The Wake Issue 3 Fall 2018

fortnightly student magazine

volume 18 — issue 3

Exploring Our Place in the Universe p. 7

Q&A with Last Import

p. 16

MISA’s Feast of Nations

p. 8

Queer Power

p. 20

PSSY CTRL

p. 11

Florence + The Machine

p. 22

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Art by Jennifer Moss

NOV 5-NOV 19

Send us your creative work!

Want to be featured in The Wake?

We accept art, photography, poems, short stories, & more!

Send your work to: submissions@wakemag.org or submit online at www.wakemag.org/submissions

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 3 EDITORIAL: Editor-in-Chief

Tala Alfoqaha

Managing Editor

Chris Shea

Cities Editor

Olivia Hultgren

Voices Editor

Farrah Mina

Music Editor

Megan Hoff

Online editor

Becca Most

Copy editors

MaiLei Meyers Hannah Haakenson

Multimedia Editor

Sebastian Alfonzo

Multimedia Producer

Daniel Elder

Editorial Interns: Hannah Olund, Sylvia Rani, Esther Chan, Jimmy Cooper, Emma Chekroun, Mathryn Merta, Callum Leemkuil-Sherman, Abbi Kiesau, Autumn Sanders, Kelsey Bolander, Tosin Faseemo

PRODUCTION: Executive Director

Jamie Rohlfing

Production Manager

Olivia Novotny

Creative Director

Megan Smith

Finance Manager

Ella Hennen

PR/Ad Manager

Sophie Stephens

Social Media Manager

Macie Rasmussen

Art Director

Morgan Wittmers-Graves

Designers

Nicole Faouen Annie Judd Semira Mesfin

Web Manager

Nikki Pederson

Distribution Manager

Cassie Varrige

Production Interns: Jennifer Ta, Claire Redell, Jack Nachtigal, Madison Amland, Shay Jerabek Art Interns: Selena Philaphandeth, Emily Jablonski

THIS ISSUE: Writers

Sylvia Rani, Hannah Olund, Callum Leemkuil-Sherman, Olivia Hultgren, Š2018 The Wake Student Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

Established in 2002, The Wake is a fortnightly independent magazine and registered student organization produced by and for students at the University of Minnesota.

The Wake was founded by Chrin Ruen & James DeLong.

Disclaimer: The purpose of The Wake is to provide a forum in which students can voice their opinions. Opinions expressed in the magazine are not representative of the publication or university as a whole.

To join the conversation email talfoqaha@wakemag.org.

Jimmy Cooper, Esther Chan, Claire Redell, Macie Rassmussen, Tala Alfoqaha, Tosin Faseemo, Joe Kelly, Kathryn Merta, Megan Hoff, Kelsey Bolander, Farrah Mina, Marley Richmond, Emma Chekroun, Chris Shea, Jessi Neumann Art 1 Brighid de Danann 2 Selena Philaphandeth 3 Megan Smith 4 Morgan Wittmers-Graves 5 Emily Jablonski 6 Semira Mesfin 7 Grace Scherwenka Q&A photos courtesy of Last Import.

The Wake Student Magazine 126 Coffman Memorial Union 300 Washington Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN 55455

Greta Van Fleet, Prince, Twenty One Pilots, and Abysskiss art from original album covers.

Cover & Feature art by Brighid de Danann

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wink! one page magazine

TAG YOURSELF: UMN BATHROOMS

WAM

Pillsbury Hall

-Cool ‘n’ collected -Obsessed with French presses -Their taste is always better than yours

-the quiet friend that is always there for you -takes 2 naps a day -always single -tweets are fake deep

Northrop

Nicholson

-seemingly somewhat out of place -sorts and recycles everything -composts at home -classy, upgraded trash

-soft punk -gets a new tattoo every time they have an identity crisis -has switched majors 4 times

The Whole

Lind Hall

The Graduate

-Supplies double-ply attitude on a single-ply budget -Would never wear leggings to class -Slept on

-minimal sophisticate -music taste is better than yours -is secretly very lonely

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-A notorious procrastinator -Loves to decorate and redecorate -Has small feet -Closet is always a mess

That One Really Nice Bathroom On St. Paul Campus -Always has what you need -Takes care of everyone else -Cries a lot

Blegen

-Only shops at Nordstrom -Weird aversion to microwaves -Talks to strangers on the lightrail -Never holds the door open for you NOV 5-NOV 19

INSIDE

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Letter from the Editor

11/7-12/19

11/11

7

Not Your Grandmother’s Fall Activities

St. Paul Farmer’s Market at Union Depot

Drake

Every Wednesday through December 19th, Union Depot will have an indoor farmers marketing with locally grown produce, baked goods, and more.

Xcel Energy Center

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Bonchon Brings Korean Fried Chicken to MSP PSSY CTRL

11/9

16

Q&A with Last Import

Jazz & Swing

19

#SocietyIsOverParty

23

Greek Hard Alcohol Ban Lacks Enforcement Plan Review: Trench

11/15 MCAD Art Sale

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20

C

w/Migos

2501 Stevens Avenue A

Join U Swing for free swing lessons, a live jazz band, body art, snacks, and more.

St. Paul Student Center, North Star Ballroom

11/9-11/10 Free Screening: Crazy Rich Asians

B

Coffman Memorial Union

A

11/10 Minneapolis Vintage Market Modist Brewery Company B

11/11 Succulent Bar Make & Take Sociable Cider Werks

C

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Letter from the Editor Hey there reader, Now that I have your attention, I would formally like to thank you for deciding to take a look at this wonderful student-run magazine from the great state of Minnesota (you know, that place where it started to snow on Oct. 14).

