MOVE 10.19.12 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 09
THE KEY TO YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
TH E EN D IS JU ST THE BE GI N N IN G
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feedback JACKSON FARLEY on Ellie Goulding's Halcyon
British is better
What’s British, vocally blessed and fantastic all over? You guessed it, Ellie Goulding! And the same applies to her new album, Halcyon. released Oct. 5. Halycon is essentially a bigger and better version of her previous release, Lights, a super kickin’ electro-pop, dance-tastic album. Ellie Goulding has always been successful at making catchy, synthinfused dance tracks, especially with her unique voice and incredible range. That same formula for perfect pop music didn’t lose its charm on the new album. Halcyon is similar to Lights in its music style, but dynamically, the new album is on a whole new level. The album kickstarts slow, droning synths, and then comes Goulding’s soft, airy voice, piercing the quiet on “Don’t Say a Word.” The song has much darker tones than the music normally expected from Goulding, with an almost mysterious feel to it. This may surprise some people, as Goulding has never been much of a dark or mysterious artist. However, it works — so no complaining. The album’s lead single, “Anything Could Happen,” is probably one of the most radio-ready songs, with a strong beat, simple lyrics and a lovely loop of “ooh’s” throughout the choruses. “Anything Could Happen” is also a track that can be easily compared to Lights with its upbeat tempo and cheery ring to it. Ready, set, turn this song on -- and shake it a little bit. More of Goulding’s vocal looping occurs on “Only You,” another track with dark overtones. Goulding repeats, “Only you can be the aching in my heart / My enemy, the only animal I couldn’t fight / You hold me in the dark when storms arrive / Only you” throughout the song. This feeling of being hopelessly unable to resist is a recurring theme on Halcyon, an album packed with raw emotion. Halcyon slows down a bit with the tracks “Halcyon,” “Joy,” “I Know You Care” and “Explosions.” These ballad-style songs are all simply beautiful. Goulding’s smooth and dreamy voice complements piano-driven songs quite nicely, a type of song Goulding is not typically accustomed to. In an interview with Dean Piper, Goulding described Halcyon as “very dark and very weird.” In addition, the amount of emotion Goulding put in the album made it that much more personal. “This album is going to be even more emotional,” she says in the interview. “I wanted to make it so there is hope. I want to make an effect, whether it’s happy or sad.” The most beautiful part of Halcyon lies in its diversity as an album. Lights, for the most part, was quite homogenous in its catchy pop thrills. However, Halcyon dares to shake things up a bit. Not even just in song tempos but also style-wise. Lyrically, Halcyon is also wonderful. It contains the perfect amount of songs about heartbreak and longing but also joy and optimism, creating a good, emotionally pleasing balance. Halcyon also shows its diversity in the elements used in each song. Goulding seemed to be much more experimental on this album, using new techniques to change up the way she made her music. New beats and synths take her electro-pop goodness to the next level. Overall, Halcyon rocks. The same Ellie Goulding that everyone discovered and grew to love is back with more awesomeness. Its uniqueness works to Goulding’s advantage and shows the wide and impressive range of her artistry. At the end of the day, everyone just needs a little bit of British in their life. And for that little bit of British, I, for one, would recommend Ellie Goulding. You’re welcome.
