / Art Director
Founder, CEO, Editor-in-Chief, and Art Director Kiki Plesha began her career working in Marketing & Advertising for the legendary late-night talk show king, Johnny Carson. This led to a career in journalism and public relations. Kiki envisioned a way that she could tap into her talents for the betterment of indie artists everywhere, and ION Indie Magazine is the result of that vision. She considers ION as her "love letter to independent music." Kiki wears many hats -- besides being a busy publicist, she is a television producer for IndieCast TV. She is also affectionately known as The Fairy Rock Mother -- a moniker assigned due to her many contributions over the years assisting independent artists by supporting their careers.
Contact Kiki at kplesha@ionindiemagazine.com
MARTY HAVIIK // Managing Editor / Senior Photojournalist / Instagram Manager
Managing Editor and Senior Photojournalist for ION Marty Haviik is a photographer, media professional, musician, U.S. Army veteran, and proud Steelers fan. Originally from East LA and now sunbathing in sunny Tucson, Arizona, Marty has worked with and shared the stage with such greats as Motörhead, Mötley CrÏ‹e, Warrant, and Stephan Pearcy of RATT. A photojournalist since ‘98, he has photographed over 150 celebrities, artists, and bands, including Jeremiah Bitsui of TMC's Breaking Bad, Pandora's CEO Tim Westergren, and the band Hollywood Undead. He works for the AZ Division of Developmental Disability and additionally owns Arizona Thunder Photography. Marty has delivered several compelling cover stories/interviews, including Gabriel Ayala, Stryper, and Lenny Mental of The Besmirchers -- along with dynamic images direct from his lens to our pages! Marty additionally oversees our Instagram page. Learn more about Marty's photography at https://azthunderphot9.wixsite.com/azthunderphoto
JB BRIDGES // Co-Founder / Senior Photojournalist
Co-founder of ION Indie Magazine JB Bridges also serves as a Senior Photojournalist for the publication, besides being a prolific writer who has penned numerous compelling articles for the magazine. JB has created two columns for ION, “Twelve Bars Stars," reporting on independent blues music and “Venue on the Menu," which spotlights music venues worldwide. JB has additionally authored several cover stories featuring such notable indies as swamp metal band Silversel, hip hop artist International Nova, country music sensation Ashley Wineland, and the iconic multi-faceted singer Kaz Hawkins. Residing in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, JB's lens is turned toward the throngs of talented artists of all genres that appear in the many venues and festivals of this popular music hub.
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Contact JB at jbridges@ionindiemagazine.com
DANIEL JOHNSON // Senior Photojournalist
Bostonian Daniel “The Dagda” Johnson serves as our Media Coverage Coordinator, acting as a liaison between our journalistic staff and the “gatekeepers” for the recognized names that appear in our magazine. He is additionally a Senior Photojournalist for ION, who has branched out from behind the lens to author several cover/feature articles for ION. Daniel first came to the editor's attention when his photography was utilized in a feature interview with the band Leaving Eden for ION -- you could say that Daniel joining the staff was destiny! Daniel continuously brings phenomenal content to ION, but perhaps his biggest scoop to date was his interviews with none other than Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood! Check out his exceptional photography on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DagdaPhotography
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Contact Daniel at djohnson@ionindiemagazine.com
ERIKA JOHNSON // Senior Journalist
Senior Journalist and experienced interviewer Erika Johnson is a published writer. In addition, she's Daniel “The Dagda’s” Johnson’s “partner in crime” -- both in and out of the music scene. Erika fell in love with music at a young age gaining further exposure through high school, college, and graduate school, while working for Record Town and FYE selling cassettes, then CDs. Erika loves to dive below the surface when interviewing artists, learning who they are at their core. Writing has always been one of her favorite ways of self-expression. Erika has reported on various concerts around the Boston area for ION Indie Magazine and authored the cover story and conducted the insightful interview with alternative country artist Chris Moreno. We are thrilled that Erika now brings her passion for the written word to the pages of ION Indie Magazine!