Webster’s Dictionary does not have a definition for The Wake. But if it did, it would probably be “The Wake: n. Magazine with 24 color-printed pages founded in the early 2000s that gives students a platform to be heard.” (FORMAT THIS LIKE A DICTIONARY ENTRY) Now comes the paragraph where I start to get sentimental about my time here, seeing as I am in my senior year and all that jazz.

It was a little over two years ago that I was starting to find my writing style at the U. I still remember the first story I picked up here — it was about how protest voting during the 2016 election would not shake-up the two party system. Fun fact: it did not shake up anything.

Since then, I’ve had dozens of bylines for various sections of the Wake on topics ranging from breaking down political issues to reviews on R.E.M. (the world’s greatest band). I also had the pleasure of being a Copy Editor last year. So AP style errors haunt me every night.

Now look at me — I get to curate the feature for every issue this year. The one for this issue is on a monthly comedy show on West Bank. It is well worth at least five reads and going to an upcoming show.

I also highly recommend that you read the rest of this wonderful magazine from our amazing and diverse core of writers and interns. The art is also really cool.

With love, Chris Shea Managing Editor (Employee of the Month, Oct. 2018)

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Not Your Grandmother’s Fall Activities

CITIES

Ditch those pumpkin spice lattes

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BY OLIVIA HULTGREN Albeit one of the most beautiful, fall is also one of the shortest seasons in Minnesota. That means there’s only limited time to indulge in spontaneous pumpkin patch visits, piping hot mugs of apple cider, and one last trip to Minnehaha. Before everything freezes over, here are some ways you can shake up your fall routine.

1) Hitch a Bird down East River Road E-scooters aren’t just around for carting you to class. Hop on and head south down East River Road toward St. Paul. With the ole Mississippi to your right and vibrant spurts of maple trees to your left, even the brisk wind cutting through your sweater can’t stop you. Take a break at the Lake Street bridge to admire Minneapolis over the water.

2) Have a pumpkin cooking night The time for carving Jack-O-Lanterns may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still use your leftover pumpkin. With the help of Pinterest, pumpkin recipes abound, from classics like pumpkin pie to more adventurous fare like pumpkin spice soup and pumpkin cheesecake bars. And don’t forget, you can toast the seeds.

3) Stroll through the Landscape Arboretum Fall colors line stone pathways at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Enter over 1,200 acres of beautiful plant collections, woods, and walking trails in a giant botanical garden nearly 60 years old. The best part? It’s free admission for U of M students.

4) Jump in a leaf pile There’s nothing more satisfying than plopping into a giant pile of crunchy red and brown leaves, especially when you need to blow off steam from that last physics test. Fallen leaves litter parks like the Knoll on campus and Van Cleve down the road.

Embrace your inner 8-year-old and rake up a storm.

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THE WAKE

Exploring Our Place in the Universe What exactly is considered star material?

BY HANNAH OLUND A quick trip to the Bell Museum in St. Paul will send one hurtling through space and time, discovering everything from the big bang to the enormous size of a mammoth tooth, to all the different species that natively inhabit Minnesota forests. The Bell Museum was founded in 1872 and has since inspired and educated everyone who has walked through its doors. The Bell Museum was recently renovated and reopened this year with a brandnew look. Its new features include permanent galleries, a Touch and See Lab, Learning Landscape, and, most notably, the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium.

In the 120-seat planetarium, you can fly through space, explore current science issues, and experience live presentations put on by the museum’s staff. There are eight unique showings every day that transform the audience’s surroundings into a magnificent view of the entire universe. Whichever show you choose to go experience, your pre-existing ideas will be challenged, confirmed, and completely recreated. Be sure to get there on time because the doors close and lock at showtime.

Along with the planetarium, you can explore the other galleries at the Bell Museum. The tour begins with the big bang. From there, you travel from the beginning of the universe all the way to the Earth we know today. Along the way, you learn the process of a star exploding, what is required for a planet to be considered an exoplanet, and the compounds in the universe that make up every living thing—including you! At the next exhibit, you’ll travel back in time and meet a gigantic mammoth.

You can explore tons of different species on display for everyone. After the Ice Age, the gallery shows Minnesota through time. The changing of the landscape, climate, and species are all explained.

Wherever your curiosity takes you, the Planetarium offers something new and excitinfor everyone.

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CITIES

MISA’s Feast of Nations 2018

Celebrating multiculturalism within the University community

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BY SYLVIA RANI Hundreds of people filled the Great Hall at Coffman Memorial Union on Saturday, October 20th for the Minnesota International Student Association’s annual Feast of Nations. The event was a celebration of the many cultures and cuisines that international students bring to the University of Minnesota.

The night began with musical performances from various cultural student groups. The Omani Student Union performed a traditional Al Ayala dance, wielding long embellished sticks called “assa.” The Minnesota K-pop Dance Crew performed a high-energy choreographed set.

Gayathri Dileepan, an undergraduate student in the College of Biological Sciences, performed a traditional South Indian dance about the sun god.

“This event was important for me because I really love being able to show my dance and my culture,” said Dileepan, who has been dancing for eleven years.

After the cultural performances had concluded, the feast began. Attendees were served a variety of dishes including papaya salad, tikka masala, and tiramisu, to name a few. Beverage choices were lychee juice, milk tea, and mango juice.

