Graham K is a key component of the Zappos music world and is deticated to making the downtown scene more viable. Graham has been working for Zappos for two and a half years
and is currently the Social Commerce Product Manager. This is his 6th position in his Zappos jorney! When he is not busy at work, he is playing in the band CUPPS. To learn more about Graham and his love for music, I asked him 5 questions:

1) What are your top five albums of all time and why?

G: Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon"- This is the ultimate concept album. Experimental meets rock n' roll meets space. It's everything you could want in a record.

The Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" - The Flaming Lips not only accomplished a wide range of feelings and textures on this record, they pull ALL of it off live too.

Radiohead  "Kid A" - This record taught me that music is just as much about subtlety as it is about sound. Another great live band.

Cursive "The Ugly Organ" - Ugly Organ was one of those records that was in constant rotation in my high school to college transition. I can remember where I was during parts of this record.

Nas "Illmatic" - Seriously one of the best hip hop records of all time. No hype, all hooks.

2)What new artist(s) are you currently excited about?

G: The Black Lips, F*d Up, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Los Campesinos, SBTRKT, Girls, Sleepy Sun, TV on the Radio

3)What is your favorite venue to see shows at in Las Vegas and who are your favorite local artists?

G: It WAS the Huntridge and now probably the Boulevard Pool. As for local bands, I dig Minor Suns, Hassan and Phil A, Beau and the Outfit, Dinner Music for the Gods, Kid Meets Cougar and lots more.

4)What was the last song/artist you listened to(be honest)?

G: Sleepy Sun – "Marina" (off the record FEVER).

5)How has music impacted your relationship with employees at Zappos?

G: I have met many other musicians (I'm in a band with one other Zappos employee and two previous employees), had the opportunity to do booking for Zappos events and tapped into the fun and weirdness with parodies, music videos and more during my time here.

Hank M. from our ZCLT team has been on the phones since July of 2011. Hank is somebody that is always eager to talk about music and personifies rock n’ roll like nobody else at Zappos. To learn more about Hank and his love for music I asked him some music-related questions:

What are your top five albums of all time and why?

H: Faded Grey "A Quiet Time for Desperation"- Local Las Vegas Legends, this record represents a specific period of my life that I will always look back on with fondness.

Turbonegro "Apocalypse Dudes"- I believe this to be one of the greatest rock and roll records of my generation. Also, one of the tightest live bands I've ever seen.

Minor Threat "Discography"- A record I picked up in high school, and to this day it's still fierce and intense as I remember it.

The Murder City Devils "Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts"- When they were touring on this record I drove 8 hours to Salt lake City to see them.

The Observers- "So What's Left Now"- A few years ago I tried to set up a show with these dudes with the help of a friend. Due to a breakdown in communication I got the dates wrong and dudes showed up to my house and me saying "Sorry, I screwed up. I don't have a show for you". Luckily, they were bunch of sweet guys and we just ended up walking down the strip. I still have a friendly acquaintance with some of the members to this day.

What new artist(s) are you currently excited about?

H: The Wax Idols- I've been playing their "No Future" LP non stop!

What is your favorite venue to see shows at in Las Vegas and who are your favorite local artists?

H: I really like the set up at the Artifice. Also, Yayo Tacos is pretty rad! Favorite local bands: Candy Warpop, Pigasus, The Dirty Somethings. 

What was the last song/artist you listened to(be honest)?

H: Jay Reatard –“I Know a Place”

How has music impacted your relationship with employees at Zappos?

H: It's been a great way to find common ground and build new relationships.

This week’s Zapponian Spotlight is on Chris L. from our ZCLT team. Chris is a karaoke connoisseur and a die-hard Oregon Ducks fan (as you’ll find out in his answers below!)

He’s also the captain of the unofficial Zappos kickball team and enjoys dressing in a Gumby costume if the need comes up. Read on to learn more about Chris!

Pick 3 words to describe your personal style.

C: “Oregon Ducks” and “Zappos”. 80% of my wardrobe consists of Oregon Ducks gear, or Zappos shirts.  I refuse to shop for myself.  Therefore about all I own comes from either the shirts that we receive here, or Oregon Ducks gear.  I’m a huge Ducks fan, so if anyone feels compelled to get me a gift, it’s usually related to that.  I get a lot of comments when I wear anything else, because people are thrown off.

