Up music fall 1
9 East High Street 523.2022 2 fall
fall contents 20 DJ Play That Song
John Karalis spends a night behind the glass with Mike Mayall
28 Backstage Pass
Take a look at Amy Longo’s new collection, behind the scenes at Oxfest
42 Video Killed the Radio Star The fashion behind the music
54 For Your Entertainment Battling vocalists, Glee styling, need we say more?
fall 3
EDITOR IN CHIEF Lauren Kelly PHOTOGRAPHY & ART DIRECTOR Kelci House PHOTOGRAPHY & ART ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Jeremy Smetana LAYOUT DIRECTOR Kelly Phelan COPY EDITORS Olive Krawczyk and Brooke Adzic ASSISTANT COPY EDITORS Lauren Pax and Jen Heuerman WOMEN’S FASHION DIRECTOR Gina Mueller ASSISTANT WOMEN’S FASHION DIRECTOR Meredith Fossett MEN’S FASHION DIRECTOR Michael Bloom MEN’S ASSISTANT FASHION DIRECTOR Jeremy Smetana MARKETING DIRECTOR & BUSINESS MANAGER Lindsay O’Hara ASSISTANT MARKETING DIRECTOR Kelsey Olsen BLOG EDITOR Bridget Vis
staff
STYLISTS Lauren Paulson Elise Sexton Layne Averill Caroline Belger Jennifer Baran Carly Adkins Xue Tina Qin Anne Kash Dobbins Alexandra Morris Brittany Onello Kaitlyn Rowsey Sean Wallace
page
2010
WRITERS Caitlyn Gaynor Keiana Smith-McDowell Zachary Workman John Karalis Courtney Day Coco McNatt Allison Mitchell Oriana Pawlyk Rachel Sacks Adam Stiwald BLOG WRITERS Brittany Dove Taylor Frank Kathleen Lawson
PHOTOGRAPHERS Callie Andrews Kaitlyn Rowsey Caitlin Wilson Tiffany Hall Alex Newman Paige Doscher Sarah Robison Meaghan Wylly Ben Philabaum Ashley Sohngen
MARKETING TEAM Jocelyn Zadzi Sarah Macheca Whitney McConney Gabby Garcia Megan Bell Brittany Burrows Lauren Yalowitz Dana Pauly Ina Prifti Sarah Oberholtzer
LAYOUT DESIGNERS Krista Adkins Reid Groth Molly Stiebler Marie Mock
MODELS All models are Miami University students
”
FACULTY ADVISOR Annie-Laurie Blair Up Magazine was founded in 2008 by Lauren Kelly and Kelly Phelan
4 fall
letter from the editor
Dear Readers, I’ve always gravitated toward music with poetic, expressive lyrics more than songs with a good beat. If the words move me, I’m set - but to move me, the words have to apply, in some way, to my life. That’s probably why that Taylor Swift song, “Best Day,” always makes me think about my mom and start to cry, or why lately I’ve been listening to sappy songs that pretty much spew girly, giddy goodness. In other words, music has a power over us like nothing else. It’s like that feeling you get when you’re driving at dusk while your favorite song plays, and it suddenly hits you you’re alive, really alive. I hope you enjoy reading about what music means to Up Magazine. We take a trip down memory lane, spend a night with a DJ, hit up Oxfest in designer duds, and sneak a peek at a band’s first cover shoot. I’d like to especially thank my talented staff. I appreciate your dedication, your creativity, and your hard work. As always, this magazine wouldn’t exist without you. Love,
Lauren Kelly Editorial Office 356 Shriver Center Oxford, OH 45056 Circulation 2,000 copies Contact upfashionmagazine@gmail.com www.upfashionmagazine.com Printer: The Merten Co.
fall 5
6 fall
fall 7
Current Upsessions
photography by ashley sohngen styled by meredith fossett and jennifer baran
8 fall
Current Upsessions
Count the ways we take a black bandage skirt from boring to beautiful for any occasion this fall. Fur embellished vest, both black and brown, Express $69.99; Sequin top/dress, $39.90; Red and purple tights, $14.50; Beige heels, Aldo, $130.00; Brown belt & all jewelry, Stylist’s own; Black studded belt, Steve Madden, $19.99; Military Jacket, Nordstrom, $68.00; Purple sweater, $68.00; Black high heels, $119.95; White Tshirt, newportnews.com; Brown boots, topshop.com, $49.00; Black bandage skirt, $44.00; Yellow shirt, $30
fall 9
bon voyage!
Current Upsessions
photography by sarah robison styled by caroline belger and alexandra morris
When preparing for a semester abroad, a huge endeavor everyone faces is packing. Here we have an outfit that includes the necessary basic pieces to help you narrow down the essentials for your overstuffed suitcase. Tan ballet flats, a light scarf and tights are versatile. You’ll get plenty of use out of them and look effortlessly chic. Khaki Jacket, J. Crew, $98.00; Sneakers, Bensimon Sneakers, $ 55.00
While overseas, you are on your feet a lot and nothing is worse than blisters and uncomfortable feet. That is why everyone needs a pair of “travel shoes,” comfy sneakers that look great with anything. Bensimon sneakers come in an array of great colors and are perfect for a day of site-seeing!
A lightweight jacket in a neutral tone is an item that goes with everything and is not too annoying to carry around. When traveling, think layers. 10 fall
Navy Striped Quarter Sleeved Top, Nordstrom, $28.00; Mustard Yellow Scarf, J Crew, $49.50; Silk Tulip Olive Shorts, Madewell, $88.00; Khaki Green Canvas Tote, J. Crew, $65.00; Leather Classic Ballet Flats, J. Crew, $98.00; Brown Tights, Wolford Tights, $ 42.00
fall 11
MAKEUP THAT
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red nspi
usi
by m
LA ROUX
photography by jeremy smetana styled by layne averill and caroline belger make-up by mikah brown
12 fall
tars
est s
igg c’s b
RIHANNA
Mink fur scarf, Stylist’s own
fall 13
KATY PERRY
Leopard print head band, Hello Robertson
14 fall
LADY GAGA
Chain necklace, House of Harlow Cut out gloves, Carolina Amato Images from Associated Press: rihanna, jason decrow; katy perry, evan agostini; lady gaga, evan agostini. image from youtube: la roux.
fall 15
has a
new
look! Check out THE ALL-NEW
www.mucac.org Charter Day Ball Concert Board Family Weekend Global Fusion Homecoming Kidsfest Lecture Board Spirit Board Springfest First Year Opportunities
16 fall
man up
section fall 17
S ’ N E M top five
the things guys should be paying attention to
now
Flickr Creative Commons photos by: (from upper left) Nicki Varkevisser, Der Etienne, D.avelle, istolethetv. Up photographer Meaghan Wylly.
18 fall
written by michael bloom
With all the information out there, from all sorts of media outlets, the whole body hair issue can get kind of confusing, am I right? I remember reading an article in GQ less than a year ago that explained how more and more men were going hairless— all over their bodies. While athletes, especially baseball and football players, have been going sans-hair for a long time, it is the rest of us mortals that are left in flux. Fast forward 10 months, and my array of men’s magazines are filled with anti-body shaving tips and advice, including GQ. This time, however, I was being instructed to grow out the hair I had just spent the last year getting rid of. Whether that meant of the face, on the chest, on the arms, hair was apparently back in vogue. So here I am today just confused. But, I think I have come up with the solution to our Hair vs. No Hair debate. And guys, I’ll warn you, it involves giving up some of our individuality. Let’s leave it up to the ladies to decide. We have all met those girls who love hair because they think it’s a “manly” thing to have. Then again, we have stumbled upon those vixens who find the smooth quality of a man’s body to be sexy. My advice? Know your target audience. While guessing the preferences of your one-night-stand is nearly impossible, you can always take something away from that classy evening, besides just a great story. If this said girl is someone that you would possibly consider seeing again (besides just the awkward King Library encounter) subtly try to gauge her feelings about the like-ability of what you got goin’ on. A little extra attention on your behalf might mean a lot of extra attention from her behalf…if you catch my drift.
1. body hair
CURRENT TRENDS
when a good haircut isn’t just for the head
2. not dancing
awk
dance lessons for the uncoordinated, the awkward, and the shy
written by adam stiwald photography by meaghan wylly
It’s Saturday night. You’ve had your share of fun at the house parties and now it’s time to show off your dance moves. You head uptown to Brick Street. You grab a drink from the bar and make your way over to the dance floor. Yeah, you got this. The scene on the dance floor is one you’ve encountered on numerous nights out at Miami—there seems to be an endless amount of attractive girls having the time of their lives and dancing the night away…with each other. A slight feeling of nervous intimidation rushes over you, when out of nowhere you hear “Teach Me How to Dougie,” blaring through the speakers. The mood on the dance floor goes from carefree fun to pure celebratory madness. You freeze. It suddenly occurs to you that not only do you not know how to “dougie,” but there’s only about 23% chance you’ll get a girl to dance with you. You start to accept the fact that your night of dancing is going to turn into a night of standing against the wall, awkwardly observing a scene of excitement you only wish you could be a part of. If this is an all-too-familiar weekend scenario, then this article is for you.
y r l a w d
• Be confident The first, and most important part of dancing the night away is to be confident. No girl is going to approach a wallflower. Get out there.