/cover photo/CLAYTON HOTZE design/Savannah kannberg, BRENDAN WRAY INTERNS/Josh sipp, lauren rutherford EDITOR/DELIA CAI
Citizen Jane Film Festival celebrates female filmmakers Ever wondered how many A-list films are directed by women? How many female directors are behind those big screen blockbusters? The answer: not enough. Luckily, the Citizen Jane Film Festival is changing that. Since 2008, the Citizen Jane Film Festival grew out of a series of lectures delivered at Stephens College by female film professionals. The lecturers included Tricia Brock, director of “Gossip Girl” and “Ugly Betty,” and Joyce Kogut, costume supervisor for “Jerry Maguire,” among others. Citizen Jane co-director Paula Elias says a film festival was the next logical step. “Citizen Jane is so much more than a film festival,” she says. “It’s a bandwagon. We do a lecture series throughout the year, bring in filmmakers (and) have a Q&A session. It allows students to talk to professionals with experience in specific fields.” This year’s festival features more than a dozen films and shorts, all directed by women. Supplementing the films are events such as “Superwomen: Amazing Feats in Filmmaking,” and the “Women in Music Showcase,” which will take place tonight. This year’s apocalyptic theme is related to the ancient Mayan “2012 end-of-the-world” prediction. Elias welcomes change and hopes the festival accentuates reform in filmmaking. “For women in film, we wouldn’t mind if the world ended and a new one started,” says Elias, who points out that female directors are one in 20 out of the annual top grossing films. Elias says the 5 percent representation needs to increase. “Five years ago, it was 13 percent,” Elias says. “Then it was 9 percent, then 7 percent, and in 2011 it was 5 percent. We’re 51 percent of the population, it makes sense that we should have a greater voice.” The festival is only a fragment of a far greater initiative to encourage women to be more involved in the film industry. Citizen Jane also organizes a film academy for young women every summer at Stephens College in Columbia. “Our mission is to celebrate and support female filmmakers,” Elias says. “It isn’t something we should do just one weekend a year. It’s ongoing.” Besides the local effort to kickstart female involvement in film, Elias also suggests the public watch more films produced and directed by women. “Find out who the director is and support those films opening night,
PHOTO COURTESY OFKERRI YOST
because those box office figures determine the success of the film,” Elias says. If you want to do just that, tickets for the festival can be found at the Citizen Jane website and are $10, but students receive a $2 discount. Bring friends, bring a date, bring your parents: this year’s festival will be quite memorable. Also, don’t miss the Dance Party for the End of the World, a massive dance party starting at 10 p.m. Saturday at The Bridge. Just because it’s the end of the world, doesn’t mean there can’t be dancing. haris fazlic | reporter
Journey film will keep you believin’ It’s the song that plays at all high school dances and can cause any crowd to break into chorus: Journey’s worldwide hit, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” However, fans have created a new Journey favorite out of the voice behind the lyrics, Arnel Pineda. Thanks to filmmaker Capella Fahoome Brogden’s new documentary, “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey,” rock ‘n’ roll fans can learn about the rags to riches story of Journey’s lead singer Arnel Pineda. Let’s back up a second. How exactly did Pineda, a Philippines native covering old Journey songs on YouTube, become the band’s leading man? According to the Huffington Post, renowned vocalist Steve Perry had left the Journey boys in 1996, and according to Journey’s website, Steve Augeri quickly filled the void for the next 10 years. When Augeri bowed out in 2006, Journey was left, yet again, without a front man. Enter Arnel Pineda by the grace of the YouTube gods. The most remarkable aspects of the film come from Pineda himself. The way Fahoome characterizes Pineda makes it hard not to have a soft spot for this funny, soft-spoken (but definitely not soft-sung) man. You’ll be astounded that such big vocals could come out of a guy of such little stature. He sounds like he’s been singing for Journey his whole life. Certain footage that Fahoome includes really proves that Pineda’s heart is even bigger than his voice. Throughout his rise to fame, Pineda is always shown to be humble, even geeking out when the lead singer of Chicago came to meet the band backstage. The nearly two-hour film is filled with dynamic concert shots and backstage footage as well as a moving narrative you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’ve been with Journey since the beginning or Glee’s numerous covers made you a fan, reliving the glory days of rock ‘n’ roll with Pineda’s story is a must. “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey” gets a hearty three encores out of five.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday Where: Missouri Theater Director: Capella Fahoome Brogden