Who is your favorite musician or band?

C: If I had to choose a band, I would have to go with Foreigner.  If you listen to their greatest hits album, it’s amazing.  There is not one song that doesn’t capture your heart.  I had much less success with my purchase of the Hootie and the Blowfish greatest hits.  It reminded me that they only had about 4 true hits, though I did love them.

Name 3 things you never leave home without?

C: Pants, swag, and a smile

If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be?

C: Phil Knight.  He is affectionately known as “Uncle Phil” to anyone that attends the University of Oregon. He’s the founder of Nike and a simply awesome individual.

What’s the weirdest thing to ever happen to you?

C: I’m sure I’ve had stranger things happen to me, but at the moment I can only think of one example.  Multiple times I’ve had complete strangers ask to take a photo with me.  Once at a grocery store on vacation in Hawaii, I was asked by a couple of teenage girls.  Once again while I was working in this tiny sports shop by some visitors from overseas that I hadn’t even been assisting.  I’m not sure who they thought I was that warranted a photo, but I took them anyway.  I didn’t ask questions.  I feel bad for them.  I take terrible photos.  I “Chandler Bing” it on every photo.  I am simply incapable of taking good photos!
*Chris, we think you take excellent photos, as illustrated by the photos above!

What’s your favorite part about working at Zappos?

C: The people.  It’s hard to find more genuine, fun-loving people than you find here at Zappos.   It honestly is like coming to see family each day.  <insert misty eyes here>

(photo taken by Mark Higby.)

This week’s edition of the Zapponian Spotlight is on ZCLT member Tyson W.!

We sat down and asked Tyson a few questions to get to know him a little bit more…

If you could be a mixed drink what drink would you be and why?

T: Scotch on the Rocks

It is abrasive at first encounter and contains a hint of class. Smoother with water and you feel better once finished

If you had a plane ticket to go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

T: Fiji-Second best goofy footed curl, heaviest waves, and easily the most gorgeous place in the world

Tell us an embarrassing moment…

T: I am English major and was playing Trivial Pursuit with my best friends. One is a valedictorian of their law school, one is a doctor, two are grads in the MBA program at USC. I was winning and they each had one piece left to go. My question was "what do you call an angle greater than 90 degrees."  Being a scholar, I didn't know the answer. After about 20 min they tossed their pieces and told me that the word is “obtuse”. Never played with them again!

We hear that you were inducted into your High School Hall of Fame. What was the best part of that and how did it make you feel?

T: I most enjoyed seeing the slideshow from my junior year and reliving that time since was a magical year for me. It was fun to run into people from high school after 18 or so years and catch up.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?  

T: Succeeding in a leadership role here at Zappos while also being able to be an editor of a local book featuring local authors

The Super Awesome Description award is a way of recognizing a member of our innovative content department once a month. If  a product description is particularly witty or creative,  anyone in the company can nominate the person who wrote it.  The nominations are then read by other members of the content department and voted upon; the description with the most votes wins. The writer of that description is rewarded with a trophy and a certificate, not to mention recognition from their peers.

The winner for July is extra special because it’s one of our lovely interns from the Customer Loyalty Team. Congratulations to James D. who is temporarily helping out on the fashion team.

His sense of humor really shined when writing the description for the Betsey Johnson Lady Luck Cow Rose Earrings.

We asked James a few questions to get to know him better and here is what he had to say:

How are you enjoying your time in content and what made you apply to be an intern?

J: I’ve been enjoying it greatly! It’s been a very fun experience and I’ve loved every minute of it! I applied because I’ve always loved writing and being creative and my lead at the time suggest applying because it would be a fun and creative vessel to apply that passion.

What inspired you when writing this description?

J: It’s actually a funny story. Some times when writing descriptions for females (i.e jewelry, handbags,etc..) I like to listen to music by females. At the time I happened to be listening to the hip-hop singer Kelis and while looking at the necklace I noticed it had a cow pendant. I originally made a tagline I thought was equally creative, however, the idea of a cow and milk popped into my head and I thought of a milkshake. Then I thought why not make a fun tagline out of that. 

