the guide friday, march 2, 2012
the weekly magazine for life on the hilltop
D.C. FASHION IN BLOOM SPRING FASHION ISSUE
Studio Ghibli Presents Secret World of Arrietty
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Tucker Talks Sophomore Album
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Fanfarlo Successfully Mixes Indie and Old
this issue hilltop 3 entertainment 13 red square roundup // center stage
project x // rooms filled with light
SPRING FASHION ISSUE
LIGHTS, CAMERA, FASHION While not quite as distinguished as New York City or Los Angeles, D.C. is slowly building up its fashion cred and beginning to make a name for itself as one of the fashion capitals of America. At the recent D.C. Fashion Week, nearly 100 designers sent models down the runway to showcase the glamour and poise of D.C. fashion beyond the basic pantsuit. With a new season on the horizon, the guide took a look at some of the hottest spring looks from up-and-coming designers Azadeh Tajdivand, Tatiana Kolina and Gennet Purcell.
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COVER PHOTO BY CHRIS BIEN
soundbite
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the guide
Connor Gregoire, Editor-in-Chief Steven Piccione, Guide Editor
Upasana Kaku, Executive Editor Suzanne Fonzi, Managing Editor
Corrections and Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Upasana Kaku at (202) 687-3415 or email executive@ thehoya.com.
Chris Bien, Photo Editor Remy Samuels, Layout Editor Samantha Randazzo, Copy Chief
General Information THE GUIDE is published each week during the academic year with the exception of holiday and exam periods. Address all correspondence to: THE HOYA Georgetown University Box 571065 Washington, D.C. 20057-1065 The writing, articles, pictures, layout and format are the responsibility of THE HOYA and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University. Signed columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of THE HOYA. Georgetown University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression for student editors. THE HOYA does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, national or ethnic origin. © 2012. THE HOYA, Georgetown University twice weekly. No part of this publication may be used without the permission of THE HOYA Board of Editors. All rights reserved. THE GUIDE is available free of charge, one copy per reader, at distribution sites on and around the Georgetown University campus. Additional copies are $1 each.
Victoria Edel, Deputy Guide Editor Alex Sanchez, Deputy Guide Editor Bethany Imondi, Deputy Guide Editor Mairead Reilly, Contributing Guide Editor Leonel De Velez, Deputy Photo Editor Sari Frankel, Deputy Photo Editor Christie Shely, Deputy Photo Editor Zoe Bertrand, Deputy Layout Editor Jessica Natinsky, Deputy Layout Editor Emory Wellman, Deputy Layout Editor Nikita Buley, Deputy Copy Editor Emily Perkins, Deputy Copy Editor
Editorial: (202) 687-3415 Advertising: (202) 687-3947 Business: (202) 687-3947 Facsimile: (202) 687-2741 Email: editor@thehoya.com Online at www.thehoya.com
face the music
“Honestly, it’s kind of impossible for me to envision ‘Spring Break’ without Carson Daly lurking in the background.”
KinneChapin
omglol :P :) :D ;)
A Little Italian Meatball — The Internet is abuzz with rumors that Snooki is pregnant. We’ll make the prediction that this baby wil be in Georgetown’s Class of 2034. White Swan — Natalie Portman and her husband secretly married some time before the Oscars. Let’s hope Mila Kunis doesn’t try to steal him away.
Born That Way — Lady Gaga wil have a cameo in Men in Black I I this summer. We had doubts before, but we can now say with certainty that she is an alien.
Love Story — Tim Tebow and Taylor Swift went on a date. Americans everywhere are excited by the idea of a poignant breakup song about the Christian quarterback.
saywhat?
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I get very nostalgic. It makes me happy. I’ve forgotten complete episodes that we shot, so there’s times I watch it just as if I’m watching for the first time. - Jennifer Aniston, on why she still watches “Friends”
hilltop
redsquareroundup arab spring
mar12
where the seafloor melts
Monday, March 12 (ongoing) 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Spagnuolo Gallery
Monday, March 12 2:30 p.m. Riggs Library
Joan Lederman shows off her experiments in ceramics, playing with form, pattern and glaze. What makes her pottery stand out is that her glazes are crafted from deep ocean sediments, giving each vessel an individuality only achevied by the ceramic process.
