I have to confess something to you, BEAT readers - I’m kind of a silly guy. What can I say? I like a good goofaround, a laugh-about, a guffaw even. Frankly, I am a full-time goon. If you have ever experienced any of the following: laughing heartily at your own un- funny joke to the chagrin of your peers; the overwhelming urge to pull up a youtube clip or a tiktok and force all of your friends to watch it while you mouth along to the dialogue; the desire to put on a song nobody else likes because you think it’s hilarious, or if you have secretly practiced your tightfive comedy routine in the bathroom mirror, then you may be something of a goofball yourself. This April, we’re embracing our kookiness. Enjoy our serious interview with the oddballs from Chousand (one of my personal favorite bands), our epic random XD doodles, and our super fun interactives. Come fool around with us! <3 vanessa bartlett
APRIL FOOds PLAYLIST soup girl - laundry steak & titties - chousand eat a piece of fruit you piece of shit netherfriend sixteen saltines - jack white chili today, hot tamale - john chuck & the class candy - alex G salt licorice (with robyn) - jonsi, robyn juicy fruit - christine lewin sensitive artist - king missile the ballad of mr. steak - kishi bashi head of steak - she keeps bees good girls (don’t get used) - beach bunny
<3 from the beat
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
* = 21+ **= 18+
4 3 LCD Soundsystem 7pm @Roadrunner
5 Perfume Genius 7pm @Royale Hot Flash Heat Wave 7pm @Middle East Upstairs
6 Digital, Shy Talk, Ghost Painted Sky 9pm @Obrien’s** Spoon 7pm @House of Blues
10 Heart Attack Man, Covey 6pm @Brighton Music Hall
12
13 Kira Mcspice, Paper lady, suicide magnets, cradle of judah @Big Thief 7pm @ Roadrunner
17 18 Louzy, RutKaleo 6pm @House terkin, Secret of Blues World, Feep 9pm @Obrien’s*
19
20 Charli XCX 6:30pm @House of Blues
25 Inigo DeSouza, Horse Jumper of Love 7pm @Royale
26
27
24
11 Lunar Ark, Khost, Pain Chain, Prayer Position 9pm @ Obrien’s*
THURSDAY
FRIDAY 1
Ski Club, Beverage, Tiberius, Three Mandareens 8pm @Brinstar** Modern Color, Only Sibling 9pm @Obrien’s Pub* 8 7 Bright Eyes 6:30pm @ The Burning Sun (VT), Paper Lady, ADDIE, Christian Roadrunner
Pace 8pm@Brinstar** Snail Mail 6pm @Royale Laundry Day 8pm @Middle East Upstairs
14 Suzi Moon, Ravagers, Mystery Girl, Loretta 9pm @ Obrien’s* 21
28 Land of Talk 8pm @ Brighton Music Hall
SATURDAY 2 Girl Talk 7pm @Royale
9 Slow Crush, Cathedral Bells 8pm @Sonia
15
16 Edward Glen, Moss Tongue, Date Night 8pm@Brinstar** Maude Latour 7pm @Sonia Goux, Ecce Shnack @Tourist Trap Colleen Green, Shred Flintstone+more 7:30 @ Lilypad Cambridge 22 23 Eph See, Varsha,
Spud Cannon (NY), Mackenzie Morris, Frances Baker, Cisco Swank 8pm @Brinstar** Clifford Spoons @ Tourist Trap 29
Pet Fox, Denzil Leach, Clifford 8pm @Brinstar** The Band Camino 6:30 @ House of Blues Ashe, Brook and the Bluff 7pm @Royale
Valerya, Ethan Surman 8pm @Brinstar** Pat, Kenzo, Siamese Bikes @Tourist Trap
The Story So Far, Mom Jeans +more6pm@ Roadrunner
30 Art and Music Fair 1pm @Brinstar LP 7pm @ House of Blues
MP: So tell me how you started making clothes? HR: I’ve always been into art, but throughout high school I didn’t consider myself to be really into fashion. I was interested in experimenting to find out my artistry and figuring out more about myself. A couple of my friends were talking about potentially starting a brand because nobody really knew what they wanted to do after high school. [I had] two friends, they were resellers and were already into fashion. MP: So your friends kind of got you into the brand stuff? HR: Not necessarily, I was already venturing into my own lane of fashion. They were into streetwear, I invested more into alternative and punk, especially since a lot of high fashion is starting to adopt those styles. The brand was just an idea at the time, but after quarantine, I was focusing more on my creative output rather than my academics. I was starting to make a lot more art and do a lot more research. Especially TikTok. I didn’t realize how good of a resource TikTok was, it was putting me on to screen printing and finding good quality blanks. It was four of us at one point. We wanted to know the step-by-step process so we could tell screen printing shops to ask them to do it exactly the way we wanted.. The first design is probably our most memorable, because it’s literally what birthed us. MP: What was the design? HR: It was just a basic theme of red and white, a skull and some butterflies. But the way we executed it, if anyone saw that anywhere else, you would know that it’s us. The skull had an N3 on it. When people see N3 now, in my hometown, they automatically think of NXGHTMAR3. Everywhere in my city, especially in my high school. It’s actually crazy how much support we are getting.