• Don’t be creepy “Nice guys finish last” does not apply to dancing. If you want to dance with a girl, walk up to her and nicely ask her if she wants to dance. If you think it’s a good idea to sneakily start grinding on her while whispering sweet nothings in her ear, it’s not. She has no idea who you are, and you will inevitably be tagged in her friend’s facebook album as “that creeper.” Or worse, her hockey player boyfriend will return with her drink, and you’re about to be checked up against the wall and thrown out onto High Street. • Stay in rhythm Common misconception— being a good dancer isn’t necessary to having success on the dance floor. That said, there are a few moves every guy should avoid on a night out. The sprinkler, lawn mower, the shopping cart, and any other object imitation should generally be avoided. Try your best to find the beat of
the song and go with it. If all else fails, let the girl lead and just move with her. Violently swinging your hips back and forth should be avoided on all accounts. Important note: although it appears 100 percent successful on TV, fist pumps should never be brought to the dance floor. Jersey Shore is a TV show. This is real life. You are not “The Situation.” • Have fun The best way to ensure that the girl you are dancing with has a great time is for you to have fun. If you’re smiling and dancing the night away, you will have no troubles. Sing along with the music (not too loudly), and enjoy yourself. Following these steps will ensure that you have a great night out. Never again will you be that awkward guy leaning on the wall and sipping on a drink. Always remember, to have a good time, you don’t need to “dougie” or “crank” any soulja boys, and your leg most certainly doesn’t have to “stank.” Simply be confident, have fun, and dance the night away.
fall 19
3. hangin’ with the dj
John Karalis spends a night behind the glass with Mike Mayall written by john karalis photography by meaghan wylly and Flickr Creative Commons - Alfred Hess
Once in a while Mike Mayall gets a call or email asking him how to get into DJing. He’s used to the question and he’ll respond by telling you his story. The caveat: he says you really shouldn’t listen to him. He’s probably wrong. Every successful DJ has dug their own tunnel and then demolished it the moment they’ve belly crawled through. To make it you need to build a style unique as a snowflake, as a fingerprint, as Kim Kardashian’s ass. Best he can do is tell you what a typical night DJing in Oxford is like, and maybe afford a few pointers so your audience isn’t asking for your mixes in closed caption. I had the chance to follow Mike around for a night. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I got to 45 East around 9 p.m. as he was setting up for a private party. At this point the bar felt strangely empty, quiet and clean. The feeling was knowingly
20 fall
temporary though, like taking a shower before jumping into a mud football game. The staff was busy preparing the bar for the avalanche of people about to pour in. For the DJ, turntables, a CD player, a mixer and a computer all have to get hooked up to the bar’s sound system. This is the bare minimum to start the night.It will run you about seven G’s for the good stuff - plus the cost of the music. The party starts. People begin trickling in. “This is your one chance during the night to play the brand new stuff that you, the DJ, are excited for before the requests start pouring in” Mike explains, “You start to feel out the crowd, what the people dancing are going to be like before the whole party gets there. You’ve got to get this down quick, because once everyone shows up, you have to get people out on the floor.”
It’s 9:30 p.m. Girls are running the bar’s atmosphere, as usual. Guys won’t budge until the girls move toward the dance floor. So cue the Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and probably that old Spice Girls song. Within minutes, the floor is flooded with girls dancing with each other while guys slowly and awkwardly get closer to the floor. When the DJ plays a Top 10 radio hit or two, the guys begin stepping out and moving a little. The DJ has won them over. The crowd is his. I thought at this point maybe Mike and I could relax, maybe get a beer and talk. So wrong. In came all the requests. At first the request procedure was calm, a light knock on the window and a polite mentioning of a song followed by, “If you could squeeze it in, that’d be great!” But by about 10:15 p.m. we started to have this conversation over and over… and over.
Girl 1: *Loud pounding on window* EXCUSE ME!!! CAN YOU PLAY -- Insert “Bad Romance”/”California Gurls”/”Club Can’t Handle Me” -- PLEASE!? Mike: Well I already played it, plus I think this is your third time requesting that song. Girl: OH! OH MY GOSH I’M SO SORRY I TOTALLY FORGOT! CAN YOU JUST PLAY IT ONE MORE TIME?!?! Mike: Ok, I just might have time for it. *Glances at me, rolls eyes* After a half hour of this I was starting to go absolutely crazy, but Mike’s been doing this five or six nights a week for the last eight years. How could he stand it? I was getting ready for him to stand up and scream, “Play whatever you want, I can’t deal with this shit anymore!” before defeatedly checking himself into a halfway house in South Africa, Dave Chappelle-style. But he didn’t, he
just calmly answered, cool as the Fonz, every time. “Have a few drinks, it helps you to tolerate the drunk requests,” Mike says of how he handles the annoying requests. “And you know what, you’re best off being in the same mindset as your audience.” I’d never thought of it that way. Wisdom. This went on until 2:30 a.m when the bar closed, but what happened outside the booth got more and more interesting. The DJ booth is separated from the dance floor by a transparent pane of Plexiglass. You’d think this might stop girls from turning towards the glass and adjusting their tops. You’d think people would be conscious to limit any heavy petting right in front of the window. You’d think couples would think twice before hooking up against the glass of the booth. But you’re wrong. Mike explains that this is
nothing out of the ordinary. The kid that goes from sober to totally wasted in 15 minutes is commonplace. The visiting mom that face plants and the panties left right in the middle of the dance floor just aren’t that peculiar for an experienced DJ. It takes a special kind of patience to get into DJing as well as a passion for music and making people happy. They pay attention to the crowd, to what they want to hear, but also to what’s happening on the other side of the glass. So, next time you get rejected in the middle of the dance floor and think no one saw you, give the DJ a wave, because he definitlely caught that.
“Won’t you play that song?” fall 21
4.
figuring out what miami girls want One girl tells it to you straight. Dear Future Miami Merger, I know you’re around here somewhere, so stop hiding at Hawk’s Landing. Why am I looking for you? Well, my MRS degree isn’t quite finished, and you happen to be my final project. Just don’t give me any scary bumps or rashes okay? I am not interested in your Greek affiliations, and I could care less about your daddy’s job. So stop trying to impress me with the materialistic things and listen up. We girls at Miami University have high standards. Period. I mean we are even ranked by Playboy for being such a good-looking bunch. We have to be that hot to handle your huge ego. So, a little about me before I give you my checklist. I will not disclose if I am in a sorority or not; because I don’t want that to alter your opinion. I’m not Nicole Ritchie skinny and I am not as big as Oprah. I fit nicely in the middle. I barely have enough money to buy a beer tower from Skipper’s. I have friends all over the place, from basketball players to fraternity presidents to the Oxford residents who frequent Uptown Underground. I am a fairly cheap date (you know, in a good way), and I won’t get clingy. Now for what I’m expecting from you. I have been asking girls around recently about what they are looking for in a man. Most of them say cheesy things like honesty, personality, intelligent. I say, they just want to seem nice. Since we are being brutally honest here, you have to do five things. 1. Look good. It is not hard to shower. News flash: no one has gotten to first base in cargo pants since ‘Nam. 2. Make us laugh. Be spontaneous and playful. Don’t laugh at your own jokes (or just don’t laugh too hard). 3. Make us feel good. In many ways. Yes, that way, too. 4. Be confident, not cocky, unless you’d like to be stood up, or worse, get a slap in the face. 5. Make an impression. Once I’ve downed a few cranberry vodkas, you must do something remarkable to remain in my memory. Intelligent conversation and a sense of humor usually help. I don’t think this is too much to ask of you. Oh yeah, and make sure you buy the drinks. It’s just polite. So come out, come out, wherever you are. Retire those ultra-fratty summer clothes, ugly flip flops, and neon sunglasses and open your eyes. I may be the girl right next to you. XOXO, Your Future Miami Merger
22 fall
5. living in the
moment
take your relationship from zero to sixty written by sean wallace photography by meaghan wylly
The point of life is living, not saving your time and energy for another day. You can’t get back lost days. Relationships should also thrive on this mantra: living in the moment, being spontaneous and being adventurous. Why do cars have brakes? So the driver can go as fast as they want. The relationship car should be taking speed bumps at 50 MPH because this is what provides the most excitement. Many relationships don’t rock the boat or venture into the rough water. But what most couples don’t know is that these waters not only include danger but also thrill and exhilaration. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are made for; it is danger and a figurative neglect for immediate safety that builds relationships to their fullest. Doing exciting things together as a couple intensifies the attraction and shows how each person deals with uncomfortable situations. If you don’t like how your partner deals with adversity, it is better to know what type of person you want to date instead of being unhappy.
It is easiest to understand yourself and your girl or guy when you are both in an unpredictable situation and have to rely on each other. If a couple is willing to take risks and step outside of their comfort zone, that couple can easily handle the small trials and tribulations that comes with most every relationship. That grasp of the bigger picture, having a fulfilling and exciting relationship, it is unlikely that small disagreements will escalate to full-fledged arguments that many couples struggle with. These arguments hack away at relationships like an ax to a tree. Don’t let what could be a beautiful relationship fall apart because of insignificant arguments. Passion is very important in a relationship. Passion provides the base for an exciting and spontaneous relationship. Act like every day you hang out with your guy or girl that you will not get to see them again; this is the type of exciting, living-on-theedge relationship that will grow and be fulfilling. Don’t hold yourself back. Don’t be afraid that doing something different, stupid or unconventional will make your girl or guy not like you. Seriously. rock the boat, live a little dangerously.
fall 23
Paint your own pottery! Simple and fun
!
walk-ins always welcome, or feel free
to make a reservation at 513-532 -2734
or email at yourefiredoxford@aol.com
6 North Beech St. Oxford, OH 4505
6
24 fall
features section
fall 25
BACKSTAGE PASS photography by kelci house styled by gina mueller
26 fall
Take a look at Amy Longo’s new collection behind the scenes at last spring’s Oxfest
fall 27
28 fall
Glitter Queen Clothing was started in 2009 by designer Amy Longo. Amy attented UC’s DAAP program, majoring in fashion design. She later moved to Brooklyn, NY to pursue her fashion dream. Her clothes are inspired by the downtown party scene there and are meant to get you noticed in the dingy basements of downtown New York. Amy graciously let Up use her pieces from the collection she showed at last spring’s first Cincinnati Fashion Week. To check out more of her work visit amylongo.com.