Participating in a moderated discussion, Madeleine Albright, Rebecca Farmer, Kathleen McNamara and Jennifer Windsor will talk about what the Arab Spring means for foreign policy, international politics and U.S. interests. Be sure to RSVP online to attend. ndi.org
mar14
mar12
cooking demonstration
art.georgetown.edu
the raven
mar15 Thursday, March 15 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. AMC Loews Georgetown
Wednesday, March 14 3 p.m. ICC 425
Join What’s After Dark and Off-Campus Student Life for a sneak preview of the new film The Raven. Featuring John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe, the film presents a fictional account of the famous writer’s last days.
Fatema Hal, Franco-Moroccan Chef, culinary author and anthropologist, will be demonstrating how to make a traditional pastry, almond biwats. During the demonstration, she will explain the history and techniques associated with this treat. A tasting sponsored by the Embassy of Morocco will follow. decitre.fr
hide&seek
impawards.com
The photos onleft theisleft an example ofof what appear in &Hide Thetwo photo on the theare complete image last will week’s Hide &Seek Seek, but for next on campus is the photo right? challenge. Canweek: you finWhere d the location of the photo on on thethe right?
lastweek
findme
findme
Chris bien/the hoya
HISTORIC HOME Maguire Halll, built in 1855 and attached to Healy Halll, houses classrooms that provide a timeless environment for student learning.
chris bien/The hoya all photos leonel de velez/thehoya
3.2.12 | the guide | 3
hilltop
centerstage
Take Two With Tate Tucker: Hoya Rap Sensation Drops Sophomore Effort
bisi orisamolu Special to The Hoya
Tate Tucker is a sophomore in the College who has captured the attention of Georgetown’s campus and the music industry. Although his emerging rap career is not typical of a Georgetown student, Tucker revealed that he is much more down-to-earth than his rap persona would indicate. When talking about his music, his seriousness contrasts with his sense of humor and his laid-back, Southern California personality. With the release of his second album, Virgin Liberation, Tucker discusses the pathway to his music career. How did you first develop an interest in music? In terms of music, my parents were both huge musicians. Before I even came into the picture, music was a big part of the family. I picked up the drums when I was like 10 and that’s pretty much where it really started. I got a sense of rhythm and just loved it. I stopped playing when I got to high school and pretty much just freestyled at parties. Junior year, I got a chance to record my first song. Why did you choose Georgetown rather than going straight into the music business? To be honest, I didn’t want to be a musician at all. When I got into Georgetown I was like, “Alright, guess it’s time to cut the crap, I’m trying to be the next Obama.” It just kept following me. But you gotta get your degree, in case it ever falls through.
What would you say is your favorite track and why? “Lazer Tag” is kind of my favorite one only because my favorite one ends up becoming the one everybody else likes because I like hearing it when other people enjoy it. It’s just a really upbeat, crazy, kind of experimental song — there’s not a lot of music out there like that. What is your process for songwriting? I do this new thing with the producer where I record my vocals over a metronome and [Jim Chambers] crafts an entire song around it and we co-produce the song. From the lyrics comes the melody. That really is an authentic sound. Usually I hear the beat and write to it, see how it makes me feel.
“I’m never wearing any kind of suit. Casual sweats every day, living in Southern California — that’s the goal.”
What kind of support have you gotten from people in the Georgetown community? I’ve gotten to perform in Gaston and do cool events like that. ... But mostly it’s been … grassroots: just kids sending it to their friends via Facebook. It’s been really cool. Tell us about your new album. The title is Virgin Liberation. I wanted it to show my artistic progression and have this be the first time people hear the real music I want to bring to the table — a more serious, professional sound. I just wanted it to be something that people could relate to.
