ARTS

14| ARTS

Tober builds beats, constructs compositions

Julia Herlyn ’23

News Editor

hen listening to the Wopening lines of Kanye West’s song “Touch The Sky,” an immediate, electrifying response bubbles in Jet Tober ’23—in only a few seconds, his head begins to bob, his eyes close in concentration, and he quietly hums along to the tune. This passion for music began over 13 years ago—when Tober was 3 years old—and today, he pursues this interest through participating in various ensembles as well as composing and producing his own music. “When I was 3 years old, I went to a hotel, and I sat down at a piano in the hotel lobby,” Tober said. “I was just clinking away at the keys, and I played two notes that sounded good. I wanted to learn how to do that again.”

Tober is a member of the Jazz Band (playing piano), the Symphonic Orchestra (playing cello) and Orphenians. He began studying the piano privately at age 5, picked up the cello in fourth grade and has sung for as long as he can remember. Immersed in music for all of his life, Tober began to develop an interest in music composition and production—which is separate from performing in an ensemble or as a soloist— when he was in third grade.

“I would hear melodies in my head, and I would want to be able to play them,” Tober said. “I wanted to translate them into something I could experience and other people could experience.”

In pursuit of this goal, Tober decided to familiarize himself with a variety of genres and composers, such as Leonard Bernstein, Mozart and jazz music. He experimented with GarageBand before purchasing Logic, a more advanced production software. Initially overwhelmed by Logic’s features, Tober spent time watching tutorials and reading the help guide to gain more understanding of its functions. As a beginner, he started by making simple beats, and upon improving his abilities, Tober began to imitate other artists’ songs. Eventually, through practice and research, Tober started to compose his own pieces, including classical, hip hop, jazz fusion, rock and rap. After creating a composition, he enjoys sharing them with fellow classmates. “At various points throughout my schooling career, when there has been a project to create something, I normally default to a song, because I like the production aspect of it—it just makes it fun for me,” Tober said. “Honestly, songs are catchy and they help you remember concepts. A lot of [composing/producing] is for personal enjoyment, and for the enjoyment of friends and family.” Zach Brody ’23 recalls listening to one of Tober’s songs during class this year. “I heard his song ‘Unit P’ in my WTP (We the People) class,” Brody said. “It was actually insane—like so good. It was a rendition of ‘pushing P’[by Gunna and Future] with his WTP unit as the theme.” Tober feels that the majority of his inspiration for composition and production lies in his love for jazz, and he often incorporates jazz-like features in his pieces.

“[Jazz] has this element of surprise that you can throw in by painting [the music] with different colored notes, like when you’re improvising or just playing unique chord progressions in general,” Tober said. “For me, it’s the most expressive genre [...] You’re using what you’ve learned and you’re applying it, but it’s not pre-planned—you’re feeling in the moment and [creating] what sounds good to you.”

“I enjoy [music] too much to not always have it be part of my life.” -Jet Tober ’23

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STUDENT WRITER Jet Tober ’23 uses music as an outlet for self-expression. Through various programs such as GarageBand and Logic, Tober writes songs in his free time. Photo by Camille Vynerib ’23

Logan Goodman ’24 incorporates love for sneakers, art into business

Genevieve Frucht ’24

Staff Writer

ogan Goodman ’24 has Lalways been into fashion and sneakers, as well as drawing and art. When she was given a pair of used Air Force’s by a friend in 2019, Goodman decided to turn them into a piece of art that she could also wear. This sparked the idea to start her own customized sneaker business, Laced by logan. From a young age, Goodman has always loved to put outfits together, using sneakers to enrich the look. “I have liked sneakers since elementary school when I started picking out my own outfits,” Goodman said. “They were a perfect way to express myself; whether it was kneehigh sparkly Converse, light-up Sketchers or Jordans, sneakers were always, and will always be a big part of my life.” Since Lacedbylogan’s launch, Goodman has fulfilled orders from all around the country and many customers have found her shop through Instagram. Her designs have also been featured on influencers’ Instagram accounts including Blazendary, Two Js Kicks, Unbreakable Kicks and Bleacher Report. Lacedbylogan has also been featured in local press services such as Westport Lifestyle Magazine and Westport Journal. “I am overwhelmed by how quickly my business has kicked off, and am truly grateful for all the opportunities that have come out of lacedbylogan,” Goodman said.

Goodman’s favorite experience while owning her business was when she got asked by Bleacher Report Kicks (a branch of Bleacher Report that focuses on sneakers) to show off her sneaker collection on one of his shows. BR Kicks raved over one of her custom pairs of shoes which were inspired by two contemporary artists, Murakami and Kaws.

“[BR Kicks] gave me a shout-out after the live show and began to follow my business account,” Goodman said. “He even got a pair of my customs which he wears and shows off every so often on social media.” Along with spreading publicity for her business on social media, Goodman has also attended live events such as store openings, stands in downtown Westport, museums and birthday parties.

“I love to do live events because many people don’t normally see all the work behind each design,” Goodman said. “At live events, people can watch me hand paint their shoes and understand the whole process from start to finish.”

Due to various other time commitments, she sometimes has to turn down orders; however, she always tries her best to fulfill as many requests as possible.

“In the future, I hope that I can keep it up, continue to fulfill orders, and attend events while also being a full-time student and athlete,” Goodman said. “One of my bigger goals is to make sneakers for a very famous individual, like a professional athlete or well-known individual.”

VERSATILITY Logan Goodman ’24 demonstrates her artistic talent through her array of textures and colors on her shoes.

SHOW STOPPER Goodman, owner of Laced By Logan, a shoe design business, often hosts live shoe painting events.