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BE THEIR GUEST
Airbnb hosts offer advice on giving visitors the perfect stay
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DANCING QUEEN
One Columbia-raised woman is making it big in New York PAGE 18
m a ste r s of d isg u i se deconstructing the gubernatorial candidates who swapped parties for your vote
page 6
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE In 2007, the now-Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Chris Koster, left the Republican party. Until last year, his now-Republican rival, Eric Greitens, was a Democrat. On Nov. 8, Missourians vote for which side-switcher they’d like to lead our state. PAGE 6 THE SCENE When chocolate meets beer or wine, happiness happens. Mike Atkinson, co-owner of The Candy Factory, weighs in on some of his signature pairings. PAGE 4 NEWS & INSIGHT Who needs hotels, anyway? Airbnb hosts provide the need-to-knows for opening your home to guests. PAGE 5 MUSIC The Social Room’s weekly Songwriters Guild allows Columbia musicians to experiment and gain experience amid local support. PAGE 14 Local rapper NicDanger’s ambition, talent and connections have allowed him to share the stage with musicians such as Tech N9ne. PAGE 15
ONLINE
October 27, 2016 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 35 | PUBLISHED BY THE COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN
GOURD-GEOUS Sure, pumpkin carving is a tradition, and you get to snack on the seeds after. But if you’d prefer something a little more decorative and a little less messy, try this new trend. Consider your pumpkin-painting questions answered.
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SECURING INSECURE HBO’s new series Insecure is based off Issa Rae’s Youtube series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. It is a comedic portrayal of one woman’s journey in L.A. to embrace her flaws and navigate the complex experiences of black women.
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EDITOR’S LETTER
ARTS & BOOKS CoMo Rocks combines art and community involvement by encouraging people to paint rocks, hide them and provide clues to their locations. PAGE 17
COVER DESIGN: MADALYNE BIRD COVER ILLUSTRATION: LISHAN GUO
We’re social.
HALLOWEEN WITHOUT THE HOOPLA Trying to avoid scouring Pinterest to find the perfect Halloween costume? Not feeling a late night surrounded by black cats and scraggly pirates? We have some alternatives.
Orchard Fire left Columbia and jetted off to Nashville to pursue success in The Music City. The blossoming musicians will return Nov. 4 to show off their big-city skills. PAGE 16
Q&A Columbia-raised dancer Gwen Benjamin headed to the city that never sleeps to pursue the career of her dreams. The move allowed her to perform with big names such as Beyoncé. PAGE 18
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When our deputy editor, Dan Roe, told me last month that he and a writer were headed to the gubernatorial debate in Branson, I was curious what would come out of it. Neither had been to Branson before, and the writer, Tyler Schneider, would be face-to-face with Democratic candidate Chris Koster for the first time, even though he’d been writing about the campaign for more than a month. Branson is a funny place. It’s part perennial vacation spot and part sideshow attraction. It’s home to family jamborees, luxury condos and duck boats that drive off the road and into the water. It’s a comforting sort of strange, and it seemed like a fitting location for Missouri’s election year shenanigans to unfold. Their trip was, let’s say, eventful. I won’t spoil the details, but the guys definitely learned a lot. The result of their journey — and all the research before and after it — is this week’s feature (Page 6). There are many things that could be said about Missouri’s gubernatorial campaigns, and Schneider has elected to say most of them. It takes some explaining to make sense of Koster and his Republican opponent, Eric Greitens, both of whom have switched parties during their political careers. In my opinion, 30-second TV spots and YouTube ads don’t paint full pictures of these two potential governors and their agendas. The party lines have officially been blurred. Here’s hoping our story makes things a little clearer.
VOX STAFF Editor: Christine Jackson Deputy Editor: Dan Roe Managing Editor: Madison Fleck Creative Director: Ben Kothe Digital Managing Editor: Abby Holman Art Directors: Madalyne Bird, Elizabeth Sawey Photo Editor: Mary Hilleren Online Editor: Lea Konczal Multimedia Editor: Mitchel Summers News & Insight Editors: John Bat, Katelyn Lunders The Scene Editors: Kelsie Schrader, Jessica Sherwin, Brooke Vaughan Music Editors: Marlee Ellison, Meredith McGrath Arts & Books Editors: Katie Akin, Luria Freeman Contributing Writers: Bobby Ceresia, Corin Cesaric, Mitchell Forde, Max Havey, Kelsey Hurwitz, Lis Joyce, Rick Morgan, Rachel Phillips, Karlee Renkoski, Stephanie Sandoval, Alex Schiffer, Tyler Schneider, Guimel Sibingo, Mike Tish, Carolina Vargas, Catherine Wendlandt, Clara Wright, Taylor Ysteboe Editorial Director: Heather Lamb Executive Editor: Jennifer Rowe Digital Director: Sara Shipley Hiles Writing Coach: John Fennell Office Manager: Kim Townlain
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PHOTOS BY OR COURTESY OF GUILLERMO HERNANDEZ MARTINEZ/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, BROOKE VAUGHAN
RADAR
Vox’s take on the talk of the week
COSTUMES FOR THE HALLOW-WIN A sick globe because climate change is undeniably real
An overly happy, nice clown
Written by: Luria Freeman, Katelyn Lunders, Kelsie Schrader
Halloween is a mere four days away, but if you don’t have that winning costume yet, we’ve got a few ideas that pay homage to the past year’s events: Snapchat’s large-tongued
A glass of lemonade for the Queen Bey
dog filter we hate to love
A nasty woman (shirts, hats and coffee mugs available on Etsy)
The Tigers played Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday in what was supposed to be a sure win, but it ended in a hard loss. Here are some of the sad, sad stats from the Homecoming game:
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Happy Internet Day This Saturday is the day of the internet, so let’s take a moment to reflect on what our lives would be like without it. The short internet attack that stopped Twitter rants and music streaming this past Friday gave us a small taste of a less convenient world.
CONGRATULATIONS, CHICAGO; SORRY, STL
Fact checking wouldn’t be complete until after the lying candidate won the election.
The Cubs haven’t been to a World Series for 71 years, but we suspect the win this past Saturday literally ended the drought. When your beloved team/detested rival wins, you’re bound to shed a few hundred thousand tears.
AT LEAST THE COMPANY WAS GOOD?
Millions of relationships would cease to exist without Netflix and chill. You’d actually use your cell phone to talk to people. Like, verbally. Arguments would be a lot longer because Google couldn’t prove you wrong or right. Your friend count would drastically decrease because Facebook would go bye-bye.
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points Middle Tennessee put up against Mizzou’s 45
years since a nonconference opponent scored that many points against the Tigers
(mostly disappointed) fans in 52,351 attendance for the surprising loss
$1.1million paid to MTSU to play Mizzou in Columbia, according to the contract
LOW
the chances of Mizzou going to a bowl game or anything good happening the rest of the season
KOPN 89.5fm...Where Else? Monday thru Friday National Programming Line-up... Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman
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On your radio dial at 89.5 fm or live streaming at kopn.org PHOTOS BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, ILLUSTRATIONS BY BEN KOTHE
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THE SCENE
The proof is in the pairing Combinations of chocolate and adult beverages give tastebuds a buzz Snack time just got a few fluid ounces and several grams of sugar better. Mike Atkinson, co-owner of The Candy Factory, has paired more than 350 chocolates with wine and beer over the past eight years. He recently collaborated with Les Bourgeois and Dan Campbell of Craft Beer Cellar to create new chocolate and drink pairings that transform the chocolate-indulging experience and make snacktime a little sweeter.
CHOCOLATE
WINE
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Les Bourgeois 2014 Chardonel
DARK CHOCOLATECOVERED APRICOTS
Unibroue La Fin du Monde
Les Bourgeois’ 2015 Vignoles/ Traminette
CINNAMONPECAN STICKY BUN TRUFFLES
DARK CHOCOLATE ALMOND CLUSTERS
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Caramel flavors in the beer enhance the natural sweetness of the raisins, which leaves you with an indulgent rum-raisin cake flavor.
Tropical fruit undertones in the beer mixed with a bite of a chocolate-dipped apricot will take your mind off any problems and transport you on an exotic adventure instead.
Raisins boost the subtle fruitiness in this dry, earthy wine, while the sweetness of the chocolate cuts the alcoholic aftertaste.
The apricot mingles with the floral notes and subtle citrus in this white wine, while the chocolate transforms the sweet wine into more of a Chardonnay.