4 | the guide | 3.2.12
What message do you want your mu-
sic to send? That was another reason this [album] got pushed back so much. I went back and forth and I was like, “Man, this is going to be the most political, crazy, life-changing album you’re ever gonna hear.” Then I was like, that’s just not gonna work. At the end of the day, what I’m working on now is what most upcoming artists do: just telling my story, not putting too much pressure on myself to be this savior of hip-hop. That’s definitely not my goal. I’m slowly starting to take more positions on political issues. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, I’ve just been killing it, I have like an eight pack, I look younger than I do now. Like I’m 6-foot-3, somehow I get stretched out. Aside from those superfi-
Chris BIEN/The Hoya
RAP IT UP Tate Tucker (COL ’14) is reaching new heights with his blossoming rap career. His album, Virgin Liberation, was released last month. cial things, hopefully a couple Grammy awards, signed to a major label and starting to build my own label, and I’ve tapped … into a couple of different business endeavors. And I’m never wearing any kind of suit. Casual sweats everyday, living in Southern California — that’s the goal. What can you say that really represents who you are and where you’re coming from? I think that a lot of the time people
hear my music before they meet me. A lot of the time I get associated with a super cocky person but that’s definitely not who I am at all. The feistiness is definitely just a projection. I’m a goodhearted person with good intentions and I’m always trying to represent Georgetown with my lyrics and my demeanor. Check out Tucker’s video interview online at thehoya.com.
SPRING FASHION ISSUE 2012
CAPITAL COUTURE
A New Spring for DC FASHION creative economy takes root in the district
W
ashington, D.C. is not the first city that comes to mind when one thinks about fashion. The stereotypical Washington resident is more likely to wear a power suit and practical heels than the season’s latest trends. But the District has always been more fashion-forward than it is commonly perceived. “If you really look at your history and what D.C. represented in the ’20s, the ’30s, the ’40s … D.C. was into theater and jazz and music and fashion,” Christine BrooksCropper, president and founder of the D.C. Fashion Foundation, says. “They say it’s conservative, but … D.C. has a whole nightlife scene with dinners and parties and galas and something every single night. We’re just getting back to the way it used to be, when Washington, D.C., was a worldclass cultural city.” According to Gennet Purcell, designer of the D.C.-based clothing line Maven, D.C. style is unique because it’s very taskoriented. “Whether it be students, interns, politicos, attorneys or your everyday 9-to-5 work-
er, everyone dresses for function,” she said. Stodgy senatorial get-ups are by no means all the city has to offer today. Though the District might not yet have a reputation to match New York or Los Angeles, the city’s fashion scene is dynamic and growing. Almost 100 designers presented
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a good time for a lot of entrepreneurs to make the decision to follow their dreams.” Recently, designers received a boost from city officials who have prioritized the budding fashion industry because of its potential for job creation and economic development.
We’re just getting back to the way it used to be, when Washington D.C. was a worldclass cultural city. — Christine Brooks-Cropper
founder of the D.C. Fashion Foundation their collections at D.C. Fashion Week in late February. “This is a good time for the creative economy, period,” Brooks-Cropper says. “It’s
”
“Mayor Gray is very supportive of the creative economy, and he has made it one of his priorities to help build industry,” Brooks-Cropper says. “You can’t have in-
REMY SAMUELS Hoya Staff Writer
dustry if you don’t have infrastructure.” The D.C. Fashion Foundation, a nonprofit division of the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, has been working on several initiatives to promote the development of the industry in Washington. The most notable of those initiatives, the D.C. Fashion Incubator, launched in January and provides five emerging designers with workspace in the D.C. Convention Center, equipment and training, all at below-market rates. In July the foundation hopes to move to a permanent location on Good Hope Road in Anacostia. The new space would allow the incubator to expand its programs and support 20 to 24 designers. This spring, the guide celebrates the District’s growing fashion scene with spring looks from three up-and-coming D.C. designers working with the DCFI. Such collections as Azadeh Tajdivand’s self-named brand, sPACY cLOUD by Tatiana Kolina and Maven by Gennet Purcell are vibrant and imaginative, capturing the spirit of renewal of both the spring and the District’s fashion industry.
D.C.’s designers are revitalizing the local fashion scene. FROM LEFT: On Charmaine, romper, Azadeh Tajdivand; belt, stylists’ own. On Lauren, skirt, sPACY cLOUD; top, necklace, shoes, stylists’ own. On Michelle, skirt, Maven; scarf (worn as top), bracelet, stylists’ own. 6 | the guide
azadeh tajdivand T
ehran-native Azadeh Tajdivand worked and studied in London, Frankfurt, Oslo, and Berlin before settling in D.C. to found her eponymous label. She seeks to redefine traditional ideas of fashion by incorporating unconventional materials, 3D layers, and innovative textures. Art, nature, and architecture inspire many of her designs. These pieces from her spring collection showcase her unique point of view.
