The DN September 2017

Page 1

THE DN VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 2017

FINDING THEIR CALLING



THE DN

CONTENTS

VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 2017

4

EDITOR’S LETTER

6

MONTHLY EVENTS

10 14

SETH KORTE: MIXING MUSIC WITH PEOPLE Q&A WITH PLACK BLAGUE

16

PLAYLIST OF THE MONTH: LINCOLN CALLING

20

THE WAY OUT FINDS THEIR WAY IN

22 24

COMEDY AT LINCOLN CALLING OPINION: IS SPOTIFY GOOD FOR ARTISTS?

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

3


EDITOR’S LETTER

ISSUE N° 2

STAFF

Hi, friends.

I developed the story ideas and assigned this magazine to my staff at The DN. I learned how to create a 32-page magazine about my favorite time of the year.

I’m writing to you from the passenger seat of my mom’s car. She’s driving me back for my final year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Through four years of covering Lincoln Calling, I’ve made friends and definitely a few enemies. I’ve learned how community unites through music.

When I think about my college experience, and I’ve said this 1,000 times, I’ll always think of The Daily Nebraskan. Countless hours and assignments later, I have plenty of clips and experience to add to my portfolio.

With amazing headliners like Charlie XCX and Angel Olsen, I can’t wait to see what this year will teach us all.

But there’s one common denominator that appears through my years as a reporter, editor and manager.

In the meantime, please enjoy the rest of this year’s Lincoln Calling preview. Somehow this magazine feels like an extended metaphor for my college career.

It’s a tiny, local music festival that I’ve watched grow into something beyond its wildest dreams—Lincoln Calling.

editor - in - chief

AIDAN CONNOLLY managing editor

STEPHANIE CAVAZOS senior news editor

JESSICA LARKINS assistant news editors

NOAH JOHNSON COLLIN SPILINEK senior sports editor

GRACE HARMON assistant sports editors

ANNA GLEASON ZACH MARKON senior arts & entertainment editor

ELLIS CLOPTON assistant arts & entertainment editors

SAM CRISLER JOE JOHN

Best,

My first assignment as a naive, fresh-out-the-gates, freshman reporter was to write a preview for the 2014 Lincoln Calling music festival. Please don’t try to find that, it’s not my finest work.

senior opinion editor

MATT SERVER assistant opinion editor

BEN LARSEN

The preview taught me how to interview strangers, take criticism from editors and basic AP style.

Stephanie Cavazos Managing Editor

senior copy editor

NICOLE HILDER senior print design editor

SAMANTHA EVANS

In 2015, I wrote my “picks” for the festival alongside my editors. I included local band Mesonjixx and a favorite comedian of mine, Drew Bohlke.

senior photo / video editor

JULIAN TIRTADJAJA assistant photo / video editors

HANNAH DEPRIEST ELSIE STORMBERG KARISSA SCHMIDT

This taught me how to write on a five-minute deadline while my editors looked over my shoulder as I typed.

senior art editor

Come September 2016, as the senior arts and entertainment editor, I assigned a 15-part Lincoln Calling pre-festival package to my writers.

MICHAEL JOHNSON assistant art editor

HALEY HEESACKER senior engagement editor

Around 1 a.m. the morning it published, after editing every story three or four times, I thought at least one copy editor was going to try to kill me. I learned

DAKOTA ANDERSON staff writers

BRINA MILLER JESSICA MOORE LAUREN OSBORNE WILL ROPER

patience is a virtue. Now, as we approach Lincoln Calling 2017, you’re holding this year’s project.

staff copy editors

HALEY DAHLGAARD CLARA EDWARDS ALLI LORENSEN general manager

DAN SHATTIL director of sales

THE DN VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 2017

DAVID THIEMANN

organization with content written, edited and produced entirely by UNL students. The Daily Nebraskan is

professional adviser

published by the UNL Publications Board, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448. The board

DON WALTON

holds public meetings monthly. contact

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 563–320–9492 NEWS DESK 402–472–1763

BUSINESS OFFICE 402–472–1769 ADVERTISING 402–472–2589

PUBLICATIONS BOARD 402–472–2588

THE DAILY NEBRASKAN SEPTEMBER 2017 VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 2 FINDING THEIR CALLING

COVER ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL JOHNSON WITH LINCOLN CALLING AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, THE DAILY NEBRASKAN FOCUSED ON LOCAL ARTISTS AND COMEDIANS FOR THE SECOND ISSUE.

4

SEPTEMBER 2017

&

Founded in 1901, The Daily Nebraskan is the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s only independent daily news

marketing


West Gate Bank makes it easy.

Great Part-time Opportunities Competitive pay On-the-job training

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT (Details on website)

Hours vary between 7am and 7pm Fun and friendly atmosphere

Completely FREE Checking NO minimum balance NO monthly service charge FREE gift Show your student ID to get a

FREE PERSONALIZED DEBIT CARD

Offer expires September 30, 2017 MEMBER FDIC. West Gate Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer; including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

L E A R N

M O R E

@

W E STG AT E . B A N K

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

5

®


EVENTS

LOCAL FESTIVITIES SEPT. 5 SZA

Bourbon Theatre

SEPT. 7 Glenn Korff Day — Various faculty members and students will be performing in remembrance to Glenn Korff, the namesake for UNL’s Glenn Korff School of Music. Kimball Recital Hall

SEPT. 8 Emo Night

Bourbon Theatre

SEPT. 9 GhettoBlaster “Old Skool Hip-Hop”

