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student life
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student life 4
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11 Things
What you didn't know about African-American history PUBLISHER
Festival Season
Steve T. Strickbine
Six ways to get your groove on
voices 7
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Getting Canned
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Food that is!
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Celebrate Spring Training at Innings
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11 FACTS ABOUT
STUDENT LIFE F
ebruary is mainly known as the lovey-dovey month of the year because of the infamous holiday Valentine’s Day, which also coincides with Arizona’s birthday, by the way. But what about the bigger elephant in the room? What is Black History Month and how did it come to be the thing it is today? Here are 11 things to know about the history of Black History Month.
#11 • 13TH AMENDMENT
President Abraham Lincoln approved the Joint Resolution of Congress for the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery 155 years ago, on February 1, 1865. This amendment is one of the most important in the history of African Americans in the United States today. This changed the lives of countless African Americans and how they lived their lives, as well as the lives of future generations.
#10 • CANADA CELEBRATES
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honorable Jean Augustine. The motion was carried unanimously be the House of Commons. In 2008, Sen. Donald Oliver moved to have the Senate of Canada officially recognize Black History Month, which was unanimously approved.
#9 • CELEBRATING ABROAD
A Ghanaian analyst by the name of Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who served as a leader of the special projects for the Greater London Council, organized the first celebration in 1987. They decided to celebrate in October, for one, because it was the autumnal equinox in Africa. It is a period of tolerance and reconciliation in Africa and it is roughly the start of school for most children. In Ireland, Black History Month was a pilot program in Cork in 2010. It wasn’t until October 2014 that all of Ireland celebrated, thanks to the Africa Irish Development Initiatives.
#8 • THE 2020 THEME
Every year, there has been a theme for Black History Month. This year’s is African Americans and the Vote, as 2020 marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in this country. This year is also the sesquicentennial, that’s 150 years by the way, of the 15th Amendment, which gave the right to vote for black men. Last year’s theme was Black Migrations and next year’s theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.
#7 • NAACP
The NAACP, or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was established in February 1909. The founders were interracial activists in New York City who wanted to change the way this country treated people of color. The official first meeting was on February 12, 1909, which was the centennial anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
#6 • ASALH
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History
4 ECOLLEGETIMES.COM | FEBRUARY 2020
ANNIKA TOMLIN • COLLEGE TIMES
was founded by Carter G. Woodson and four others in 1915. That points to the roots of this month. Their goal was to encourage scholars to engage in the study of African American history, something that was previously neglected in most schools. This organization continues to document and update the history of African Americans.
#5 • THE JOURNAL OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Journal of African American History was first published in 1916 from the ASALH. What better way to document the history than to write a book about it? This was the first scholarly text or journal to cover African American history. The ASALH is still creating newer additions to the journal and just released its 104th volume.
#4 • PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD
On February 3, 1975, President Ford gave a “Message on the Observance of Black History Week.” He was the first president to recognize the importance of the week and made a national announcement on the matter. The next year he followed up with another message, but this one was a “Message on the Observance of Black History Month,” instead of just a week. He began this message on February 10, 1976 with, “In the bicentennial year of our independence, we can review with admiration the impressive contributions of black Americans to our national life and culture.”
#3 • MCNARY, ARIZONA
William Cady and James McNary moved their lumber and milling company and its 500 employees from Louisiana to Cooley, Arizona, renaming the town McNary in 1924. Nearly all of those 500 employees that came were African American making this northeastern Arizona town an early black community. The lumber mill was destroyed by a fire in 1979 and many of the city’s black residents relocated, but the city still stands to this day.
#2 • PHILLIPS VS. PUHS
One year prior to the Supreme Court case Brown v Board of Education there was a court case in Arizona that called for the desegregation of the Phoenix Union High Schools that was ruled on February 9, 1953. Judge Fred C. Struckmeyer decided on the case by saying, “A half century of intolerance is enough.” Struckmeyer ruled that the Arizona law permitting school boards to segregate pupils was unconstitutional, and the Phoenix Union district’s segregation of African American students was illegal.
#1 • WHY FEBRUARY?