Hector Rivera currently runs NXGHTMAR3, an up-and-coming fashion brand from Chelsea, Massachusetts.
MP: So your town is very supportive? HR: Yeah. It’s a little unreal, but that slow, gradual growth is great. MP: What’s your plan to make yourselves more known? HR: Right now, we have a website up. We’re selling on the website. Every piece has a story behind it, and that’s a reflection of myself. MP: How do you decide what part of you goes into that piece? What does your process look like? HR: I’m always drawing. I had an epiphany recently: the projects that I make are a reflection of myself in that moment of time, but I won’t realize that until after the fact. So when it comes to the brand, I would just create what I want to, what I feel like I’m feeling. After a week or two, there’s a theme that starts to roll out, and that’s what I pursue.Once we have the theme, I like to start building a miniature world with it. MP; Can you give an example of that? HR: Each piece is sort of intertwined, so our summer thing was “midnight souls.” It was supposed to capture a moment in time where you’re hanging out with friends on a cold summer night. That represented me letting go of my youth now that I’m pursuing an actual career. I didn’t even realize that was the theme until I designed the sweatshirt, which was moths. Moths represent rebirth. MP: What sort of messages are you trying to convey in your posts? HR: I was making callbacks to when we started, about how much we’ve grown. People might think, “it’s just a sweater, what does it have to say about politics?” The thing is, whatever I’m saying right now is a foundation for the brand, and I want to use the brand to actually introduce change for my community and those around me. MP: What do you feel is important for your community or something that you want to see changed? HR: I see a lot of self-doubt, and a lot of people feel like they can’t leave their conditions. We’re a community full of minorities, and a sanctuary city. A lot of immigrant families work until they’re tired and complacent. I want people in my city to know that their creativity is important and is meant to be shared. Just know that whatever you have to make is important. Anyone can do this, it just matters how you go about it. Even now I’m still learning from those more knowledgeable than me.
<3 maxwell pociask
michaela patriacca<3
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After a 200-year hiatus, underground Vienna artist Beethoven has released a comeback project that aims at the cultural zeitgeist like never before. While still recognizably Ludwig, the new record, Das Ist Ein Dummer Witz, has a distinctly different sheen. Taking a cue from artists like 100 gecs and SOPHIE, tracks like “Deutsche Oper Ist Mid” lean distinctly into hyperpop, contrasting earlier works like Piano Sonata No 15 (Pastoral) and Ode to Joy, though you can definitely hear where he’s coming from in those tracks. Moving down the track list, we get a diss track against a long-time rival, “Mozart Lutscht Eier.” While a thorough takedown of its subject, the slumpcore nightbop influence on this thrashpunk folkpop track drags down an otherwise brisk pop-rock delight. The record really finds its footing in slower tracks like “Ich Benutze Google Übersetzer” and “Ich hoffe, keiner dieser Titel ist anstößig”, which demonstrate a softer side to an industry great, presaged by his Weezer collab earlier last year, and they highlight his greatest strengths. What’s really interesting about Beethoven as an artist is the way he uses instruments to make sounds, and by layering those sounds together, makes music. Sometimes, when all that music is in a row, you get a piece, and when you have several of those? That’s an album. That’s what Beethoven does here. By the time the closer, “Ich denke, dieser Witz istfertig” feat. Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker, rolls around, you know that not only is this sound, it’s music. In total, a strong return from Beethoven after a very long absence, a definite 6/10, with room to grow.