fall 29
emories M usic
Stuck in the Moment
written by megan rigali
My best friend’s nowhusband and I are both huge fans of Dave Matthews’ music. I was asked to read the lyrics to “You and Me” at their wedding, and it was also their song. They were introduced as husband and wife to this song, and then they had their first dance to it. A year later, I was listening to the song randomly on shuffle when they called to tell me they had just had their first baby girl. This song will always be dear in my heart and forever remind me of their adorable little family that I have watched grow. -- Jen Heuerman
30 fall
Like many of my fellow peers I spent my summer laying by the pool, working, and attending concerts. A resident of a Chicago suburb, I had a plethora of concerts to choose from. There was the free She & Him concert at Millenium Park, Lollapalooza in August, and a variety of other artists touring -- but I had my eye on one concert: Justin Bieber. Yes, this past summer, one thousand of my closest friends under the age of eleven and I went to see the tween pop phenom in Milwaukee. It was a hot, sunny evening in June, and I was surrounded by pre-teens who were screaming their love for JB at pitches only dogs could hear. There were signs that said “Marry Me Justin” and girls were wearing home made T-shirts emblazoned with “Mrs. Bieber” or a catchy phrase that was often somewhat misspelled. I had struggled with what to wear to my first Justin Bieber concert. I “Sweet Disposition” by Temper Trap holds a lot of meaning in my heart. Every time I hear the lyrics paired with the beautiful melody I picture myself sitting under the big oak tree outside my dorm with my boyfriend. This song equates to a perfect spring afternoon lazing around with the ones you love. -- Allie Kolish
did have to make a lasting impression. I was trying to decide between an outfit that screamed cougar or a shirt that blatantly said cougar. Eventually, I chose to dress modestly and leave my “ Cougars for Bieber” sign at home. After sitting through a few trashy opening acts and the very entertaining Sean Kingston, Justin Bieber finally came on stage. The tweens screamed louder. I joined in the fun at one point after Justin had take a sip of water and yelled, “HE DRINKS WATER!!!” which earned me a few dirty glances from the pre-teens for my mockery. At one point during the show, a video played of Justin telling his fans that texting and driving was very dangerous, which I thought was amusing considering that I was one of the few with Bieber Fever who even had a driver’s license. I’m sure there are many people out there who are jealous that I attended a Justin Bieber concert, but none more so than the 21 kindergarteners I’m student teaching. Some of them wear JB shirts, others sing “Baby” to me they work to color inside the lines. It just takes me back…
“I lost my virginity to “In the Jungle” from The Lion King. I will never watch that movie again. Not even with my kids.” -- Matt Giljahn
I sang “My Song” by Dakota Moon my senior year of high school at our last show choir recital. Being on stage for what could have been the last time in my life that night was something that was not only emotional, but overpowering. The lyrics made me feel like everything was going to be okay. At one point I remember being in the front row, surrounded by people that I love and will forever have a connection with while we sang, “I’ve got a fire burning inside my spirit, I’ve got a dream that helps me to be strong, if there’s one thing that I know, with a million miles to go, nobody, no one can take away my song.” Afterwards, I knew that no matter what road life would take me on, I would always carry my passion for music with me. Nobody could take that away. -- Kaitlyn Rowsey I’ll never forget hearing “Love in this Club” playing in the dorm room below me. I always knew that meant this girl and her boyfriend were having sex. Scarred for life. -- Jillian Johns
photographs from google images
“Existentialism on Prom Night” by Straylight Run. When I was an emo high school student and my scene women’s pantswearing boyfriend broke up with me, he decided it would be a good idea to go to prom with this senior girl. He made this song his AIM status, and whenever I hear it now, I’m reminded of what a dumb-ass I was to like a boy who wore the same jeans as me. -- Ali Zaren
My ex-boyfriend got two DUIs in one night (what a catch, right?) so I had to drive his lazy ass everywhere. I would drive him home from school sometimes. We, uh, would sometimes make pitstops to the park. We had our own playlist for these times, and the first song of our steamy hangout was “Always Love” by Nada Surf. I don’t listen to the song anymore... or hookup with him either. -- Anonymous
What do Up staffers have to say about their favorite music? Best soundtrack? What song reminds you of your best friend? "Home"by Edward Sharpe and the Magentic Zeros "Walkin' on Broken Glass" by Annie Lennox "Mr. Brightside"by The Killers "Sink or Swim" by Tyrone Wells "Acid Tongue" by Jenny Lewis "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles "Brown-Eyed Girl" by James Brown "Bartender" by T Pain What's your favorite place to listen to music? My car Riding my bike Long runs through the cornfields in my hometown Driving on Blue Mill Rd. with my little sister
500 Days of Summer Across the Universe Garden State Dreamgirls A Walk to Remember Marie Antoinette
What musician would you want to be? Julian Casablancas Brandon Flowers Katy Perry Rihanna Beyonce Regina Spektor Favorite song of all time? “Hey Jude” by The Beatles “Somebody to Love” by Queen “Lie in Our Graves” by Dave Matthews Band “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers
fall 31
the magic’s TRUANTS Miami University students and Truants band members Zach Smith and Pat Higgins first played together during the infamous Blackout of '08. Higgins has since left the band, but Zach Bonson and Josh Cebo have joined and together the boys make sweet, sweet music all over Oxford, from Brick Street to Stadium, Fall Fest and Oxfest. Where did the name “The Truants” come from? Smith: It started out looking in a dictionary. We found the word truant (a student who stays away from school without permission) which fit our motive: “No school. Just music." What genre would you consider your music to be? Bohnson: Funk Rock, meaning we like to get funky but we also like to bring the heat!
32 fall
written by coco mcnatt photography by ashley sohngen
What would you say is the band’s biggest challenge? Smith: Our biggest challenge is getting our name out there and finding a way to reach out to everyone collectively.
Cebo: We don’t actually know. We are just going to work our butts off, work day by day and see where we end up. At this point, all three of us know we want to pursue music. We just aren’t sure where we are going to be until we get there.
What is the most exciting part? Bonson: The most exciting http://www.myspace.com/truantsthing for me is getting on stage. music It’s the first note of the first song we play. Then when the first lights come up and you see a crowd of overwhelming blurry awesomeness. Cebo: It’s being put in the position to where I have the opportunity to not only make an individual’s night, but hundreds of peoples’ nights by doing something that I love, playing music. Smith: Being able to show off the work we put in to our music. What happens to the band when you guys graduate?
in the music
We chatted with some musicians, who hail from near and far, to learn what’s up behind the music.
Anna Beljin
written by lauren kelly
Miami senior Anna Beljin has been performing with her father, Milovan, since her junior year of high school. The duo, who call themselves - what else? - Anna and Milovan, play gigs every Friday and Saturday all around Cincinnati, at a wide range of venues with a line-up that usually includes an eclectic mix of blues, Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson, and Beljin's own music (she recently released her second album, _When It Rains). Still, Beljin doesn't seem to mind giving up her weekends to the music.
What is your favorite part about performing? Getting to meet so many people! Over the past five and a half years I have met thousands of people in different seasons of their lives and have built many relationships. For the past four years I have had the opportunity to get to know a man fighting cancer. He comes to my shows every month and his family says he looks forward to my music even if he is feeling sick or depressed. I don’t think many jobs can touch people the way music does. I may not always understand how, but I’ve come to realize that God is using my music for His glory. It’s a pretty awesome thing to be a part of.
Hanging out with my parents every weekend makes it a bit difficult to have a typical social life. I have to give up a lot of time with friends, but they all understand how important music is to me. I’m really happy I’ve made the decision not to have a typical Miami experience. So what’s next for your music career? I would love to have a career in music. I’ve come to realize that I can always hope for something more, but it’s important to enjoy where I am right now, and right now I’m going to keep playing as much as I can.
You’re an education major. How do you plan to incorporate music into your classroom? I’m student-teaching in third grade right now, and I love to bring my guitar in the classroom What is it like playing with your and sing with the kids. After each father? chapter book we read together I I’m pretty blessed to be born write a song using characters and into a family that has the greatest events from the book. I usually guitar player I’ve ever met - and a How do you juggle school and choose a song the kids know like your music career? walking Wikipedia when it comes “Party in the USA” and rewrite the Balancing the academic part to music. We can definitely drive lyrics. It’s pretty funny getting to each other crazy sometimes, but of school with music has actually sing Miley with a bunch of kids. been pretty easy. If there is ever at the end of the day he is still I just wonder what they tell their my dad and I love getting to play a question of whether or not to parents when they go home. play a show or spend an extra with him. night of studying the answer is www.annaandmilovan.com obvious. Music always wins. fall 33
The Spill
We chatted up the newest addition to angst-ridden rockers Spill Canvas’ quartet, guitarist Dan Ludeman after their gig at Miami University this past October for a little game of get-to-know-you.
would just tour around playing the same songs by himself. Eventually, it grew and grew and formed into a full a band. Then it sort of took on its own personality as the rock band you hear today.
