Java.June.2016

THE OUTLAW SPIRIT
By Robert Sentinery
BUZZ
This month we celebrate the independent spirit of Phoenix, with stories on such
diverse topics as filmmaking, the tech industry and a tribute to one of our city’s
musical greats—Waylon Jennings. If Waylon were alive today, he would be
celebrating his 79th birthday on June 15. He loved this place and left an indelible
mark on it. Although he passed in 2002, his influence continues today—in the
outlaw spirit that permeates not only our music scene but our creative climate as
a whole. To honor his legacy, we feature Waylon tribute artist August Manley.
Manley not only looks and dresses the part but seems to exude the spirit of
Waylon during his heyday in the ’70s, both on and off stage. Besides performing
with his local band, The Outlaw, Manley also tours the country as part of The
Highwaymen Live tribute act, performing as Jennings, alongside others who
do Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Manley talks about growing up with classic
country on his grandpa’s ranch outside Tacoma, Washington, and how upon
visiting the Valley he felt a kind of spiritual connection. A pilgrimage to Waylon’s
gravesite in Mesa sealed the deal, and he relocated here about two years ago
(see “The Outlaw: A Waylon Jennings Tribute with August Manley,” p. 8).
Lawdan Shojaee, CEO of Scottsdale-based software company Axosoft, is changing
the way tech companies do business in Arizona and beyond. Female CEOs are still
fairly rare, and Shojaee brings a very different sensibility to the workplace for
her employees. Large, open spaces with wide windows framing mountain views,
a gym and climbing wall, yoga spaces, showers and a large lunchroom with a
welcoming atmosphere are just some of the things that have earned Axosoft
recognition for being one of the best companies to work for in Arizona.
The #ItWasNeverADress campaign to encourage more women to enter the tech
industry was conceived by Shojaee and Axosoft’s in-house artist/provocateur
Tania Katan. The image, which co-opts the international symbol for woman,
highlights the dress portion, showing it instead as a superhero cape, along with
the catchphrase. Official versions of the #ItWasNeverADress symbol also feature
an “(Em)powered by Axosoft” graphic (see “Lawdan Shojaee: Axosoft CEO and
Cultural Harvester,” p. 12).
Filmmaker JoAnn Lujan is a native Phoenician who grew up in the heart of
the city. Her father was a mariachi musician, and all forms of creativity were
encouraged in her household. Being an only child, Lujan learned to entertain
herself by creating stories that played like filmstrips in her imagination. When it
came to choosing a career, filmmaking seemed like a natural for her.
Fiercely independent, Lujan completed seven solo backpacking trips through
Europe by age 22. She then pursued her dream of living in New York City,
supporting herself as holistic health practitioner while immersing herself in film
culture. She has since returned to the Valley to help care for her aging parents
and recently completed a degree in filmmaking from SCC. While in college she
met hip hop artist Candyman, and they have been collaborating on a hip hop
documentary for the last year and a half. With Candyman’s industry connections
and Lujan’s can-do attitude, the team has been gathering footage and interviews
with many of the hip hop greats (see “Filmmaker JoAnn Lujan,” p. 34).