Ommegang Rosetta
Les Bourgeois 2013 Zinfandel
Big Muddy Brewing Pumpkin Smasher
Les Bourgeois 2015 Noiret
This pumpkin ale is basically a beer pie. Add in the hint of vanilla, pinch of spices and dash of cinnamon from the chocolate, and you’ve got one tasty, boozy dessert pairing.
As we head toward cooler weather, this smoky red wine’s black raspberry undertones and the cinnamon-swirled chocolates create a Christmasy blend that’ll have you dreaming of a toasty, tasty holiday season.
Arcadia Ales Cereal Killer
Les Bourgeois 2013 Norton
Try this blend of cherry beer and dark chocolate that’s even better than Brookside’s overpriced chocolate-covered berries. The beer’s carbonation lifts the heaviness of this rich chocolate off your tongue, which makes it easier to break off piece after piece.
Almonds give this barley wine ale a woody blend, and the hint of molasses in the beer adds thick, sweet flavors to the classic dark chocolate.
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ILLUSTRATIONS BY LISHAN GUO
Sometimes, Atkinson uses complementary ingredients to make his pairings pop. Other times, he employs contrasting flavors to create totally new tastes. He offers a few rules when experimenting with pairings: Choose a wine that’s sweeter than your chocolate; start with drier wines, then move to sweeter wines; taste the pairings by sipping, eating, then sipping again; and finally, just try it. Grab a glass, and enjoy these just-for-you chocolate and libation pairings.
CHOCOLATECOVERED RAISINS
63% GOURMET BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE BAR
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BEER
BY MIRANDA SMITH
Simple notes of dark chocolate let the naturally sweet cherry, plum and cranberry flavors in this red wine shine, and the little bit of sweetness balances the sharp bite of the alcohol.
The oak element of this red wine plays up the chocolate’s almond nuttiness, and its natural spice adds some zest to the pairing.
NEWS & INSIGHT
Beyond the money: What’s in it for Airbnb hosts? When homestay accomodations and hospitality compete against hotels BY JULIA QUADE According to Investopedia, if Airbnb were a hotel chain, its $30 billion market value would outrank any major hotel chain throughout the world. Welcome to the 21st century. Four years ago, Columbia began to see considerable growth and awareness in the Airbnb market, says Ben Breit, who works for the network’s regional Midwest office in Chicago. In 2015, approximately 100 active Airbnb hosts in Columbia hosted about 3,000 guests. Although Breit can’t project this year’s growth, the past calendar year showed a 125 percent increase in Airbnb users. The typical annual earnings for Airbnb hosts in Columbia are approximately $2,700. Fifty-eight percent of local Airbnb hosts rent out a single room in their homes, but others choose to rent their entire house or apartment to travelers. Columbia residents Emma and Erez Tamir have been hosting Airbnb guests since September in their basement flat. They were inspired to get involved in the hospitality industry after staying in Airbnbs during a three-month journey across the United States. Hospitality entrepreneurs and experts share how you can master the homestay enterprise.
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SET YOUR PRICE
Know the market. “I would say the majority should go with the average city price,” Erez says. The Tamirs say they are still in the trial-and-error phase of
N O V E M B E R :
MONTH: Monday
Emma and Erez Tamir moved to Columbia in April and listed their basement on Airbnb in early September.
pricing. It can be difficult to tell what the right price is for a specific weekend, particularly a busy one, Emma says, but observing how others price is beneficial.
ACING THE ACCOMMODATION
Preparation starts as soon as someone books, Emma says. The Tamirs focus on cleanliness, comfort and top quality, and they advertise attributes that set them apart, such as proximity to Stephens Lake Park, a backyard and an infrared sauna by local company SaunaSpace. Erez says they cater to their guests’ needs by making their space feel like a dream home. Specific accommodations vary, but the Tamirs attempt to gauge the hopes of their patrons early on. “I’m jealous of our guests,” Erez says. “They seriously have better sheets and better towels than us.”
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TIME OF THE SEASON
Demand for Airbnb lodging always goes up during busy weekends in most college towns. Steve Bales, 2017 president of Columbia Hospitality Association, says Airbnb is more popular during MU Homecoming, Family Weekend and football weekends. Graduation is another huge draw to college towns, Breit says. Families often run into problems when searching for a hotel if they do not book months in advance. Home-sharing, however, has allowed cities such as Columbia to expand lodging. The demand for Airbnb in college towns tends to slow down in the summer months, Breit says.
TO MINGLE OR NOT TO MINGLE
Communication with guests varies per booking. “It’s about fitting the needs of the clients,” Erez says. Helping carry a guest’s luggage, baking cookies or leaving a thank-you note are a few ways the Tamirs have set the stage for communicating. Not all Airbnb customers will want to interact frequently, so remaining open to dialogue during and after the booking process is key. “For us, they will always be our guests,” Erez says. Legal Document
DRAMA-FREE HOSPITALITY
The Airbnb website advises hosts to check neighborhood bylaws and contact their landlords or local homeowners associations before starting home-sharing. x
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“Aim for the heart... if you can find it!” A Comedy-Thriller by Gerald Moon
Adults Students Seniors
12 $ 10 $ 10 $
1800 Nelwood Drive; Columbia, MO | 573.474.3699 | www.cectheatre.org “Corpse!” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. PHOTO BY KATELYN METZGER, ILLUSTRATIONS BY REBECCA SMITH
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e were somewhere on I-44, about 20 miles west of Springfield, when we realized we’d missed the exit. It was a cool September morning, and my editor and I were heading to the Chateau on the Lake where the Missouri gubernatorial and senatorial candidates for the November election were set to debate at the 150th annual Missouri Press Association Convention in Branson. Yes, Branson, the low-budget Las Vegas nestled in the Ozarks. Four miles from the Chateau, Missourians hit Highway 76 for undead wax museum Charlie Chaplins, rickety roller coasters and a life-sized front third of the Titanic, which doubles as a museum and a shameless hood ornament on middle America’s circus caravan that never leaves town. It was to be a political smoke show and unique in the sense that the two major candidates were finally squaring up after dodging each other for months like boxing rivals Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. I whipped the car around as soon as I found a break in the median. The seemingly routine three-hour drive had now become a speed bump in the tumultuous journey
SWITCHING SIDES
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster, left, argues alongside Republican challenger Eric Greitens at the first and only general election debate in the race to be Missouri governor. Koster appears as an experienced politician next to outsider candidate Greitens.
to the core of Missouri politics. I put my foot to the pedal and turned up the stereo. Time was ticking. We arrived at 12:53 p.m., seven minutes shy of the gubernatorial candidate forum’s 1 p.m. start time. I pulled on my slacks in the parking lot, and we walk-jogged to the press table and snagged our credentials (which displayed the Titanic as a primary sponsor for the convention — the irony of the sinking ship seemed lost on attendees). My anxiety quickly subsided as the show commenced. After months of shadowboxing with PR contacts (who responded to emails at a glacial speed) and psychoanalyzing these power-hungry men during the months of my reporting, they were finally in front of my very eyes. Traditional party politics are dead
in the Show-Me State. If I told you that one of the Missouri gubernatorial candidates supports constitutional carry, stricter immigrant employment laws, suing the Environmental Protection Agency and, until Monday, photo ID for voters at the polls, which party would you guess he represents? If you said Republican, you would be wrong. And, what if I told you that the Republican candidate with a passion for automatic weapons is a former Democrat? If you think Missouri is an outlier in the national scene, you’d be wrong again. At the very top of the two major political parties in America, outsider candidates found relative success by departing from party lines and creating divisions between traditional supporters and voters who have become increasingly disgruntled with politics.
It’s a trend worth following in a state with several highly competitive races and some serious issues to fix. Gov. Jay Nixon has reached his term limit, and the next four to eight years will hinge on this campaign.
PARTY DEFECTORS republican nominee eric greitens
from St. Louis is running as a selfdescribed “conservative Republican” and political outsider, but it wasn’t until he published a letter with conservativeleaning Fox News in 2015 explaining why he was making a departure from the left that he officially swapped political ideologies. Just three months before he made that move, the former Navy SEAL appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to discuss his veteran’s
A brief history of Eric Greitens’ transition to the Republican ticket
AUG. 28, 2008
2009-2010
Greitens attends the Democratic National Convention with friend and former Missouri Governor Bob Holden. At this time, Greitens identifies as a Democrat.
An anonymous registration is made for the domain name EricGreitensforPresident. com in 2009. The following year, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recruits Greitens to run for public office as a Democrat.
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APRIL 16, 2015 Greitens makes a guest appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Stewart, an absolute liberal comic, praises Greitens’ charity work, and Greitens reveals that he might be targeting a run for governor in 2016.