<3 james buckser
I like free stuff. I also like that walking costs nothing and places that don’t charge for tickets. Luckily, MassArt Art Museum (MAAM) is walking distance from campus and offers free admission for everyone. It’s connected to the Massachusetts School of Art and Design, but it’s not a student exhibit space. The first floor has an exhibition about video game design. There’s a pink-and-blue tree with crystals and a sign reading “Momoland” on it. Next to it is a VR headset where people can play a game as a Black girl avoiding the hands of white people trying to touch your hair. Another screen shows a modded version of GTA V that simply just follows a deer around the map. Upstairs is a giant… thing. It’s a huge amalgamation of multicolored fabrics and crocheting and fringe. It’s a commemoration of an important woman, honoring the first slave in Massachusetts to have freed herself using the court system, but just the sheer size of the thing (it’s not really a specific shape, so I can only really refer to it as a “thing”) is mesmorizing in itself. I wanted to touch it but I’m pretty sure that’s not allowed :( If you’re bored, I recommend checking out MAAM for free. <3 annika morris
Croon & The Creepers is a trio made up of Ed “Croon” Cox, Jamie “Jammy” Perriam, and “James” Bodhran Adam. They describe themselves as “The only Wicker-pop band from Scotland.” Though they only have one album that they released in 2011, Letter From An Island, their unique inspiration is worth noting. The concept album follows the plot of and pays homage to The Wicker Man (1973). For those who have not seen the film, it is about a missing child, pagan rituals, and a Sergeant’s goal to find the child. The film has a cult-like following of which the band members are a part of. The band’s aesthetic feels similar to The Beatles in both their sound and lyrics. A sort of classic rock or pop vibe can be heard in almost all their songs. They also blend in a folk-like sound to some of their songs as well. Considering this is a parody album, the lyrics and melody of the tracks are catchy and enjoyable. My favorite song off of Croon & The Creepers’ Letter From An Island is definitely “Pretty Sergeant.” The song is full of flowery lyrics that make the song feel very whimsical. The end of the song repeats the same lyrics over and over again with slight alterations which makes the song catchy. The other song that I would like to note is the “Wicker Rap” because it stands out in comparison to the other tracks on the album. Though the other songs on the album are folk, pop, or soft rock in genre, the band experimented with a rap song about the film. The lyrics make for some good laughs. If you want an experience greater than just an album or a movie, I suggest checking out Letter From An Island. The film is odd, so the commentary type lyricism of Croon & The Creepers make you feel like you are not alone in the viewing experience of The Wicker Man. Even if you do not watch the movie, the album is great for those who want a “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” by The Beatles type vibe. <3 grace lumley
draw ur ideal dance team & send to @thebeatwtbu on instagram to get your art featured!