How did you guys get started? Spill Canvas got started with Nick Thomas. It originally started out as a solo acoustic project, and he
What are some of you struggles or setbacks? For a lot of bands today with the economy and the state that its in,
Pomegranates They might call Cincinnati home, but this quartet has been busy for the past few years. Bassist Joey Cook, guitarists Isaac Karns and Dan Lyon, and drummer Jacob Merritt have released four albums and toured with the impressive likes of French Kicks, Peter Bjorn and John, Islands, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and Spoon. Merritt took the time to answer some questions in between shows on their current tour, which is part solo and part with Oh No Oh My. How would you describe your music? Psychedelic, dreamy pop music. What do you love about performing? What do you dislike? Creating something that means something to people, and makes their lives a little better. I dislike the amount of sleep I get. It seems to make it hard to stay healthy and chipper.
written by lauren kelly photo courtesy of pomegranates
What musicians or bands do you admire? A few I would say would be T. Rex, Sparklehorse, and Spiritualized. They all have created a very identifiable aesthetic for themselves, which to me is a defining characteristic for music that has a chance to still be on people’s minds 20 years from now. What do you think makes for a successful band? Bands that create music that sticks with people and makes them think. Where do you hope your music careers go from here? We would love to get to the point where we could support ourselves financially with the band while still making music we believe in.
http://www.myspace.com/pomegranatesart 34 fall
Canvas its very hard for bands on the road to keep doing it because cross country travel is very expensive. People aren’t buying as much merchandise and this a problem for bands everywhere. A lot of bands are touring less and less because they can’t afford to so its definitely a hardship that a lot of bands experience but we’re lucky enough that we are able to be on tour right now so it’s great.
written by allison mitchell
What’s the most exciting part? The most exciting part is probably the moment you walk on stage and people start cheering. That point of the show is sort of a blank canvas. It can go anyway you want it to go. It can be a good show, bad show, it’s limitless potential. Where do you get the inspiration for your songs? Some of the newer songs have been more of a collaborative thing, where we’ve just kind of thrown some ideas around and come up
with something cool and original. But most of the songs the inspiration comes from our lives. What would be the ultimate high for the band in your eyes? The ultimate high would be to continue playing shows like this but instead of being the opening band, we were the main band. Just being able to do it every year and tour the country and play to thousands of people every night. I think that’s every guy in a band’s dream. http://www.thespillcanvas.com/
written by coco mcnatt photo courtesy of NOTAR
NOTAR (real name: Mike Notar) is many things: charismatic lyricist, up-and-coming hip hop artist, and fresh off a summer tour with the Counting Crows. _Up learned more about the University of Dayton graduate. What genre would you consider your music to be? I definitely think its hip hop or rap, but I like to consider rap as a tool within other music. I think music is music. Everyone is concerned with fitting in the mold of what type of genre their music is and how it is going to sell. I think my music is a mixture, but if I had to pick one, I would say hip hop.
What is the most exciting part of being musician? Creating lyrics out of thin air. I am looking outside my window in New York right now and to think about how I could turn what I am looking at into something symbolic is awesome. If you’re able to do that, then see the people’s faces while performing, it means the most. What do you find most challenging? My biggest struggle is the “hurry up and wait.” I am always running around like chicken with my head
cut off to finish my song, and then I have to sit around and wait for someone to pick it up. I have to say the struggles are what add to good music. If I didn’t experience the struggles I have so far, I wouldn’t have half the songs I do. If you had everything your way what would the future of your band look like? I just want to get out there and perform, promote and work hard. But I’ll never be satisfied. I could win eight Grammy awards and I would never be satisfied. www.notarnyc.com
How did you get into music? I was a trumpet player when younger but I wanted to play music that I didn’t have to carry around in a case. I wanted to use the weapon between my ears. I can express more vocally through rap than on a trumpet.
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rough rider styled by brittany onello, lauren paulson, and michael bloom photo by alexander newman
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On Him: Leather jacket, Metro Park, $150; Black tie, Calvin Klein; All other stylist and model owned
photo by alexander newman
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photo by kaitlyn rowsey
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photo by kaitlyn rowsey On Him: Black leather jacket, Metro Park, $150; Blue leather jacket, G by Guess, $100; Blue/green plaid shirt, J. Crew, $40; Everything else stylist and model owned.
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what’s my age again? The Freshman 15: do’s and don’ts for your Miami experience
written by oriana pawlyk photography by ben philabaum
Here at Miami University, anything is possible. Every week could be the best week of your life…or the worst. Here is a list of ways you can make your mark, as a first year and beyond - and some ways we’d recommend you don’t.
DO: 1. Make yourself known to your professors. At some point in your college career, you will need recommendation letters. 2. Use condoms. It’s just a nobrainer. And if they’re giving them out for free at the clinic or at the Hub, take a bunch. 3. Look into places where you can get healthy alternatives, like Hydrations or Cold & Hot Scott. 4. “Take advantage of the rec. The freshman 15 can be real!” – Michelle DeGrandis, 21 5. Be courteous of your roommate situation. Treat your roommate how you want to be treated, otherwise you may find yourself sleeping in the common areas of your dorm. 6. Keep a hook-up buddy from home. Winter break could get boring. 7. Utilize the campus resources such as the Howe Writing Center, IT Services, the Rinella Learning Center, or the Student Counseling Services. There are people all over this campus who can help you when something goes wrong or when you’re stressing out. 8. Keep in touch with the friends you were close with in high school. They still matter! "Shit gets awkward when you go home for Thanksgiving if you don’t keep in touch." –Katie Tibbs, 20 9. Be yourself. You might try to fit into the Miami mold, but people can see through your fake 40 fall
façade. The more you are yourself, the more people will like you. Don’t forget who you were before college! 10. Try to talk to someone new everyday. “Maybe the girl in your English class with the cute boots or the guy who likes the same music as you down the hall, never be afraid to approach them. You might just find your new best friend.” – Ali Zaren, 21 11. Go sledding if Miami gets a snow day. It’s a great time to have fun with your friends, and the best part is there’s no class! 12. Pull a late night…and we
don’t mean at King. 13. Learn popular house names off-campus. That way you’ll know where the party is just from the house name. Learn street names, too! 14. Become a part of some campus organization. The more activities you add to your resume the better, but more importantly, you can have fun with the new people you meet. 15. Take a class in a random subject outside your major. Some of those classes will teach you more than you would have ever expected. Maybe you’ll even get lucky and have a cute TA.
“Every week could be the best week of your life...or the worst.”
DON’T: 1. Hook-up with the majority of one frat or sorority. Your name will hit social websites sooner than you think. If you think people are whispering about you when you walk by, they probably are. 2. Get into the habit of skipping class. Your freshman year lays the foundation for your GPA for all of your four years here. 3. Forget to tip at Bagel and Deli, but watch how generous you are. “I tipped them $26 on accident, because I put the decimal point in
7. Try to hide your campus map when walking down the street. Most people see that you’re trying to hide it. “I was walking down the street, trying to be sneaky with my map, and I tripped and fell; the map went flying out into the street. And then everyone noticed I was a freshman.” -Coco McNatt, 21 8. Walk home by yourself. The buddy system was never and will never be overrated. 9. Go to class on Green Beer Day. Save your absent days for that day. You will save yourself a whole lot of embarrassment. 10. Run into St. Mary’s Church thinking you’re safe from the cops there. You’re not. 11. Bombard charity events at the Phi Delt gates after a late night uptown, you might wake up with pancakes or cookies in your purse. 12. Post stupid pictures of the wrong place on the receipt.” yourself on Facebook. It’s bad for -- Abbie Schwab, 20 your future, and for the rest of us 4. “Don’t misplace your wallet who have to look at them. only to realize you left it in the pants that you can’t seem to find 13. Wear a lanyard or carry overstuffed backpacks. You might either.” – Mark Palcan, 2 as well carry around a mega 5. Walk downstairs naked to get phone and announce, “Freshman your Jimmy John’s. People will see you, and the delivery guy will on deck!” when you enter every building. be scared of you. 6. Dance on Stadium’s bar stools. 14. Harass your Resident Assistants. They mean well (most of “I saw two students dancing the time), and being on their bad on bar stools once. Before the side is not something you want. bouncers could get there, they both fell into the crowd of people 15. Ask a girl whom you just made out with for her friend’s on the dance floor.” -- Jordan number. That’s rude. Jamieson, 20
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“Video Killed the Radio Star” written by zachary workman photography by sarah robison
From the memorable to the bizarre, music videos are something with which we have all grown up and experienced. In 1981, with the birth of MTV, the concept of the music video has been a consistent facet of every young adult’s life. For some, a music video is a piece of brief entertainment; for others, a music video serves as personal inspiration, from attitude to style. Here are four influential music videos that present guys and girls with unique, interesting ways to push his or her fashion boundaries.
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Michael Jackson—“Thriller” Released in 1983, this is cited as one of the best music videos of all-time. Fourteen minutes long, it is an epic tale beginning with a romantic date and concluding in that famous dance scene with Jackson grooving alongside the living dead. While those familiar with the music video may initially be drawn to the iconic red leather jacket sported by Jackson throughout the course of the dance scene, there are other more practical fashion options which men can sport on a daily basis. The most prevalent of these are found in the first few minutes of the music video. In the date scene, Jackson models a red and gold varsity letter jacket. While readers may at first be taken aback (A varsity letter jacket? At college?!), it can be done. For the fall season, multiple men’s clothiers have released letterman jackets. This is an item which can keep you warm on those Saturday afternoons at Skipper’s, not to mention add a classic American look to your wardrobe. Just avoid your varsity letters. (We're looking at you, freshmen!) The couple then walks to retrieve gas for the character’s conveniently empty vehicle and the camera pans to the couple’s shoes. Jackson’s date wears a pair of saddle shoes and Jackson’s character wears a pair of loafers. Both, simply put, are two versatile, time-tested options for the fall.
Saddle shoes found their heyday with school kids in the mid1950s; after being glossed over for many years, men’s designers from Bass to Cole Haan are consistently releasing new and improved options. On the other end of the spectrum, a gentleman can never go wrong with a pair of loafers. Paired with either dress slacks or chinos, they are a more casual option than bucks. Gentlemen, quit pretending your Sperry’s are appropriate for formal situations and invest. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” The lead single from the group’s album of the same name, this song is a classic—one that can be heard now and again in uptown Oxford. In the music video, Jett wears an all-leather outfit, perfectly summarizing her establishmentbreaking badass-ery. While oftentimes leather motorcycle jackets are associated with James Dean, the Ramones, and other male icons, Jett embraced the item with such definitive and thoroughly feminine style. Whether worn for a theme party or a night Uptown, leather jackets display a fun, rebellious attitude. When it comes to a purchase, look for legitimate leather and aim for a snug, classic look. Keep in mind that it is a flexible clothing choice—girls can pair it with anything from denim to a skirt, making for fun, sexy results.