Tajdivand's Picks for Spring asymmetrical pieces pastel colors
’20s and ’50s leather accents as pockets,
styles from the
collars and other details all-over abstract prints florals
A romper is a fun spring alternative to a more traditional sundress. If you’re really feeling edgy, go all out with a wide-legged jumpsuit. TOP: jumpsuit, Azadeh Tajdivand. BOTTOM: romper, Azadeh Tajdivand; sandals, ring, stylists’ own. spring fashion issue | 7
maven | gennet purcell
G
ennet Purcell studied law in D.C. before starting a made-to-order dressmaking service that grew into Maven, a collection of dresses and separates in bold colors and unique shapes. She sees her mission as inspiring the women of D.C. to embrace dressing more fashionably in their daily lives. The maxiskirts and dresses pictured here can be easily integrated into the everyday spring wardrobe.
Dramatic eyes and bright lips add drama to spring looks. FROM LEFT: On Mary, skirt, Maven; top, belt, sunglasses, shoes, stylists’ own. On Grace, dress, Maven; shoes, stylists’ own. On Michelle, skirt, Maven; scarf (worn as top), shoes, bracelet, stylists’ own. On Lauren, dress, Maven; shoes, stylists’ own.
ABOVE: Maxiskirts can transition from winter to spring, worn with tights and boots or with sandals and a floaty top.
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The biggest trends for spring are pretty soft pale and pastel colors, flirty florals and sculptural silhouettes.
— Gennet Purcell designer of Maven
8 | the guide
” spring fashion issue | 9
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I accept the challenge to broaden the
fashion thinking of the masses
— one
lovely dress at a time.
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— Gennet Purcell designer of Maven
10 | the guide
SPACY CLOUD | tatiana kolina
T
atiana Kolina’s experience growing up in Russia in the 1980s inspired both her clothing line, sPACY cLOUD, and her line of footwear, My Moody Booty. She decided to create colorful, unique designs as a reaction to the monotony of fashion in St. Petersburg during her youth. “Back in Russia, when I was 10 years old, my mom had a jacket made out of paper material. I was very fascinated by it,” Kolina says. “I really loved the wrinkled paper texture which reminded me of old books’ pages.” Her clothing designs incorporate Tyvek, a recyclable and waterproof synthetic textile frequently used as a building material. “This material scrambled together resembles a big cloud and that is why I called it sPACY cLOUd,” the designer explains.
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D.C. is similar to a salad bowl. It has a rich mixture of ingredients: Asian, African American, South American, European, American and many other cultures.
”
— Tatiana Kolina
designer of sPACY cLOUD
With textures this spring to make your outfit really stand out. ABOVE: vest, sPACY cLOUD; sequined top, pants, shoes, stylists’ own. RIGHT: skirt, sPACY cLOUD; top, shoes, stylists’ own. spring fashion issue | 11
clothing provided by jessica hoy and the d.c. fashion incubator modeled by grace burns, MICHELLE CHUNG, LAUREN MACGUIDWIN, CHARMAINE NG AND MARY OEFTERING. STYLED BY NIKITA BULEY AND REMY SAMUELS HAIR AND MAKEUP BY SUZANNE FONZI, SAMANTHA RANDAZZO, MICHELLE CASSIDY AND VICTORIA EDEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS BIEN DESIGN BY REMY SAMUELS
entertainment English Major’s Math Problem grandma goes to turkey
looked exactly like one I already have; and thus, I must buy it. It was particularly difficult to back away from these consumer challenges because I could logically and legitimately convince myMeaganKelly self that I may never come back to this place ever again. And even though there oney is a valuable thing. Some is that exact same ceramic bowl in a gischolars debate if it is not the gantic mall not far from my university, most valuable of all things. But this one is from Cappadocia. I was even what scholars do not care to ponder is able to convince myself that a wooden the complex equation of time spent bracelet from a rest stop off the highway abroad multiplied by the shininess of between Istanbul and Cappadocia was a the jewelry, divided by the exchange rate wise purchase. (But in my defense, Turthat you convince yourself works out in key knows how to do rest stops … sorry, your favor, or how the product of that New Jersey). Now of course, you can’t forget the exequation is directly related to the velocity of your fiscal losses. Are you lost? Me change rate factor. At the moment, one too. I’m an English major