The night concluded with a multicultural fashion show. Models sashayed down the runway donning traditional garments of their countries. It was an extravaganza of vibrant colors, flowy silhouettes, meticulous makeup, and cultural pride.

“I’ve heard of a lot of student groups here that I didn’t even know existed,” said junior Natasha Sohni. On a campus of roughly 50,000 students and over 300 cultural student groups, the Feast of Nations aims to help the community of international students feel a little less dispersed. “I like this event because it creates awareness of the growing diversity that we have here on campus,” Sohni continued, “As well as bridging the gap between those who aren’t international students and those who are.”

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Bonchon Brings Korean Fried Chicken to Minneapolis “KFC takes on an entirely new meaning

BY SYLVIA RANI Bonchon has arrived.

The Korean-style fried chicken joint has been a favorite on the coasts for years now, and it has finally come to Minneapolis. I had the joy of visiting the Uptown location situated on Lake and Hennepin. My friends and I went on a Thursday night, and the place was packed. The vibe of the restaurant is modern-casual, with sleek wooden tables and black-and-white photos lining the walls. The crowd was a mixture of families with babies and millennials snapping photos for Instagram. The menu was extensive; a mix of classic Korean dishes like bibimbap alongside Asian fusion dishes like Korean tacos. Despite the available options, we already knew exactly what we came for: chicken wings.

Bonchon offers two marinade options when it comes to chicken wings: spicy or soy garlic. We got both. The wings came with a small bowl of cubed radish. Biting into these wings was a heavenly experience. The outside was perfectly crispy while the inside was moist and juicy. The breading is not as heavy as American chicken wings; it’s more like a light coating that does not overpower the flavor of the chicken. My friend described the soy wings as “sweet and savory, a bit like lemon chicken but with more crunch.” The spicy wings had a similar citrus taste but with a decent amount of heat that left us with dragon breath. My friends found themselves in need of multiple water refills. The radish was the perfect complement, providing a refreshing break from the heat of the wings.

Luckily, Bonchon will not be exclusive to Uptown.

Another location is posed to open in Dinkytown in place of the old Vescio’s, bringing the joy of Korean fried chicken to the University of Minnesota community.

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NOV 5-NOV 19

Art Books and Coffee on the West Bank A traveling exhibition highlights an overlooked gem—and an overlooked medium—near the University

BY CALLUM LEEMKUIL-SHERMAN What do we think of when we hear the word “book?” Few of us spend any time at all thinking about the actual mass-produced physical object; there is even a widely-repeated aphorism about how we shouldn’t pay attention to a certain aspect of the book: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

The Minnesota Center for Book Arts has a slightly different take on things, one that is on display at Formation, the new traveling exhibit currently set up at the West Bank’s own Open Book, a combination cafe, bookstore, community art center, library, and museum. Formation is an exhibition of art books made by members of the Guild of Book Workers, an organization of people dedicated to high-quality bookbinding and manufacturing. Many people are unfamiliar with bookmaking as an art, and Formation offers an excellent opportunity to explore both a new medium and a beautiful literary center only a fiveminute bike ride from campus.

The work on display takes many different forms.

There is no shortage of what might be called “traditional” bound books, though they look much less plain than most things you’ll find at a Barnes and Noble. For example, there is a new binding, done by Patricia Owen, of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” whose very shape is warped, grey, and ominous, much like the grim world of the story itself. However, there are also many books on display that, removed from the context of the exhibit, would be unrecognizable as books; for example, books written with tallow and fat on scrolls of parchment, or books written in gold leaf on scorched palm leaves.

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Formation offers an incredible opportunity to change your perspective on books as art objects. Plus, once you’re finished with the exhibit, you can get a coffee at the lovely Open Book Cafe and mull over all the ways your mind has been expanded.

The Open Book is located at 1011 South Washington Avenue.

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CITIES

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#MeToo and the First Amendment Understanding the importance of protecting survivor’s freedom of speech

BY HANNAH OLUND Harvey Weinstein’s accusations and the #MeToo movement have taken the United States by storm over the past year. The lawyer who represented Ashley Judd in one of the most controversial cases in Hollywood’s history spoke at the Silha Center on October 18th. Ted Boutrous Jr. spoke about the importance of protecting the First Amendment during this pivotal moment in history. Boutrous decided to represent Judd when she sued Weinstein for defamation after finding out he had purposely sabotaged her career.

Boutrous has spent his career defending media organizations and their freedoms, but now he is focusing on defending the voices of sexual assault survivors. “#MeToo movement is one of the most remarkable First Amendment movements,” Boutrous said. After the #MeToo movement erupted, Boutrous tweeted, “I repeat: I will represent pro bono anyone #Trump sues for exercising their free speech rights. Many other lawyers have offered to join me.” His tweet went viral, and one day, Judd took him up on his offer.

Boutrous is committed to supporting the voices of women speaking up against powerful men who are trying to silence them. He wanted them to know that they would have someone to represent and that they no longer needed to be silenced by their assailants’ threats. Boutrous and Judd believe their case against Weinstein is important because it publicly punishes and deters people from this kind of behavior. “Time is up for that kind of behavior in our country,” Boutrous said.

“We need strong First Amendment protection now more than ever,” Boutrous urged. When the sexual assault allegations were made against candidate Trump, Boutrous said he thought it was ridiculous that a candidate running for president would threaten women for coming out with sexual assault allegations in this way. This sort of behavior has continued to escalate since then. “The #MeToo movement is made of strong people using the first amendment to speak their stories,” and that is what we need today, Boutrous said.