Vega

SEPT. 11 Beginner Tennis Lessons

Campus Rec

SEPT. 12 Beginner Golf Lessons

Campus Rec

SEPT. 14 Fiesta on the Green — A celebration of Hispanic culture on the green space. Along with activities, food and refreshments will be served. Nebraska Union Green Space

SEPT. 16 Nebraska vs. Northern Illinois

Memorial Stadium

SEPT. 22 St. Baldrick’s Shave-A-Life — The Railyard is encouraging the public to come out and shave their heads for children’s cancer research. Railyard

SEPT. 23 Nebraska vs. Rutgers Homecoming Game

Memorial Stadium

SEPT. 27 The Weeknd

Pinnacle Bank Arena

SEPT. 29 Nebraska @ Illinois Watch Party Photo courtesy, clockwise left to right – Angel Olsen — Pitch Perfect Records, Best Coast — Presskit.to, Charli XCX — Atlantic Records

6

SEPTEMBER 2017

Memorial Stadium


SEPT. 5 – OCT. 1

LINCOLN CALLING This year, Lincoln Calling will entail not only a great line up of artists but also a three-day skateboarding competition from Sept. 28-30, held at The BAY and the Lincoln Calling Night Market, an expansive outdoor market/bazaar. Musical performances will take place in multiple indoor and outdoor venues across downtown Lincoln, including Bodega’s Alley, Zoo Bar, Duffy’s Tavern, Duffy’s Back Lot, The BAY, Bourbon Theatre and 1867 Bar.

SEPT. 28 Best Coast

Navy Gangs

M Shah

Frankie Cosmos

Matt Stansberry & The Romance

Sean Pratt and the Sweats

Malcolm London

JAGAJA

Salt Creek

Cult Play

McCarthy Trenching

Crease

Street Sects

Stathi

R.O.E.

Karmen DeLancey

Thick Paint

The Artichoke Hearts

Mad Dog & the 20/20s

Karaoke Underground

Palehound Wand Cayetanac Post Animal IAN SWEET Mount Moriah Twinsmith Acid Dad

HAKIM

SEPT. 29 Angel Olsen Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires

Gerardo Meza & Friends Eu1ogy

El Ten Eleven

Sego

Julie Byrne

I Forgot To Love My Father

Kemba Cakes Da Killa Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal Future Punx Umm

Kait Berreckman CBN Ria Mae The Way Out Ashley Buck

Those Far Out Arrows

Jewels and Thalia

Evan Bartels and the Stoney Lonesomes

Screaming Plastic Edem Soul Music

Bogusman

Karaoke Underground

Once A Pawn Pleiades & the Bear

The Artichoke Hearts

Charli XCX

Digital Leather

Andrea von Kampen

(Sandy) Alex G

David Nance Band

Brad Hoshaw

John Moreland

Ghost Foot

JAGAJA

CupcakKe

AZP

Flint Eastwood

Mesonjixx

Saint Christopher Webster

Pile

See Through Dresses

Universe Contest

Karaoke Underground

SEPT. 30

Hovvdy Plack Blague

The Boner Killerz Uh Oh

Crumb

AllSortsOfGood

Yana

Karaoke Underground

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

7


8

SEPTEMBER 2017


DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

9


MIXING MUSIC WITH PEOPLE BRINA MILLER STAFF WRITER After a stress fracture in his lower leg cut short a track and field scholarship at the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota, Seth Korte returned home to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study broadcast journalism. He has since built a significant following in the Lincoln community for his business, Esskay Entertainment, the name of which is an homage to his initials. Korte’s interest in deejaying began in 2012, the summer before his junior year of high school. Drawing Photo – Hannah DePriest

10

SEPTEMBER 2017

inspiration from his mother who sang in choir and brother who played guitar, he said he was intrigued by the concept when musical trends started going digital. “[I] kind of wanted to use it as a hobby,” he said “I was never expecting to actually deejay anywhere.” Korte attended a private high school that didn’t host any school dances, and after saving up money for equipment, he got the idea to host dances at people’s houses. He charged a cover to make some extra money.


Korte said the first taste of his deejaying potential happened during a pool party he and his friends hosted. After inviting everyone they could think of, over 200 people attended the party.

“They are incredibly caring and hard-working people who have really instilled in me the value of being personal with people,” he said.

“I remember vividly, as a 16-year-old, walking out of there with over $1,000 in one night,” he said. “It made it an easy choice to stay with it.“

Korte said his biggest challenge has been selling himself to people, because it is hard to describe to his clientele what makes him the right DJ for a gig without being able demonstrate his ability.

Despite the success of his first event, he didn’t have many large shows and mixed music in his free time. Once at college, however, more people he knew started getting married and needed a DJ for their receptions. He became an obvious choice for many of them. Since his first wedding gig during the summer of his freshman year of college, Korte has deejayed over 75 different gigs and continues to develop his business. Korte said building a professional brand and getting it to the public was a challenging process, and the majority of his advertising comes through Facebook and word-of-mouth. “It was initially a big investment to get a logo design, website and brand name, but it’s paid off big time,” Korte said. UNL broadcasting professor Barney McCoy said he recognized Korte’s talent, persistence and passion when he had Korte as a student in his advanced television news reporting class. McCoy said Korte was always flexible and ready for a challenge — two traits he thinks are important for anyone working in the entertainment industry. “Wherever you go in your life, you need passion,” McCoy said. “It takes energy; not every day is going to be a good day. If you really care about something, you stick through it, and I think [Korte] has that capability.” In a professional capacity, Korte said he learned how to craft his own unique persona from Matt McKay, one of the radio hosts at Lincoln-based radio station, KFRX. “[McKay] taught me to just be myself and to be more comfortable on a microphone,” Korte said. Korte said his success can also be partly attributed to the encouragement and support from his parents.