and not even U.S. dollar is equal to about 1.77 Turksure if those mathematical operations ish lira. As I mentioned above, I’m an English major. So are logical. So I’ll guess what courses break this down for I haven’t taken in you, grandma style: “18th Century Victorian roughly four years? You are told to If you guessed math, Literature” and “Female approach the study then you have abroad experience Poets in the 20th Century” guessed correctly. as a “once-in-a-lifedo not help with your Not surprisingly, time opportunity.” mental math skills. “18th Century VicAnd while this could torian Literature” not be any more and “Female Poets true, what you are in the 20th Century” do not help with not told (or should I say, what you do not listen to) is that you do your mental math skills. So when I see not need some sort of trinket, pendant, that the price of that gold-plated penflag, T-shirt or bracelet from every loca- dant with Arabic writing is only 40 TL, tion where you spend more than 25 min- in my head that’s a $20 pendant. Funny thing is, though, two $20 pendants acutes to commemorate the experience. Those large flowing pants with the tual equal $40. Who would’ve thunk it? While being in Cappadocia I quickly low-set crotch and elaborate “Ottoman” designs they sell outside the Grand Ba- recognized how easily this could get out zaar are not in fact “authentically Turk- of hand. After a few purchases that I conish.” And Turkish food will be in Turkey sidered to be reasonable, I began to use for the entire time you are there. That the classic “leave your wallet at home” extensive Turkish buffet is not the last trick. What is it that made it back with time you will ever see this food again. me, you ask? A ceramic tile (because You do not need to eat it as such. This there’s just so much I can do with that). spend-like-you’ll-never-see-these-items- A ceramic ashtray (nope. I don’t smoke. again mentality hit me especially hard You figure out the logic in that puras I journeyed eastward on my first ex- chase). A worn-down, “pre-owned” Zippo lighter with no lighter fluid in it. Two cursion outside of the Istanbul region. I spent this past weekend in Cap- pairs of socks (I have no explanation for padocia, a region in Central Anatolia those except that they were three TL per (about 10 long hours east of Istanbul) pair). And finally, a bottle of wine (reamost famous for its underground cit- sons for buying include: Because I can; ies settled by early Christians, its “fairy my dad likes wine; I like wine; it was bechimney” rock formations and shiny, ing sold at the winery at which it was colorful ceramics priced at only 18 lira. made; because I can). All in all, howAnd thus, my powers of self-control ever, I feel as though I can confidently were aggressively tested this weekend. say I employed a fair amount of fiscal With every new tourist stop there was self control, considering the number of a gift shop. With every gift shop there necklaces and scarves that look exactly was a bracelet, bowl or knitted bag that like ones I already own.
M
The Not-So-Secret World of Arrietty ABBY REUTZEL Hoya Staff Writer
M
ary Norton’s novel The Borrowers was released in 1952. In the following 60 years, it has taken on a life of its own. Most people have heard of the story in one way or another, whether from a TV interpretation or one of the many movie adaptations. In 2010, one of the most prolific film studios in the world, Studio Ghibli, decided to take on The Borrowers and ended up creating what will come to be known as a timeless piece of cinema. Ghibli has a reputation all its own the world over, since they have been responsible for the release of films like Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. The studio’s most recent title, The Secret World of Arrietty, was first released in 2010 in Japan and 2011 in Europe. In the United States, the movie is being distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and was officially released on Feb.17. The star-studded dubbing for this version is done very well, and the translations work, which is something that can’t always be said about the way foreign films are treated in this market. The film follows a young borrower, Arrietty, and her family. They live under the floor in a house in Japan and have been there for quite some time. However, as time has passed, they’ve come to worry that they may be some of the very last of their kind. Then, when a young, ill boy moves into the house, things start to get complicated. Arrietty befriends the boy (Shawn, in the U.S.