For those who seek the niche, little-known podcaster Joe Rogan and his cavalcade of comedy confections serve up one delight after another on the family-friendly baking podcast The Joe Rogan Experience. The delicate dishes Mr. Rogan plates are obviously a treat, but the real joy in each new episode are the guests. Rogan is so personable and placid that it’s like listening to old friends sharing a nice evening. With guest stars ranging from Union Leader Elon Musk to Human Rights advocate Alex Jones, The Joe Rogan Experience offers a myriad of progressive points of view and slice of life relaxation with every new recipe. For those seeking uncontroversial, warm-blanket listening after the end of a hard week, check out The Joe Rogan Experience, only on Spotify. <3 James Buckser
Matt: Bassist and one of the lead singers Brian: Guitar and singer Nairi: I’m gonna ask some of the basic questions first, so, what’s your band name and what year did you all form? B: Our band name is Chousand, like “thousand” with a C. It’s a very dumb band name, our drummer Jay said “thousand” in a funny voice, like “chousand”, and Matt said we should start a band named Chousand. Jay said “Definitely, definitely”, which was the name of our first release. So that kind of shows how seriously we took it from the start. That was 2015, so seven years ago, wow, that was right after all of us graduated college. Maybe we were still being a little too immature for that point in our lives. N: What were your musical origins? How did you all end up gravitating towards this project? M: It’s funny that you ask that, because I get a lot of influence from the local scene. You wouldn’t think Northwest CT had any crazy bands coming out of it, but in high school and college, I made it a point to come out to shows, be a part of that atmosphere. I kind of grew up with that inspiration. For our latest release, “Maybe I’ll See You Later”, the song “At the Donner Party” is a cover of my friend’s song, and is named after their band name, At the Donner Party. So when we started the band, that local mentality still carries its way through. B: We really started on a whim. I think when we started, Matt had been playing guitar for what, two or three weeks at that point? (...) It was something that Jay, Matt, and Brad did while they hung out, not taking it too seriously. I had played guitar since I was in 7th grade, and I joined them during one band practice, and we took it from there. I think that’s the energy we’ve carried, like, Matt grew up going to all these shows and I pretended to play in a band in my bedroom. It was something we both wanted to do for a long time, and Jay and Brad luckily knew enough about band stuff to help us form a band. N: So it sounds like your origins are very spontaneous and genuine. Speaking of genuine, I’ve genuinely never heard of anyone catego-
-rize themselves as “Party Punk,” but you proudly sport that original label in all your bios. Why “Party Punk”? M: We never put ourselves in a genre from the start, because, well, while we were spontaneous and organic in our beginnings, we didn’t have a direction. A lot of people labeled us as “pop punk”, but I didn’t hear that in our music. We had an interview with our friend Scott, on Fly on the Call Podcast (@flyonthecallpod), and he called us “party punk,” and when we look back, I mean, it was usually kind of a party. It’s dialed down a bit since we’ve gotten older. At that time, we were playing house parties near the University of Michigan at 2 am, and at bars in New York City. It did carry through from our sound to our live performances. Basically, we had someone decide it for us! B: Every band that gets classified as “pop punk” says that they don’t really want to be classified as “pop punk.” When we started, we were like, a shitty Blink-182. Not to take away from our older stuff! And not to say that we haven’t grown tremendously, but like, a lot of those first shows were our friends coming, and we would ask a bar if we could organize a bill. A lot of our beginnings were us just holding on to our college years, so when Scott said it, it made sense. It’s not “pop punk”, even though I guess we technically are. N: I’m curious, why do you think a lot of bands feel like they don’t want to be labeled “pop punk”? B: My issue with it is that we can’t really be called We’re a bunch of silly guys, actual punks would think at all. It also has a reputation of the mall pop punk 2006s and 2008s, which feels like it’s coming back in
“pop punk.” we aren’t punk phase of the style.
N: Anything exciting coming up for Chousand in the future? B: We are playing a show on May 21st, at the State House in New Haven, with Posture and the Grizzly (@postureandthegrizzly), Perspective, a lovely hand to hold (@palhth), and Saint James (@sssaintjamesss). This might be the only show we play for a while, but we’re really excited. M: As far as releases, Brian and I are writing a ton of stuff. We’ve had a couple of jam practices. We don’t know what the next move is but we’re definitely working towards something really exciting. N: Anyone you want to give a shoutout to? M: I wanna give a shoutout to our boy, Isaac (@ isaaccivitello), who helped us record our newest album in his studio. So many people have been loving the more DIY-sounding direction we took with this album. He’s booking some artists now, I would recommend him. <3 Nairi Kalpakian
mad libs
I woke up to a(n) __________ day on the BU campus. (adjective)
“___________!” I thought. “I forgot to print out my (interjection)
homework!” I __________ sprinted out of my dorm, im(adverb)
mediately recognizing the scent of ___________ com(something stinky)
ing through my neighbor’s door. “Yummy,” I thought. In the hallway, I ran into ___________ in their bath (person)
towel. They screamed __________. I ran past them into (adverb)
the elevator, where I accidentally stepped on a(n) _________ _________ substance. I thought about scoop(texture)
(color)
ing it up with my __________, but worried it would give (body part)
me __________. When I got out, people side-eyed my (disease)
____________ pajamas. “Jealous much?” I thought. I took (famous person)
a(n) _________ out of my pocket and took bites out of (object)
it on my way to Mugar. Halfway there I started feeling ________. It was laced with ganja! My _________ fell (adjective)
(clothing item)
off but I was too disoriented to pick it up. Finally I reached Mugar, where ____________ demanded $5 to let (another famous person)
me access the printers. “Fine!” I said and took out my wallet. They snatched my wallet and ran off, and I cried so hard I woke up and realized it was all a dream... except it wasn’t and I was just really high. <3 Natalia Vega-Munguia