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ART

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Art by Sarah Corner

NOV 5-NOV 19

FEATURE

PSSY PSSY CTRL CTRL

A diverse and relevant comedy show.

by KATHRYN MERTA

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FEATURE

Hidden beneath the Corner Bar on West Bank lies an entrance covered in multi-colored posters of previous events that are sure to catch your eye.

Welcome to the Comedy Corner Underground.

Upon entering the bar’s basement for a recent event, guests were greeted by Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The USA” and a staircase surrounded on three sides by a wallpaper of even more colorful posters of past comedy shows, creating an ambiance that takes you to a new world within seconds—slightly mysterious, but filled with excited chatter and soft candlelight.

The dark venue was illuminated by a spotlight directed at the tiny corner stage and twinkle lights draped across the ceiling in various patterns. The leopard printed fabric that hung from the back wall screamed out in bright red letters: PSSY CTRL. PSSY CTRL is a monthly comedy show that showcases the best of new and practiced comedians. The show normally runs for about 90 minutes with about 10 of those minutes dedicated to each performer.

A tip for all UMN students: these shows are free for students who bring their U-Card. So there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying it.

With 20 guests in total, the show started at 8 p.m. on the dot. Rana May and Shelley Paul, the producers and hosts of PSSY CTRL, opened the night with some fun banter to warm the audience up for the performers.

The six comedians set to perform were incredibly diverse and covered topics such as depression, puberty, coming out, sexism, and so much more in a way that was edgy but never insensitive. They graced the stage with impressive professionalism while engaging the entire audience.

At times, the audience members seemed close to literally rolling on the floor. This was especially evident when the fourth performer Amanda Kosner, a self-proclaimed “LGBT redneck,” performed her songs “Lesbian Jesus” and “Are You Still Interested?”

Yes, these songs are on iTunes.

May credits the original idea of PSSY CTRL to a friend and fellow comedian, Jan Syverson, who submitted the idea to The Comedy Corner Underground. Then he, along with May and Paul, worked on it until his life led him away from the Twin Cities. However, he is still a part of the show’s decision making progress and communicates with the show via a facebook group.

According to May, from the first performance in February of 2016, the goal of these monthly shows has been to give a platform to “fresh new comedians and those with years of experience.”

Mary Jo Peel, an older woman, was one such comedian with years of experience. She joked about the recent phenomenon of “tiny homes,” her incredibly hot younger neighbor, and her eye doctor who is just too “Minnesota nice” to actually do his job correctly.

Another performer by the name of Maddie T got some big laughs, leading her to be an audience favorite that night. Mentioning her degree in environmental studies, she joked that she got a “degree in depression.” She also spoke about her pride in being half Mexican which, according to her, gave her a little white privilege while still getting to speak Spanish.

As for how the show got its name, May said that it’s an abbreviated form of the title of Prince’s song

“The goal...has been to give a p comedians and those with years 12

NOV 5-NOV 19

FEATURE

“P**** Control,” as the Minnesota songsmith was an early supporter of personal empowerment, which is an important part of the show as they cater to women, non-binary, agender, and trans people.

Plus, is there anything more Minnesotan than Prince?

At the same time, there needs to be boundaries surrounding what is OK to make jokes about.

Sensitivity is key in a good joke because there is a fine line between funny and offensive.

A VARIETY OF VOICES

“Comedy is important right now because we are reorienting what to laugh at,” said Skoog.

This show is especially refreshing in a society that has just started to expand its viewpoint to minorities. But more than trying to broaden the minds of their audiences, May believes the main purpose of this monthly show is to have fun and make the audience laugh.

Basically, there is a lot more sensitivity these days about what is actually funny and what is just offensive. Luckily, PSSY CTRL has found performers who are more than capable of treading that line.

“Laughter is focused, meditative, and helps people feel vulnerable with each other when presented with challenging ideas,” said May. “Our show offers a variety of voices that are not mainstream.”

Caroline Skoog, a junior at the University of Minnesota, and the first of the comedians to perform, enticed the audience with a funny take on her own coming of age story, from her skater girl phase to some really bad dates. Skoog got involved in comedy at a young age when she and her older brothers would watch stand up on television.

Fantastically diverse and self-aware, this show is a great way to spend a Thursday night. The show plays every second Thursday of the month starting at 8 PM at the Comedy Corner Underground, and is best enjoyed with a friend or two. The bar also hosts an open mic on Friday nights for those interested in trying out their comedy skills or those that just want to laugh a little at the end of the week.

Believe it or not, comedy isn’t just for Saturday Night Live celebs, it’s all around us here in Minneapolis; all you have to do is Google it.

After growing up with a love for comedy, she went to a Comedy Club meeting during her first week in school. She’s been in the club ever since and spends some of her time volunteering at the Comedy Club Underground. This was Skoog’s thirdtime performing for PSSY CTRL. “Their intent is to give a voice to comedians in the community—women, people of color, [and] any marginalized peoples,” she said.

latform to ‘fresh new s of experience’”

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CREATIVE WRITING

How Do You Look?

BY MEGAN SMITH

The Isabella Stewart Gardener museum in Boston, Massachusetts is home to various works of European, Asian and American art. It was built to emulate a 15th century Venetian palace, and opened to the public in 1903.

In 1990, thirteen of the museum’s most famous works were stolen, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, and Degas. It is the single largest property theft in the world, and none of the pieces have been recovered since.