JULY 13, 2015
AUG. 2, 2016
Greitens publishes a letter titled, “Why I am no longer a Democrat,” through conservative news outlet Fox News. His political career begins to pick up steam.
The dust settles after the Missouri Republican primary, and Greitens emerges as the GOP’s gubernatorial nominee. The three candidates he sent packing all refuse to endorse his campaign.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF ROBERSON AND GUILLERMO HERNANDEZ MARTINEZ/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
charity work with the former host and archliberal. There, he announced he was exploring the possibility of running for governor. In 2009, the domain name EricGreitensforPresident.com was anonymously registered, indicating someone’s desire for him to enter the political sphere. The site is inactive. Shortly after switching party affiliations, he began carefully assembling the necessary components for what would become his bid to be the next occupant of the Governor’s Mansion. His seemingly calculated political switch is curious considering that his main selling point has been his status as an outsider candidate unlike his Democratic rival Chris Koster, also from St. Louis, who he labels as a “career politician.” Greitens emerged out of a four-person Republican primary that featured former Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, former Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives Catherine Hanaway and fellow veteran and businessman John Brunner. Greitens finished first, collecting 34.5 percent of the primary vote. It’s worth noting that he and Brunner, who finished second in that race, have never held public offices. In June, Greitens released an advertisement titled, “Taking Aim,” in which he famously introduced himself to the people of Missouri while brandishing an assault rifle, touting his military service and business experience and declaring that he would “take dead aim at politics as usual.” The spot concluded with Greitens firing his weapon into an open field. An explosion ensued, and it also marked the moment his campaign caught fire. The ad made him a topic of discussion in Missouri and nationally over the next several weeks, provoking liberal criticism and dividing opinions within his own party all while appealing to the frustration of many voters.
Greitens’ early success is the product of his outsider image, which he has adamantly projected, as well as his accomplishments as a veteran, business owner and humanitarian. The St. Louis native studied ethics, philosophy and public policy at Duke University and became a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. With his education complete, he enlisted in the Navy in 2001 and reached Navy SEAL status by 9/11. He went on to serve four tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia. In 2007, after his final tour ended, he started The Mission Continues, a charity for veterans for which he served as CEO until 2014. That year, Fortune included him on its list of the world’s 50 greatest leaders. And now, he has set his sight on being governor. To do that, he’ll have to get through Koster, the type of career politician he abhors. And while Greitens has to expend precious energy on advancing past the much tougher Republican state primary, Koster faced little opposition in his, netting 78.7 percent of the overall vote for an easy victory. Koster’s experience is his chief calling card. He graduated from the MU School of Law in 1991, went on to be the Cass County prosecutor in 1994 and then became Republican state senator from 2004-08. Yes, Republican. Greitens isn’t the only candidate who has switched sides. On Aug. 1, 2007, Koster announced his intention to become a Democrat at a press conference at MU and cited his support of stem cell research, education reform and a distaste for the growing influence of the religious right as reasons behind his mutiny. “A man can change his beliefs in order to preserve his party, or a man can change his party in order to preserve his beliefs,” Koster said. “Today I choose the latter. I’m a Democrat.”
He was called an opportunist by many of his former party mates, who said he made the switch purely for his own political gain. Koster added fuel to the fire when he reversed his stance on abortion rights and announced his support of increasing Medicaid funding when he became a Democrat, the first of many liberal policies he would add to his arsenal in the years leading up to his gubernatorial bid. Since becoming Missouri’s attorney general in 2009, he’s been collecting the experience he would need to run for governor. Now he is labeled a moderate Democrat, though in many ways he leans further right than others with that designation. He supports traditionally conservative interests such as gun rights, tax cuts, the death penalty and immigration reform. He has also sued the EPA over restrictions on land, an issue that is particularly important to farmers but not exactly a typical career move for a Democrat. According to an Oct. 12 Remington Research survey, Koster is polling at 48 percent over Greitens’ 42 percent. But the margin between them is shrinking, and Greitens is riding a booming populist wave that he hopes will crest on Election Day and topple the Jefferson City status quo. It’s difficult to say where either of the two sits on the political spectrum and even harder to determine if they actually stand with their chosen side.
POLARIZED PERSONAS my first experience reporting
on this campaign came back on Aug. 27, when Greitens hosted a general election kickoff rally at his Columbia headquarters on Ash Street. The inconspicuous building sits among the local coffee shops, alternative grocery stores and art galleries of the North Village Arts District, a neighborhood
known for its liberal clientele. By my standards, I was right on time (just a few minutes late), but once I turned the corner and saw Greitens heading into his own event, it became apparent I shouldn’t have played that extra game of Overwatch before leaving my house that morning. Fortunately, Greitens wasn’t in a position to alienate a potential voter, so he offered me a firm handshake and thanked me for coming. Greitens is a great speaker; he’s clean cut and wears a reassuring smile that transcends anything he could offer voters in terms of specific policy stances. In official appearances, he enunciates each and every word and isn’t afraid to raise his voice to emphasize a point or strike a passionate tone that evokes emotion among his listeners. His demeanor matches his adopted persona as the disruptive, impassioned savior of the beleaguered GOP. Remind you of anyone? Inside, Greitens’ office had a feel of deliberate modesty. It was mostly empty apart from the slew of campaign posters and American flag-themed wall decor. A single desk sat against the front window and faced the street. A Yeti cooler rested on the countertop to the left of the desk, and it appropriately featured both Greitens and Trump/Pence campaign stickers — an undeniable reflection of both campaigns’ populist roots. Greitens’ volunteers are all college men in oversized suits, and the fraternity vibe was immediately apparent. Still, they worked diligently and seemed excited to have cemented their political allegiances at a young age. As Greitens prepared to take the floor, the chatter of the crowd of 30 or so came to a complete halt. A girl twirled a mini American flag around in her hand while sitting on her father’s shoulders. Her sister wore a Greitens shirt and mirrored her sibling’s enthusiasm. Politics is a family affair, after all.
Chris Koster is running as a member of the political party he previously opposed
NOV. 2, 2004
AUG. 1, 2007
JAN. 20, 2016
SEP. 6, 2016
OCT. 24, 2016
Koster is elected to the Missouri Senate as a Republican, representing the 31st Senatorial District.
Koster holds a press conference to announce his switch to the Democratic Party, shocking Missouri political circles on both sides. He wins his bid for Attorney General the following year.
A post on Koster’s Facebook page indicates his support of Medicaid expansion. He previously voted to cut the program’s spending in 2005 while he was still a Republican.
In what could ultimately turn out to be a critical junction of the 2016 gubernatorial race, Koster is formally endorsed by the National Rifle Association, a group that historically endorses conservative politicians.
Koster no longer supports requiring photo IDs for voters at the polls, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He previously backed the measure, and this shift shows just how fluid his stances on issues are.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIE SMITH/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Republican nominee for Missouri governor Eric Greitens prides himself on being an outsider candidate at his rally. Greitens recirculated Trumpist campaign strategy by calling Chris Koster “crooked,” Donald Trump’s go-to insult for Hillary Clinton.
A group of particularly vocal bikers barked their approval as Greitens rattled off conservative inclinations, such as his opposition to the Affordable Care Act. One of the bikers, a woman with a bandana and a black cut-off T-shirt, even knew the names of Greitens’ wife and two sons and murmured them along with Greitens when he stressed the importance of family. It was clear this following was deeply invested in the outsider candidate. After the rally, Rudi Keller of the Columbia Daily Tribune asked Greitens if he had any more advertisements featuring heavy weaponry in the works. The interaction was tense, and Greitens started talking faster in an attempt to avoid the topic. Keller sensed that his original question left too much room for Greitens to evade giving a real answer and asked, “What do these things say to voters when you use them?” Greitens’ tone changed, and he became audibly upset. “Did you listen to the ad?” he replied, implying that perhaps through some combination of ignorance and sheer indifference that Keller had not done his homework. A campaign staffer was at his side immediately, ready to end the candid session. Greitens wouldn't say whether any similar ads were planned for the general election, and the interaction soon fizzled out.