Black History Month is celebrated in February because of the birthday of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. Douglas was an African American abolitionist, author and orator. President Lincoln was and is still well renowned as the president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation. As a remembrance of their contributions to the African American community through liberation and civil rights, the week of their birthdays was originally Black History Week and then grew into African American History Month. CT
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student life
IT’S FESTIVAL SEASON! TS TO SIX MUSIC EVEN SPRING GROOVE TO THIS MES N • COLLEGE TI
ANNIKA TOMLI
P
hoenix is one of top go-to places when it comes to spring festival season. There is a little bit of everything to suit every music listener. Not to mention all of the delectable food and stupendous interactive activities at every event. Each year the number of festivals in Phoenix seems to be growing and further expanding in the reach or music genre. Don’t forget your sunscreen and to drink water!
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL (M3F) THE TIME: 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 6; and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 THE PLACE: Margaret T. Hance Park, 1200 N. First Street, Phoenix THE PRICE: $65 per day, $145 for three-day passes, VIP packages available THE PEOPLE: Bon Iver, Rüfüs Du Sol, Lany, The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Colours, Thumpasaurus, Johnny Utah, Stick Figures THE VIBE: M3F brings people of all ages together to in a way that celebrates all things about the Downtown Phoenix community, culture and a good cause. Not only is this one-of-a-kind celebration showcasing the arts of the Valley, it also helps gives back to the community. This year, 100% of the proceeds will be going toward a local charity in the Valley. A mix of electronic, indie, funk and jazz bands provide the soundtrack while local and regional restaurants like Freak Brothers Pizza and Jakes Treat Trolley provide the menu. Festivalgoers can also catch a relaxing yoga session before a set, join a drum circle conducted by AZ Rhythm Connection or witness local artists painting to the music throughout the weekend. THE PLUG: m3ffest.com
INNINGS FESTIVAL THE TIME: 1 p.m. Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1 THE PLACE: Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe THE PRICE: $99 per day, $149 for two-day passes, VIP packages are available THE PEOPLE: Dave Matthews Band, Portugal. The Man, ZZ Ward, Boy Named Banjo, Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie, Pedro the Lion and The Struts THE VIBE: This year’s Innings Festival will knock your expectations out of the park bringing together sports and music fans alike. This Valley staple brings together various rockers from all over to jam out to while participating in several baseballthemed activities and games. Don’t forget to grub while you’re there to some of the food from places like Pork on a Fork, El Jefe and Island Noodles. Fans can also look forward to appearances from MLB legends like Ryan Dempster, Jake Peavy and Rick Sutcliffe. THE PLUG: inningsfestival.com
COUNTRY THUNDER THE TIME: 1 p.m. Thursday, April 16; and noon Friday, April 17, Saturday April 18 and Sunday, April 19 THE PLACE: 20585 E. Water Way, Florence THE PRICE: $75 per day, $160 for four-day passes, VIP and camping packages available THE PEOPLE: Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson, Luke Combs, Chicks with Hits, Kane Brown, Gabby Barrett, Eric Church THE VIBE: Bust out your twostep boots and giddy up! Country Thunder is the annual country music festival that every country fan looks forward to. This shindig lasts for four days and brings some
6 ECOLLEGETIMES.COM | FEBRUARY 2020
of the biggest names in the biz here to Florence. This festival stands out from the rest by being the only one that offers on-site camping for the whole weekend. Enjoy the headliners on the main stage or catch the other performances on the side stage and get involved in the rest of the wild western styled activities. “Glamping” options are also available. THE PLUG: countrythunder.com/az
ARIZONA ROOTS THE TIME: Noon Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23 THE PLACE: Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler THE PRICE: $65 per day, $109 for two-day passes, VIP packages available THE PEOPLE: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Steel Pulse, Vana Liya, Rebelution, The Expendables, Hirie THE VIBE: Everything is going to be irie! Their first year went so well, Arizona Roots will be jamming its reggae and hip-hop feels for everyone to groove to with the same love and positivity it brought last year. Vibe with everyone around you with this soulful experience while listening to some of the top reggae performers. Don’t forget to get out all of your hippie gear to match the look and feel of the festival. THE PLUG: arizonarootsfestival.com
CRUSH THE TIME: 6 p.m. Friday, February 14
THE PLACE: Rawhide Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler THE PRICE: $49, VIP package available THE PEOPLE: Audien, Carbin, Habstrakt, Jauzi, Tynan THE VIBE: It’s an EDM rave on Valentine’s Day. Is there really more that needs to be said? With several years under its belt, Crush keeps on improving and giving an amazing experience to all of the Valley’s ravers. Love is the name and raving is the game. Don’t forget to get out or make a new festival totem pole that is Valentines themed and Instagram worthy. THE PLUG: insomniac.com
PHOENIX LIGHTS THE TIME: 6 p.m. Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 THE PLACE: The Park at Wild Horse Pass, W Wild Horse Pass Road Chandler THE PRICE: $129 for weekend passes, VIP packages available THE PEOPLE: Afrojac, MK (), Walker & Royce, NightMre THE VIBE: The out-of-this world performance is back and with all new intergalactic lights and interactive experiences. Take me to your leader! Space buns and green alien everything is some of the staple pieces for this event. Be aware that Phoenix Lights is a cashless event, so any purchases made at the festival must be done with a preloaded wristband. THE PLUG: phoenixlightsfest.com CT
VOICES PHOTOS • PABLO ROBLES
Students only need their ASU ID to access the Pitchfork Pantry. They can each take five nonperishable items.
FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY
THE PITCHFORK PANTRY KEEPS STUDENTS’ HUNGER AT BAY
S
ophomore Roxanna Lopez experienced how difficult it can be to survive solely on ASU’s meal plan. With only eight meals a week her freshman year, she had to ration them, or she would be forced to visit her mother in Avondale. She took advantage of the Tempe Pitchfork Pantry, where students can receive free food items. The economics major now works as the pantry director, helping students who are experiencing food insecurity. Located in the Sonoran Center, the pantry is available Monday to Thursday to anyone with an ASU ID. “We aim to end food insecurity for college students,” Lopez says. “We’re a short-term solution but we want students to be able to come here if they need food.” A Westview High School graduate, Lopez says Pitchfork Pantry is donation based, but it recently partnered with Matthew’s Food Bank to receive a healthy stream of food. The pantry only carries nonperishable items. Each student can take five items with them: a vegetable, a fruit, a protein and two items of choice. Although there isn’t a limit of visits per week set in stone, Lopez says they will put students
OCTAVIO SERRANO • COLLEGE TIMES
Roxanna Lopez, director of Tempe Pitchfork Pantry, left, and volunteer Sravani Gandla discuss matters at hand at the nonprofit.
who are repeatedly grabbing items in touch with resources that may provide them a long-term solution. Lopez says the pantry sees roughly 30 to 40 students a month. Many students go for the ramen, Lopez says, as it is a quick and easy meal. To help the students be more knowledgeable of the food items, the pantry holds cooking-on-a-budget demos. As Lopez sits in her chair, a man walks in with a bag of canned
items. A donation. “A lot of the donations are from people from the community,” Lopez says. “In November, we had fraternities and sororities hold a contest to see who can donate the most.” Lopez says she has always had a passion for community service, and it is something she is considering delving into after she graduates. The Pitchfork Pantry is her way of giving back.
“It’s my way of doing my part for the community,” Lopez says. “That’s always been a big thing for me.” For the 2020 year, Lopez says she wants to expand the pantry at a different location. She also wants to provide more variety of items to the students. “We want to do a one-day produce pop-up tent so that people can get fresh produce,” Lopez says. “We’re hoping to do that this semester.” Lopez says one of the most challenging aspects of food insecurity in college is the lack of nearby grocery stores; the closest one can be 1 mile away. She has the option to go home, but she sees many out-of-state students who don’t have that option. Lopez says she wants the students to know the pantry is available to them and that they are a flexible and accessible pantry. “This is a resource for students, and I hope it reaches a lot of people,” Lopez says. “I want them to know it’s here if they need it. We’re just one of many resources for them.” The Pitchfork Pantry is a resource for students who may not know where their meal is coming from. Its student-run foundation makes it an easy resource for students to access, and one that can help them stay focused in school. “As a first-generation student myself, food isn’t something a student should have to worry about,” Lopez says. “It shouldn’t be a reason not to go to school or have to work instead of getting an education.” CT
Pitchfork Pantry
1480 S. Rural Road, Tempe Various times Monday to Thursday bit.ly/37nHcSH ECOLLEGETIMES.COM | FEBRUARY 2020 7
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James D. Gish, who hails from Bullhead City, plays Gerry Goffin, Carole King's husband and musical partner, in "Beautiful" at ASU Gammage.