As equally as I was interested in the musuem itself, I was interested with how visitors interacted with this space. In a room full of so much history and intrigue, how do we look? These are photos of some of the visitors that intrigued me the most.

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Q&A

Last Import

BY MEGAN HOFF

Last Import is a self-described “surf punk grrrl band” comprised of “just three college-age girls doing their best.” Emily Bjorke is studying Music Business and Geography at Mankato State University and plays guitar and vocals. Grace Baldwin,a Psychology student here at the University of Minnesota plays bass, and Jane Halldorson plays drums. We chatted in Jane’s basement, their rehearsal space, about playing the Mainroom at First Avenue, Battle of the Bands, and how they’re making this long-distance project work.

: How long have you been playing together?

Jane: [gestures to Emily] Us, like six years… five or six. And then Grace just joined like a year and a half ago.

Grace: Yeah, the old bassist moved to Tennessee so I was like, “Let me in!”

: How did you meet?

JH: Through She Rock She Rock. It’s a nonprofit organization that empowers women and everyone through music. Emily found it through Craigslist.

I’ve know Grace since fourth grade. But it’s like a girls’ rock and roll retreat, and then we put the band together.

GB: It’s kind of like the “School of Rock” scenario.

: How did each of you pick the instruments you play today?

JH: I picked drums because string instruments are hard, and I like to play loud and just hit things. I have a lot of energy.

EB: I play guitar because that was like the only thing I had access to as a kid… I never could

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lessons or anything either, so it was like when I was home, that was what I would do.

GB: I started out learning guitar first, and my dad had always been a bassist in bands… I was kind of being stubborn about it, like “I don’t wanna do the same thing as my dad” so I tried every other instrument and then I played bass once and I was like, “Oh. I dig this, actually. I guess I am gonna be like my dad.”

: Where do you usually rehearse?

GB: Right here! Jane’s basement.

JH: We have no PA or mics, and so we practice all instrumental or screaming. We used to… hang a bullhorn… and it would kind of twirl around and Emily would have to, like, chase it.

EB: Yeah, I would have to chase that thing down.

JH: I don’t know why you didn’t just tie it to your head.

EB: That’s horrifying.

: How do you balance the band with studying?

GB: Barely.

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Q&A

EB: I have to drive from Mankato. My parents live in the Twin Cities, so it’s not the worst thing ever. But it’s just constant movement.

For anybody who would theoretically wanna do that kind of thing, if you don’t like running around, wouldn’t recommend it… it’s fun, though. It makes everything much more worthwhile, in the long run.

GB: I’m typically very much a procrastinator, so I’ve definitely had to cut back on that and get better at scheduling my time.

: Who are your musical influences?

GB: I really like punk bands. I run a punk show on Radio K… grew up with a lot of Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Panic! At The Disco, all that emo stuff.

EB: I love Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. He’s like my biggest inspiration. So anything like surfy and simple was my childhood, and then these two have kind of opened me up to a wider range of letting my emotions out within music.

JH: I like all music. I like metal a lot and just rock.

The Doors are my favorite band, and then the Glorious Sons, too. But for, like, drumming or band inspiration, probably The Front Bottoms.

EB: I also like to say Foster the People, who we also opened for them this summer.

: What was it like to release your first EP? JH: Fun; it was stressful though. We just recorded a full-length album that we’re releasing in February, and like, we’ve planned it out so much better and gave ourselves so much time. Did our EP even get on Spotify?

EB: No, we just randomly dropped it for our release show. Like, it wasn’t even on time. People were like, “When will it be up?” and we were like, “I don’t know.” We really rushed to get it out… we finished recording it in September and it’ll be released in February, so we have months to prepare.

GB: It’s a lot less chaotic this time.

: What was the best show you’ve ever played?

music soundtrack… the words come last, and then we all come together and bring our own ideas to the table.

GB: We do a lot of collaborating over text and group message, too. It’s a lot easier to be able to like just send ideas back and forth really quick, rather than having to wait ‘til we’re all in the same place at the same time.

: Last Import was a finalist at the University of Minnesota’s Battle of the Bands last spring.

How did you like competing, and would you ever do something like that again?

EB: I would do it again.

JH: Once we get our prize, I’ll do it again.

EB: Yeah, we did two of them last year. We did the University of Minnesota one and then we did the Go 96.3 one. And we made it to the finals in both of those. We didn’t win either of them.

JH: We were close… it’s just the experience.

EB: It’s cool because… I feel like we met so many people through those, whether it be other bands or people who are just interested in music.

JH: What was cool too with The Whole one it’s like all college kids… right now we have, like, our family and parents… and I mean, we have our younger crowd but it’s all like our friends, so to have like, some party kids...

EB: What we won through that is we’re actually playing on Thursday [Oct. 18] at The Whole.

GB: We can kinda get competitive too… in a really fun kind of way. It was definitely a cool experience.

JH: We’ve played in the Mainroom [at First Avenue] and that was super fun. Then we played with Foster the people…

EB: That was my favorite one.

JH: Then we’re gonna play at Palace [Theatre], so that’s going to be super fun.

GB: I think First Ave Mainroom for me, just because… as a kid in Minnesota, that’s what you dream of, and where you see all your favorite people playing.

JH: I was surprised I wasn’t more stressed out for that.

GB: We sobbed after.

EB: I cried like five times that day.

: Who would you like to collaborate with, and what would you do?

JH: I want someone who screams, just for like a song.