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His inexperience was most visible in that moment. Before Donald Trump, these emotional outbursts were uncommon among practiced politicians looking to project an image of stability to voters. Greitens will need to keep his cool under pressure if he hopes to overtake Koster’s lead before Judgment Day arrives on Nov. 8. Koster was much less accessible. After months of contacting his press team, who had skillfully dodged my attempts to reach them, I never did get a chance to speak with anybody involved with the campaign. Frustrated, I sent an email to reporters at both the Kansas City Star and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, asking if they knew of any upcoming Koster events. Kurt Erickson, a political reporter for the Post-Dispatch, told me he had the same issue, despite Koster’s campaign headquarters being located in St. Louis. The closest I ever got to Koster was one September morning when my dog woke me up to alert me to a knock on the door. Barely awake, I put on a pair of boxers and opened the door to find a Koster leaflet on my front porch. I picked it up and skimmed through it, hoping to find an event he would be attending, but it was merely another attack on Greitens. I was ready to chuck it in the trash and head back to bed when I
saw a young woman across the street distributing the leaflets. It was the first time I had seen anybody even remotely associated with the Koster campaign, and I half considered running after her for an unconventional interview. Unfortunately, by the time I had put on a semi-presentable outfit from the heap of laundry on my floor, she had gone. The lack of press contact makes it seem that Koster is merely riding out the final stages of the general election and, with a sizable lead in the polls, his camp is sure they have it locked up. I’ve seen little evidence of his campaigning in Columbia, which leads me to believe that because of Boone County’s liberal voting history, he shifted his focus toward more rural and conservative areas of Missouri. This kind of confidence might be acceptable in political circles, but it doesn’t exactly show mid-Missouri voters they are valued in the grand scheme of things. Koster, the mystery man, proved himself extremely elusive at every turn. I wouldn’t get the chance to see him in person until the showdown in Branson.
PLAYING THE GAME what does it mean when both
major party candidates of a state gubernatorial election have well-documented ties to the other side? In any other realm, it might mean
they would be subjected to the harsh treatment LeBron James received after absconding from his native Cleveland to play for the Miami Heat (before he helped bring the NBA title home). But in politics such insubordination seems to be more easily forgiven. Politics are fluid after all, and the truth of the matter is some voters just don’t care how conventional candidates are as long as they can offer them something more than dull policy jargon. This year's presidential election and primaries are evidence of that. While Koster has carefully pinpointed a position on the political spectrum that helps him tap into conservative regions of Missouri as well as urban liberal strongholds, Greitens has been following in the populist footsteps of another outsider candidate, Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump. “A lot of conservatives are relatively unhappy with their party leadership, so what we’re seeing this year is this sort of ‘populist revolt’ against conservatism,” says Marvin Overby, an MU professor of political science. “It speaks of a type of conservatism that is not particularly intellectually grounded.” Dave Robertson, professor and chair of the University of Missouri-St. Louis Political Science Department, agrees with this analysis. He says
PHOTO COURTESY OF GUILLERMO HERNANDEZ MARTINEZ/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
politics are fluid after all, and the truth of the matter is some voters just don't care how conventional candidates are as long as they can offer them something more than dull policy jargon
there are, more or less, three divisions in the conservative base: the social conservatism wing, the establishment wing and the populist wing. Greitens belongs in the latter of the three, which has caused many in the party to distance themselves from him in the same vein that prominent figures such as Mitt Romney and John McCain have directly opposed Trump’s candidacy for president. “He’s not only cursed with being unpredictable, a former Democrat and untrustworthy but also being an outsider in a party where the establishment has a whole lot of influence,” Robertson says of Greitens. “You see that in the lack of enthusiasm and even the opposition of some of the leading Republicans (in the state).” On Sept. 6, Greitens campaigned alongside Mike Pence, Trump’s vice presidential candidate, in a town hall-style rally in Springfield. To a crowd of Trump supporters and other conservatives, Greitens and Pence denounced Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton and Koster as products of the Democratic agenda. However, after a tape depicting Trump making incredibly sexist comments leaked on the internet, Greitens took a step away from Trump, tweeting from his personal account: “Donald Trump’s words were disgusting and wrong. There is no defense of them.” Greitens and Pence haven't campaigned together since, but whether or not it has to do with his condemnation of Trump is unclear. Either way, the similarities between Trump’s rise to popularity and Greitens’ are abundant. Like Trump, Greitens has been criticized for not releasing his tax returns and has also been questioned about the $700,000 in total earnings he made as CEO of The Mission Continues. However, pushing against his party might ultimately fail Greitens. Robertson attributes Koster’s polling advantage to the Democratic Party’s willingness to go with establishment
candidates, bolstered by splits among the Republican voter base. His position in the middle of the political spectrum isn’t all that uncommon in a state that leans conservative, but what differentiates him from other moderate liberals is that he has taken an unorthodox position in his support of unrestricted gun rights. Firearms are a recurring theme in this election, and support of guns is the issue for which both candidates have received their harshest criticisms. For Greitens, it came from reactions to “Taking Aim,” as some voters felt the ad was an ill-timed endorsement of assault weapons in the context of rampant mass shootings. Likewise, Koster regularly takes flak for his unwavering support of Second Amendment rights, but it has also brought him one of his biggest assets: the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. The NRA had never endorsed a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Missouri before they gave Koster the nod on Sept. 6, and that could be both a blessing and a curse in the long run. There are murmurs in Democratic circles that this unconventional endorsement is unacceptable. One Democratic staffer who spoke to me on background says that he nearly considered leaving the party altogether. He asked to remain anonymous over concerns that he could lose his position. “When I picked up the paper and read that Koster had received the NRA endorsement, I didn’t know whether to run for my bottle of Jameson, my blood pressure medication or both,” he says. “The activist circuit was burning up. I mean, we were in contact with each other and on fire. That’s how we feel about Koster.” The man, who describes himself as a veteran party activist, says he and his peers will still vote for Koster with the hope that he would “occasionally” veto conservative legislation. But as a left-of-center liberal, the man must settle for a candidate who has a much more right-of-center viewpoint than his own
to win in a state such as Missouri. Koster’s other major endorsements are also from conservative-minded groups such as the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, among other agricultural interest groups. These organizations are all, for one reason or another, against Greitens to such a degree that they would endorse a Democrat. “(Koster), they suspect, has more of an interest in taking care of the issues they care about,” Overby says. “He’s the kind of Democrat that Republicans can see themselves living with and working with, because he in fact is a former Republican.” By taking a large chunk of historically conservative voters, Koster has skillfully tapped the deepest well that Greitens had at his disposal, and the kind of unprecedented support he’s seeing might be enough to keep a Republican out of the governor’s office for another four years. “Part of the value of an endorsement like that is that it’s something that the Greitens people now have to explain; it becomes a free medium for Koster,” Overby says. Greitens does have one major endorsement, from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, but that alone might not be enough. Greitens is unfazed by this and has skillfully spun his lack of popularity with conservative interest groups as a manipulation by (you guessed it) the establishment, though he might be right in that assertion. MU sophomore Chris Vas has come to support Greitens through his involvement with the Republican Party. He’s worked on campaigns for Missouri’s own U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas. “You want these endorsements, but do they really mean that much?” Vas says. “These lobbyists and people who are endorsing (Koster) have been in Jeff City for decades. I don’t know if their
SHOW ME MONEY the nation ' s
most expensive race
$27.5 million Amount spent by Missouri gubernatorial campaigns on television advertisements over the past year, which makes Missouri’s the most expensive race in the country
34 percent Missouri’s share of the total national spending on gubernatorial advertisements
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Number of states holding gubernatorial elections this November
20,800 TV spots aired by the Greitens campaign
14,700 TV spots aired by the Koster campaign
$59,736,055 Total campaign contributions for the Missouri race
$2.5 million Donated to the Greitens campaign by the Republican Governors Association, the largest single donation in Missouri history
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approval is necessary for the people of Missouri.” Dan Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, cites economic reasons for the Chamber’s support of Greitens, who he says has, “a boldness that we don’t see too often.” It's up to voters to decide whether that boldness makes Greitens qualified to hold the highest office in Missouri.