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Vampire Weekend – “Oxford Comma” This is a noticeable departure from our two previous ideas. Vampire Weekend, often chided in the music press as being Ivy League blue bloods, present a style similar to the brick streets of our beloved Oxford. As the video commences, Vampire Weekend’s lead singer, the ever-debonair Ezra Koenig, struts across a field in a white suit with a grey oxford beneath it. While fashion purists will often cite the Labor Day rule, white and its cousin beige can be sported year round if paired with a darker item, such as a navy v-neck sweater or cardigan. They allow a certain sense of sartorial freedom without being too showy. Ezra’s style, however, is not the only notable part of the video. As the band reassembles for a few bars of their hit, both drummer Chris Baio and Chris Thomson teach us a lesson oftentimes overlooked: simplicity is key. On the drums, Baio sports a black three-piece suit, white oxford, and slim tie; Thomson opts for trim slacks, a blue oxford buttondown, and a white cardigan. For men, a three-piece suit is versatile. The wearer can opt to forgo the vest and merely wear the suit and jacket, or even discard the previous two items in favor of a button down and jeans. Furthermore, a cardigan is ideal for those oncoming brisk fall nights. The wearer can pair it with a dress shirt or a t-shirt alongside khakis or jeans, and can even wear a slimmer knit beneath a suit jacket. Cardigans are warm, comfortable, and practical— plus you can look like a rock and roller and not Mr. Rogers.
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As she dips down the hallway, her outfit is simple yet memorable
She & Him – “In the Sun” The fourth selection comes from the recently-formed outfit She & Him. Comprised of actress/musician Zooey Deschanel and Bright Eyes collaborator M. Ward, the duo rose to prominence in 2008 with the release of their first album, Volume One. Their second LP, Volume Two, was released in 2010, launching a series of revered singles in the world of indie rock. The video for “In the Sun” showcases, humorously, Zooey Deschanel’s dance moves. As she dips down the hallway, her outfit is simple but memorable— black tights, a flowing black skirt, belt, and white club collar blouse. At first glance, her outfit may seem simple—even bland. But sometimes simplicity is key. How about opting for something you can wear two, five, ten years from now? For ladies, a simple black skirt and blouse can serve as a wardrobe mainstay. The combination is multifaceted, finding itself appropriate anywhere from that next internship interview to a night out with friends. Furthermore, the simplicity of the outfit allows it to be customized to the wearer’s liking. Whereas bold outfits require understated accessories, this look caters specifically to women with attention to details—one can wear the chunky bangles, the extravagant necklace, the loud shoes—without feeling out of place.
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LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL AROUND THE
WORLD notes move farther and faster on a global scale written b
y courtney day
“G
et in a taxi in Bulgaria and what are
they listening to?” asks Tom Garcia, Miami University professor of ethnomusicology. “Everything.” It’s not uncommon to hear American music and Western European music right alongside Bulgarian music on the radio. This is not a Bulgarian phenomenon -- it happens all over the world. Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” was number one on Greece’s top charts, for example. The tango, an Argentinean style of music and dance, is surprisingly popular in Finland and Japan. If one thing is clear in the music world, it’s that popular music knows no borders. Globalization and advanced communication technology has created a lot more movement in the music world according to Garcia. “Movement, but not true diversity,” he says.
GLOBAL MOVEMENT Various musical styles have undoubtedly moved across the globe. Garcia gives another example. Hip hop music and culture is popular in Luxembourg, where he says you’ll see young people wearing, “hip hop duds 46 fall
with a Yankee cap and White Sox jersey.” An originally West African and African American genre has made its way to Europe and influenced the music, dress and lifestyle of young people in Luxembourg. Garcia explains the movement and transformation of musical styles in three phases: borrowing, adopting, and adapting. First, he says, a society hears music and imitates it. Then they make it their own and begin to modify it. When music is transplanted into another region or another culture, it takes on a new life. Chris Tanner, Miami music professor and director of the Miami University Steel Band, says, “Human beings are constantly interacting with other cultures, and then choosing whether or not to use or to adapt the knowledge gained through these interactions into their own ways of doing things.” Pop music is one example of a globally adapted musical form. Indi-pop, or Indian pop music, adapts British and American pop influences by combining them with traditional Indian folk music.
That probably accounts at least part of the success of Indian composer A.R. Rahman. Known for his outstanding film scores and soundtracks, he’s a master at meshing cultural influences and genres into unique styles.
STATE OF FLUX While new types of music evolve and develop, traditional forms of music migrate to other regions, coexist, mix or sometimes disappear. According to Garcia, governments in some West African countries such as Ghana are actively sponsoring traditional music as a way of keeping their local culture from disappearing. Similarly, fears about westernization and the loss of local culture led Iran to ban popular music in the 1970s. Since the ban has been lifted, Iranian rock music is thriving. Iranian artists have borrowed western styles and adapted them -- but it’s still Iranian music. “Human cultures are in a state of continual flux,” Tanner explains. Tanner also notes that American culture now is not the same as it was in 1950, but that doesn’t mean American culture has disappeared.
ACQUIRED TASTE Music has been described as a universal language for so long that many people don’t bat an eye when the term is used. But while Garcia, Tanner and Ricardo Averbach, also a music professor and Miami’s Director of Orchestral Studies, acknowledge similarities
”Music is universal in that every human culture that exists has music in some way,” Tanner explains. But when asked whether music really is a universal language, “I say, vehemently, no.” According to Tanner, the concept of music itself is universal, but people’s understanding of musical sounds and styles differ. Averbach agrees. “We know what it is to understand spoken language when someone speaks with you, but what it is to understand music?” Averbach asks. “I can argue that if you play music by Mozart or by the Beatles to a forgotten tribe lost in a remote area in the middle of nowhere, would they be able to ‘understand’ this music? I don’t think so.” Averbach quoted Clive Bell, art critic, about the universality of art, who said, “The feelings that [music] awakens are independent of time and place.” This is why art is universal, Averbach says, but that does not mean everyone will understand it. “The experience of art is an acquired taste.”
“
THE FEELINGS THAT MUSIC AWAKENS ARE INDEPENDANT OF TIME AND PLACE
between music and verbal languages, there are other areas where they say that comparison falls short. fall 47
LIFE IS A
SONG written by olivia krawczyk photography by caitlin wilson
“No matter what has ever come to me I got my own brand of company I got da, da, da inside my head and I play songs back to back until I go to bed.” Snooze. 8:30 a.m. No way, Kate. No. Way. 5…no, 10 more minutes… “It only takes me 5 minutes to get to class anyway” I reassuringly lie to myself as my mind very willingly floats back into my dreams. 10 short minutes later Kate Earl serenades me back into consciousness. I squint at the time glowing on my phone. 8:40 a.m. Class at 9:00 am. Not good. I bound out of bed, snatch the first shirt I see and quickly throw it on my body. I wore this shirt 2 days ago; no one will notice. Brush my teeth. Wash my face. Quickly glance at myself in my $15 mirror. I grab my bag off of the floor, untangle my ear buds, and place them in my ears. Turn on iPod. Kate Earl’s “Melody” once again. Out the door. “Walking waking on a crowded street With my headphones loud So my hips can swing, so my head can nod To the rock and roll to the boom
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boom beat. I feel my footsteps hit the pavement to the beat of the song. My iPod dictates my pace. I’m late. Really late. Pick a new song, one that will move me along.”
Remind me the things last night I should have left unsaid So please forgive the words I use, my mind it tends to run Away with the small ideas, I know I’m not the only one.”
Back. Select Artist: Matt Costa. Select. “Oh Dear”
9:03 am. Right on time. Kind of. Remove ear buds. Turn off. I loop my iPod into a thread of a soft, nurturing white cord before placing it in my bag for safekeeping.
My pace quickens. Just as planned. And I realize through charming tempo, I didn’t just choose this song for the rhythm, but for the lyrics, too. It happens - whether I like it or not, debris from yesterday’s conversation litter my mind. Things were said, doubts surfaced, feelings were hurt, and egos were bruised. I forced myself to sleep, emotionally exhausted. I woke with a heavy feeling of regret. This morning, I choose a song that temporarily makes sense of my confusion and blame it on my urge for a cheery beat. As the song eloquently threads in and out of my ears, last night is on replay. Maybe they didn’t mean what they said. Maybe I didn’t mean what I said. Maybe I should apologize. If only Matt Costa could do it for me. “Early in the morning clouds are dropping on my head
Fast Forward. Play. “Go girl, it’s your birthday Open wide, I know you’re thirsty Say aah Say aah We don’t buy no drinks at the bar We pop champagne ‘cause we got that dough Let me hear you say ash” 3:00 p.m., and I’m on my way to my first job interview. No, it’s not my birthday, yes, I’m a little parched and no I have no intention of throwing back a bottle of bubbly right now. And yet, I need “Say Aah” by Trey Songz to pump me up for these next pivotal thirty minutes. I’m not looking for a lyrical advice. I need to be loose. I need a song to take the pressure off the serious stuff, and what
better way than to hear a song about my birthday? Good times. Solid choice. I shyly enter the building, “Say aah” blaring into my ear drums. I take a seat to a fellow contender and watch as she nervously fiddles her fingers until her name is called. I’m tempted to offer her an ear bud. She might need this song more than I do. People glance at me periodically, probably because I’m starting at them. It’s a problem. I smile to myself because my expression is so ponderous, they probably think I’m listening to a ballad of some sort, that I have a nerves clustered in the pit of my stomach. I feel like I should tell them I’m listening to a rap song in preparation for my interview, and I feel just great, but some things are better left unsaid. Fast Forward. Play. 8:00 p.m. Walk in, scan the premises. Rec time. Everyone here is so good-looking. The ever pleasing “No Cardio Sign-Up” is posted. Fantastic. Waltz over to the ARC machine and oh no. no no. It’s that kid from my Monday-Wednesday class. Why is he always here? We’ve chatted enough, but it’s still uncomfortable when we cross pathways outside of class. Should I say hi or walk away? I’ve got a better
idea. Cue the iPod. Nothing says I’m politely ignoring you like, “Oh no! I had my headphones in, so I probably didn’t hear you.” Good save. Turn on. Playlists: Choose: Work Out Playlist: Select: “Paper Planes” by M.I.A: Play. “All I wanna do is BANG BANG BANG BANG! And (KKKAAAA CHING!) And take your money” This takes me back. I’m 19-yearsold at a “social gathering” and M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” shockingly made it to the party playlist, the crowd went wild, and within seconds I terrifyingly watched everyone scream that all they wanted to do was *bang bang bang* while pretending to shoot each other and _ka-ching and take each other’s money. Dance away, pretend to shoot me and take my money. Fine by me. I’m picking up my pace on the machine when my earbuds are dominated by the down swing of my arm. My iPod is awkwardly dangling between the swinging of the ARC machine’s legs. Everyone is staring, including the weird kid from my class. Great. Mount the machine once again. That never happened.