moviecarpet.com
The secret world of arrietty starring: Mirai Shida, Ryunsosuke Kamiki, Shinobu Otake, Keiko Takesheita version), but this friendship comes at a cost, since borrowers aren’t allowed to fraternize with the “beings” because of how dangerous it is. After being discovered, her family is forced to move to a new home in order to stay safe. The movie combines beautiful and flawless animation with a wonderfully deep screenplay and touching score. Although marketed to children in the United States, the movie bears Studio Ghibli’s signature method of tackling different, more adult themes and containing much more complex meanings beneath the surface. An example of one of these deep moments happens about halfway through the film. Arrietty and Shawn have a discussion about her family’s situation, and Shawn, in all of his maturity and bitterness, muses on death and change in life and how no matter what one wants, things will change and people will die. This moment is one that makes parents cringe,but is absolutely necessary to the intricacy and complexity of the film. Ghibli isn’t one to shy away from tough subject matter, and this rightfully gives its movies appeal across all age ranges. There aren’t any real negatives or detractors to name within the film. Its message is absolutely relevant to the times in which we live, and it is one that is touching and lasting. Regardless of the age of the audience, it is a film that is thoroughly enjoyable and worth seeing on the big screen.
3.2.12 | the guide | 13
entertainment Download New Scores For Slopes or Shores velop a Snooki-dark tan, or if you live somewhere that’s warm all the time (which means I hold a grudge against you), you’re going to need some irreverent rap to serve as the KinneChapin backdrop to your vacation. It’s just the law. Download “Youth” by The h, spring break. The mere Dean’s List — its beat is suitably upwords bring to mind mid-after- lifting, but the true reason I picked noon naps on the beach and this song is the chorus, which is an nights you will barely remember. As ode to being young and irresponI’m not really good at being a young sible. The hook is perfectly smooth person, I’ve never done the typical, and, when coupled with a few trutropical spring break. This year I’m ly tongue-twistingly fast verses, is headed to Ireland to drink copious sure to make you want to do somepints and get rained on. It’s going to thing a little crazy, like attend an be beautiful. If you’re anything like MTV wet T-shirt contest. Honestly, me, music is of the ultimate impor- it’s kind of impossible for me to tance for setting the mood of a trip. envision “Spring Break” without Matt & Kim will forever remind me Carson Daly lurking in the backof London, David Guetta of the Do- ground. I believe that there are still cold places minican Republic and Johnny Flynn left on this earth, of train rides even if D.C. is through Gercurrently global many. I want When I travel anywhere, warming central. to help set the and by any means ... I get If you’re headed mood for your home to a colder vacation — befed up with the human part of the councause I like you. race. As you can see, I’m try (I hear there’s Here are a few a treat. snow in Chicago) songs to make or taking a trip your break truto hit the slopes, ly memorable … despite all the mistakes you’re going to need a mellow track to delight your ears while you look out you may want to forget. When I travel anywhere, and by any the window at a winter wonderland. means (I’m serious … car, train, plane, My gift to you is Coke Weed’s “Magpie,” camel), I get fed up with the human an incredibly stripped-down song prorace. Why are you going 100 mph on pelled along by the lightest accompathe highway without getting pulled niment of guitar. The melody is deeply over? Are you seriously confiscating my simplistic, but the ethereal vocals are tweezers, TSA? Please, talk more loudly this song’s true star; the lead singer on your cell phone; I would love to hear sounds like a drugged-up Lana del Rey. The result is a song that is deeply about your cousin’s birthday party. As you can see, I’m a treat, which dreamy. It could put you to sleep, in the explains why I often listen to loud, best possible way — perfect for curling angry music while I’m travelling. up by the fire with a good book. Or, you Thankfully, Sleigh Bells released a know, The Hunger Games. new album this week, so I’m set for So there you have it: three songs my international flight. “Crush,” my that can suit any style of spring break. I favorite track, has plenty of Sleigh hope they bring additional joy to what Bells’ signature, fantastically loud is sure to be a joyous 10 days. Now all guitar and aggressive hand clapping you need to do is print out your boardto soothe my aggravated nerves. ing pass and buy some trashy magaHopefully this song will help you zines and unhealthy airport snacks to avoid assault charges against any help you make it to your final descrying babies or over-eager recliners. tination. I sincerely hope that your If you’re headed somewhere vacation closely resembles the lyrwarm to drink margaritas and de- ics to “Waking up in Vegas.”