SHOWDOWN IN BRANSON after missing our highway exit and
LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE CISSE SPRAGINS OFFERS THIRD-PARTY ALTERNATIVE It’s easy to forget, but there are more than two parties in the country For voters who are undecided about the two major parties in the election, Libertarian candidate Cisse Spragins is one of three other options on the ballot. She was previously the chair of the Missouri Libertarian Party for five years and stepped down in 2015 to focus on her gubernatorial campaign. Through her involvement with the party, she says she has seen an “unprecedented number of inquiries” about the Libertarian movement and believes her platform is gaining traction. Libertarians are generally socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Their values vary, but they normally adhere to a preference for smaller government, less restriction in both social and economic realms and more individual freedom. Their goals include decreasing government spending, deregulating the economy, decreasing the number of incarcerated citizens and promoting social inclusion. Spragins highlighted these views at the Missouri Press Convention debates and stressed the importance of promoting individual choice in both the marketplace and in the social arena. “Human interaction should be voluntary, not through government force,” Spragins says. There is evidence from past elections that suggests the Missouri Libertarian Party has been steadily growing in popularity since 2000. John Swenson from Kirbyville ran as the Libertarian nominee for governor in both 2000 and 2004, receiving 0.48 percent and 0.90 percent of the total popular vote, respectively. Andrew Finkenstadt from St. Charles took up the mantle in 2008, improving the party’s total vote percentage to 1.1 percent. In 2012, Jim Higgins from Creve Coeur more than doubled that total, finishing with 2.7 percent. Spragins’ closing statement in Branson was an appeal to anyone who's been disgruntled with traditional party lines in politics. “Vote Libertarian, and if after four years you don’t like peace and prosperity, then you can vote tyranny back in office again,” Spragins said.
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nearly botching the whole trip, my editor and I take our seats in the hall among a group of 260 supporters, political insiders and reporters and settle in with our notebooks. Greitens’ sympathizing horde sits in a large group to our right, while important relatives and friends of each candidate sit in the front row. After experiencing one Greitens rally firsthand and chasing the shadow of the Koster campaign for weeks, it’s surreal to finally see Koster and Greitens next to each other on stage in Branson. The once-budding rivalry between them has escalated into full-blown warfare — by means of millions of dollars worth of scathing advertising — and it is now time to duel. The first shot hits almost immediately, when Greitens introduces his plan to hire a chief operations officer to check state spending. Koster responds with a hint of scorn, chuckling at the suggestion. “That’s you, Eric. That’s what they’re trying to hire,” Koster says condescendingly. “The governor is the person who runs the budget. And if you don’t know enough to operate the state of Missouri, then you shouldn’t be applying for the job, my friend.” The room is tense for a brief moment, but a small and less-reserved portion of the crowd can’t help but laugh at the exchange. Greitens replies with emotionally charged tenacity that would become a common theme during the debate. “You don’t understand it, Chris,” Greitens says. “You don’t understand what it takes to run a business or an enterprise; that is one of the reasons the people of Missouri cannot elect another career politician.” I had seen Greitens’ rhetoric before, and I was accustomed to his adversarial style and liberal use of the term “career politician.” But to me, Koster was a whole new animal. He wears a slightly loose, white button-down shirt, sans jacket, likely in an effort to appeal to his valued farming constituency. Greitens, by contrast, wears a well-fitted blue suit
jacket and looks as though he could be on the cover of GQ. Koster’s voice is deep and articulate. I could just as easily see him becoming an MLB play-by-play announcer if this whole “running for governor” thing doesn’t quite work out. His mannerisms give off the impression that he spent long hours rehearsing his political rhetoric, and now he’s so polished, the eloquent demeanor has become second nature. All gubernatorial candidates have opportunities to be heard as the debate rages on, but it is clearly a twoman show. Greitens makes a habit of interrupting both Koster and the moderator, and his large fan section follows his lead by applauding him each time he speaks — both in and out of turn. I’d tell you what the Koster supporters are doing during this time, but I don’t see more than a dozen of them. They are either a quiet bunch or nonexistent. Koster receives many attacks throughout and stays reserved until it is time for his closing remarks. Referring to “Taking Aim,” Koster says that Greitens “introduced himself to the state five months ago with a machine gun, saying that he knows how to blow up government. “I have no doubt that he knows how to blow up government,” Koster continues. “I have a lot of doubts as to whether he knows anything about putting it back together.” Koster is ice cold with his delivery. To him, he had only voiced what others were thinking about Greitens’ ad. Greitens responds with his reactionary “career politician” line, but the debate is all but over at this point, and it is pretty clear to me that Koster’s emphasis on his experience and his composure had won the day. Still, as I sit in the lobby outside of the debate hall, I overhear some young Greitens volunteers saying their champion, “knocked it out of the park.” You can find the same rhetoric among Trump voters after presidential debates. Perspective is everything, I suppose, although I’m not entirely sure they saw the same debate that I did.
DECONSTRUCTING “THE OUTSIDER” i went to branson with the
intention of covering only the gubernatorial race, but the senatorial contest provided too many interesting parallels to ignore. Nationally, the Democrats need a net gain of four U.S. Senate seats to win the majority, and
PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF ROBERSON/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Democratic candidate Jason Kander, left, debates Republican incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt at the Missouri Press Association Convention. Similar to the gubernatorial contest, deviating from party norms could win voters over this election season.
Missouri’s matchup between incumbent Blunt and Democratic nominee Jason Kander has recently become one of nation's closest, according to the Kansas City Star. An Oct. 17–19 poll from the Emerson College Policy Society has them tied with 44 percent of the vote. Kander is a former captain in the Missouri Army National Guard and was an intelligence officer in Afghanistan. He was elected as the Missouri secretary of state in 2012. He’s young, fresh and confident and, like Greitens on the other side, runs on the platform of ousting government insiders and lobbyists. During the debate, he wasn’t afraid to suggest that Blunt, his elder by 31 years, was out of touch with modern voters. Blunt, a career politician to the core, with 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and six in the Senate, responds with a gusto that resembles a hybrid of pre-Watergate Richard Nixon (as seen in The White House) and Eeyore (as seen in Winnie The Pooh), although he is an impressive public speaker. His campaign to this point has focused primarily on highlighting his experience in the U.S. Senate. In September, Kander took a lot of flak from Blunt’s campaign about his “F” rating from the NRA. Kander responded by releasing an advertisement in which he assembles an AR-15 assault rifle while blindfolded, saying he learned how to respect his weapon while serving in
PHOTO BY JEFF ROBERSON/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Afghanistan. When he’s finished, the ad concludes with him challenging Blunt to do the same. The ad, like Greitens’ “Taking Aim,” went viral quickly and gave Kander a boost in the polls. Now, the race is a dead heat — something that seemed unlikely just a few months ago. People simply want to believe in their party's candidate. Some Missourians appear to be defecting from Blunt, who won the last election with 54.3 percent of the vote, to Kander. This suggests that Blunt’s conservatism might not be the answer anymore. They want somebody who’s not afraid to break the status quo. Sound familiar? Deviating from party norms is how Trump won his primary and how Bernie Sanders gave Hillary Clinton a scare in her run for the Democratic nomination. Both Trump and Sanders stressed the little guy, and both were, in a way, outsiders who were discounted by many early on. But voters didn’t discount them. Both candidates had strong support initially from the “Bernie Bros” and the alt-right Trump superfans alike, who wanted something new. This is where Greitens’ appeal lies and why Koster gets the freedom to pick and choose when he’s a Democrat. But as my investigation progressed, I found equally compelling reasons why some Missourians wouldn’t want to vote for either of them. The political process inherently
unfolds like a business, and even the people who say they’re different, such as Greitens, are still prone to the same pitfalls that befall veterans such as Blunt. They’re still liable to someday commit the same acts they are supposed to be rallying against. For instance: Greitens attacks Koster for being a career politician yet also supports Blunt in an effort to gain voters from his constituency. Koster, on the other hand, has played it safe in an unconventional year. But as a former Republican with many right-wing interest groups behind him, he still has to face Democratic voters who aren’t yet convinced he is genuinely interested in the issues they are the most passionate about. He also has the misfortune of being an insider candidate in an outsider kind of year. Koster and Greitens aren’t traditional politicians, yet onstage in Branson they appeared to be following the familiar formula of attack and evade. Voters might see their willingness to cross party lines and unapologetic flip flopping and feel they don’t have a true representative in their government. The rest of the nation is watching intently and waiting to see what the final judgment will be in this unusual election between two candidates who torched their GOP and DNC allegiances to win the ballot box. The two-party system used to be sacred, but no longer. On
Nov. 8, Missourians will pick the lesser of two defectors between two men who drooled over the keys to the governor’s mansion and made deals with the devil to get there.
PULLED PORK POLITICS to blow off steam after a long and
frustrating day spent reporting on this calculated race, my editor and I pull off the road into the bumpy dirt parking lot of Crazy Craig’s Cheeky Monkey Bar, a creaky dive bar across the street from a firearm outlet and a fly fishing shop. This is a place where a wooden monkey with an exposed penis sits on the bar, you can smoke inside and a man named Chuck in a Detroit Lions hat sets a complimentary blue shot in front of you as soon as you sit down. Five old white men shoot the shit over Miller Lites on the patio. They don’t care about the power grab at the Chateau a mile down the road — they’ll probably support Greitens on party principal, but they’d rather talk about Air Force parties during their Vietnam-era military careers. The bar is the perfect metaphor for Missouri and its politics. The only rule is that there are no rules. Get lung cancer, pound $2 pints and watch the flies circling your pulled pork sandwich. It’s better the less you care. We ponder this and down our shots.