FROM BULLHEAD CITY TO BROADWAY
HOMETOWN BOY MAKING ‘BEAUTIFUL’ MUSIC AT GAMMAGE BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN • COLLEGE TIMES
W
hen the “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” pulls into ASU Gammage this month, it will feature an actor from Bullhead City. James D. Gish plays the role of Gerry Goffin, Carole King’s husband and musical partner who created lyrics for some of the best-known music of the 1960s and 1970s. Gish got his start at Mojave High School in Bullhead City. He figured out he wasn’t good at sports and needed something else to do. His friend suggested choir, which he resisted until his mother insisted. Then, when the actor playing the Beast in the school’s production of “Beauty and Beast” dropped out, Gish suddenly found himself on stage. “We put everything together with cardboard and plastic, but we had a great time doing it,” Gish says. “There is an addiction to it.” From there, his path was set, and musical theater became his passion. His more than 400 performances paid for his schooling at ASU’s Barrett The Honors College. He’s played such roles as Tony in “West Side Story,” Jack Kelly in “Newsies” and Bob Gaudio in “Jersey Boys” at the Phoenix Theatre and Lord Farquaad in “Shrek: the Musical” at Desert Stages Theatre. He also released the album “So in Love,” with DW Music in Nashville with a full orchestra and supporting choir. This past September, he joined the touring company of “Beautiful.” While he had been unfamiliar with Goffin’s story, he was very in tune with Carole King’s music. “In my household growing up, you could hear oldies blasting through the stereo,” Gish says. “That meant Carole King and her music. My
patrons say, ‘This is my music,’ and I say it’s mine, too. I was raised on it and it is really wonderful to share it.” Gish has become fascinated with Goffin’s story. Goffin, who died in 2014, wrote such No. 1 hits as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “The Loco-Motion,” “Go Away Little Girl,” “Theme from Mahogany” and “Saving All My Love for You." He wrote 114 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including eight chart-toppers. However, he struggled with mental illness, something that would rock his marriage to King. The musical portrays his breakdowns and what he did to get help. “The musical sheds light on mental illness,” Gish says. “That isn’t usually touched on in musical theater and especially wasn’t talked about in that time period. “His arc is that he received the proper treatment he needed. He went through electroshock therapy until he died.” Goffin struggled with manic depression and bipolar disorder, two terms that were not commonplace during the time period. It’s a subject that the musical handles with all of its challenges and heartbreak. “It is very fascinating and challenging for me to play him,” Gish says. “There is just so much in him and that’s how people are. It is very cool to play someone who is written as deeply as the people in ‘Beautiful’ are.” The musical shows the relationship between King and Goffin and their competition with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil at 1650 Broadway recording studio. While the story is filled with drama and heartbreak, it is also uplifting
8 ECOLLEGETIMES.COM | FEBRUARY 2020
and moving. “It has a bright, powerful ending,” Gish says. “Gerry is sort of the supplier of the drama and those moments that make you cry and those are instrumental to the concoction that makes a good musical.” Gish points out that the King’s music is timeless. It’s what makes the musical appealing to so many people. “The music has beauty and simplicity,” Gish says. “Their ability to say so much is what really speaks to people. Often, we have either very simple pop music for clubbing and dancing, or we have really sophisticated music that is more like show tunes. Gerry and Carole found that happy place in between. It’s appealing to a wide audience, but there is a sophisticated message.” “Beautiful” also breaks one of the traditions of musical theater. In most musicals, the lyrics of the songs are part of the storytelling. Characters break out into song to sing about their feelings or to advance their character. As a jukebox musical that is a biopic, “Beautiful” includes songs as part of the history. “No one sings unless they would have actually been singing in real life,” Gish says. “There is a ton of music, but you only see the Drifters perform if the story is showing you when they performed on ‘American Bandstand’ or something similar. It makes it more live and cinematic. People are on the edge of their seat the entire show. It’s more believable.” Gish praises the talent level and skill of the entire cast, saying he has grown as an actor and a storyteller on this tour because of his interactions with them.