michaela and rachel <3
How To Roll a Gushers Fruit Roll-Up
1. Take your Fruit Roll-
2. Take a small piece of a Pixy stick and hold it in the Fruit Roll-up under your thumb.
3. Put as many Gushers as you want on the Fruit Roll-Up.
4. Roll the Gushers around in the Fruit Roll-Up for a bit to pack them tightly (but not too tight.)
5. Roll the end near the Pixy stick down a bit to start creating a cone shape and tuck it.
6. Roll the rest of the Fruit Roll-Up and seal the edge by licking it before you press it down.
7. Pack the Gushers a little tighter if needed.
8. Twist the end to keep the Gushers inside. Now it’s ready to eat!
<3 Natalia Vega-Munguia
<3 vanessa bartlett
MELENA’S TRASH NACHOS!!!! man. every single time i’ve had these it’s been a unique experience. thank you melena for bringing these into my life <3
Cinnamon Raisin Toast epic high snack for the wake-and-bake crowd 1. put a slice or two of your favorite cinnamon raisin toast in the toaster. oven if you’re insane. 2. slather some butter or 1 stacked plateful of any acceptable butter substitype of chips (we like to tute on that bad boy mix it up with cheddar ruf2.5 put on “toast with the fles, sour cream and onion, butter” by Blu DeTiger and and some tortilla chips) jam out cheese, any kind, prefer3. profit.
ably shredded or crumbled into each layer of your nacho tower. salsa, sour cream to your taste. sometimes we put a little bit of cream cheese in there. a few dashes of hot sauce on top and literally anything else you could think to add
Salsa mac and cheese i swear by this it’s so fucking good and technically salsa is a vegetable so that’s cool 1. annie’s white cheddar mac and cheese, shells variety is prefered, but you can use whatever box mac and cheese you have at your disposal. 2. when you’ve achieved stick it in a basic mac and cheese, the micro- throw in whatever other cheese you have lying wave for about 30-45 around. melty melty seconds or 3. put 2 hearty dollops of until your salsa into your bowl and mix it around. blammo.
cheese is sufficiently melted.
<3 vanessa bartlett
As you might know if you’re a fellow Film & TV major, some days you don’t have anything to do except eat delicious food at BU’s best dining hall, Warren Towers. So, on a recent Monday when my only class was a thrilling FT 201 lecture on the difference between a pan and a tilt, I decided to eat all three meals in that wonderfully cramped and dirty dining hall. I began my day at 10 am, as I often do, arriving just in time to grab the last scraps of watery scrambled eggs, homogenous hash browns, and melons so underripe I could still taste the dirt. Supplemented by the last drippings of the “orange juice” from a drink dispenser with particularly sticky buttons, I enjoyed my meal at my usual table in the rear of the dining hall. The rubbery eggs did require some extra salt, but how could I blame BU Dining for being cautious about my sodium intake? An overall average showing from Warren for breakfast, I give this meal an 8/10. For lunch, I arrived during the height of the second lunch rush, at approximately 2 pm. The stir fry line was oddly short, with only 60 or 70 people in line, but I decided to head to the back and see my favorite BU Dining employee at the Gluten-Free Station. He greeted me with a pleasant grunt, piled my plate high with an entire slice of pork loin and six whole chunks of sweet potato, and I made my way to a table. After a brief scavenger hunt for the only fork in the entire dining hall, I sat down to enjoy my meal. The pork was so dry, I almost choked on it, and the sweet potatoes had no flavor at all. A wonderful appetizer, I intended to eat more, but every employee told me the refill at their station was at least 15 minutes away, and thus ended my lunch. 9/10. Finally, dinner began with a bang, as I slipped on some spilled chocolate milk that was somehow on the floor just past the door. Not wanting to miss out on the night’s offerings, I entered the first line I saw: the grill station. A burger and fries in hand and throngs of students making it near-impossible to move, I submitted to my fate and stood near the dish return to eat my meal. In that moment, I realized how lucky I am that, for only $6,000 a year, I can get this food whenever I want. Thank you, President Brown, for thy gifts which we receive from thy bounty, but not from thy $2 million salary. 10/10. Listen to All You Can Eat on Wednesday mornings from 6-8 am for more hot food takes.