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MUSIC
The songs they wrote Local musicians use the Songwriters Guild stage to unveil their verses BY RACHEL PHILLIPS Once each month, you can catch talented Columbia residents trying out their lyrical material for local audiences at The Social Room. The Songwriters Guild is a version of an open mic night, says Tiffany Griffiths, talent buyer and event coordinator for The Social Room. The guild takes place on Wednesday nights and typically features four performers playing about 30 to 40 minutes each. The Songwriters Guild allows artists to gain performance experience and try out new material. The guild also allows locals to support talent they might not know about. “I think that the Songwriters Guild is a great way not just to bring that music to the unsuspecting public, but to bring those musicians together,” local artist Olivia Cordray says. THE SONGWRITERS GUILD The Social Room, Nov. 9, doors at 8 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m., $5, $7 minors, 397-6442, thesocialroomcomo.com
Amanda Bongiovanni, also known as Ravs, isn’t your typical rapper. She infuses singer-songwriter elements into her tunes.
Retired engineer Dennis Schubert has played the guitar and mandolin for decades. He likes to tell stories through his music.
AMANDA BONGIOVANNI (RAVS) Ravs started writing music alongside a guitar. She listened to a lot of hip hop and realized she was writing so much in her verses that she had to learn how to rap to fit everything. Becoming a rapper has been a challenge for her because it’s like learning a new instrument, she says. Now, the rising songsmith describes her style as “singer-songwriter rap.” In addition to playing different venues, Ravs is involved in Citizenship@Mizzou, a program that teaches incoming students about diversity. She writes for the program, changing verses to songs such as The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There.” “You don’t expect a white girl rapper, right?” she says. “So it’s kind of a surprising factor.”
DENNIS SCHUBERT At age 65, Schubert has played guitar for more than 50 years and has been playing mandolin for nearly 40. Since retiring from his job as an engineer, he has spent even more time playing and writing. Schubert describes his style as Americana and says when it comes to songs, he is most interested in the words and telling a story. “That little emotional snapshot’s what I need,” Schubert says. Schubert doesn’t have a single artist who inspires his music, but rather thousands. “I’ve gone through spells where I’ll change artists like I change socks,” he says. The native Missourian likes being a part of the music community by spending time with musicians and supporting artists around town.
Owen Stroud draws inspiration from diverse musical genres, including folk, country, rock and blues.
Multi-instrumentalist Olivia Cordray’s interest in music began in church, where she still plays today.
OWEN STROUD Originally a classically trained pianist, Owen Stroud wanted to improvise and make up his own music. He would listen to different artists then write his own songs. Stroud says his goal is “imitation with the purpose of development.” Eventually, Stroud developed his own unique style and combination of musical genres. “I am folk, country, rock and blues in a blender,” he says. Stroud is a native Texan and often writes about life there. He has absorbed a lot of history and stories from Texas and believes songs should communicate a message but leave the listener with a bit of ambiguity. Currently, the 23-year-old is interning with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) and considering a career in ministry. He is working on expanding the list of places he has performed and says the Songwriters Guild gives him a chance to get experience.
OLIVIA CORDRAY Cordray was raised in the church and has a standing gig at Christ Our King Presbyterian in Columbia. “I grew up with a hymnal in my hands,” she says. She learned to harmonize with her sister and at age 13 and became interested in learning to play the acoustic guitar. She also plays the piano, mandolin and dulcimer. At 18, she recorded her own album of slightly updated traditional hymns, sold copies for $10 each and used the money to buy books for college. She describes her style as Americana and is working on an album titled The Juniper Tree after a fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm. By day, Cordray works in MU’s Department of German and Russian Studies. She knows she will always make music in one way or another but doesn’t want to give up her day job. She hopes to continue collaborating with musicians. “I love that we have this vibrant community in Columbia where we can network,” she says.
WORDS OF ADVICE
How they find their forte “I write all of the time — whenever things pop into my head,” Ravs says. “I have a hundred notes on my phone from random things that come to my mind that I have to write down.” — amanda bongiovanni “You have to get it done in three minutes — under three minutes — and at the same time, capture something that is timeless and genderless. That’s how you write a perfect song. A perfect song can survive any band arrangement or any band performance.” — dennis schubert “Songs need to communicate well but still leave that 10 percent ambiguity.” — owen stroud “Writing songs involves your entire story. You can’t hide when you’re writing a song.” — olivia cordray
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PHOTOS BY EVAN COBB, ALEX SCIMECCA AND STEPHANIE MUELLER
MUSIC
NicDanger, a local rapper, will open for Tech N9ne Friday at The Blue Note. He released his newest EP, Dark Days Dark Nights, Oct. 5.
The rise of Danger
For Columbia rapper NicDanger, growing his musical career has a lot to do with community BY MEREDITH MCGRATH NicDanger, whose real name is Nicholas Rodriguez, is in the studio at Vox for a photo shoot. With him is his father, Miguel Rodriguez, who is holding a bag of CDs and promotional flyers for Nic’s website and music videos. Nic’s music blares from a speaker as he poses in front of the camera, tilting his head and shifting his glances. In between photos, he talks about his journey, lessons and inspirations. He then raps a song from his latest EP, Dark Days Dark Nights. As the song ends, he delivers a rhyme called “3 PM” a capella and paces in front of the backdrop — making a stage out of the studio. Miguel uses his own phone to go live on Facebook for Nic’s artist profile. The scene is a snapshot of Nic’s career as a rapper — always engaged and passionate about performing. Nic, 26, discovered his interest in rapping during composition writing exercises in fourth grade at Rock Bridge Elementary. “During that time in class, I just kept writing and writing, and when everybody stopped I just kept going,” he says. From there, he formed a band called Disrupted PerceptionZ, and when the band fell apart he began rapping and break-dancing on his own, performing at parties and aspiring to play at local venues. Since then, he’s performed across the country, become the hype man for MU football, written a song for the city called “Columbia Stand Up” and shared the stage with artists such as Tech N9ne and Machine Gun Kelly. Sarah Hill, a former KOMU/NBC reporter and current owner of virtual reality company StoryUP, has known Nic since he was in elementary school with her children. Over time, she has written stories about him, followed his career and seen him become more confident as PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MUELLER
an artist and digital storyteller. “Nic has always been really good at social media and posting about his talents on different platforms,” she says. “He’s grown his digital footprint along with his business.” Nic excels at making connections. “He doesn’t know a stranger,” Hill says. Networking isn't just a way to find leads for new gigs but is also a way to meet people within the music industry. Columbia has provided Nic with a substantial base of social media followers, including nearly 3,000 subscribers on Facebook and almost 7,000 followers on Instagram. He posts consistently, sometimes multiple times a day. Hill says he uses the internet to tell his story and share it with the local community; they respond to his posts and amplify his social media presence. Nic has a network of local supporters that he has built over the years and expanded nationally. He includes producers, venue hosts, collaborators, photographers, graphic designers, reporters — and especially his family. His ever-expanding circle might soon include the younger generation as well: Nic plans to open a performing arts school in Columbia to teach kids about music and business someday. “You never know what’s going to take you to the next level,” Nic says. “They say keep digging because you never know when you stop, you might be about to reach the goal.” TECH N9NE WITH NICDANGER AND FUEGO BENTLEY The Blue Note, Oct. 31, doors at 8 p.m.; show at 9 p.m., $27.50 in advance; $30 day of, 874-1944, thebluenote.com
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MUSIC
Beyond their roots
Two years after a bold move to Nashville, Columbia-bred Orchard Fire finds its bearings in the country music capital BY MARLEE ELLISON It’s easy to fantasize about picking up and moving from a small town to a large, bustling city — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago — but harder to find the guts to do it. For Columbia’s Orchard Fire, the end goal was Nashville, a city known for pumping out musical icons, whether it’s country staples such as Johnny Cash or modern projects such as rock ‘n’ roll super-group The Dead Weather. Although it took some time to get adjusted to the Nashville scene, the alt-country group has widened its fan base and learned how to navigate the local industry like pros. Just a month after debuting the 2014 album Now or Never, Orchard Fire made its move. The group immersed itself in Nashville, not knowing what to expect of the country music capital of the world. The band had been together for around two years and was looking forward to playing music full time and gelling together as a group. “When we moved there, we were just trying to get a feel for the city — trying to get a feel for the direction. We really didn’t know what to expect,” vocalist and guitarist Melissa Odom says. The band is essentially one big family made up of married couple Melissa and Jared Odom (drums and percussion), Jared’s brother Justin Odom, who plays guitar and supplies backing vocals, and Paul Lazar on bass, the only non-Odom in the quartet. Each band member uses his or her own musical background to help create polished pieces. Melissa infuses a country element, and the guys are into rock. “We just kind of mix the two together,” Justin says. Because of this mix, Orchard Fire creates songs you’ll remember. “I find their original music to be very captivating,” says fan and friend Jason Caton, who drove to Nashville earlier this year to surprise them at a show. He sees a great relationship between the quiet softness of their music and the ruggedness of the drums and guitar. “That’s what draws me to them the most — that contrast between the quiet and the loud,” he says. Caton cites one of the group’s more popular tracks, “Hoot Owl,” as one that really shows its musical mastery. The group moved into a house and spent the first months in Nashville honing its skills. Before booking a single show, the members practiced every day — four to five hours per day — for six 16
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Following the release of its debut album Now or Never, alt-country quartet Orchard Fire moved to Nashville to pursue music as a career. The scene is so competitive that the group practiced together daily for six months before attempting to book a show.