Read our exclusive Q&A with director Capella Fahoome Brogden online at move.themaneater.com lauren rutherford | staff writer
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMERGING PICTURES
Love and Other Anxieties The List When told by her cinematographer Mary Jane Doherty that it was impossible to make a movie about love, filmmaker Lyda Kuth set out to do just that with “Love and Other Anxieties.” Of course, the first thing you might ask is, why is it supposed to be impossible? Well, I still don’t know, and I watched the film twice. After viewing Kuth’s documentary, focused on searching for the deeper ideas behind love, I think Doherty had a point. Rather than being about love, the film seemed to be about Kuth, the director and star, ruminating and ruminating and, yes, still ruminating over that question of love and what her film was about even when there were 20 minutes left. I don’t think it ever figured itself out. Central theme aside, the dialogue was a sloppy, choppy mess of calculated clichés and awkward pauses that suggest that the director was trying to be deep, but it instead came off as just plain scripted. As the film progresses, the story becomes less and less one about general love and more of a very personal and awkward home video that maybe should have stayed on the shelf. You watch Kuth go from one set-like location to the next, talking to people who don’t really say much and brooding over her own marriage – only to insist that the video isn’t really about her. It’s like a film in denial. Kuth says it best in the title: anxiety is a big part of the experience. I was anxious, very anxious, for the end. hailey yeakle | reporter
When: 1:15 p.m., Saturday Where: Ragtag Small Theater Director: Lyda Kuth
PHOTO COURTESY OF LOVEANDOTHERANXIETIES.COM
2 MOV E • 10.19.12
When: 3 p.m., saturday Where: Windsor Auditorium Director: Beth Murphy
The media has portrayed the conflict in the Middle Eastern as Westerners versus Arabs, soldiers versus terrorists. However, movie director Beth Murphy goes beyond this simplistic approach in her documentary, “The List.” “The List” follows Kirk Johnson, a former USAID employee who assisted the war effort in the early 2000s with his knowledge of the Middle East and fluency in Arabic. The film confronts a tough reality: Iraqis who have helped the U.S. government receive little to no protection, despite threats to their lives by terrorist organizations. By 2010, Johnson compiled a list of several thousand Iraqis in need of refuge, and he has formed “The List Project,” which aims to press the U.S. government to offer protection to their Iraqi allies. What makes this film so visceral is the shock factor that comes from the wrongdoings depicted in the stories of several Iraqi citizens. “This is a story that people don’t usually get to hear,” says Paula Elias, the co-director of Citizen Jane Film Festival. Director of photography and film editor Kevin Belli says he believes that there are deeper implications by pointing out the global repercussions America’s behavior might cause. “If we don’t do the right thing as a country and save the lives of those Iraqis that have helped us, then we are sending a message to other conflict areas that helping the U.S. is like signing your own death sentence,” Belli says. The issues shown in “The List” explore how America has failed to protect locals who help the war effort in countries we have invaded when things go awry. The film ultimately makes an inspirational call to action for justice. A panel discussion following the film will feature Iraqi citizens affected by this issue, making “The List” a must-see for this weekend. anthony orso | reporter
REEL REVIEWS
orchids: my intersex adventure
JOSH SIPP
on one incredibly zany movie
When: 3:15 p.m., saturday.; 2:15 p.m., sUNday Where: ragtag small theatre; ragtag big theatre Director: phoebe hart “Orchids” is not a light film. It’s not an “Elf ” type of movie in which everyone sings and smiles and embraces the greatness of the world. In fact, it’s quite sad — depressing, really. Most of all, though, it’s necessary. Filmmaker Phoebe Hart first realized she was different when she hit puberty and was told that she would never get her first period. However, it wasn’t until much later that she learned the really shocking news: she was a hermaphrodite. When she was 17, her family told her that she had androgen insensitivity syndrome, meaning that she would never menstruate or have children because she was born with male chromosomes. Hart’s feelings of confusion, anger and loneliness piled up over the years, and it wasn’t until recently that she had the courage to show the world her story on film. Phoebe and her sister, Bonnie (who also has AIS), chronicle their trip through Australia, meeting others with similar conditions. The sisters’ happy-go-lucky personalities