According to Korte, there’s more to deejaying than just picking the right music — there’s also an important personal aspect to the business. He said he strives to create friendships instead of just having clients. He said he does this by planning at least two faceto-face meetings before the event with whoever hires him to develop a personal relationship with them and to ensure he meets their needs. “Everyone in this world wants people to care about them, and rightfully so,” Korte said. “When it comes to hiring me, I think it’s so much more than just paying me money to do my thing and then leave.” Haley Chicoine, an event photographer and high school friend of Korte’s, hired him to deejay her own wedding last summer. She works with him on occasion and recognizes how Korte’s passion drives him to continually grow as an artist. “I’ve shot a lot of weddings, and even though I’m biased, our party was the best one because of him,” Chicoine said. “Now shooting weddings this fall with him, it’s unreal how much he’s progressed.” Korte said he encourages new DJs and entrepreneurs not to be afraid to try new things, and to reach out and connect with people willing to help them learn. Jordan Brus, who worked with Korte in the Iron N as a football director, described him as the same person in and out of his work. He said Korte always brings a positive attitude everywhere he goes, and his charisma rubs off on people. Brus said he predicts that if Korte pursues deejaying in the distant future, he will continue to be successful and build recognition. “I could see his company, Esskay Entertainment, really blowing up big time,” he said. “I think, before too long, he will be deejaying big-time public events, rather than just weddings and parties.”

«

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

11


10 BONUS!

$

NEW DONORS only with this ad

Earn up to $485 this month & $180 this week! Donate life saving plasma. You have the power to save lives! 300 S 17th Street | 402.474.2335 Schedule an appointment at

biotestplasma.com

12

SEPTEMBER 2017



Q&A with Plack Blague

WILL ROPER STAFF WRITER On Halloween 2001, Zero Street Records — now Gomez Art Supply — housed the first gig of two leather-clad musical misfits. Raws T. Trombone and Sexma Sheen performed their set in the window display of the old record store, watching the reactions of passersby for more than four hours.

While still focusing on keeping the project fun and lighthearted, Schlesinger decided to make Plack Blague a full-time band. He recorded new records, played more shows and updated his stage presence by treating his shows as a solo performance art, rather than falling over and jumping on people.

Their sound focused on noise, mixing experimental dance beats with a provocative performance style that was guaranteed to leave an impression on any audience. They never took themselves too seriously, using sparse shows as an opportunity to engage, dance with and jump on shocked listeners under the playful moniker of Plack Blague.

Plack Blague’s newest album, “Night Trax,” explores the theme of homoerotic, anonymous sex: cruising the midnight streets in all leather “lusting for sin.” Tracks on the album include “Just Another Man on the Street,” “Leather Life” and “Man on Man,” titles by themselves that seemingly provide a good introduction to one of Lincoln’s more eccentric solo performers ahead of his opening show at Lincoln Calling for one of the largest headliners in the event’s history — Charli XCX.

In 2011, co-founder and DJ of Plack Blague Jeff Sayers, better known in the music scene as Sexma Sheen and Jeffmetal, died. The future of the band was left in the hands of the other co-founder, Ross Schlesinger, otherwise known as Raws T. Trombone. Photo – Julian Tirtadjaja

14

SEPTEMBER 2017

The Daily Nebraskan sat down with Plack Blague’s Schlesinger to talk about his music, his stage presence and his upcoming Lincoln Calling show.


DN: As you’ve discussed in previous articles, the word ‘blague’ is French for ‘joke.’ How much of Plack Blague do you feel is a joke, and how much is serious?

DN: You’ve put out quite a few mixtapes and albums over the years, with your most recent album “Night Trax” released earlier this year. How do you continue to keep your music fresh and interesting?

Plack Blague (PB): It’s 100 percent joke; it’s 100 percent serious. At first it was a total joke and just super fun, but I’ve always had this tongue-in-cheek sense of humor where I was kind of poking fun at people that don’t get it. It was always, “The joke’s on you if you don’t get it.” I always thought it was funny because [Plack Blague] always has this connotation of being funny and weird. It’s a play on words that actually references the word ‘joke’ in French. I don’t want to be totally serious, and I want to have some fun with it, so that’s a good reminder to keep it fun.

PB: As I keep writing music and material, I feel like the songs get more pop-y and dance-y. When [Plack Blague] started, it wasn’t that whatsoever. I’ve evolved into doing more rhythmic music, sometimes even noisier and aggressive music. I wanted “Night Trax” to be a nighttime, party album, like a cruising, sexual fantasy world that’s sort of naughty yet fun. [My music] has kind of progressed into that for right now. I wanted to have a more serious approach on this record, and make my songs more conceptual to each other. I just figured they all work together to be more pop-y than what I was normally doing, where it used to be really aggressive screaming and cutting-noise music with rhythms and stuff like that. I just wanted to write better songs, and the more I push myself to write better songs, the more it evolves itself.