inspired to step it up a notch. “There’s months. Justin Odom says this doesn’t only so many places you can play, and include the time they spent practicing there’s about a hundred individually, which adds times that many bands,” another two to three THERE’S ONLY Justin says. When groups hours a day. perform, they really have Melissa and Justin SO MANY prove musical and say Nashville is a whole PLACES YOU CAN to technical skills. different industry. It’s PLAY — AND Now on tour for inundated with sharp the first time in the musicians and an air of THERE’S ABOUT A Southwest before coming stiff competition. “It’s HUNDRED TIMES to Columbia, Orchard definitely encouraged Fire hopes to expand its us to get in and practice THAT MANY fan base and maybe even more,” Melissa says. return to the Southwest “You’ve really got to bring BANDS. your A-game.” Not that – JUSTIN ODOM one day. Justin jokes that his expectations are to go the alt-country group home and pay the bills. But either way, wasn’t doing this before; it just was
the band is glad to be living in Tennessee and turning what was once a hobby into a full-time job. The Nashville transplants will return to Rose Music Hall on Nov. 4 to perform an all-Fleetwood Mac tribute concert. Attendees can hear the band’s covers of the songs that originally inspired its music. “It’s finally nice to be out doing what I love for a living,” Melissa says. “That’s where I wanted to be.” FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE FEATURING ORCHARD FIRE WITH JOHN GALBRAITH
Rose Music Hall, Friday, Nov. 4, doors at 8:30 p.m.; show at 9 p.m., $5, 874-1944, rosemusichall.com PHOTO COURTESY OF ORCHARD FIRE
ARTS & BOOKS
These festive rocks were painted and hidden around Cosmo-Bethel Park by Jessie Hilton and Jenny Amato and their daughters Livi Hilton and Kenzie Amato just in time for All Hallows’ Eve.
Ready, set, seek! CoMo Rocks is an innovative community art project that’s rockin’ mid-Missouri and inspiring creativity BY MIKE TISH Livi Hilton and Kenzie Amato begin their hunt in the late afternoon. The girls dash between trees and kick up the fallen leaves at Stephens Lake Park in search of a prize, but so far, they are unsuccessful. What kind of prize? Well, these 9-year-olds are curators of Columbia’s most expansive art gallery, and they’re searching for unconventional masterpieces. Columbia residents are using small stones as canvases for CoMo Rocks, a community art project that doubles as a game of hide-and-seek. Participants communicate with other rock hunters primarily through Facebook groups. The project has also become popular in towns such as Fulton and Jefferson City, the latter of which has more than 13,000 members in its Facebook group, JC Rocks. Columbia’s group has about 1,300 members, but it is extremely active. Locals of all ages are venturing out of their homes to take in some fresh air and adorn naure with their latest creations. Jessie Hilton and Jenny Amato, mothers to Livi and Kenzie, respectively, particularly like that it keeps their kids active in a fun way. If you haven’t already given CoMo PHOTOS COURTESY OF JESSIE HILTON
are replacing any rock they choose to take home with one of their own. Taking artwork without leaving your own decreases the number of rocks Rocks a shot, here are some tips to get available to be found and defeats the you started. purpose of this project. Jenny Reinkemeyer, the JOIN THE FUN VOX ROCKS, TOO creator of the CoMo Jessie Hilton and Rocks Facebook page, Jenny Amato say encourages artists to hide participating in rocks outside, so as not to CoMo Rocks is disturb local businesses. as simple as a trip Also, artists should to Wal-Mart; all remember their rocks participants need are likely to be found are acrylic paint by children, so keep the and rocks. “We content G-rated. really started You didn’t think we’d miss out on all taking it seriously the fun, did you? The Vox staff has BEST HIDING PLACES painted and hidden our own rocks when KCMQ Stephens Lake Park and around Columbia and posted clues started hiding on the CoMo Rocks Facebook page. Cosmo-Bethel Park are cash prizes with If you find one, tag us in a photo popular hiding spots, but the rocks,” Hilton on Instagram (@voxmagazine) or Reinkemeyer says she says. “But now, Facebook (Vox Magazine). and her daughters like to we just enjoy make rocks with themes being out here.” that match the location’s environment. After painting the rock, hide it anywhere “We painted two rocks,” Reinkemeyer around town. Then take a picture of the says. “One looked like bacon, and one rock, and post it to the CoMo Rocks of them looked like an egg, and we hid Facebook group with a clue so members them at IHOP. We hide most of ours at will know where to look. restaurants and shopping plazas. But the more places, the better.” DOS AND DON’TS It’s “finders keepers” as long as explorers
Livi Hilton and Kenzie Amato searched for 30 minutes before they found a small gray rock painted with a bright yellow star at the base of a tree in Stephens Lake Park. The discovery sent the girls into fits of excited giggles.
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GWEN BENJAMIN started her dance journey in CoMo, and she’s now making a name for herself in New York
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wen Benjamin, a dancer trained in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern and contemporary, is showing New York just how far a Columbia-raised performer can go. Benjamin began dancing at age 9 on the competition team at Columbia Performing Arts Centre and says dance was a creative outlet for emotion and energy. She worked with Jen Lee, a dance instructor and competition director at CPAC, for nine years. “She loves what she does,” Lee says. “She doesn’t just work to perfect the moves, she transforms into them. She was born to dance.” After graduating from Rock Bridge High School in 2011, she moved to New York to train with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. She was then chosen from a group of hundreds of women to sign with Clear Talent Group Agency. Her notable accomplishments include performing with Beyoncé at the 2016 VMAs, starring in A Great Big World’s “Oasis” music video and modeling in a Men’s Journal magazine spread with New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey. Vox interviewed Benjamin about her evolving journey as a dancer. What was it like moving to New York by yourself to train instead of attending college? I think I had just turned 18 the week before and didn’t know a soul in New York. You have to put yourself in situations that aren’t set up perfectly. You’re not going to have a nice apartment right away. Once you get your foot in, those things come. This is my fifth year here, and I just got an 18
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air conditioner one month ago. That’s something to celebrate in New York. What goes through your mind when you’re dancing? When I’m really in my zone, it’s an explosion of emotion. You go into a different place. You’re speaking, but the language comes from something inside of you or — I don’t know. What’s that quote? It’s like, “If I could tell you in words why I dance, I wouldn’t have to dance in the first place.” It’s its own language. What was it like dancing with Beyoncé at the VMAs this year? It was so surreal. The first time I saw her, I was sitting there with the biggest grin. I couldn’t believe it. Our call time was between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. every day, and I would be out of there by 1 a.m. So, long days learning choreography. Beyoncé was working with the lighting and sound guys and making sure the cameras were at the right angle. You have to know your stuff so that when she’s ready to go, you’re perfect. How was filming with A Great Big World for the “Oasis” music video? Incredible. I don’t know what I was going through that week, but I needed to let out some steam. After I was done dancing, we were all in tears. It was the craziest thing. It was such an explosive shoot. That was one of my favorite jobs. I mean, Beyoncé you can’t compete with, but it’s a close second.