and senses of humor despite knowing the gravity of what they both had gone through are inspirational. The story of a hermaphrodite may not be one that the public begs to see, but it is certainly one everyone should understand. Everyone has felt alone or different at some point or another, but “Orchids” emphasizes the idea that you are not alone. Even in extreme cases like Hart’s, it is never too late to reach out and find support groups of people going through the exact same problems, whatever they may be. “Orchids” did a very good job of displaying this message and showing just how hard life can be with such a grand and misunderstood disorder. Audiences shouldn’t expect a scientific explanation to every part of the disease, but more of a personable and relatable tale about a topic most people are uneducated about. All in all, “Orchids” is a must-see. alex leininger | reporter
‘Seven Psychopaths’ insanely funny Last weekend marked one of the best movie-going weekends in the past few months, with the release of Ben Affleck’s suspense thriller, “Argo,” Martin McDonagh’s star-studded comedy, “Seven Psychopaths” and the extended release of “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Limited time and a very limited college budget will surely prevent most people from seeing all three (hell, I blew my paycheck for writing this after seeing only two of them), so I’ll go ahead and save you that annoyingly long argument everyone has when deciding between movies. Unfortunately, I can’t save you from the argument about where to go eat before. You’re on your own there. So, with no further ado, here’s the simple breakdown on what to go see. If you want something that is guaranteed to entertain you, go see “Argo.” Ben Affleck directed and starred in this incredibly immersive thriller about the Iran hostage crisis that might be heard from again come Oscar time. If you need an easy date movie, go see “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” which is now playing in most major theaters after being on limited release a few weeks ago. You could also still see “Argo,” depending on how into recent history your date is. Those are really the two “safe” options for movies that came out last week. They’re also nowhere near as potentially enjoyable as “Seven Psychopaths.” Cleverly written, overly witty and featuring an incredible cast, “Seven Psychopaths” is a movie that has the potential to keep you laughing for nearly two hours. It’s also a movie that has a small chance of leaving you feeling like you just threw $9 into a wishing fountain. “Seven Psychopaths” is centered on a struggling, alcoholic screenwriter, Marty (Colin Farrell), who is trying to write a movie called “Seven Psychopaths” and his best friend and obvious psychopath, Billy (Sam Rockwell). Billy and another fellow psychopath, Hans (Christopher Walken), run a dog stealing business. And yes, you read that right: they steal dogs and return them for the reward money. Everything is going fine until Billy steals the dog of a local gangster, Charlie (Woody Harrelson), who will do anything to get his precious dog back. Throw in a few more psychopaths, and all hell breaks loose. The stand-out feature of the movie is the incredibly sharp humor it brings to the screen. Marty’s screenplay is constantly used to make jokes about the movie itself, with ongoing meta-criticisms of the movie that only become more and more obvious as time goes on. The interactions between he characters are always entertaining, with Ferrell, Rockwell, Harrelson and Walken all building off of each other and giving incredibly funny performances. And with as many psychopathic characters as there are, the audience never knows what’s coming next. That being said, “Seven Psychopaths” can, at times, seem to get too clever for its own good. There will be people who simply don’t enjoy the sometimes dry, often dark humor constantly popping from the screen. It’s much less about being straightforwardly funny and more about building up many, many small tics and funny moments to create an overall hilarious effect. There are a few quotable moments, but for the most part the movie builds its dialogue off of layering several running jokes to great effect. The potential payoff definitely outweighs the potential downside though, as I’m sure most people will find “Seven Psychopaths” genuinely funny. Or at least you can walk away from it and talk about how you thought the meta-jokes the movie made itself were in poor taste, or something. I don’t know what someone who didn’t like it would say. Overall, “Seven Psychopaths” gets a sweet, sweet six psychopaths out of seven for keeping me doubled over laughing the entire time. And just to make a quick and shameful self-promotion, The Maneater has a new movie-centric podcast (featuring myself) coming out each Friday to keep you updated on what’s going to be in theaters, what’s happening in movies and what’s on Netflix, so make sure to head over to the multimedia section, and tune in!
PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOEBE HART
sexy baby
When: 7:30 p.m., saturday; 4:30 p.m., sunday Where: charters auditorium; windsor auditorium, stephens college Directors: jill bauer, ronna gradus
Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus collaborated to direct “Sexy Baby,” which explores issues that have arisen from the explosive popularity of the Internet and the increasing sexualization of American pop culture. Bauer and Gradus mix together three stories of three women discovering themselves. Winifred, a Lady Gaga-idolizing tween born and bred in New York City, is one of the first to grow up in the Information Age. Winifred’s story is a compelling coming-of-age narrative that the filmmakers pick up just before her bat mitzvah. They gather tales from Winnie and her family about the challenges they face with creating and maintaining a healthy image of sexuality. Nichole, a porn star once renowned for her sexual exploits as Nakita Kash, teaches pole-dancing classes to women who want to increase their sex appeal. Nichole bucks the trend by leaving
the porn industry for a relatively quieter and less dramatic life of teaching those more timid than herself how to embrace their bodies and be their own brand of comfortably sexy through encouragement of expressing themselves. Laura’s story concerns her doubts about the appearance of her vagina. She chooses plastic surgery as a method of improving her self-image. Laura’s decision epitomizes how the neon gods of advertising have burned a hole in the minds of younger generations with depictions of hypersexualized angels with perfect bodies. Potential viewers will be intrigued by the contrasting female perspectives of different ages and from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, viewers planning to pursue careers in the media will be challenged with how information is presented and processed. william schmitt | reporter
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEXYBABYMOVIE.COM
wONDER WOMEN!
PHOTO COURTESY OF WONDERWOMENDOC.COM
When: 7 P.M., sUNday Where: windsor auditorium, stephens college Director: kristy guevara-flanagan
Rarely will you ever taken notice of female comic book heroes. Besides the fact that there are maybe two superheroines that I can even think of. Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, as their names imply, simply dominate comic book and movie culture. Filmmaker Kristy Guevara-Flanagan stresses in “Wonder Women,” that as a result of this, women don’t really have that many butt-kicking superheroine role models. Women traditionally have filled in as the soft counterparts, the sweet Lois Lane to Superman’s brawn, the fragile Mary Jane desperate for Spidey to rescue her from dark alleys and the helpless Rachel relying on Batman to save her when she falls off things. The extent of the dominance of male heroes is such that Microsoft Word won’t even accept the term “superheroine” without an angry red underscore and spelling suggestions. Guevara-Flanagan makes the case for the necessity of
The Untold Story of American Superheroines
women superheroes by exploring the effects of a country obsessed with masculine heroes, and the success of the sole heroine that could save herself. The film follows Wonder Woman’s development as a direct result of what society wanted from her, starting with her purposeful birth in the 1940s, her collapses into physical and psychological bondage, her oversexualization and suppression, and eventually her strength and prowess as the symbol of the Women’s Liberation Movement in the 1970s. The documentary boasts fascinating truths about a patriarchal society, frank interviews with Gloria Steinem and disarming testimonials from real life “wonder women.” “Wonder Woman” won’t disappoint, with fantastically welldone graphics and editing contributing to her triumph as she gives four and a half sucker punches out of five. carleigh cavender | reporter 10.19.12 • MOV E
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Style Files CLAIRE BOSTON
on Halloween's best dress-up opportunities
Local theater warps time with ‘Rocky Horror’
Dress like an icon this Halloween If your schedule looks like mine, then I’m sure you’ve recently been logging some serious hours at Ellis studying for midterms. I’m also willing to bet that all your concern over your calc grade has made you forget that Halloween is less than two weeks away. But have no fear, costume-less readers, because two weeks is still plenty of time to come up with a perfect ensemble. The fashion world is full of personality, so if you’re looking for an easy costume that will still leave you more covered than Karen Smith in “Mean Girls,” consider taking inspiration from the fashion world. Although it’s a relatively rare phenomenon, there are a handful of fashion designers who are as famous for their personal style as they are for the looks they put down the runway. Dressing up as a famous designer is a little highbrow, so you may go unrecognized by some, but your fashion-loving friends will certainly appreciate your effort. Try dressing as Karl Lagerfeld from Chanel with a costume that will probably cost you almost