DN: How would you define your genre of live music? PB: It’s like electronic, industrial dance music. I used to call it “anti-dance” music because when it first originated, it was beats that didn’t have any rhythm, and we intentionally made it hard to dance to. And that was the whole point, to make it as noisy and non-rhythmic as possible. A lot of people would call us EBM: Electronic Body Music. I like to joke that the name is Electronic Blague Music, just because it’s referencing EBM but also making fun of it. Sometimes EBM can be super serious, but yet it’s dancy. I like to focus on the industrial aspect of it, the noise aspect, and I even include some pop formats. DN: Many local music-goers have proclaimed you to be Lincoln’s “leather daddy.” How do you incorporate this leather culture into your music? PB: Well, I would say I’m Lincoln’s only leather daddy that plays music, because that’s just been my attire ever since I started this project -— to be head-to-toe leather, extremely homoerotic, extremely leather-sexual influenced. It’s the whole underground leather aspect of the queer/gay community. It’s not a costume; it’s just something that developed as a stage presence. It’s also about keeping this identity of myself as one thing. While my image does change a little bit, I don’t really have an identity. My new album has the song “Destroy the Identity,” where I might not know who I am, but you know what that is. It sort of separates myself from reality and being on stage. I’m just really into the leather scene, the leather community and just the way it looks. It smells sometimes really bad, sometimes really good. I feel like I’m one of the few, maybe, doing strictly headto-toe full-on leather performance. DN: What would you say are the similarities and differences between this character of Plack Blague and Ross Schlesinger? PB: Some people like to say I’m pretty quiet in person, and they say, “You don’t seem like you’re like that when you’re on stage,” because when I’m on stage, I’m crazy and chaotic and moving all over and dancing and screaming. It’s one of those things where once I get on stage, I get so much of an adrenaline rush, and I just like it so much, that that’s just my personality for right now. I don’t really feel it’s a whole lot different [from myself], because it’s not like I’m changing my personality. I feel like I’m pretty much just the same person, but being on stage just gives me that ability to let loose even more. I just like that aspect of it, and I just really enjoy dressing up on stage and giving you something to look it. I like to focus on imagery through performance.

DN: You performed your first showcase at Lincoln Calling last year. How was that experience? PB: It was really cool. I feel like that was the first time Lincoln Calling was really trying to expand to new audiences since Hear Nebraska took over. They had approached me about doing a showcase, and I basically just hired everyone that I really like right now, which was HIDE from Chicago, Cult Play, a local electronics techno-artist, and this band Echo Beds from Denver. What I wanted to do was bring only out-of-state bands to Lincoln Calling for my showcase. Because they were giving me a budget to work with, I tried to reach out as much as I could to the more interesting, yet fairly close, people that could make the drive in a night. It was just a new approach to bring a different audience [to Lincoln Calling], and I felt that people wanted that. It was really successful in that aspect. It was a newer, darker aspect of music that I wanted to bring to Lincoln, because I’ve been doing that since the ‘90s. DN: With Lincoln Calling being so large this year, for Plack Blague, how will your performance on Sept. 30 stack up to past performances? PB: The last year and a half of Plack Blague has seen my shows getting really big. I feel like [Lincoln Calling] is a definite big show that’ll happen, but it’s also one of those things where, since it is a festival and there are so many bands playing at the same time, it’s hard to say whether my set is going to be huge with a thousand people. I think it’s just going to be kind of funny. Going back to the name Plack Blague being a joke reference, I feel like this is going to be that perfect show where people are going to be mouths-open, “Oh my god”-shocked. It’s going to be, not in a bad way, a sort of teenybopper show, because it’s a really teen-influenced musical artist [in Charli XCX]. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I feel like my show will definitely be an eye-opening experience, which can be good and can be bad. I just hope people look at it as, “Wow, that was cool.” That’s really all I’m looking for out of it. I love the shock value of [my performance]; I love that whole aspect of people having no idea what [Plack Blague] is. That’s what I’m going for in a lot of ways, and I’m just happy to be part of [Lincoln Calling] and to be part of such a big festival. I’m just ready to go and ready to do it. I’m not scared of it, that’s for sure. It’s just a next level for me, and that’s really what I want and what I’m working for.

«

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

15


Search

Browse Radio YOUR LI BRARY

PLAY LI ST

The Daily Nebraskan’s Lincoln Calling 2017 playlist

Recently Played

This year, Lincoln Calling will feature several high-profile artists and rising, local acts. With a wide range of musicians like Charli XCX, Best Coast and Angel Olsen, here are some hits from our favorite artists before the festival begins.

Songs

Created by: dailynebraskanarts

Your Daily Mix

Albums Artists Stations Local Files Videos Podcasts PLAYLI STS

Back to School

PL AY

F O LLOW I N G

...

T I T LE

A RT I ST

ALBUM

Rulo

Salt Creek

Where Strangers Go

Try to Stay on My Side

Uh Oh

You’re Not Dead

NVM

The Way Out

Good Grief

Title Clap Boom

Artist Charli XCX

Album SUCKER

Sleep In The Heat

PUP

The Dream Is Over

October 2017

Boyfriend

Best Coast

Crazy For You

November 2017

Boys

Charli XCX

Boys

January 2018

World

Cayetana

New Kind of Normal

Deepthroat

cupcakKe

Cum Cake

Mary

(Sandy) Alex G

Trick

DVP

PUP

The Dream Is Over

Feeling Ok

Best Coast

California Nights

Shut Up Kiss Me

Angel Olsen

MY WOMAN

You Get Sick Again

See Through Dresses

See Through Dresses

Queen

Flint Eastwood

Broke Royalty

Break The Rules

Charli XCX

Break The Rules

Our Deal

Best Coast

Crazy For You

Lgbt

cupcakKe

Audacious

Glitches

Flint Eastwood

Small Victories

The World (Is Going Up In Flames)

Charles Bradley, Menahan...