EB: If we could collab with Greta Van Fleet… if you’re talking screaming, that’s screaming I could get with.

JH: I don’t know who I would collab with...

EB: Glorious Sons?

JH: Oh, my god, yeah.

: What are your plans for the band after college?

EB: I’d love to make it work big time... when you get just even a taste of what it feels like, like when we played Mainroom… it makes you hungry for more.

GB: We all definitely have a drive to make that happen.

: What is your songwriting process?

EB: It sounds kind of intense, but I’ll keep myself awake at night, because I’ll start to hear things in my head. It’ll typically come with the melody or there’s some kind of hook in my mind… you can kind of tell what the song is about, kinda like a

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VOICES

My Culture is Not a Costume

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Halloween costumes in the age of cultural sensitivity

Queer Power Free Speech, Hate Speech, and Vandalism

BY JIMMY COOPER In recent university news, the College Republicans have had their “Paint the Bridge” mural vandalized for the third year in a row. The mural attacked the new campus pronoun policy, and more insidiously, queer and transgender people. It denounced using people’s correct pronouns, reasoning that doing so would take away from “real” social issues, namely poverty, addiction, and education. Given the Republican Party’s stance on social welfare programs and its opposition to making schools more accessible and better funded, the panel has a hint of dark humor.

In the wake of the graffiti, “QUEER POWER,” has left folks, at least on the internet, starkly divided.

Some say that the vandal is suppressing free speech or that they’re a fascist (and a Democrat!).

Others think the College Republicans, after spawning a tradition, deserve it at this point. Either way, it’s an interesting half hour down the rabbit hole of the internet.

All of this brings up important questions of censorship and free speech. Are the College Republicans being censored? The right to free speech means that people can say what they want and that no opinion is illegal. It does not, however, keep opinions safe from backlash, argument, or retaliation. Just because you can say that transgender people, by existing, are taking resources away from other issues, doesn’t mean you’re right. It doesn’t mean that no one can argue, and it certainly doesn’t mean that your signs are protected from retaliating graffiti.

And there’s the argument of how LGBTQIA+ folks should have reacted. We should, apparently, be completely docile and engage only in civil debate. Maybe we should, but I, for one, am tired of measuring marginalized people’s worth by their civility and not by their humanity. So for that matter, I say love and support all LGBTQIA+ people, even the angry ones, even the ones with a can of spray paint, but most importantly, those of us being attacked through words or otherwise.

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BY TOSIN FASEEMO As Halloween approached, many around the country looked for the perfect thing to wear on the spookiest holiday of the year. People of all ages searched for witty, trendy costumes that would impress their peers and garner likes on Instagram.

For some, this meant wearing a costume based on a specific culture derived from a racial or national identity. These costumes create stereotypical knockoffs of real people and culturally important outfits, such as those worn by Japanese geishas and Native American chiefs, for entertainment.

Those who dress up in these costumes are guilty of cultural appropriation, which occurs when aspects of a minority culture are taken and used by someone from a dominant culture.

The most dangerous aspect of cultural appropriation is the practice of taking things from other cultures without their approval. Cultural appropriation harms marginalized groups by commodifying and trivializing their cultures. It takes symbols of great importance and reduces them to mere costumes: something fun to put on, artificially experience, and then walk away from. This is the opposite of cultural appreciation, which borrows from other cultures, but still gives them credit and respect. A cultural appreciator would prefer to deeply educate themselves about a culture, whereas an appropriator would superficially pick and choose which parts to steal.

It’s important to understand the difference between a culture and a caricature. An entire identity cannot and should not be watered down into a simple costume created for entertainment.

Be considerate of other people and their history.

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NOV 5-NOV 19

VOICES

#SocietyIsOverParty The sinister case of mob mentality on social media eating away at society

BY ESTHER CHAN Being the flawed, complex creatures that we are, not much is needed for our thoughts to become a concoction of emotions, stirring around and bubbling in the exuberant mess that is our brains.

Of all these emotions, anger seems to flaunt its ugly face quicker than any other. Adding to this equation the volatile nature of social media, it comes as no surprise how easily the online mob mentality seduces an individual. These “mobs” prowl the internet, scouring for slip-ups and misdemeanors, eager and salivating at the chance to devour with their latest tactics of hate and personal attacks. Social media has evolved into an echo chamber where individuals have found the power to form one, resoundingly loud voice—a development that is encouraging yet frightening.

There is no denying the benefit of social media’s ability to provide a community, especially to those who are initiating a movement. Two of the latest, most significant examples would be the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movement. However, there are always two sides to the same coin. Considering the constant influx of new horrors materializing in our newsfeed, it is hardly difficult to see why online “mobs” arise so rapidly. It begins with the intention of holding people accountable, but they evolve into a chaotic, mad rush of hate. In anticipation to “cancel” the latest celebrity, individuals eagerly jump onto the bandwagon of personal attacks, threats, and hate-filled suggestions—all the while never bothering to complete their own factual research.

Not to mention, social media mobs are all too quick to quell and ravage against the voices of those whose opinions deviate even the slightest from their own. Rather than rationally explaining the issue with someone’s mindset, mob mentality encourages individuals to immediately assert as much hate as possible. The sheer amount of energy spent on harassment is astounding. Beyond forcing out a public apology though, this erratic anger ultimately does little in terms of creating progressive change. This is not to say that an individual should not be held accountable nor

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is it to say that anger cannot often be justified.