Contact Erika at ejohnson@ionindiemagazine.com
SCOTT WIKLE // Journalist
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Scott Wikle has a long history as Program Director and on-air host of My Kind of Country, featuring the best of traditional country music. He joins the ION Indie Magazine journalistic family covering traditional country music. Scott has worked in the music industry for over 30 years as a musician, retail store manager, promoter, and broadcaster and has conducted hundreds of interviews with compelling guests and country music legends such as Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Gene Watson, Mac Wiseman, Freddie Hart, Bobby Bare, David Frizzell, Lacy J. Dalton, Charley Pride, Moe Bandy, and more. A fun fact for music geeks -- Scott has the largest, complete collection of Merle Haggard recordings worldwide. Recently, Scott was awarded the "DJ of the Year" award (2020) by the Academy of Western Artists. He is additionally a NACMAI Hall of Fame Member, a 2018 Academy of Western Artists Nominee, and his station has been voted “Radio Station Of The Year” in 2017 and 2018.
Contact Scott at scottwikle@gmail.com
LINDSAY ANN SNYDER // Senior Photojournalist
ION Indie Magazine photojournalist Lindsay Ann Snyder is a native New Yorker who is now based out of Atlanta. When not behind the lens, she is also a wife, cat mom, hairdresser, and a musician. Photography has always been a passion of Lindsay Ann’s for as long as she can remember. In fact, from a young age, you can say that she’s never been camera shy! As an artist, she naturally sees things from a different perspective and she is always looking for creative elements in the simplest things. She enjoys having the ability to capture moments as they are happening -- even if they don’t seem to be picture-worthy to the naked eye. As Lindsay Ann puts it, “Life is a gift! For as long as I’m living, I want to have something tangible to remember my lifetime by and I hope I can do the same for those around me. Photography gives me that outlet. I’m looking forward to sharing my artistry and connecting with y’all! Thanks for being a part of my journey!” Learn more about Lindsay Ann Snyder and her photography at http://www.photosbylindsayann.com
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Contact Lindsay Ann at lsnyder@ionindiemagazine.com
TIM BOARD // Senior Journalist / Eye On Jamz Radio Show Host
ION Indie Magazine’s all-genre globally-syndicated independent music radio show, Eye On Jamz, is hosted by Texas-based popular on-air personality, Tim Board. Growing up in St. Louis, Tim was bitten with the passion for radio while listening to music on KSHE 95FM sports and late-night talk on KMOX 1120AM. While pursuing higher education, Tim developed his skills at the college radio station. His passion for broadcast steered him toward obtaining his degree in communications. After college, Tim worked for a few years at various small commercial radio stations in Central Missouri. Tim has interviewed such artists as Zak Sloan, Swirl, Kill for Eden, Whiskey Kate, Cass Clayton, Michal Towber, Cliff Wheeler Band, and many others. Tim now lends his gift of gab to Eye On Jamz. In addition, Tim also oversees our campaigns with ReverbNation and contributes our "ReverbNation Featured Artist" coverage for ION Indie Magazine. Check for Eye On Jamz days, times, and stations at www.ionindiemagazine.com/eye-on-jamz-radio
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For the magazine, contact Tim at tboard@ionindiemagazine.com
For the radio show, contact Tim at eyeonjamz@ionindiemagazine.com
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MERYL EM // Photojournalist
Meryl Em (Melquiades) is a Filipino-American concert photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. She wanted to professionally take photos for as long as she could remember and is now living her dream as a self-taught photographer, also thanks to a little help from her photographer friends (cue: “With a Little Help from My Friends” by The Beatles). She started concert photography in 2014, covering shows of touring bands from the Philippines, Fil-Am local shows, and other artists from the LA music scene. While she enjoys concert photography the most, she also takes wedding photos and portraits. Meryl also has various interests and passions outside of photography. She is a full-time Nurse, a fur parent to four furry 4-legged children, and a drummer in an LA-based band called Something Came Up. Additionally, she is a foodie – her favorites are Redbull and Chickenjoy! While Meryl continues to grow as a photographer, her future aspirations include pursuing her other dream of becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician.