No Time For Dreaming

Lincoln Calling

February 2018 March 2018 April 2018

New Playlist

Boom Clap Charli XCX 16

Scan this code in the Spotify app SEPTEMBER 2017


Offering career and paid internship opportunities in:   

SALES AND MARKETING BILINGUAL SALES & MKTG INTERACTIVE DESIGN

  

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT DATABASE DEVELOPMENT HUMAN RESOURCES

120 West Harvest Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 | (402) 479-2181 | www.sandhills.jobs

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

17


BE A PART OF A NEW UNL TRADITION.

But don’t worry, we don’t use these anymore. NEWS & EDITORIAL TEAM

Reporters and Columnists, Photographers and Videographers, Illustrators and Graphic Artists, Copy Editors

SALES & MARKETING TEAM

Account Managers, Event Coordinators, Marketing Coordinators, Designers, and Social Media Specialists

APPLY NOW FOR 2017-18 STAFF. OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS. D A I L Y N E B R A S K A N . C O M

APPLY AT GO.UNL.EDU/APPLYDN 18

SEPTEMBER 2017


happy hour M-F/5-7

Green Gateau cocktails 1/2 price with evening fare entrĂŠes $5 breakfast Sat/Sun 8-9am Show your NCARD and receive a free dessert

Restaurant & Reception Center (402) 477-0330 // www.greengateau.com

With a hiring bonus, tuition reimbursement, and a five-year plan designed to help you reach your career goals, you'll make progress every day when you work where you matter.

a 24oz smoothie! Not valid with any other offer.

Text

JUICE STOP To 90210

JUST 1 BLOCK SOUTH 1217 Q STREET

402.435.4442 juicestoplincoln.com

1001 South Street Lincoln, NE 68502 lancasterrc.com | 402.441.7101

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

19


The Way Out finds their way in LAUREN OSBORNE STAFF WRITER Creating music is a dream for many that becomes a reality for few. Four promising college students are part of the latter group. The Way Out, a band based out of Ashland, Nebraska, describes itself on its website as “dreamy, crunchy, loud indie rock.” Formed in 2013 by members Mari Crisler, Reed Tiwald and Levi Hagen, and Nick Ulrich (who joined in 2015), the band has been performing together since November 2015. Last year, they played at Lincoln Calling and will be returning to the festival at the end of September. Crisler, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a former DN employee, is the band’s lead vocalist, but also plays the bass and guitar when needed. Tiwald, a junior psychology major, generally plays the guitar. Hagen, a freshman computer science major, plays the guitar, drums and sometimes does vocals. Ulrich, a writing major at Wayne State College, plays drum and bass and is the only member not attending UNL. “Having Nick in Wayne makes being in a band significantly more difficult,” Crisler said in an email. Due to the distance, the band played fewer shows than it wanted this last year. They said it’s also challenging to schedule practices and write music together. Despite the distance between the band members, Crisler said everyone works together to create music. “When we write songs, one of us often brings in a skeleton of a song that we have been working on alone, and from there the process is entirely collaborative, [with] each of us introducing our own style and element into the song,” Crisler said.

same night as many artists they look up to, such as Anna McClellan and White Mystery. “Everyone there was extremely welcoming and supportive … I’m really grateful for that experience and to have the opportunity to play at Lincoln Calling again,” she said. Lincoln Calling is a cultural festival that has been managed by Hear Nebraska since 2016, according to the Lincoln Calling website. The festival features music and art from across the country, and in some instances, the world. New additions for this year include a skateboarding competition held for the duration of the festival by The BAY, and a Night Market, according to the festival’s website. The website said in 2016, the festival “featured 120 bands and comedians … across eight venues, drawing more than 6,000 music lovers to Lincoln.” A press release from the festival showed that there are over 70 musical acts lined up for Lincoln Calling this year. “It’s about music; it’s about innovation and education,” Andrew Norman, executive director of Hear Nebraska, said. Norman said the festival is a great opportunity for many to see what Lincoln has to offer. While bands can no longer register to perform, Norman said the festival is still accepting applications for volunteers.

Living in the residence halls can also hinder the band’s ability to practice music, but the struggle is worth it.

Even though her major isn’t musically centered, Crisler knew music would be a large part of her life because of the way it can be applied to anything she may come across. She quickly found out Lincoln and Omaha are very welcoming environments for new musicians.

“[Music] is definitely more of a stress reliever than anything else,” Crisler said.

“By asking for help, it is easy to get started in a scene so welcoming,” Crisler said.

Looking back at its 2016 Lincoln Calling performance, Crisler said the band had a very positive experience. She said they were honored to play the

The Way Out will perform at Lincoln Calling on Friday, Sept. 29.

File photo – Ann Milroy

20

SEPTEMBER 2017

D R E A M Y, C RU N C H Y, L O U D I N D I E RO C K

«


DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

21


a a h h a a h a h a a h h a a h a h h a a h h a a h h a a h h a a h a h h a h a h a h a a h h a a h h a h a h a a h h Photos – Julian Tirtadjaja

22

SEPTEMBER 2017


a not just song � a and dance a h a h � a h a h a � a h a � a h JESSICA MOORE STAFF WRITER

Despite a new partnership with Hear Nebraska, Lincoln Calling will still provide a space for comedians to perform. While the festival’s main focus is music, Nebraska-native comedian Brad Stewart feels comedy is important to balancing out the festival.

Aaron Markley, Hear Nebraska’s programming manager, said budgeting for Lincoln Calling is one of the more difficult aspects of organizing the festival. He said his team has to see which performers are able to attend the event and forecast who will be most relevant when the festival arrives.