<3 Toby Pannone
<3 n i co l e l ev i t s k y Aries: You are The Comedown by Krooked Kings. This month you are encouraged to take things slow. Don’t rush into anything and have more alone time to digest the day.
Taurus: You are My Love is Cool by Wolf Alice. This month you are encouraged to discover your love language and learn about it as much as possible. You may be surprised how much your love
Gemini: You are Home For Now by Babeheaven. This month you are encouraged to stay at home more. Set more time to get your chores done, instead of avoiding them! Clean living area = clear and happy mindset!
Cancer: You are Good Thing by Leon Bridges. This month you are encouraged to do something good every day. Hold the door for someone, greet someone in the morning, smile more!
l a n gu a ge d i ffe r s from the people closest to you!
Leo: You are Life & Love by Skinshape. This month you are encouraged to live life to the fullest and love every moment of it. Find something to be excited about every day and tell people about it. Inspire others to enjoy life and live it to the fullest! L i bra: You are CINEMA by The Marias. This month you are encouraged to check out more art through either watching more films and going to more museums. Observe the beauty in different art forms this month. Allow it to inspire you to make some art as well!
Virgo: You are Silent Struggles by Marcoca. This month you are encouraged to talk out your feelings more to people who care about you. Make sure your feelings are heard and do not allow your thoughts to consume your daily life.
Scorpio: You are The Search for Everything by John Mayer. This month you are encouraged to do some exploring in a topic that interests you. Take some time to deeply explore this topic and other things that spark a light of curiosity in your mind. Not only will you expand your knowledge, but you will also grow as a person.
Sagittarius: You are So Tonight That I Might See by Mazzy Star. This month you are encouraged to reflect on your day more by either journaling or talking to someone about it. Find beauty in each day this month and emphasize it!
Capricorn: You are Coexist by The xx. This month you are encouraged to work with people more and be more flexible in your work environment. Better your communication skills more and work around people’s schedules if needed!
Aquarius: You are Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers. This month you are encouraged to spend more time exploring places that you have never been to before. Whether that is a coffee shop, a new library, or a new store, go out there and explore the world around you!
P i sces: You are LONER by Caroline Rose. This month you are encouraged to step out of your comfort zone and speak to more people. Maybe you will meet some interesting people that will end up being your life-long friends!
thank you to all of the talented beautiful brilliant people who made this issue of the Beat possible <3 Content Clowns: Annika Morris James Buckser Mari Barcelata Michaela Patriacca Nairi Kalpakian Maxwell Posciask Nat Vega-Munguia Nicole Levitsky Grace Lumley Toby Pannone Rachel Nguyen Vanessa Bartlett Layout LOLers Mari Barcelata Michaela Patriacca Nat Vega-Munguia Nicole Levitsky Vanessa Bartlett
Graphics Goofers Grace Lumley Claudia Doran James Buckser Vanessa Bartlett Michaela Patriacca Mari Barcelata Nat Vega-Munguia Vanessa Bartlett Nicole Levitsky
Editorial Eggheads Editor in Chief: Vanessa Bartlett Managing Editor: Nicole Levitsky Graphics Editor: Nat Vega-Munguia Content Editor: Mari Barcelata Social Media Coordinator: Michaela Patriacca COVER by Michaela Patriacca <3 the beat