“It is incredible to really connect with other actors on stage,” Gish says. “Not just to say lines, but to truly look into their eyes and know what they are feeling. The level of talent in this cast lets me explore every night what that does as an actor and a storyteller.” As someone who used to see shows at ASU Gammage, he says it is exciting for him to perform on that stage. “It’s a performer’s dream to get to come back to their roots,” Gish says. His hometown shares his excitement and is rallying to come out to see him. Several of his friends are planning to come out and he says there is a group of seniors who are taking a bus for the four-hour drive to come see the show. As a self-described proud Phoenician and Bullheadian, he hopes he might inspire other young people who are considering doing something artistic. “I’m living proof you can come from anywhere,” Gish says. “They think you have to come from L.A. or New York or Chicago. I came from Bullhead and I was in Phoenix for four years. I had a taste—if you want it badly enough, you can make it happen anywhere.” CT
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
Various times Friday, February 21, to Sunday, February 23 ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe Tickets start at $40 asugammage.com
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SPORTS THE SOPHOMORE JUMP
PHOTOS • COURTESY GCU ATHLETICS (DAVID KADLUBOWSKI)
GCU OUTFIELDER RACHEL HAMMONS IS READY TO TAKE HER GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Rachel Hammons is ready to take on a starting role with GCU's softball team.
CHRIS FAHRENDORF • COLLEGE TIMES
W
hen most people think of college athletes they think of the glitz, the glamor, the star athletes. What most people don’t think about are the players who have specific roles on the team. Enter Rachel Hammons. Hammons is a sophomore outfielder on the Grand Canyon University softball team. After batting over .650 with over 45 steals a game in her four years at Bourgade Catholic High School, Hammons transitioned to more of a situational player her freshman year at GCU. “Last year it was pretty much a role player. My main purpose was base running because I was fast,” Hammons says. “In key situations where we needed somebody to score, they would throw me in.” Although this was a much different role then what she was used to in high school, Hammons adjusted fast. Last year Hammons appeared in 30 games tallying three at bats, six runs and two stolen bases. Because her role on the team was different from the starting outfielders, Hammons had to learn to prepare separately. “I would do a lot more timing off of the pitchers. That’s what I would focus on when I was in the dugout,” Hammons says. “They’d
(the starting outfielders) probably look at more how the pitcher was pitching. I would look at how she was pitching, her timing, the catcher’s arm and that kind of stuff. More focused on base running than hitting.” Even though she came from a small high school, Hammons does not believe that set her back from making the jump to the
collegiate ball. In reality, it was the Firecrackers AZ club team that prepared Hammons for the next level of play. “I played on a really highlevel club team, so the transition wasn’t that bad from that aspect. If I didn’t play club, the change would be massive,” Hammons says. “The pitching’s faster, the hitting’s faster, girls are bigger and
Rachel Hammons appeared in 30 games last year, tallying three at bats, six runs and two stolen bases. Over the summer, we did a lot of core exercises to get in shape for the season. Batting, after all, is a lot of core strength.
stronger.” Fast forward to 2020 and Hammons is ready to take a big step forward. Grand Canyon graduated two starting senior outfielders in Taylor Kaye and Maddie Dowdle and if her number is called, Hammons will be ready. During her freshman year, Hammons was told by head coach Ann Pierson that if she wanted to get a bigger role on the team she should work on her hitting and fielding. That’s what Hammons did during the offseason. “I did a lot of stuff over the summer, core exercises,” Hammons says. “All batting is a lot of core strength, so I’ve been doing a lot of that. I went to clinics every week over the summer after work to work on hitting with my hitting coach.” It’s looking like Hammons will become a starter next season, however, she’s entering the season with tempered expectations. “I don’t want to go in like, ‘I expect to play this much.’ I see myself kind of growing more this year, instead of just being (used) for base running,” Hammons says. “I want to help my team as much as I can. If I have to be a role player again, then that’s what I have to be.” CT
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REMY MARTIN:
ENTERTAINMENT
ASU BASKETBALL POINT GUARD
the
right TRACK A PEEK INSIDE THE PLAYLISTS OF PHOENIX’S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE CHRIS FAHRENDORF • COLLEGE TIMES
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SU basketball point guard Remy Martin was born and grew up in what some consider to be one of the best states for modern music— California. That’s not what inspired his love for all types of music. For Martin, it was his friends. “I’m diverse honestly. I’m pretty mainstream,” Martin says. “Some of my friends play music and stuff so I listen to everything. Whatever’s mainstream. Whatever is popular.” Besides his friends, Martin is also close with ASU basketball head coach Bobby Hurley. While Martin’s love of music spans years, Hurley’s spans decades. “Decades of music have meant something to me for one reason or another,” Hurley says. “You mix in some more depressing music, some more upbeat stuff, some rap from the ’80s and ’90s and then my son has his own little influence to get me in a more current generation. A little bit of everything.” Despite being close with Hurley, the two do not regularly share their tastes in music with each other. “I don’t really know what he (Bobby Hurley) really listens to, but I’m sure
that whatever he listens to is pretty cool,” Martin says. This month, Martin shares what music he thinks is “cool” with College Times readers.
