4 minute read
Sophomore Anna McQueeny takes the stage as the newest member of a band
from September 2018
by Le Journal
Queen
of The Whips
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Sophomore Anna McQueeny finds a new side of herself after joining a band called The Whips and helped them win in the semi-finals of the Roxy Battle of the Bands Competition.
BY SELA KINCAID REPORTER
Stepping onto a half-lit stage with vibrant lights pointing to to do. The Whips were excited to see if she could be a new addition and random spots on the stage all around her, sophomore Anna the band quickly choose to add McQueeny. McQueeny takes a few steps towards her mic, takes a deep “The first time we heard her sing was when she sent us a video of breath and begins singing in front of a cheering crowd for only the herself singing ‘Redbone’ and she could hit all of those notes. That’s second time in her life. With every song, McQueeny gets more and more when we got excited to see what she could do,” SME senior, Max comfortable jumping up and down and swinging her arms around. The Indiveri said. crowd mimics her, singing and jumping to the beat. McQueeny can’t The Whips include Connelly as lead singer, stop smiling, realizing how fun it can be to try new things. McQueeny as supporting singer, Indiveri on
“I’m onstage, singing with a band and it just clicked and everything piano and guitar, SME junior Miles Patterson just flowed,” McQueeny said. “The guys are super cool and make me feel on drums, SME junior Vincent Lee on more confident.” guitar, and SME junior Quinn Cosgrove on
McQueeny had only sang with her band, The Whips, once before bass. The contest consisted of two rounds in the semi-finals of Battle of the Bands at The Roxy, where they won. and audience members voted for the This allowed McQueeny to advance into the final competition, Aug. 31, winner. at Roxy Bar. “It was pretty crazy, but a good
The Whips are an Indie-Rock, alternative band. Their style surprise,” Julie said, after McQueeny is influenced off of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Eagles. They joined the band officially on Aug. 17. showcased seven songs, including McQueeny singing “Redbone” by McQueeny was not originally Childish Gambino and a duet of “One of these Nights” by The Eagles planning on becoming a part of the with Shawnee Mission East junior and lead singer, Aidan Connelly. But band long-term. She originally just The Whips did not win the last competition and have yet to make plans auditioned to perform once and call it for a future show. a day. But the parents of a fellow band
“I’ve never been in anything like a band before,” McQueeny said. “I member encouraged McQueeny to have only been in musical theatre [for one year]. That was it.” become a part of the group.
McQueeny met The Whips on a Tuesday, three days before her first So for now, she decided to go with it competition with them that Friday. McQueeny was looking at a new to see where it will take her. They said she exciting chapter in her high school life. Not only was it McQueeny’s first was a natural from her first performance, time on stage singing, but it was her parent’s first time watching her with no fear when on stage. In her own perform in front of an audience. bubble of music, McQueeny is able to
“Her dad and I were halfway giggling and halfway crying because show people what she can do. we were so proud of her,” McQueeny’s mother, Julie McQueeny said. “It “It was more a fun thing than a scary goes to show you, you can never try too many new things. She’s a good thing,” McQueeny said. “We just shake it all example for that, even if it’s just for me.” out, get loose and then go on.”
Sophomore Addie Vance was the first to tell McQueeny about The The Whips have opened up a new part of Whips. They needed a fill-in lead singer because Connelly was not able McQueeny’s life, and it continues to intrigue to make it to the competition. McQueeny wanted to see if she could her. Outside of her studies, outside of her sports take the open spot, sending the band a video of her singing “Redbone.” and making her way into drama and the arts, McQueeny anxiously and continuously re-sang “Redbone” until she was McQueeny has gone full circle. satisfied with it. She said she never thought she would end up in a
“I did it like three different times, I just kept redoing it for a bit, band when she was little. Now, she showcases her talent because I was really nervous,” McQueeny said. with ease on stage with The Whips.
She said letting someone else hear her sing for the first time, and “I felt cool,” McQueeny said, “ you know it just felt doing it by sending a video to a group of strangers, was not an easy thing super cool.”
The Whips
Sophomore Anna McQueeny belts out “Redbone” by Childish Gambino while onstage at The Roxy with The Whips. (Photo by Sela Kincaid)