Fast Forward. I’m exhausted. Here I am. I’m lying down. I’m contemplative and I need music. Each beat sinks me deeper into my bed, until I fall asleep to the comfort of the words. Turn on. Select Sleepy Play list: Choose: “Life is a Song” by Patrick Park. Play. “You say life is a dream where we can’t say what we mean Maybe just some roadside scene that we’re driving past There’s no telling where we’ll be in a day or in a week And there’s no promises of peace or of happiness Well is this why you cling to every little thing And pulverize and derange all your senses Maybe life is a song but you’re scared to sing along Until the very ending”
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Forty-six years ago, the history of music was changed forever when four boys from Liverpool came to the United States for the first time. If it weren’t for Sid Bernstein, however, they might never have made it. Bernstein spurred the British invasion of the 1960’s by bringing The Beatles, across the pond for one of their first concerts. Born in 1918 and adopted by Israel and Ida Bernstein, Bernstein grew up in the Harlem area of New York City. Often called by his Hebrew name Simcha, which means “happiness” and is symbolic of celebration, Bernstein believed this was a sign for his future in the music and entertainment business. When he was 12, he would sneak into the Apollo Theater to see the performers, where he became captivated by the world of musical entertainment.
After serving in France during World War II, Bernstein was working as an independent music promoter back in the Bronx when he read in a copy of an English newspaper he obtained about what would soon become a pop culture phenomenon.
After that fateful newspaper read, Bernstein took the kind of risk he later became known for when he contacted the Beatles’ then-manager Brian Epstein. He desperately tried to persuade Epstein to get the group to come to America and play.
“I had been reading about [the Beatles] in Liverpool, about how popular they were,” says Bernstein. “I thought, ‘I have to get them’.”
“He had told me when I first contacted him, ‘I don’t know if we’ll sell any tickets,” said Bernstein. “’I don’t want to bring them unless we sell a hit record ([in the U.S.].’”
Bernstein started his own music promoting company, credited for promoting legendary Mambo and Latino artist Tito Puente. It was a driving force in the introduction of Latin music to mainstream music in the 1960’s. Bernstein also began breaking racial barriers in the music industry around the time of Martin Luther King, Jr., by bringing legendary artists James Brown and Ray Charles off the “black-only” music circuit and promoting them at mainstream concert venues.
Bernstein had a different idea in mind. He proposed the group travel to New York City and play in one of the most famous venues in the United States: Carnegie Hall. Epstein agreed to the idea if Bernstein could generate enough interest in the group over in the States. Bernstein made sure the Beatles’ hit UK singles played at several radio stations in New York. With word traveling fast and the popular music traveling faster, the music was soon heard across the country, blaring on radio stations as far away as Seattle.
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Bernstein’s extraordinary instincts took a year to take off, but the effort was well worth the wait. The Beatles were booked to play their first U.S. concert at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, February 12, 1964, after their first U.S. appearance on the famed variety program The Ed Sullivan Show. Performers considered an appearance on the show, which ran for over two decades, as a guarantee of stardom. Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, and the Jackson 5 all took Sullivan’s stage at the helm of their careers. Before the Beatles came to the United States, their single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” had sold 2.6 million copies in the States. Although they were nervous about how they would be received because their music had only been playing in the States for a few weeks, the Beatles were still most excited about playing their music for others. “They were just very happy that they could play their music,” Bernstein remembers.
“The boys couldn’t wait to get back to Liverpool. They couldn’t wait to tell their friends about America.” Bernstein also brought other famous British music groups to America - the Kinks, the Moody Blues, and the Rolling Stones, to name a few, making him one of the most important behindthe-scenes faces of the British invasion during the 1960’s. Many of the musicians Bernstein promoted remember him by as friendly and courteous, and always putting his family and friends first, just as his Hebrew name suggested. This likable manner transferred over to the artists he helped to promote. Bernstein has especially fond memories of the Beatles. “The most memorable thing about their concert was after the show, when I went back to talk to them,” Bernstein says. “They were the age of my sons, and, much like my boys, had very nice attitudes. They also found American girls very pretty and wondered where they could meet some.”
After the Beatles returned to Liverpool, they held 12 positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, including the top five in the States. Bernstein is the author of Not Just the Beatles, published in November 2000, in which he details his life before and after promoting the Beatles. He is also the subject of a documentary, _Sid Bernstein Presents…, which was released February 2010. The Beatles returned to the States in August of 1964 after a world tour. They did 34 concerts in 23 cities. The music could hardly be heard over the screaming fans - in fact, the fans were so loud, they cancelled the tour. The Beatles music continued to last long through the 1960s, becoming a cultural milestone in history. Bernstein knew his initial spark of interest in the Beatles could potentially win them success, but had no idea that this band would turn into one of the most musically influential giants that we know today.
universe the real story of the man behind Beatlemania written by rachel sacks photography Flickr Creative Commons - Junipaire
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for your
The story behind the rivalry: two very distinct groups of talented chaps with serious singing chops.
entertainment Remnants vs. Cheezies
written by jen heuerman and lauren pax photography by ben philabaum
Whether it’s serenading sorority girls or singing at athletic events, Miami University students know there are two all-male a cappella groups to call upon. Members of Team Cheezies and Team Remnants walk the streets of High, Spring and Campus proudly supporting their group, but who is number one? Where did this rivalry begin? More importantly, what exactly is the difference? And which came first? The Cheezies got their start in 1989 when five members of the Men’s Glee Club started their own group called “5 Guys in Cheezie Jackets.”The group began singing “Barbershop” music in floral-printed blue ruffled jackets. (Talk about a cheesy jacket.) The Cheezies continued their barbershop tradition, the only singing group unique from Glee Club. By 1999, Miami had several small a cappella groups. None of these groups were overwhelmingly successful, so two Glee Club members handpicked the best from each of the small groups. These were the “remnants” of the acappella groups, and so the Remnants were born. A new all-male group had arrived on campus.
Some of the first members of the Remnants had originally been Cheezies, which caused some animosity between these two prominent groups. This rivalry has continued throughout the years, which in turn has created the two very unique groups Miami knows today. Enter a room full of Cheezies: there’s constant laughter, sarcastic comments, and an abundance of jokes. “The Remnants are a little more shirt and tie and the Cheezies are a little more Polo,” says Cheezie Michael Bearer. The Cheezies play ice hockey together, and go camping, bear hunting, underwater golfing and skydiving. “[The Remnants] don’t aim to be cheesy, we’re just more laid-back. We focus on the music, they focus on the entertainment,” explains senior Remnant, Paul Sauter. While the Cheezies may do more outrageous things, including their weight-lifting program “Cheezies Get Big”, the Remnants do everything together. They hang out together uptown and at each other’s houses but always end up singing together. In fact, sometimes they’ll even get free bagels at Bagel & Deli by singing for the workers. “We’re best friends first and a group of singers second,” says Jaymin Dharia.
Misfitz- All female a cappella group. Was the only all female a cappella group before this year. Now there is also a new (yet much smaller) group joining. Cheezies- All male a cappella group. One of two. Consists of 14 men who are all also a part of Men’s Glee Club (a requirement for joining). Remnants- The second all male a cappella group. Also consists of 14 guys who are all a part of Men’s Glee Club (again, a requirement for joining). Mergers- A mixed group of both male and female performers. All of these groups are strictly a cappella, meaning they do not perform with music.
Ryan Cosby, a junior Remnant, says that being a Remnant is all about “embracing the close brotherhood and creating something emotional you can’t express without music.” While the two groups have distinctive personalities, the qualifications for membership are almost identical. There is an audition process in which the person auditioning performs for both groups and marks which group he would prefer to join. Candidates must be members of the Men’s Glee Club, have a passion for music, and, of course, have impressive pipes for solos. Tradition is also a big aspect for each group. The Cheezies tour high schools. “Every summer, the week after school ends, we tour and go to different high schools to encourage males to focus in school and remind them that the arts are more than just required,” says Cheezie member, Rich Siccone. “We did a Canada tour, a mid-west tour, and a New York City tour. The arts and music are dying, we’re trying to encourage male singers to not let that happen.” For the Remnants, their more serious side makes an appearance every year when they sing at “Julie’s Weekend”, a service held in honor of Julie Turnbull who died in a house fire off campus here at Miami. “It’s the most emotional gig we do,” said Jaymin Dharia. “We don’t do anything meaningless.” Even with their different musical styles, personalities, and traditions, the two groups remain unified within Men’s Glee club. The battle will continue as long as the two groups exist, but in the end, they say, they’re all brothers in song, and the rivalry is as much of a performance as their concerts. As Cheezie Jarod Garel says, “We have a friendly rivalry, but we’re all Glee Club brothers.”
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don’t stop
believing
Miami’s acapella groups get Gleeful
written by jen heureman and lauren pax photography by ben philabaum styled by kaitlyn rowsey and lauren paulson
Up: How are you like the character you are being compared to? Adam: Mr. Shuester is nerdy and loves music. I am the exact same way. However, he can dance, which is a skill that I lack. And he is good looking, which is a skill I also lack. Paul: A badass I am because I aspired to have a child in high school, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful…dot dot dot… Meredith: I’m the president of Misfitz and Rachel pretends to be the president of Glee. Plus, we’re both Jewish! Up: How is the show different from or similar to clubs at Miami? Adam: It’s a television show. The clubs at Miami are nothing like the show, and have a lot of fun. There is much less drama. Michael: Well, although we both love to perform, we can’t just bust into a fully choreographed song without practicing. Billy: No one at Miami breaks out into perfect harmony with choreographed dance moves and then walks to class like nothing happened. Up: Do you watch the show Glee? If so, did the show inspire you at all? Meredith: I’m obsessed. Literally the biggest Gleek. Billy: No, but I did meet the lead girl in New York City before she was in the show. Joy: I love Glee! The show inspires me to be myself and not let others define me. I never miss a show. Up: What is your favorite part about your organization/singing at Miami? Rachel: Singing with the girls is my favorite break from studying in the middle of the week.