TOP SIX FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME Whoa. Cause there’s so many songs out there, man, that’s consistently coming out. Let’s see. Let’s see. Six songs specifically. “Vibes” DaBaby I like “Vibes” by DaBaby. The energy. I’m a big beats guy. I know that in this century it’s more about beats than lyrics. I know back then it was a lot more lyrics. So, beats are definitely a big part of why I like the DaBaby song. “Cyncerely, C3” King Combs He’s a good friend of mine and his music is amazing. It’s more West Coast. I’m a West Coast guy. “Rigamortis” Kendrick Lamar Early Kendrick. Just the energy. The energy. The beat is crazy to me. It just gives a lot of energy from that song. And pregame stuff, that’s one of the stuff I listen to as well. “Life is Good” Future ft. Drake That one just came out with Future. That one just came out.
PHOTO • ASU
Remy Martin prefers to play his music loud, like in a recording studio.
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“24K Magic” Bruno Mars Let’s say Bruno Mars. “Twenty-four Karat,” I love that one. For Bruno Mars, just the lifestyle
I was talking about. Just the lyrics of “24K,” it just gets everybody off their feet. It’s one of those you play at a party and everybody starts dancing. I love to dance. “Hustle and Motivate” Nipsey Hussle Nipsey, it just speaks. The title is called “Hustle and Motivate.” I love trying to inspire people and you know everything I PHOTO • COURTESY ASU do in my life I want ASU basketball point guard Remy Martin listens to a variety of to grind and work music, ranging from DaBaby to Nipsey Hussle. for it. I also want to inspire people to be able to play the game of basketball. No matter what you do. Whatever you want to motivate YOUR LIFE? people on is what I like. That’s why. A soundtrack? I would want DJ Khaled He’s popular right now man. You PREFERRED WAY OF got to go with the hottest out right LISTENING AND WHY? now. DJ Khaled is very well known Aw man. Honestly, if I had a choice, throughout so I’d just pick him because I love playing the music loud. Like in I know people will listen to it.” the studio. I love being in the studio ‘cause I have a couple friends who do FAVORITE SONG BY A music as well. Just hearing everything. CALIFORNIA-BASED ARTIST? Because when you listen to a song I like Tupac “Dear Mama” just because so many times you start to figure out I love my mom. It’s one of those things little things that people don’t hear. that speaks very highly of mothers So, I just love listening to it out loud, and I’m one of those guys. I was the probably as loud as possible. only boy in my family for a while, so you know I respect women. I love DESERT ISLAND ALBUM women and you know that just speaks If I was on an island by myself, a lot because my mom has done a lot wherever I would be, I would probably for me. listen to something like Drake because I like how Drake is diverse and has GO-TO GUILTY PLEASURE different genres of music in one TRACK OR CLASSIC album. Maybe something like “Take Care.” It’s hard because there’s so many KARAOKE TUNE? out there. My final answer–probably, Something Michael Jackson. Probably “Nothing Was the Same.” like “Thriller” or something like that. Something with Michael Jackson. Those throwback ones. He’s a king so WHAT ARTIST WOULD PROVIDE THE SOUNDTRACK whatever Michael Jackson music is on is one of those. CT
FOR THE MOVIE ABOUT
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ENTERTAINMENT
THE STRUTS’ LEAD SINGER LUKE SPILLER STEALS THE SHOW CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI • COLLEGE TIMES SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Struts perform along with Weezer and Death Cab for Cutie on the second day of this year’s Innings Festival, Sunday, March 1.