“Hopefully the comedy continues to get more popular and we can bring in bigger headliners,” Stewart said.

“Who we can get is dependent on who’s available at the right time, and for the right price,” Markley said. “It is a negotiation.”

Stewart began his career in comedy after moving to Los Angeles in 1995. He opened for comedy legends Joan Rivers, Rob Schneider and singer Barry Manilow. Now, Stewart hosts and often performs weekly at The Zoo Bar in downtown Lincoln.

Headliners for this years festival include Charli XCX, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Angel Olsen and Best Coast. Markley said on top of that, they also have about 95 other performances.

According to Stewart, the way the comedy section at Lincoln Calling was organized shifted last year when another promoter was brought in to book part of the comedy. Stewart was responsible for reaching out to the local talent. “This year, they’re just going to have mostly a local showcase,” Stewart said. “There are really talented comedians right here in Lincoln, and it’s been an uphill battle making people aware that there is professional comedy here.”

Stewart said because Hear Nebraska took over some of Buckley’s bigger responsibilities, the festival has gotten bigger and better.

“Jeremy [Buckley] had taken on so much on his own for so many years,” Stewart said “He needed help, and Hear Nebraska was able to do that. I think it’s really impressive to see what they’re doing, and it makes me proud to be from Lincoln.”

Stewart said he hopes that in the future, more of the Lincoln Calling budget is allocated toward the comedy section of the festival to increase a diverse lineup. “This year they had great musical acts which is fantastic, but they didn’t have much left over money for the comedy,” he said.

As far as comedy goes, Markley is unsure of how it will differ from last year. He said it’s an element they are still working on incorporating into the festival, and one they hope to make successful. “It’s something that we definitely think is a component of the Nebraska performing arts scene that adds great value, and we’d love to showcase [it] at the festival,” Markley said.

Markley said Buckley approached Hear Nebraska in order to move it in a bigger direction away from just local talent. “You know there already is a festival that showcases local talent—Lincoln Exposed,” Markley said. “This has been a direction that Buckley had been wanting and working on taking the festival.”

Lincoln Exposed is another city-wide music festival which happens in February. Lincoln Exposed, similar to Lincoln Calling’s previous setup, consists of all local talent. Markley said Hear Nebraska’s hopes Lincoln Calling continually grows as a community event, gaining more participation from community members and organizations.

“I think at the heart of it, we want to create a really wonderful experience for a wide variety of people,” Markley said.

«

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

23


OPINION

Whether it’s pumping up with some AC/DC before a test or breaking out the homework playlist for your next 10-page paper, Spotify has become a staple of collegiate life. There’s no denying the convenience of the famous streaming service, but are there drawbacks, especially for the artists whose music it streams? Is, perhaps, Spotify a little too good to be true as currently designed? Staff columnists Greg Tracey and Emily Strassburger debate whether Spotify is a net benefit for artists or if it takes advantage of a tough music industry. 24

SEPTEMBER 2017


Spotify is bad for artists THE OPINION OF EMILY STRASSBURGER STAFF COLUMNIST Spotify has undoubtedly become the primary internet tool for, in its words, offering “music for everyone.” The streaming platform grants its users the ultimate freedom: downloading free music at their leisure. Consumers can access almost any song they want, and even full albums, so long as they have an account. Although this sounds like a flawless platform, it has garnered considerable controversy since its U.S. launch in 2011. The flak from artists has been especially withering. Musicians from Garth Brooks to Dr. Dre have spoken out against online streaming sites, while Radiohead has targeted their fire specifically at Spotify. The growing company may be a boon to music connoisseurs, but it ultimately leaves performers out in the cold. It also disproportionately hurts fledgling artists. For starters, Spotify ruins an artist’s sales. Musicians make their money through a variety of means, but one of their main revenue streams comes from selling individual songs and albums, whether they’re in a physical or digital format. With Spotify, users have no real reason to go out and buy a song, let alone an entire album. Instead, they can simply download the music for free on their smartphone. Compared to the cost of a one month’s premium Spotify subscription, even a single album available on iTunes seems excessive. Although Spotify is an extremely beneficial app for music junkies, the artists creating the music are at a complete loss. Spotify boastfully claims it divvies out 70 percent of its revenue to the music industry, but artists are still feeling underpaid. For every play of a song on Spotify, the artist only receives between $0.001 and $0.006. The payout is dependent on whether the music was played on a free or paid subscription account, as well as the artist’s contract with their music label. Depending on the contract, some musicians may only receive 15-20 percent of all the revenue generated from their music. Artists have repeatedly vocalized their concerns with Spotify. In one of the most famous fiascos, Taylor Swift pulled her full library from their catalog in 2014. She claimed the very foundation of Spotify goes against the idea of music as an art form. Swift’s logic is that music is art, art is valuable, therefore, valuable things should be paid for. Ultimately, Swift does not believe music should be free, running contrary to Spotify’s premise. Both