What’s the most challenging thing about dancing? Wanting to get a job so badly, or feeling passionate about something and being told you’re not right for the part. But it’s not you that’s not booking the jobs. It’s just something specific they need. What are some of your current and future plans? I’ve done two photo shoots this week, so I’m getting updated shots of myself and keeping my resume updated. It’s audition season for the holidays, so I’ve gone to a few acting auditions. I don’t know how much longevity this career has, but I’d like to go on tour before I’m done. I’d like to maybe try choreographing and teaching. I’m also an artist, so maybe painting or a different realm of art. I tend to surprise myself. I might change everything and decide that I want to be a landscaper. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to dance professionally? Take a lot of classes, get your foundation right, and question everything you’ve been taught. Make decisions for yourself and keep yourself outside of your comfort zone. Always have dreams and know that your situation can change with the blink of an eye. All you have to do is pack your bags and go.
— BY BREA CUBIT PHOTO COURTESY OF MARGHERITA MIRABELLA
THE TO-DO LIST
this week in Columbia
ARTS & CULTURE Halloween Makeup Workshop
Bring your makeup kit to this instructional tour through the art of face painting. Get costume tips from fashion experts on hand as well. Today, 3 p.m., Mizzou Craft Studio, $10 for students, $20 for general public, 882-2889
Good Kids
Good Kids uses the stage to explore the difficult topic of sexual assault. Follow the story of Chloe and the ripple effect of one moment in her life. Tonight–Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m., Corner Playhouse, $15, 882-7529
25th Annual India Nite
Take a trip to another side of the globe with MU’s Cultural Association of India. The event will feature traditional Indian and Bollywood dance, a blend of music from the Western and Eastern regions of the country, and traditional folk music. Saturday, 7 p.m., Jesse Hall Auditorium, Free, 639-2010
David Sedaris
With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. Saturday, 7:30–10:30 p.m., Missouri Theatre, $40–$50, 882-3781
CIVIC “The Future of the U.S. Left” with Professor Adolph Reed
As this unconventional election season nears its end, the future of political parties seems unsure. Listen to Adolph Reed, a professor of political science from the University of Pennsylvania, give a lecture titled, “The Triumph of Bernie Sanders and the Future of the U.S. Left” to learn more about where the Democratic party is headed. Tonight, 5:30–7 p.m., Mumford Hall 133, Free, 882-3330
(Not So) Frightening Friday
Throw on your scariest ghost costume or shiniest tiara, and head down to the District to trick or treat at participating shops until the candy runs out. Friday, 4 p.m., South Tenth Street, Free, 442-6816
First Chance for Children Open House
Visit with First Chance staff to learn more about the impact the programs make, check out the Lend & Learn Library, and enjoy family-friendly activities. Friday, 4 p.m., First Chance for Children, Free, 777-1815
Saturday Morning Science
Spend your Saturday morning with science. Join MU assistant professor of anthropology Libby Cowgill for her talk on “Fitness for the Ages: How to Lift Like a Neanderthal.” PHOTO COURTESY OF LESLIE JONES/FACEBOOK
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Bond Life Sciences Center, Free, 882-0093
FOOD & DRINK 9th Annual Chinese Dumpling Festival
The Columbia Friends of China group invites locals to eat, listen and learn at its annual event that supports cultural, educational and economic activities between mid-Missouri and China. The event features a seven-course, family-style meal, music, a silent auction and cultural presentations. Tonight, 6 p.m., Missouri United Methodist Church, $20 in advance, $25 at the door, adults; $10 in advance, $12 at the door, children under 12; $140 for 8-person table, 808-6307
Zombie Pub Crawl: Dead, White and Blue
Zombies return to downtown Columbia for a third year to begin Halloween weekend. There are over 20 locations participating in the pub crawl this year, and with the purchase of a wristband, entry into all of them is free. Event proceeds help support Woodhaven, a local organization that provides services for adults with developmental disabilities. Friday, 6 p.m., The District, $10, 875-6181
MUSIC Adam Torres, Thor & Friends and Rae Fitzgerald
DON’T MISS: LESLIE JONES
Stand-up comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Leslie Jones brings her talent to the Jesse Hall stage. In an evening of hilarious cultural references and unwavering self-confidence, Jones will light up the auditorium with her energy and outrageous comedy bits. Tonight, 7-9:30 p.m., Jesse Auditorium, $32, $22 for MU students, 882-3780
The Royal Furs fuses psych, dance and a little bit of lo-fi fuzz into its music — and the group is breaking out its debut album Fever Dream at Rose Music Hall. Don’t miss this up-and-coming CoMo group. Friday, 8:30 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $5, 874-1944
Indie singer-songwriter Adam Torres is no stranger to travel or Jungian psychology, and both are reflected in his cult-classic tracks. He’ll be joined by Thor & Friends, a minimalist musical project, and Rae Fitzgerald, who was raised in the legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Tonight, 8 p.m., Rose Music Hall, $12, 874-1944
’90s Halloween Party with The Lone Rangers
Purity Ring with HEALTH
Halloween & Hoops
Canadian electronic-music duo Purity Ring heads to The Blue Note for a performance of synth beats and soft, whimsy vocals. Since its formation in 2010, the band has released two albums: Shrines and Another Eternity. Tonight, 8:30 p.m., The Blue Note, $28, 874-1944
Farout Taco Tour
This isn’t the first time Farout has been through Columbia, and if you haven’t heard of him before, give him a listen. His most recent album, A Long Haired Rap Kid, incorporates instruments such as trumpet and puts a spin on traditional hip-hop. Tonight, 9 p.m., The Social Room, $5; $7 minors, 397-6442
John Mellencamp - The Plain Spoken Tour
Mellencamp’s career in music, spanning more than 35 years, has allowed him transition from pop star to one of the most highly regarded songwriters of his generation. His voice and style continues to evolve with the release of Plain Spoken, Mellencamp’s 22nd full-length album. Friday, 7:30 p.m., Jesse Auditorium, $45 and up, 882-3781
Cruise the Creeks Trail Ride Series
The Royal Furs album release party with Enemy Airship and The Meanwells
Get hyped for Halloween with a night full of hits from the decade with this ’90s cover band. Relive the prime of Third Eye Blind, Britney Spears, OutKast and more. Friday, 9:30 p.m., The Social Room, $5, 397-6442
SPORTS To kick off Halloween weekend, put on that crazy costume, and catch some Mizzou basketball. Both the men’s and women’s programs will pass out candy, socialize with fans and take photos before playing in the Black & Gold scrimmage games. Halloweenthemed entertainment will be provided in between the scrimmages. Friday, 5:30 p.m., Mizzou Arena, Free, 882-6501
The Zombie Run
Take to the MKT, and run for the kids at this 5k that benefits St. Jude’s. Register early to get a discount and a T-shirt. Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Flat Branch Park, $25 for early registration; $30 day of, 442-6816
Monster Bike Mash
Are your trick-or-treating years over? This 17mile bike ride along the Katy Trail is kind of like trick-or-treating for grown ups. In full costume attire, riders will stop at Katfish Katy’s for lunch from noon to 2 p.m. and then end the afternoon and evening at an Oktoberfest celebration in Rocheport. Shuttles will take bikers from the festivities back to Columbia. Saturday, 9 a.m., MKT Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial access, Free, musicbrewfest.com
Strap on your helmet, and head out for an afternoon of biking and “capturing the perfect fall photo.” Bike and nature enthusiast Dan Schneiderjohn will discuss the ecological benefits of trailside flora and fauna. Trailside maintenance will be provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday, 2–4 p.m., Martin Luther King Memorial, MKT Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial access, Free, 874-7460
SCREEN Inferno (PG-13)
A film based on Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series, Inferno, follows the events after a famous symbologist (Tom Hanks) wakes up with amnesia. He and his nurse team up to chase a madman across Europe in order to stop him from wiping out half the world’s population. F RUNTIME = 2:01
Queen of Katwe (PG)
A young woman’s life in Kampala is changed when she meets a man who teaches her chess. This uplifting film reveals the power behind natural gifts and where they can take you. RT RUNTIME = 2:04
Still playing
The Accountant (R) F, R The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years (NR) RT Boo! A Madea Halloween (PG-13) F, R The Girl on the Train (R) F, R Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (PG-13) F, R Keeping Up with the Joneses (PG-13) F, R Kevin Hart: What Now? (R) R The Magnificent Seven (PG-13) R Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (PG-13) F, R Ouija: Origin of Evil (PG-13) F, R Storks (PG) R Sully (PG-13) R
Theaters F = Forum R = Regal
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RT = Ragtag = Available in 3-D
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Get the story on Columbia’s latest showings. MOVIE REVIEWS VoxMagazine.com