face the music
A
14 | the guide | 3.2.12
X Just Doesn’t Mark The Spot in Comedy ALLIE DOUGHTY Hoya Staff Writer
F
ilm producer Todd Phillips took plastic decoration is so devastating. Don’t on the college frat boy scene in Old worry — you will find out soon. Another School, and graduated to grown men highlight is marked by the arrival of the who act like children in The Hangover fran- cops in a futile effort to shut down the chise. So, it seemed about time for him to party. As a whole, the frequent montages tackle new comedic territory and regress of anarchic raging juxtaposed with the to the high school years that everyone re- more staged scenes make for an interestmembers so fondly. And so he has, with his ing movie-watching experience. new king-size comedy that doesn’t play by Because almost every other word in the any film conventions: Project X. Under the dialogue is an F-bomb, or that the party direction of Nima Nourizadeh, the movie involves unpredictable stunts, such as a is shot using the found-footage style popu- dog being tied to a bunch of balloons and larized by horror movies like Paranormal a little person being stuffed into an oven, Activity and The Blair Witch Project, but the film is bound to extract laughter from used in an entirely new way. at least part of the audience. Yet, while Set in Pasadena, Calif., the film follows the comedic situations are a strong point, three stereotypical the real weakness high school losers. of Project X is its Thomas Kub is the character develbirthday boy whose opment, or lack parents are convethereof. Thomas is niently leaving town likeable at times, PROJECT X for the weekend, Cosbut Costa is irrita is his obnoxious tating from start starring: Thomas Mann, Oliver friend who doesn’t to finish. As the Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown let anyone forget two main female how much greater roles, girl-nextdid you know?: The film is loosely his life was back in door Kirby and sexbased on the house party thrown New York City, and pot Alexis form a by internet star Corey Delaney. JB, although less imlove triangle with portant to the plot, Thomas in the rounds out their trio, middle, but the serving as the butt of all the fat jokes. resolution to this dilemma is nothing if Determined to elevate their social status not predictable. during their senior year, Costa persuades The party in Project X is undoubtedly a reluctant Thomas to throw a huge party epic when considering the sex, alcohol at his empty house. Huge is definitely an and general mayhem. But in terms of the understatement. movie itself, it’s rather one-dimensional. Much to the surprise of the characters The rapport between Superbad’s Evan themselves, Costa’s inane strategies actu- and Seth is something to strive for and ally work, right down to the “Naked Girls even the most legendary party can’t deny Only” sign that he lodges next to the pool. that, or compensate for Project X’s abThe boys manage to round up 1,500 peo- sence of memorable characters. ple, including some high school students and plenty of creepy middle-aged people looking for a good time. Boasting scrawny, yet terrifying, Taser-wielding 12-year-old security guards and a crazy guy with a flamethrower, their party makes Superbad look like afternoon tea at grandma’s house. Even among the chaos, there are several scenes that manage to stand out. Early on, the three boys pilfer a garden gnome, ROTTENTOMATOES.COM only to be violently chased by its owner, much to the confusion of the moviego- PARTY HARD Project X follows the drunkers who are unsure of why the loss of this en antics of three high school friends.