Jay-Z and Adele have also pulled their music from the streaming service for similar reasons. In this instance, these artists hit the nail on the head. Songs are completely exclusive to the musician who made them. It’s their intellectual property, and thus should have more control over how they rake in revenue. Artists require millions of music streams in order to get a decent payout. Some of the biggest names in music still don’t think it’s enough. This, in turn, also hurts up-and-coming artists. If the titans are struggling to earn money, emerging artists will be hurt even more. Many will most likely fail to even get off the ground. With music as accessible as it is in the Information Age, people simply don’t want to pay for songs. Instead, they’ll always seek out ways to listen to their jams for free. Spotify presents such an avenue. In order for artists to want to have their music streamed, Spotify and similar platforms will need to ensure that musicians are being fairly compensated. At the very least, allowing artists to have more influence over how their product is being used would be less detrimental to those who made the product in the first place. Swift, for example, eventually buried the hatchet with the service and requested that her albums not be shown to unpaid subscribers two weeks following their release. Gwen Stefani experimented with a “windowed” release of her latest album, for which it became initially available physically and digitally through some outlets, but not Spotify. If Spotify were to initiate further reforms and make the differences between paying and non-paying subscribers more stark, artists and the platform may have a more cordial relationship. As of right now, the biggest difference between Spotify Free and Spotify Premium is the use of advertisements between songs. There are some other limitations with the free version, such as not having the ability to skip more than six songs per hour on mobile. However, the music accessibility is all the same, and that is where the problem lies. Spotify, as a matter of fairness to performers, should restrict the library available to non-paying users. It’s undeniable that music streaming platforms have transformed the music industry. Because of the disruptive role they play, it’s even more crucial that artists and Spotify are able to find a middle ground that more fairly compensates the artists for their work.

«

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

25


OPINION

Spotify is good for artists THE OPINION OF GREG TRACEY STAFF COLUMNIST In recent years, we’ve heard that the music industry is facing unprecedented persecution from a nefarious agent: Spotify. Supposedly, the service is unfair to artists. Two main points are made to this effect: Spotify hurts up-and-coming artists and makes established stars lose money. Perhaps the most widely known artist to complain about the latter is Taylor Swift. I contend that these assertions are nonsense. Music is a difficult business, no matter what medium the content is being sold on. Furthermore, streaming doesn’t compare all that unfavorably to other methods of selling music, such as CDs and downloadable content. Spotify is a streaming service for music. A glance at its website reveals a stated desire to make it “easy to find the right music for every moment — on your phone, your computer, your tablet and more.” For the typical consumer of music, this is a vastly useful service. No longer are people obligated to buy songs if they want them. With Spotify, and streaming services like it, thousands of songs are available at no cost or a monthly fee if you prefer ad-free listening. One could argue that streaming services offer a middle ground of sorts. Whether it’s a moral position or not, many people don’t want to pay money for CDs or iTunes downloads. Streaming services enable artists to still make money on their songs, instead of having people turn toward an illegal avenue to download their music. A similar effect has been seen with the prevalence of Netflix reducing piracy of TV shows. Spotify’s haters might bring up the “fact” that streaming hurts smaller artists. This seems to make some sense at first glance. For a musician, Spotify creates around $0.00437 in revenue per stream. This is an infinitesimal amount, to be sure, and one that gives a huge advantage to established artists who already have the popularity required to make significant amounts of money through heavy streaming traffic. What this ignores, however, is that music is a notori-

26

SEPTEMBER 2017

ously difficult industry to “make it” in, and it’s nearly impossible to make money. Just consider Andy Dywer in “Parks and Recreation.” Despite being the talented frontman of his own band, he was never popular until gaining fame as Johnny Karate, the titular character in a children’s TV show. Such are the quirks of life. It doesn’t help that the industry in question is notoriously cutthroat and everyone wants to be a star. In the hubbub about low royalties from streaming services like Spotify, some other essential truths are ignored. Artists don’t actually make that much money from selling a CD or legal downloads on iTunes or Google Play. Consider CDs. Artists can expect to see approximately 13 percent of the revenue generated from selling one disc in the United Kingdom. Accounting for exchange rates, that comes to about $1.34 per CD — hardly a killing. Is it a bit more than streaming revenue? Yes, but in all honesty, how many people really buy CDs anymore? The data isn’t encouraging for purveyors of the medium. Digital downloads from services like iTunes and Google Play are not much more profitable for artists. On iTunes, artists can expect $0.11 per song on a signed deal, or $1.11 per album. Again, better than streaming, but quickly losing relevance to its competitor. The takeaways from all of this are threefold. First, music is a Hobbesian business to be in — poor, nasty, brutish and short. It’s hard to make money unless you are already popular. Second, the industry is tending toward streaming, rather than digital downloads or CDs. We could try to kill streaming services and turn back the clock, but standing in the way of progress usually turns out worst for those doing the standing. Third, we shouldn’t be too worried about whether millionaires like Taylor Swift have enough money. So go ahead, open Spotify and listen to some music. The world won’t end.

«


12066554; DN Daily Nebraskan, ROP, ROP Full 4.0x10.375 Housing Fair Promo

FIND YOUR NEW

SPACE 2017 FALL STUDENT

HOUSING FAIR WED, OCTOBER 4, 11 AM TO 2 PM

G REEN

S PACE

NOR TH

O F

NEBRA SKA

UNIO N

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

27


Notice to Students All students are eligible to apply for a refund of the “A” portion of their student fees through September 22, 2017. Students claiming and receiving a refund will lose benefits provided by Fund “A” users during the fall semester, 2017-2018. (See box at right.) Application forms are available at the Student Organization Financial Services office (200 Nebraska Union), the ASUN office (136 Nebraska Union) and the East Union Student Organization Financial Services office (314 Nebraska East Union). Applicants should return the form in person to 200 Nebraska Union or 314 Nebraska East Union. Students must bring their UNL student ID cards when returning their application. Students who are unable to return their application in person to one of the offices in bold lettering above should contact Jim Brox, 200 Nebraska Union, 402-

28

SEPTEMBER 2017

472-0003, before September 22, 2017, to make other arrangements. Students who complete a refund application and return it before the deadline will receive a refund for the amount of the refund requested. Refunds will be mailed the first two weeks of October 2017.