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From left to right, Mercedes (Model - Joy Davis): Shirt, Forever21, $24.80; Motorcycle tights, Nordstrom, $54.00; Fur vest, Off Saks Fifth Avenue, $60.00 Kurt (Model - Michael D’Elia): Fedora, Forever21, $12.95 Tina (Model - Lexi Baltazar): Skirt, Hot Topic, $28.00; Hat, H&M, $12.95; Jacket, Forever21, $22.80
Lexi: I love the friendships I’ve made. These girls are my family, my best friends. The memories we’ve made are unbelievable. Paul: Definitely getting hooted and hollered at by all the lovely ladies when we sing. I also love all the good times I have with Remnants. Sometimes those times are too good! Up: What are your opinions and/ or comments about the show?
Lexi: The show has shown the world that even the kids in theater, musicals and choir can be the cool kids. It puts a different spin on being an individual. Meredith: It’s new, fresh and every geeky choir kid’s dream! Michael: It’s the best show ever! Well, sort of. Sometimes it’s random, but it’s fun and makes people happy. It addresses real issues that a lot of shows avoid.
who’s who?
Rachael Taylor- Glee character Emma Pillsbury: guidance counselor, complicated Michelle Bontems - Glee character Quinn Fabray: used to be popular, kind of mean Michael D’Elia- Glee character Kurt Hummel: fabulous, fashionable, dramatic Lexi Baltazar - Glee character Tina: timid, insecure, hides a lot of pent up emotion Meredith Schoenberger - Glee character Rachel Berry: uptight, controlling, star Joy Davis - Glee character Mercedes Jones: sassy, loud, diva, confident Paul Sauter - Glee character Puck: horny, rebellious, punk Billy Brunner - Glee character Finn Hudson: athletic, talented, random, wants to be popular Adam Saxe - Glee character Will Schuester: optimistic and passionate club director
Puck (Model Paul Sauter): Corduroy shirt, H&M, $29.95 Quinn (Model - Michelle Bontems): Dress, Macy’s, $36.75
Mr. Schu (Model - Adam Saxe): Shirt, Express, $59.90 Emma (Model Rachael Taylor): Skirt, H&M, $32.95
Finn (Model Billy Brunner): Vest, H&M, $49.95; Shirt, H&M, $24.95 Rachel (Model - Meredith Schoenberger): Cardigan, H&M, $29.95; Skirt, Macy’s, $59.00
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r y ou ne a
Eco-fashion, from an i
e
written by bridget vis photography by caitlin wilson styled by annekash dobbins
nd u s t r y t
Elaborate gowns made of recycled lampshades and crystal chandeliers. Unisex clothing made from plastic bottles. An entire collection hand-woven from repurposed fabrics dyed by fresh fruit and flowers. These are just a few standouts at New York Green Fashion Week Spring 2011. These eye-popping looks of the Green Shows symbolize the evolving nature of sustainability in fashion and provide some insight as to what being “green,” “ecofriendly” and “sustainable” actually mean. But to fully understand, one has to look briefly into ecofashion’s origins to appreciate the significance of this curious movement. The “Eco-Fashion: Going Green” exhibition at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) museum, which was on display from May 26 to November 13 this past year, explores the connection between fashion and the environment through an assortment of over 100 garments. The exhibition begins its investigation with the oldest piece in their collection, a silk brocade grown circa 1760. The “Eco-Fashion: Going Green” exhibition at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) museum, which was on display from May 26 to November 13 this past year, explores the
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o t he
or t s runway t o a
connection between fashion and the environment through an assortment of over 100 garments. The exhibition begins its investigation with the oldest piece in their collection, a silk brocade grown circa 1760. The gown is considered a foundation for early sustainability because it was made for beauty and to endure a delicate process of hand-weaving the silk on a loom. This idea of making clothing to last is an essential part of today’s fashion movement. The owner of Hemptations in Cincinnati, E.L. Beach, relates the roots of eco-fashion to his stores namesake, hemp. Hemp is a natural fiber four to six times stronger than cotton, and can be woven as smooth as silk or rough as burlap according to Beach. He says the Chinese have used hemp for thousands of years after realizing its advantages as a durable textile. In America, hemp was used first for clothing by the early pioneers.
“The sails on the ships and canvases on wagons were made of hemp,” Beach explains. “When they would get holes in them, the settlers would cut them up to make clothes out of them since the material was so strong it could be used again.” Founders realized the ability to reuse hemp made it very practical compared with other textiles.
This translated into the hippie eco-movement of the 1960s and 70s, when hemp was an integral part of the culture’s clothing, as they struggled to save the world through peace, love, and hemp. During the 1980s, the manufacturing process of clothing raised many questions. Chemical-rich synthetic garments and cotton-grown with the help of pesticides were being used to make most items. This was until the World Health Organization investigated manufacturing plants and discovered three million poisonings and 20 thousand deaths a year due to those chemicals and pesticides. Designers were spurred to devise better, safer means of producing clothes. Organic cotton and other non-toxic fabric are the results of this, but cheaper options to chemical-laced material are still a challenge designers’ face today. The publication of No Logo by Naomi Klein in 2000 marked the next industry-shaking event in the evolution of eco-fashion. In No Logo, Klein divulges the secret side of big brand names, emphasizing how most of them employ unfair labor practices. She describes the tragic death of one 22-year-old woman from Honduras as the result of the horrendous conditions she suffered while stitching garments for Liz Claiborne and The Gap. No Logo motivated the effort to buy fashion fair-trade, and to move from big labels to small, local designers. With the developing issues in the green fashion industry a few topics for sustainability emerge. The FIT exhibition lists them as the repurposing of material, material origins, dying and textile production, quality of craftsmanship, labor practices, and treatment of animals. Dan Korman, the owner of Park+Vine in Cincinnati, acknowledges that customers take these factors into consideration when shopping at his eco-friendly store in Cincinnati.
“From our experience, people are looking for a high-quality garment with a longer lifespan, that has little to no impact on natural resources, and is still affordable,” explains Korman. Affordability poses an obstacle to eco-fashion, so vintage and recycled clothing have become some of the latest trends instead of organic fibers. As seen on this season’s runway, many top designers are using old garments to make new, fashionforward pieces. Savvy shoppers can take advantage of this trend in their own neighborhoods at vintage stores.
“Vintage is sustainable because it doesn’t die by being thrown away or create an [environmental] impact by having to be shipped to you from another country,” says Katie Garber, owner of Cincinnati vintage store Atomic Number Ten. “You can give an item a new life and continue its story.” Garber thinks vintage fashion is an important beyond sustainability, as it gives fashionistas a chance to have a one-of-a-kind piece that will not cost a fortune either.
Where will eco-fashion travel next? It depends on who you ask. Beach at Hemptations says he hopes the eco-friendly fashion movement will continue to strengthen, but he’s afraid it might go back to the cult status of the 60s and 70s. “Maybe now that designers are making it mainstream it will remain trendy,” Beach says optimistically. Korman believes people will be persuaded into switching to eco-fashion to complete the sustainable lifestyle. “People come into my store looking for green diapers for their babies,” Korman explains. “Then they see apparel and make the connection to the clothing they are putting on their bodies.“ What’s next for the movement is uncertain. What is for certain is that materials like recycled lampshades, plastic bottle waste, and old hand-me-downs are being woven into the fashion of the future while vintage stores continue to draw shoppers around the country. All are small steps individuals are taking to sustain our planet, but together they can make a difference.
Clothing: Yellow v-neck, stylist’s own, Threads4Though (sustainable apparel), $10, threadsforthough. com; White graphic tee, stylist’s own, Forever21 (supports WWF), $12.80; Beaded necklaces (3), Juniper, Acacia Creations (handmade in Kenya, recycled material beads), $21.00 (long, single strand), $22.50 (short, double strand), $29.50 (mid-length, 5 strand) Makeup: All from Juniper, Azulene eye makeup remover, $12.38; Gabriel Mineral Makeup Zuzu Luxe Oil Free Liquid Foundation, $21.00, L-6 and L-19 Blush, $15.00; Haze Sunset Saharah Eyeshadow, $10.50
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E
very genre of music has its own fashion sense, and in the 1980s, a new style of music and of dress emerged, making an everlasting mark on hip hop. “Post war era, scholars point out, the hip hop generation has taken a key feature when it comes to fashion,” says American Studies professor Adrian Gaskins. “It comes to that very flashy style and colorful aesthetic pattern and bright colors apart of a larger African Diaspora way of dress.” Both the group called Run D.M.C and musician LL Cool J, the pioneers of rap, originated the craze behind hip hop fashion. New York was the epicenter for this movement. Graffiti, breakdancing, and free-styling inspired, and perhaps even defined, hip hop’s sense of fashion. Fans and other artists began to emulate Run D.M.C’s style. The group members topped off black leather jackets, Adidas sweatsuits, shell-toe Adidas sneakers with fat laces, and kangol hats with a thick gold rope chain. They made it cool to wear different things that ordinarily wouldn’t go together. People new to this style saw their look as crazy -- others saw it as art. “Hip hop has always been about swagger,” says Black World Studies professor Tammy Brown. “I remember my brothers acting like Run D.M.C wearing
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written by keiana smith- mcdowell photography by tiffany hall
these leather Adidas suits.” Brown’s story is reminiscent of many who grew up in the 80s and loved what hip hop music gave them -- something that they could connect with, a movement they could belong to. Then along came the Beastie Boys, the long-living rap group who made the classic album _License to Ill. The Beastie Boys set the tone for 1990s hip hop fashion with their laid-back hightop Nikes, denim jackets, and snapback hats. All white males, the boys made it cool for white kids around the world to adopt hip hop fashion. The songs were more upbeat, like “Hip Hop Hurray” and “The Humpty Dance.” People’s clothing began to reflect the optimism. The clothing embraced the mood and the message hip hop artists were trying to convey to the world through their music. The 90’s also brought about turmoil. Some artists, like Common Sense and A Tribe Called Quest, for example, made wearing colors like red, green, yellow, and black popular, reflected hip hop’s West African origin, as well as a sort of revolutionary message that reflected issues such as African genocide and wanting to educate people about their roots. “I’m a fan of old-school hip hop. Artists like X- Clan, Poor Righteous Teacher, and KRSOne were especially politi-
cally conscious and Afro centric,” Brown says. “Their message was to educate. They used the music as an educational tool to inform the youth of Black and African culture.” Gaskin agrees, but transitions says that the music is changing now. “[Then], people were rapping about the belief in possibility, of things getting better,” Gaskin explains. “It shapes fashion, how hip hop follows trends of youth culture. With an increase in technology and travel, styles and things move quickly now.” Today, hip hop artists wear more tailored and high end designer looks. Just look at Kanye West and Jay-Z. Kanye with his evolving everyday is a runway look wearing designers Phillip Lim and Dolce & Gabanna, and Jay-Z not in his fitted Armani suits and not fitted hats, also reflects the growth and maturity in the music they make now. Hip hop artists inspired people. What was once just a flair on the street became a creative way for people to express themselves. Music, one could argue, affected the fashion industry. Hip hop created - and still does create trends for people to emulate all over the world.