However, meaningless hate such as attacking someone’s appearance and family or suggesting they kill themselves—this is volatile anger that anyone who claims to uphold justice should be ashamed of.

With mob mentality on social media, it is frightening to realize that the concept of forgiveness has become all but obsolete.

Admittedly, forgiveness cannot always be given, and sometimes, it should not be. . However, whether it should be granted, forgiveness should still, at the very least, be regarded as an option. I believe that forgiveness and the willingness to help someone grow and change from their mistakes is one of the only ways to truly improve society.

If forgiveness was genuinely, sincerely considered, one would find that so much energy can be conserved by repressing the mob-like instincts to respond with maximum hate and anger.

patience. Yes, there will always be weeds that ought to be uprooted. However, if you were to step into a growing garden, perhaps you’d be surprised just how many “weeds” turn out to be flowers waiting to bloom.

Unpopular, idealistic, naive—call it what you want, but nothing can eradicate my belief in forgiveness.

Though, I’d hardly consider it naive to say that there is enough hate in this world. It’s not worth it to let mob mentality seduce you into pressing “enter” on your next hate-filled tweet. Have patience, have love, have forgiveness. Let those damn flowers grow.

Think of society like a garden. Every plant and flower is in a different development stage. Some are in full bloom, ready to be praised for their beauty and growth. But others have hardly begun.

They are barely out of the ground or have not even germinated. These plants possess the potential to be just as beautiful given time, guidance, and

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VOICES

Greek Hard Alcohol Ban Lacks Enforcement Plan The IFC has failed to detail enforcement policy as by law-amendment deadline approaches

Would you expect anything else from college students?

BY MACIE RASMUSSEN

BY CLAIRE REDELL

Burning holes in rags, leaving plastic microwave covers in the oven, forgetting a piece of pita bread on the stove and almost burning the house down: these are all typical cooking experiences for those of us recently living on our own.

It’s been a few weeks since the Interfraternity Council (IFC) implemented a hard alcohol ban for the majority of chapters on campus. The IFC has yet to release any specifics as to how exactly the ban will be enforced, raising questions about how strict the assumed self-policing will be. Given the common trend of alcohol abuse at fraternities and the minimal intervention from law enforcement, the ban should be viewed with skepticism until tangible proof of its effectiveness is shown.

Although this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for reversing deep-rooted stigmas for Greek life on campus, many think the ban is long overdue. In an interview with the Minnesota Daily, University IFC President Billy Langer called the ban a “no-brainer.” This is unfortunate considering that if the ban had been implemented earlier, it could have prevented the two over-consumption deaths experienced in the Greek community this past year.

Beyond amending fraternity bylaws, the Greek community needs to figure out how to re-educate its members on the dangers of over-consumption in order to weaken their notoriously strong ties between social events and binge drinking. The IFC’s proactive decision to to implement the ban earlier than the NIC suggested is admirable, but many hold doubts that the policy will be effective without potential punishments in place.

Moreover, the ban draws even more of a divide between national and local chapters, specifically Tau Kappa Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and Phi Delta Theta that aren’t required to adhere to the ban, since they aren’t part of the NIC. Still, it is important to commend the change for its potential to address systemic issues in Greek culture surrounding alcohol-related incidents.

The hard alcohol ban should not be expected to completely eradicate the problem. Instead, it should serve as a launchpad into re-examining drinking culture in Greek life as a whole.

Optimistically speaking, it is more than possible that the Greek community will be able to make gradual progress towards reversing the upward trend of alcohol abuse in the coming years.

Kitchen Disasters

College is the perfect time to pull out all the stops in the kitchen. Your parents aren’t there to scold you, the smoke alarms in your run-down home probably don’t work, and your roommates can’t complain too much because they’ve done some questionable things, too.

“I forgot to add water to ‘just add water’ mac n’ cheese,” one sophomore who preferred to remain anonymous admitted. “There was smoke everywhere, and the plastic melted.”

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“I was in the shower, and I suddenly smelled smoke,” junior Rachel Kukiela said.

Kukiela had put cookies (the “nice kind”) in the oven when this happened. She couldn’t let them burn, so she ran to the kitchen without grabbing a towel.

Senior Mitchell Walstad recalls a dramatic incident in which his roommate filled a pan with oil on the stove, attempting to deep fry popcorn shrimp. He was sitting in his living room with noise cancelling headphones when he heard his roommate yell, “Mitchell!”

“And I thought, ‘oh gosh,’” Walstad said.

He ran into the kitchen and there were flames up to the ceiling. Because Walstad had been an Eagle Scout, he knew that throwing water on the fire would just make it worse. He set the pan on the linoleum floor, found baking soda, and emptied the entire box onto the flaming pan.

The incident left burn marks on the floor and walls -- goodbye, security deposit! Multiple neighbors came down to ask if everything was okay.

When you’re in college, cooking is never, “okay.”

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NOV 5-NOV 19

VOICES

The Apple(by) of my eye A declaration of love

BY TALA ALFOQAHA Dear Appleby, 4

Selective Attention When the media clutters its content with too much of the same.

BY JOE KELLY If there’s one thing the media loves to cover, it’s Trump. Despite, or perhaps because of, the disdain that reporters and talk show hosts held him in during and after the election, every action of his seemed to dominate national headlines.