What is your favorite Zappos core value?

J: By far create fun and a little weirdness. I’ve always been a “beat of my own drum” kind of guy so to be in a company that not only accepts that but encourages it is beyond satisfying.

What's a fact people would be surprised to learn about you?

J: Although I love writing and it’s always been a passion, I can be devilishly shy to show people what I write.

This week’s Zapponian Spotlight is on Jennifer W. from the Front End Development team of Zappos Development. Jen is a Colorado native who loves web design, interior design and baking. “I think the creative aspects balance the logical aspects of my job nicely.”, she says.

Jen is also a mean origami crane folder and has folded over 15,000 cranes since the 8^th grade!

Read on to learn more about this creative Zapponian:

Pick 3 words to describe your personal style.
J: Simple, comfortable, feminine

Who is your favorite musician or band.
J: This is hard because it changes so often, but some bands and artists I always find myself going back to are The Fray, Snow Patrol, and Katy Perry.

Name 3 things you never leave home without.
J: My iPhone, sunglasses, and chapstick

If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be?
J: I never know how to answer this question. Probably Steve Jobs or someone nerdy like that.

What’s the weirdest thing to ever happen to you?
J: When I was young I had a pen-pal from Oman, whom I lost touch with as I grew older. Years later, I was in a college history class and began talking with a girl who was also from Oman. Turns out she was good friends with my long lost pen pal! Small world.

What’s your favorite part about working at Zappos HQ?
J:  The people. I’ve never been around such a positive and hard-working group before. When I moved to Vegas I knew no one, but I was adopted right away and never even had a chance to feel homesick! Being able to say I work with my friends is such a privilege.

Last year's edition of the Zappos Culture Book.

We’re at it again! For last year’s 2010 Zappos.com Culture Book, we asked our customers, employees and partners to submit their photos…a way of getting unique perspectives of the world through different lenses.

This year, we want everyone’s photos to add to the 2011 Culture Book. Here are some of the requirements for the photos:

Good:

What you think of when you hear “Zappos”

-Your favorite Zappos item

-Something fun and a little weird

-Something that makes you smile

-Something you’re passionate about

-Your interpretation of one of our core values (http://about.zappos.com/our-unique-culture/zappos-core-values)

No Good:

-Your dirty laundry :)

-Anything inappropriate

-Anything excessively photo-edited or Photoshopped.

Feel free to add informative titles, descriptions, your name and where you took the picture (in the email, not on the picture). If you’re submitting a photo, you’re giving us the right to use it in our book and you’re verifying that it’s your original photo (and not someone else’s).

Specs:

-The higher the resolution, the better!

-JPG format only.

-300 dpi 5” x 7” or higher.

-1200 × 1600 pixels minimum.

-You must own the full copyright.

-No trademarks (e.g. logos, brands, entities with copyright or trademarked).

Please send your images and questions to: cbphotos@zappos.com by this Thursday, August ^25th!

This week, our Zapponian Spotlight is on Cat S., a buyer from the Zappos Merchandising Rideshop team. This Oregon native lived in Southern California before moving to Las Vegas (never having stepped foot in Vegas until moving here!).  

Read on to learn more about Cat!

Pick 3 words to describe your personal style.

All over the place… sorry that’s four words. I don’t know what my style is, I like to mix and match a lot and accessorize.

Who is your favorite musician or band?

I have a lot of faves, but I have been listening to the Black Keys and Miike Snow a lot lately!

Name 3 things you never leave home without?

Sunglasses, phone, water

If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be?

Gwen Stefani.

What’s the weirdest thing to ever happen to you?

Hah I have weird things happen to me all the time.I got stuck in Denver trying to get to Aspen a few years ago and wound up road tripping out with a complete stranger I had just met on the plane. The drive took longer than planned because we got stuck in a ditch during a snowstorm. That was probably one of the strangest “sorry I’m late” stories I’ve had to tell a boss before!

What’s your favorite part about working at Zappos HQ?

There are so many different types of people and personalities here that it makes it fun coming to work every day. I get to work with some of the best brands and reps in the industry also, which makes my job that much better!