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t s o m al famous
styled by carly adkins and britney onello photography by callie andrews
on the set of the Up band’s first cover shoot 60 fall
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look this up section
64 fall
Book Review Laura L. Smith is an Oxford resident, a Miami University graduate, one half of a Miami Merger (her husband is a professor here), and the mother of four children. She is also the author of four successful books, Cantaloupe Trees, Skinny, Hot, and Angry. Still not sure why she’s in the Music Issue? Keep reading. written by lauren kelly photography by kelci house
How did you become a writer? The first story I can remember writing and realizing I wanted to be a writer was in second grade. I think it was my first writing assignment ever, on that paper that was half lined and half was for you to draw a picture. [Later] I was kind of like, I don’t know what do to, so I became a marketing major. After I had my first baby, my husband and I had one of those great heart-to-heart talks, like, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Which is funny, when you’re 29 and have a successful sales job and are married and you have a kid, but sometimes you move forward without even thinking about it. And he was just like, “Why don’t you just do it?” Your fifth book, Angry just came out on September 15. What are your books about? Skinny, Hot, and Angry are all a series that revolve around five high school friends. Each book changes the lens to go to another character and an issue she deals with. In Skinny, Melissa has an eating disorder, hot deals with sexuality - should you or shouldn’t you and what are the repercussions either way? Emma’s parents get a divorce in Angry. In the one I just finished, Raven’s brother dies in a car accident. So, things that are all very relevant to young people everywhere.
I hear you make CDs for your characters. I make playlists for them, really. It helps me get into character, because when I write, I have to see everything from through character’s eyes or else it’s not being authentic anymore. Melissa, from Skinny, she’s the most reserved and timid. She listens to Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, but she also listens to a lot of dance music because dance team is where she feels alive. In Hot, because it’s a romance, Lindsey listens to Tony Mac, “I’ll Be Waiting” by Lenny Kravitz, “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s, and “Perfect” by Smashing Pumpkins.
Up Playlist
And Emma, from Angry, she’s the fiery one. She listens to classic rock - U2, Third Day, more electric guitar. But she’s also in Les Miserables, so I listened to Les Mis and Pandora showtunes while I was writing it to get that dramatic feel. Also, her mom owns a paint-your-own-pottery store, so when Emma works there, it’s always coffeehouse music, so there’s some of that in the book, too. Who do you hope reads your books? I hope young women will read my books and be inspired, that they will find some sign of hope.
“Honest” - UZI “Three More Days” - Ray LaMontagne
“Lust for Life” - Girls “The Diamond Church Street Choir” - The Gaslight Anthem “The Lucky Ones” - Brendan James “Sigh No More” - Mumford & Sons “When I’m With You” - Best Coast “Cosmic Love” - Florence and the Machine “Angels” - Jason Damato Book photos: contributor photographs
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Music Reviews
Belle & Sebastian – Write About Love Available October 12th, 2010
This Scottish indie pop group hasn’t released a studio album since 2006, but this fall the seven members of Belle & Sebastian are back. Echoing, airy harmonies layer over repetitive keyboard parts and dance-inducing drum beats in the faster “I Want The World To Stop.” Some parts of the album are surprisingly mundane – “Calculating Bimbo” is predictable, just another song about a relationship falling apart. Other tracks, such as “The Ghost of Rockschool,” are relaxed but soulful, colored with a beautiful overlap of flutes, trumpets, electric guitar and soft voice parts. Though Write About Love isn’t particularly earth shattering in terms of musical creativity, overall the work is pleasant and harmonically sound. However, where in the past Belle & Sebastian have used humor and inventive lyrics to get across their messages,
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written by abby sapadin
Write About Love is conservative, tame, and repetitive. As the album title suggests, each of the tracks are indeed written about love in some capacity. It’s a likeable work, but because B&S do not bring much beyond a 1960’s rock flavor to the songs, it seems that writing about love can be a pretty dull endeavor. Notable Track: “I Didn’t See It Coming” is the first track on Write About Love. Led by Sarah Martin, the song is both catchy and laid-back, the simple piano and guitar lines giving it a gentle, sweet sound. This particular track discusses a lack of material wealth, made up for by the strength of love - “but we don’t have the money/ money makes the wheels in the world go ‘round/ forget about it honey.” It’s classic Belle & Sebastian, filled with joy and lovely vocal harmonies.
Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz Available October 12th, 2010
Though his Michigan and Illinois albums drew widespread acclaim in the mid-2000s, American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens’ project to record an album for each of the 50 states collapsed in 2006. After exploring the resonance of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and taking on various small projects, the Stevens has returned with an 85-minute mix of familiar and foreign textures, impassioned, primal lyrics, and an innovative take on musical aesthetics. Stevens merges indie folk with electronica in Adz, yielding subdued, ethereal tracks such as “Futile Devices”; blaring, squelching sounds like those in “Too Much”; and even danceable drum beats such as those in “I Want To Be Well,” layered alongside fluttering flute lines and distant singing.
written by abby sapadin
“Vesuvius” is a beautifully crafted hybrid of both Steven’s trademark lo-fi folk sound and various beeping and hissing electronic textures. Due to Steven’s use of synthesized, often callous sounds in his songs, The Age of Adz is not a particularly pretty listen. However, the pervasive themes of love and connection in Stevens’ lyrics render it an ardent, masterful work. Notable Track: “I Walked” is the fourth track on Adz. Restrained, repetitive electronic elements combine with a hushed, echoing choir and Stevens’ soft singing voice for a personal, fervent ballad. Opening with a question, ‘Lover, will you look at me now?’ the track further demonstrates Stevens’ emphasis on personal feelings and love that carry throughout the album.
Concert Outfits
photography by paige doscher styled by elise sexton
From left, Outfit 1: Blazer, Topshop, $50; Black tank, Topshop, &32; Belt, Poppy, $20; Shoes, Vintage Michael Kors, $60 Outfit 2: Leggins, Target, $12.99; Cheetah sweater, H&M, $39.95; Boots, Vintage Frye, around $700; Bag, Vintage Kenneth Cole, $180.00 Outfit 3: Dress, Daughters of the Revolution, $232; Belt, Zara, $20; Shoes, Vintage Michael Kors, $60
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Alex McNulty, First-year
U
Jenny Radis, Sophomore
Erica Raftery, Sophomore
psessed with Miami Street Style photography by alexander newman and lindsay o’hara
Tierney Furlong, Sophomore
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Single Shoes
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun written by cailtin gaynor
Some say, it’s a girl’s world and guys are just living in it. Take some time to sit and think and ask yourself: when was the last time you had a strictly girls’ night? As in, no guys were included in any part of your night. Really, not a single one. Ladies’ night means gossiping with the girls, blaring girly tunes, and maybe even applying a spicy new shade of polish. This means getting ready with your best friends for a night out on the town or staying in wearing your rattiest PJs watching a chick flick. If you can’t remember the last time that happened, well, that’s a problem. It can be difficult to balance the fifty million things you young and fabulous people have going on in their lives, but it’s important to make sure you have time for the girls. There is nothing worse than a friend who is MIA because she has basically moved in with her boyfriend. There’s nothing wrong with being young and in love (or in lust), but there should always be time for the girls who were there 70 fall
before you met the guy and who will be there if he turns out to be a loser.
Here’s a diva playlist to kick off the night right:
Girl time can refresh and rejuvenate you from even the most hectic of weeks. College is the time to take advantage of the days when you have limited responsibility and plenty of weekends to play with the girls.
None of Your Business - Salt-N-Pepa
The best way to make sure a girls’ night happens is to plan in advance. People are less likely to back out when the event is a set date and time, and more likely to come when there is a definite plan. If you are really having difficulty breaking away a certain friend from the lair of love, tell her you miss her and no excuses are allowed: girl time is needed.
Ladies Night -Kool & The Gang
So set aside your guy, and make time for some of the most important people in your life: your girls!
xx,
Ca
n itli
Stand By Me -Ben E. King Public Affair -Jessica Simpson
Fighter -Christina Aguilera Work Hard, Play Harder -Gretchen Wilson Bitch -Meredith Brooks Spice Up Your Life -Spice Girls You Gotta Be - Des’ree Independent Women - Destiny’s Child Last Friday Night - Katy Perry
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konabistro: the new black since 1997
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