The Vermont Cynic SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
VOL. 134 – ISSUE 4
VTCYNIC.COM
Student adds to musical tradition Sarah Robinson Staff Writer A bass, a sax, a synthesizer, a drum machine and boundless creative energy: these are the five key components that went into sophomore Cameron Gilmour’s latest release. Gilmour released his debut EP “Sleeping Minds” Aug. 19 with five self-made songs. UVM has a tradition of students making their own music, dating back to December 1983 when Phish played its first concert in the Harris-Millis dining hall, according to the band’s website. Years later, Phish went on to garner a cult following and became a key player in the jam band genre. With student bands 2% and the recently disbanded Jeddy in the spotlight, the tradition continues. Gilmour is trying his hand at becoming a part of local music history. A saxophone player since middle school, Gilmour delved deeply into the creation of music with his multi-faceted, self-described “acid-jazz” album. “I was living in Burlington this summer and wasn’t socializing a ton, so I was just alone in my room making music,” Gilmour said. “I had the thought where I was like, ‘Oh, I could actually make something out of this,’ and so I started making songs with a purpose and a theme.” He decided to explore the inner workings of the subconscious brain. The album is about how harnessing the subconscious lets people achieve more in terms of creative expression, Gilmour said. “I had all of these things in my head that I wanted desper-
ately to come out,” he said. Gilmour taught himself how to play the bass and piano for the album, he said. “I don’t know how to play piano,” Gilmour said. “I didn’t know how to play bass. “I definitely don’t know how to play drums, so I learned how to fake it on piano and I taught myself bass, essentially.” Gilmour’s friend, sophomore Curt Scheffel, spoke of Gilmour’s drive and determination. “He sets out to do something and he does it, and he plays a mean sax,” Scheffel said. A music tech and physics double major, Gilmour was able to find the art in both the creative process and the production of the album. “A big part of the art for me was mixing the album,” he said. Mixing is one of the many steps in music production where tracks are fine-tuned. When working on a song, Gilmour said he started by putting together a powerful bass line. Once he found something he liked, he recorded the saxophone, mixed the track and added whatever effects he found appropriate, he said. The mixing and production inspired him to fill the rest of the song with a smooth, cohesive melody, he said. Though the majority of “Sleeping Minds” is Gilmour’s solo work, there is one exception. The second song on the EP, “If a Tree Falls,” features a drum track performed by firstyear Ryan Darling, a member of local band 2%. Gilmour described Darling as “a super talented dude”. He looks forward to collaborating
Junior Rebecca Ryan pictured working as an alpine guide in Alaska over the summer. Ryan passed away in a rock climbing accident Sept. 16 in the Lower West Bolton climbing area. Photo credit: Facebook
Student dies in rock climbing accident Lauren Schnepf Assistant News Editor
Sophomore Cameron Gilmour demonstrates how he makes his music on his Macbook Pro. Gilmour released his debut EP “Sleeping Minds” Aug. 19. Max McCurdy/The Vermont Cynic
with more musicians in the future, Gilmour said. Though collaboration is a huge part of what makes music such a powerful work, having complete autonomy over his work is special, Gilmour said. “It was really cool being just me because I could do whatever I wanted and I didn’t have to go through the process of trying to explain what was
in my head,” he said. “Your conscious mind uses language, and language is imperfect.” Gilmour said he has some plans in the works, but isn’t saying what. “We’ll see what they turn out to actually be,” he said. “Sleeping Minds” is available for purchase on iTunes and to stream on Spotify and Apple Music.
Engineering professor faces DUI charges Lauren Schnepf Assistant News Editor A UVM professor was intoxicated while driving with her children when she rear-ended another vehicle and fled the scene. Mechanical engineering professor Rachael Oldinski was accused of driving under the influence when she rear-ended a car and continued driving on North Avenue in Burlington Aug. 31, according to a City of Burlington police report. The driver Oldinski struck followed her until she stopped on Institute Road, according to the police report. Oldinski’s 3-year-old and 6-year-old children were in the car, but neither were injured, the report stated. Oldinski showed signs of alcohol impairment and was taken into custody for DUI testing, according to the report. Her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit when she submitted to a breathalyzer
Mechanical engineering professor Rachael Oldinski. Oldinski was arrested Aug. 31 after rear-ending another car while intoxicated. Photo courtesy of UVM.
test, the report stated. Oldinski was charged with a DUI, child cruelty and leaving the scene of an accident, the report stated. Oldinski said she has
been receiving support from colleagues and the administration, she stated in a Sept. 6 email. “As always, we are taking every appropriate step to en-
sure the academic needs of our students are met,” said Enrique Corredera, UVM executive director of news and public affairs. Oldinski did not seem like the type of person to be involved in an incident like this, said senior Joshua Gervais, a student in Oldinski’s technical engineering class. “She’s young, so she’s engaging and keeps students’ attention,” Gervais said. Oldinski taught Sept. 6 after being absent the day after the incident, according to Gervais. “She came in with the dean of the Engineering School and apologized for being absent but did not discuss the incident,” Gervais said. Oldinski has been involved with research on using seaweed to treat cancer, replace cartilage and repair punctured lungs, according to a June 27 Vermont Quarterly article. “Professor Oldinski’s professional record speaks for itself,” Corredera said.
UVM junior Rebecca Ryan died while rock climbing with friends in the Lower West Bolton Climbing Area Saturday. Annie Stevens, vice provost of student affairs, announced Ryan’s death in a campus-wide email Sept. 17. “We extend our deepest condolences to Rebecca’s family,” Stevens stated in the email. “Our sincere thoughts of care and sympathy are also extended to Rebecca’s friends, classmates, and to faculty and staff who were close to her.” Ryan fell about 90 feet while attempting to descend a cliff. She was an experienced rock climber, according to a Sept. 16 U.S. News article. She was pronounced dead on scene, the article stated. The Lower West Bolton Climbing Area is the most popular and accessible climbing area in Bolton Valley, according to mountainproject.com. Ryan was originally from Knoxville, Tennessee and was studying at UVM to be an athletic trainer, the article stated. She was a student in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Stevens stated in the email. Ryan was a member of the UVM Rock Climbing Club and involved with in the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on campus, Stevens stated. Her mother described her as “an adventurous young woman, deeply committed to her faith,” Stevens stated. Those in need of additional support following the accident are encouraged to reach out to UVM’s counseling and psychiatry services at (802) 656-3340. Once it becomes available, information about memorial services for Ryan will be sent out, Stevens stated.