nothing. Simply put on your classiest black and white ensemble, tie your hair back in a slick ponytail (bonus points if you add baby powder to better capture the octogenarian look) and add some weird gloves and sunglasses you can wear indoors. To really get into character, practice looking austere -- Karl never smiles. If you insist on a little color in your costume, portraying Betsey Johnson might be more your style. It’s pretty easy to shop your closet for a Betsey costume, provided you own at least one thing that is hot pink or made of tulle. Pull out your animal print and neon and mix and match until you have the nuttiest ensemble that still looks like it took some effort to put together. If you’re really invested, mimic Betsey’s platinum hair by tracking down a cheap blonde wig with blunt bangs. Cake on some black eyeliner (raccoon eyes are actually encouraged in this situation) and red lipstick to complete the look. While you have your eyeliner out, consider adding some lines on your forehead too—although her youthful style would never indicate it, Betsey is actually a grandmother. For a slightly more recognizable look, older fashion icons also make great costume material. Try copying 1960s supermodel Twiggy’s retro attire. You’ll be comfortable and cute in a shift dress and flats, and although Twiggy’s eye makeup looks intimidating, it’s all a matter of some strategically placed liquid eyeliner —- YouTube has dozens of makeup tutorials that can show you how to replicate her look. To get Twiggy’s signature hair without a drastic chop, opt for a deep part, some strategically placed pins and a lot of hairspray. Any short blond wig will also do the trick. As fashionable as golden-era film stars may have been, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe costumes can be a little overdone. Try a Grace Kelly look if you’re looking for a costume that’s old Hollywood inspired but also a little different. Grace didn’t have a singular iconic look like Audrey’s little black dress or Marilyn’s swishy white number, but less recognition actually makes shopping for a costume easier— just about any ‘50s-style dress or skirt will work for her look. Look for dresses and tops with deep v-necks and be sure to accessorize with pearls and perfectly coiffed hair. If you’re seriously lazy, just throw on anything that would pass as princess garb, and you can channel Grace during her days as Princess of Monaco. If designers or icons aren’t quite what you’re looking for in a costume, you can take just about any style you admire and turn it into Halloween material. Look to movies and TV shows to find characters whose style you envy, and then hit the thrift stores to emulate their looks. You can also easily dress up as your favorite fashionable celebrity (Lady Gaga costumes have been done to death, but I would love to see someone pull off a good Nicki Minaj). At the end of the day, as long as you end up wearing something more substantial (and creative) than lingerie and bunny ears, you’ll probably be good to go.
SEQUOYAH MOORE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Hidden deep in the caves of pop culture lies a phenomenon that has lasted for almost 40 years, and its name is “The Rocky Horror Show.” For the uninitiated, “Rocky Horror” is the spawn of science fiction and horror B-movies, musicals and of course, transvestites from the planet Transsexual Transylvania. This abnormal phenomenon is visiting in the form of a Columbia Entertainment Company show opening later this month directed by Adam McCall. Rocky Horror’s plot revolves around a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who stumble upon the transsexual Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle, and the strange and supernatural night they spend there. For Jay Oetman, who plays Dr. Frank-N-Furter, he sees “Rocky Horror” as a fresh take on a Halloween tradition. “(‘Rocky Horror’) is your crazed scientists cliché with a huge twist that makes it anything but cliché,” Oetman says. “I’ve been wondering how to describe it for a while. Like, how the writer made this all come together.” According to Oetman, newcomers should be prepared for a great show. “It’s going to be awesome and amazing on all different levels,” he says. “The show is entertaining and infectious with music that gets people going, but it also questions things like obsessions and cultural norms. ‘Rocky Horror’ toys with all these things like incest and drug use. The list goes on and on.” Chances are if you’ve heard of “The Rocky Horror Show,” it’s because you’ve seen the 1973 movie adaptation of the play featuring Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in full drag and Susan Sarandon as Janet. For some cast members, the movie was their introduction into “Rocky Horror” as well. “I saw (‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’) about a year ago and fell in
Fitness: Abbie Wenthe on the flavors of fall Books: Jennifer Bennett on 'Dealing with Dragons'
4 MOV E • 10.19.12
brendan wray | staff writer
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Experienced alternative band Deftones is set to release their seventh studio album, Koi No Yokan, on Nov. 13.