Check out Meryl’s photography pages at:
https://www.merylmphotography.com
https://www.facebook.com/Merylmphotography
https://www.instagram.com/hellomerylm/
Contact Meryl at mm@ionindiemagazine.com
DAVE "MOTO" BISHOP // Photojournalist
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Dave “Moto” Bishop is a Photojournalist residing in Chattanooga, TN, recently relocating from Tampa, Florida, after more than 40 years. He is Founder/President of Fastlane for Christ, A Christian Motorcycle Ministry. Mr. Bishop is a nationally published music writer, photographer, and videographer, working with numerous national and local bands and various artists. His photos and reviews have been published in a variety of magazines. He is the Owner and CEO of Fastlane MusicMedia, where he produces music videos for a variety of musical acts as well as both promotional and live-action photography.
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Check out Fastland MusicMedia at: https://www.facebook.com/fastlanemusicmedia
Contact Dave at dbishop@ionindiemagazine.com
KIRA DOMAN // Journalist
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Journalist Kira Doman joins the staff of ION Indie Magazine, bringing experience as a published writer. Kira, an adventurist that found her passion in journalism, travels the United States in a van-life journey with her significant other – along with a cat and a dog -- while listening to bands and making memories. Kira focuses her writing on bands and artists with less than 10k Spotify listeners a month, with the goal of boosting their listening platforms while gifting her own ears with fresh music. Kira has interviewed Gaelic Storm, Old Dominion, and Leah Marlene.
Read more of Kira’s work as she writes for ION Indie Magazine and follow along on her traveling journey at https://www.domandoma.in
You can contact Kira at kdoman@ionindiemagazine.com
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MAL WHICHELOW // Senior Photojournalist
Mal Whichelow is our “across the pond” correspondent. A familiar face in Sheffield clubs and venues, Mal had been sharing his unique perspective for several years in the UK. He began his photography career capturing images of various local bands/artists, starting with the unsigned talent in area bars. Later, set his sights on more well-known musicians gracing the stages of festivals. An avid supporter of independent music, most weekends you can find Mal regularly out and about pointing his lens at some of the most talented and dynamic undiscovered artists. Check out Mal’s impressive body of work at https://www.facebook.com/malwhichelowphotography.
Contact Mal at mwhichelow@ionindiemagazine.com.
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MIKE MILLER // Photojournalist
Mike Miller is a concert photographer hailing from Niagara Falls, New York. Mike possesses an unwavering passion for capturing the magic of live music performances. He has established himself as a highly respected figure in the industry and is sought after by both fellow professionals and clients alike for his unique expertise. Over the course of a decade, Mike has had the privilege of photographing some of the most renowned bands and artists worldwide, including music icons Paul McCartney, Metallica, Tool, Iron Maiden, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Def Leppard. Through his lens, Mike freezes fleeting moments, immortalizing the raw emotions and exhilarating energy that permeates the concert atmosphere. His knowledge spans a wide range of musical genres – from soulful melodies to hard rock anthems – as he aims to share the captivating experience of live music with audiences far and wide. With dedication and an unparalleled eye for detail, Mike’s photography stands as a testament to his commitment to his craft. Check out Mike’s work at https://www.mikemillerproductions.net/.
Contact Mike at mmiller@ionindiemagazine.com.
NICK WOOD // Photojournalist
Nick Wood comes to the ION Indie Magazine staff with a world of experience as a media professional. At just 19 years old, Nick runs his own photography company, Wood Media. Born and raised in High Point, North Carolina, Nick has worked with numerous artists and bands, from local to national acts.
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Serving all your photography needs, check out Nick's business site at https://www.wood-media.com/.
Contact Nick at nwood@ionindiemagazine.com.
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