Fund “A” refund amounts: ASUN ............................... $ 11.63 Daily Nebraskan .................. 3.03 Dailyer Nebraskan ................ .14 UPC Programming ............... 6.09 Lied Center Discounts ......... 4.08

Total Refund .............. $24.97 Students claiming a refund will lose certain benefits provided by the above Fund “A” users. For details on the specific benefits that will be lost, please refer to the cover sheet on the refund application.

ONE OF UNL’S OLDEST TRADITIONS IS DOING SOMETHING NEW!

LOOK FOR OUR

NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON RACKS NOW! DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM


M A R K E T P L A C E 402/472.2589 | dailynebraskan.com/classifieds The Lied Center

BACKSTAGE CREW

Part-time, $10.25/hour. No experience necessary, we will train. Irregular hours -Ideal candidates will have some entire weekday mornings or afternoons free. Must be able to lift 40 lbs. Apply by 5pm September 7th, online at Husker Hire Link or in person at Lied Admin. Office, 301 N 12th St. 8-noon or 1-5pm M-F.

ACOUSTIC BASSIST, GUITARIST AND BONGO PLAYER

Who will collaborate and create original music and not mind be videoed, in a mobile setting. Contact Milae Productions, 402.419.9820.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

VARIOUS POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Competitive pay, on-the-job training, tuition reimbursement - details on website. Hours vary between 7 am and 7 pm. Apply at: WESTGATEBANK.COM/ CAREERS.ASPX

CHILD CARE NEEDED

PAID INTERNSHIP/ JOB PROJECT

Lincoln family looking for a responsible, smart, fun & flexible person who loves children to care for our 3 children after school. Competitive pay, based on experience. Reliable transportation required. Please submit resume and several references to atcnanny@gmail.com

Local investment firm is looking for a Business student to work on a local investment project.

BARTENDERS, SERVERS, COOKS

If you are interested please send me your resume complete with phone and email address.

Cliff's Lounge, The Watering Hole, McFarland & Son's Pub Please apply at: https://mochara.formstack.com/ forms/job_application

LANCASTER REHABILITATION CTR.

With a hiring bonus, tuition reimbursement, and a five-year plan designed to help you reach your career goals, y ou'll make progress every day when you work where you matter. LANCASTERRC.COM | 402.441.7101

Project will require substantial market analysis for a proposed development in Lincoln.

RJCarroll@graftoncompanies.com

RICHARD J CARROLL. MARK IV INVESTMENTS INC.

FAMILY SERVICE TEACHER ASSISTANTS

Make a positive impact Flexible part-time schedules Starting pay $9.15—$9.30/hour Bonus opportunities 402.441.7949 FAMILYSERVICELINCOLN.ORG

CNA/NURSING STUDENTS Are you looking for extra income? Do you need flexibility with your work schedule?

Great experience for those pursuing medical degrees. We currently have openings for home health aids mornings, weekends and evenings. We offer excellent pay ($12/hour start, $14/hour weekend) up to $500 hiring bonus and flexible scheduling. Call, stop by or visit firstcarehomehealth.org to apply. EOE.

FIRST CARE HOME HEALTH 3901 Normal Blvd., Suite 102. 402-435-1122. 402.915.3838

OFFERING CAREER AND PAID INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN:

Sales and Marketing, Bilingual Sales & Marketing, Interactive Design, Software Development, Database Development, Human Resources. SANDHILLS PUBLISHING 402.479.2181 sandhills.jobs

402/472.2589 | dailynebraskan.com/classifieds SMALL TOWN LIVING AT ITS FINEST! 4 beds, 1 bath, WD hookups. 1425 Lincoln Street, Beatrice, NE. Clean and well maintained. Across the street from school. City water and sewer. GFA Heat. Long driveway. $850/month. Call John in Colorado. 303.520.5256.

MINUTES FROM CAMPUS 1, 2 & 3 BDRMS Apartments, Townhomes and Duplexes

402-465-891 HIPREALTY.COM

WE’RE #1 FOR A REASON

ROOMMATE/ CAREGIVER Looking for roommate/ caregiver to share living quarters in condo. Contact Terry at 402.466.6788

GET COLLEGE READY! WELLS FARGO

Find out for yourself why Latitude was chosen by your fellow Huskers as their favorite off-campus student housing option .

Visit Get College Ready ™ at wellsfargo.com/getcollegeready.

LATITUDEAPARTMENTS.COM

Main|1248 O St|402.434.4248 16th & P|1600 P St|402.434.6760

402.313.252

ROOMMATE NEEDED Roommate needed to share furnished house, not far from campus. No smoking, no pets. $495 plus half of gas bill. Garage available. 402-6104067.

LUXURY AMENITIES WELCOME BACK! Spaces fill quickly! TOUR TODAY!

8N LOFTS 8nlofts.com | 855.434.9904


30

SEPTEMBER 2017


WE’RE #1 FOR A REASON

WELCOME BACK! FIND OUT WHY WE’RE THE FAVORITE. When it comes time to explore dorm alternatives, be sure you find out why Latitude was chosen by your fellow Huskers as their favorite off-campus student housing option . Our active student community and unique common spaces give you the opportunity to discover every aspect of college life, all within a few steps from your bedroom door. Stop by and see for yourself why we’re #1 with UNL students.

402.313.2528 | latitudeapartments.com | 235 S 11th, Lincoln, NE 68508 |



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.