entertainment
Fanfarlo Shines Bright on Second Album WILL CURIEL Special to The Hoya
I
n 2009, London-based quintet Fanfarlo burst onto the indie music scene with its debut album Reservoir. Its glistening ’80s pop-like sound hooked listeners with songs that were both danceable and introspective. As earnest as a debut album but with the confidence of a sophomore effort, Rooms Filled With Light builds on this sound with-
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singer Simon Balthazar’s lively vocals that out straying too far into obscurity. The album opens with “Replicate,” a dark sound strikingly like a more eager version tune that proves more unnerving than of David Byrne. The stark juxtaposition of enticing. Staccatoed strings and panicked “Replicate” and “Deconstruction” is proof that Fanfarlo can’t lyrics create a cinbe pigeonholed into ematic tension that a single genre. slowly melts into an “Lens Life” adds optimism that carto the head-bobries on for the durabing appeal of the tion of the album. first half of Rooms Follow-up “DeconFilled With Light. struction” seems to ROOMS FILLED WITH LIGHT Drenched in nostalbe the band’s reward gia, Balthazar simulto the listener for artist: Fanfarlo taneously aches for a making it through song to download: “Lens Life,” simpler time while those anxious first “Deconstruction” excitedly looking few minutes. Burstsong to skip: “Everything Turns” forward to the fuing with typical ture. Starting with indie-pop, feel-good a modest, plunkvibes, “Deconstrucing piano, the song tion” finds the band builds to a powerful climax, only to ease right where it left fans after Reservoir. Shimmering trumpet and earnest hand- back to its modest beginning. Fanfarlo combines the warmth of indie claps weave a perfect background for lead
newreleases “All the Rowboats”
Regina Spektor // What We Saw From the Cheap Seats
The first single from Spektor’s forthcoming album features unexpected percussion and instrumental crescendos that lend suspense to Spektor’s already dramatic voice. This skillful song is a hit.
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music with the foot-tapping optimism of ’80s pop. Using lush synthesizers, which are at times subtle and enveloping and at others danceable and catchy, they create an ebb and flow of intensity and relief. “Shiny Things” and “Tanguska” do exactly this — ambient noise contrasted with bright horn sections can make the listener become exhausted in the best way possible. The first five tracks of Rooms Filled With Light would make for a great summer album on their own, and maybe in this February of multiple 60-plusdegree days, the timing was perfect. On the appropriately named “Everything Turns,” Rooms Filled With Light shifts from buoyant to moody. Sounding like a music box, it is sure to turn some listeners away. The rest of the album remains relatively subdued, save for a few moments of Cureesque, ’80s bliss. Unfortunately, the songs become tiresome in their similarity. Still, Fanfarlo proves it can hold its own in a genre that is becoming increasingly indistinguishable.
SHEENA KARKAL Special to The Hoya
“Some Nights”
“Kill the Lights”
The-Dream feat. Casha // The Love IV MMXII
“Kill the Lights” begins slowly with TheDream’s breathy falsetto, smooth synthesizer and a steady, deep bass. Casha’s vocals are nothing to be commended, contributing to the frustrating pace and one-dimensionality of this song.
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fun. // Some Nights
The title track of fun.’s sophomore album is just as catchy and uplifting as its popular hit “We Are Young” and includes raw vocals and electric guitar reminiscent of Queen. The band lives up to its name.
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3.2.12 | the guide | 15
bestbets
friday Start your weekend right and enjoy flamenco dancing in its purest, most breathtaking form. Featuring Olga Pericet, whose show also won the Revelación prize at last year’s Festival de Jerez, the performance highlights the simple, yet powerfully beautiful precision of a skilled flamenco dancer. Where: The George Washington University, Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW When: 8 p.m. Info: (800) 745-3000 Price: From $35 to $65 Metro: Foggy Bottom (Blue and Orange lines), Cardozo (Green and Yellow lines)
SHEENA KARKAl Special to The Hoya
apple orchard
saturday At Fairfax’s annual confectionary showcase, one of the highlights is the Taste of Chocolate, featuring cakes, brownies, ice cream and other assorted resolution-breaking treats. Indulge even more by participating in a silent auction or judging a chocolate challenge of mouth-watering goodies almost too beautiful to eat. Where: Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr., Fairfax, Va. When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: (703) 352-2787 Price: Costs vary per event Metro: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU (Orange line), then the CUE Bus to Old Town Fairfax.
- rebecca goldberg
sunday Catch some films that weren’t honored at the Oscars at this festival, which will be running all weekend and will feature 47 independent films. The closing night film (on March 4 at 5 p.m.) is Who Bombed Judi Bari, which argues that the Earth First! organizer was falsely accused of car bombing herself. Where: U.S. Naval Heritage Center Burke Theater, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Info: dciff-indie.org Price: $7 to $10 Metro: National Archives (Green and Yellow lines)