move.themaneater.com
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love with it instantly,” says Darren Pope, who plays Brad. “’Rocky Horror’ is something that just fits. It works even though it’s something no one really understands. This is the first time I’ve done theater since college, which was 10 years ago. To be able to see everyone in the cast doing so great has been an experience.” The cast has been rehearsing and practicing for the show since the end of August, according to Pope. Oetman says the last few weeks have been both tough and rewarding. “I came from the show right after playing in ‘Annie,’” he says. “I went straight into it. It’s been a huge push, but it’s been so worth it. I played Rooster in Annie, who is one of the villains, which is also played by Tim Curry in the first movie. I guess this has been my Tim Curry semester.” For Oetman, the play’s outlandish style and ability to break social norms is needed, especially in hard times. “’Rocky Horror’ was written in an era where people pushed the envelope,” Oetman says. “I think in times of recession people tend to become more conservative, and ‘Rocky Horror’ is anything but conservative. It’s something that I think we all need right now.”
Deftones create fine-tuned, aggressive sound in latest album
Only online at Video games: Brendan Wray on edutainment and the 'ClueFinders'
When: Oct. 25-28, Nov. 1-4, and Nov. 8-11 7:30 p.m., Thursdays - Saturdays 2 p.m., Sundays Tickets: $12 adult, $11 student Where: Columbia Entertainment Company
PHOTO COURTESY OF 13TH WITNESS
“Leathers,” the first single released off of Deftones’ new album, Koi No Yokan, is an aggressive call to move forward and show your true self. This song is full of power as frontman Chino Moreno dedicates his entire self to belting out the loudest of screams alongside soft undertones. The song has an epic buildup in the beginning that takes the listener from a seemingly quiet, spooky sound to borderline screamo. Elements of surprise pop up throughout, with frequent drops in tone followed by spastic bursts of rage. Deftones have acquired a very strong fan base starting with their 1995
debut album Adrenaline. The high-energy spirit from their first album is emanated in the latest one, as well. The band has definitely grown since then but has maintained a balance between angst and harmony that fans appreciate. On Koi No Yokan, the group worked with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who also worked with them for the 2010 album Diamond Eyes, which was generally well-received by critics and fans alike. “Tempest,” another track off the new album, displays a slower melody and more focus on guitar and drums. According to the band’s official biography, Deftones tried to incorporate elements of psychedelia and shoegaze in this song. Shoegaze is a type of alternative rock music that started in the late 1980s in the U.K. It features vocals that fuse with instrumentals and heavy guitar usage, according to Last.fm. Moreno’s voice in “Tempest” starts out clear and distinct, but as the song progresses, it warps its way into guitarist Stephen Carpenter’s resilient melodies. Deftones have a distinct and consistent sound in this album but also venture outside of their comfort zone to deliver new-sounding music to their audience. As many bands have transitioned to the indie rock and pop punk genres in recent years, Deftones are truly committed to staying alternative and clearly embody an alternative rock band at its best. The group has been going strong for close to 20 years and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Koi No Yokan is now available for pre-order on iTunes while “Tempest” and “Leathers” can be purchased now as singles. If you’re lucky, though, you can catch Deftones at 7 p.m. this Sunday for their sold-out show at The Blue Note. danielle filippone | reporter