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he flamboyant Luke Spiller has been compared to Queen’s Freddie Mercury, the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Tim Curry. The Struts’ lead singer has no shame about it. “Nothing’s really changed since I was 14 or 15,” says Spiller, who grew up in Bristol, England. “I’m still doing the same thing— fantasizing and imitating my heroes and now I get paid.” And getting paid he is. Only founded in 2012, The Struts have opened for the Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, The Who and Guns N’ Roses. Spiller is inspired by many of these bands. “I still look and take inspiration from the same people—and finding new ones as well, newfound heroes,” Spiller says. “Quite recently I discovered Bruce Springsteen, which I think my tour manager is solely responsible for. I always knew of the music, but a few years ago I really started to dive into the back catalog and immerse myself in the catalog.” He’s been listening to “Thunder Road,” “The River” and “Darkness on the Edge of Town.” Recently, he’s looked up to Scott Walker as well. “I went through this unhealthy obsession with him for a solid six months,” he says of the late Walker. “At the end of 2019, Spotify was telling me my top plays and streams. It was quite funny to see the musical
journey I’ve been on: 2018 Scott Walker, 2019 Bruce Springsteen—by a country mile.”
Young and dangerous Spiller knows how to win an audience. Whether it’s on the phone or on stage, he just wants everyone to have fun. Calling from Nashville, where he’s “busy making it big,” Spiller says it’s much too cold for his reptilian body and he needs to return to California or Arizona. “I really can’t wait,” Spiller says about playing Innings Festival in Tempe on Sunday, March 1, with Weezer. “We haven’t done a huge amount there. I’m really just buzzing to get back out and put on a good show, say hi to the fans and really get stuck in.” The show may mark the debut of “a couple of cheeky new tracks,” which could appear on the follow up to 2018’s appropriately dubbed “Young and Dangerous.” “Fans can also definitely expect the usual acrobatics and everything that is very typical of the show—a lot of energy and crowd participation,” he adds. Spiller couldn’t say too much about the new material but did say his voice ties it all together—as well as rock ‘n’ roll moments. “We’re touching on a few areas we haven’t gone before,” he says slyly.
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“I can tell you they’re really unique and really fun and definitely quality, from what I can gather. I’m super excited for everyone to hear what we’ve been up to.” “Everyone” is a loaded assumption, but Spiller doesn’t really care if anyone likes it or not. Fans from ages 8 to 80 have so far grasped The Struts’ anthemic choruses, Spiller’s flamboyant costumes and the band’s tight sound. “I feel extremely lucky to get out on the stage and look into the audience and see a beautiful variety of cultures and ages and backgrounds,” Spiller says. “I wasn’t fully aware of (the mix of fans) until we started touring relentlessly. We’re touching a lot of different people. It’s great. I love that we can be very inclusive.” The shows have the feel of a revival, an ode to his preacher father and devoted Christian mother. He splits the audience in half and gets in the middle to encourage crowd participation. “It was very evangelistic-esque,” he says. “If I could give you a visual example, it would kind of be like James Brown’s character in ‘The Blues Brothers’ preacher (the Rev. Cleophus James). I’ve been called ‘the rock ‘n’ roll preacher.’ I guess it made its way more into the live show than the recording. There’s still time. I can see a Hillsong album from The Struts and stealing the
Christian album chart.” The Struts’ live show has roots in Arizona. His costume designer is Ray Brown, who recently moved from Australia to the Grand Canyon State, Spiller says. “It’s always fun to come over and see him and whatnot,” Spiller says. “He does stuff for Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and Lady Gaga. He’s a real character and it’s great. I love calling him up and hearing his response when I ask, ‘What are we doing?’ “Honestly, it’s very collaborative. I’ll go through the internet and look for things that spark my interest and then, from that, I’ll tell him what I want the fit to be like. After a few conversations, we get on the same page. Maybe a month later or so, he’s cut something up that’s rough and I try it on. We both bring the vision.” CT
Innings Festival
1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, February 29, and Sunday, March 1 Tempe Beach Park and Arts Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe $99-$1,200 inningsfestival.com
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ENTERTAINMENT
OCTAVIO SERRANO • COLLEGE TIMES
Black History Month began in 1926. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The NAACP was spurred by growing racial violence in the early 20th century, specially by 1908 race riots in Springfield, Illinois. On February 12, 2009, the NAACP marked its 100th anniversary. Jack Johnson held the World Heavyweight Champion boxing title from 1908 to 1915. In 1940, Hattie McDaniel of “Gone with the Wind” was the first African-American performer to win an Academy Award.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION • CHRISTY BYERLY
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