Even today, whether it’s about his most recent Twitter blunder or his administration’s controversial law-making, you’re bound to see endless articles and think pieces and analyses emerge online and on-air. At times like these, I can’t help wondering about the news that isn’t covered when all resources are pointed to Washington D.C. Privately owned media in the United States is a blessing and a curse; they inform us of the issues behind government doors. Though they find stories that people want to read, those stories aren’t always the only ones we need to hear. According to research by Susanna Dilliplane, Ph.D. director at the Aspen Institute, exposure to content that is in agreement with the reader stimulates political participation, while exposure to content that goes against the beliefs of the reader decreases the likelihood of participation.

If news outlets want to politically charge their audience and sell content, they’re compelled to give them what they want: partisan news that caters to their beliefs. Why focus on objective international headlines akin to the fatal airstrikes in Afghanistan or the Indonesian tsunami that caused over 1,000 fatalities, when the media can capitalize on a story that divides an audience?

Trump can thank today’s media for sending him to the presidency, even if most of that publicity was bent on taking him down. But consumers need to improve their media literacy efforts and pay attention to stories that may be under smaller headlines. News outlets will only focus on what they think you’re likely to read.

I bumped into you the first time on accident.

Nestled in between Fraser and Bruininks, you were by far the ugliest of the three: a red brick and rectangular-windowed building with the architectural stylings of a burnt waffle, absolutely unassuming and ordinary in every respect. You see, my class had been moved to Fraser, yet due to poor navigation skills compounded by a riveting iMessage conversation, or fate, I ended up at your doorstep. 128 Pleasant Street SE, Appleby Hall.

I left immediately after realizing my mistake. But something drew me back to you--maybe it was intuition. Or maybe it was the display that faced the entrance: a purple banner emblazoned with the word “feminist” that prompted me to return.

Or the Deathly Hallows symbol superimposed onto the phrase “help will always be given to those who ask for it” that hung above the door of the Martin Luther King, Jr. advising office. Or the Audre Lorde quote painted on a poster in scrawling silver font.

Or the photos of women and queer rights activists taped right beside it. Or the student artwork that greeted me at every turn. Or the chatter from the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence student lounge. Or the affirmations stuck to a bulletin board bearing the humble request, “please take one!” Or the pride flags scattered across the walls. Or the welcoming glow of the Aurora Center.

Or a little bit of everything uniting to send a simple, comforting message: whoever you are, you belong here.

Whatever it was, it worked. Again and again, I found myself at your door, often as confused as I had been during our first encounter, occasionally as hurried, but always intentionally. And always, I left you feeling a little less alone, a little more supported, and a lot more appreciative of what it means to share a sense of community, solidarity, and diversity across this large and fractured campus.

So, I’m tired of being coy. Consider this a declaration: I love you, Appleby Hall.

Sincerely,

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SIX REVIEWS

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Abysskiss

Florence + The Machine @ Target Center

Adrianne Lenker

BY FARRAH MINA

BY KELSEY BOLANDER

Florence + the Machine’s music proved to transcend age when it produced a diverse audience at the Target Center on Oct. 20. The opener, Perfume Genius, engaged the crowd with haunting vocals and fluid movements until the British indie-rock band took the stage.

Adrianne Lenker calls her newest solo EP an “archive” and a “documentation.” As the lead singer of Big Thief, Lenker follows the credo set by her band on “abysskiss”—equal parts beautiful and devastating. Unlike Big Thief records, the subjects of her songwriting are not concrete, nor should they be. “abysskiss” revels in elusive feelings and the different identities we adopt without reason or purpose. With relatively sparse instrumentation, Lenker’s voice lingers and swells over a flurry of finger-plucking and reverb.

Lenker unveiled the album’s opening track, “terminal paradise,” at the end of Big Thief’s Austin City Limits performance. The stripped back track must have been a sharp turn for an audience primed for forceful guitar riffs and sharp percussion. As the song follows the cycle of birth and death, Lenker’s trembling voice gains and loses strength, eventually crackling down to a weak whisper in the line, “Let me rest, let me go.”

The album’s standout singles, “cradle” and “symbol,” both meditate on the incongruencies of time passing. “cradle” admonishes a loved one for placing their pride over intimacy. “symbol” conversely tries to escape monotony, with a bewitching Lenker chanting drolly, “Fly, make flea, make haste, make waste, eight makes infinity” at the top of the chorus.

Adrianne Lenker tries on many masks, yet makes each one deeply intimate and familiar. “abysskiss” aligns perfectly with the change in season: shedding skin while maintaining a firm sense of self.

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Florence Welch bewitched the crowd the moment she materialized on stage donning a loose, white gown. The 32-year-old singer kicked off the night with “June” as she trotted across the stage barefoot. Welch’s dancing then erupted into a mesmerizing frenzy of leaps and hair whips that cast a spell over the crowd for the rest of the night.

When the band played “Dogs Days Are Over” the arena vibrated with life—a clear favorite.

This was only heightened when Welch asked the crowd to put away their phones and exchange “I love yous” with strangers in the crowd. Fans turned on their flashlights for “Cosmic Love” at Welch’s request, creating stars to accompany the celestial lyrics.

Welch did more than thank Minneapolis and her fans. She empowered the audience when she introduced “Patricia” by touching on the #MeToo movement and thanking the women who had come forward, saying “We are living in their debt.”

When it was time for the closer, Welch abandoned the stage and ran into the heart of the crowd where she jammed with her fans to “What Kind Of Man.” The crowd was left wanting more even after the encore, and fans left the concert with full hearts and confetti in their hair.

Anthem of the Peaceful Army Greta Van Fleet

BY OLIVIA HULTGREN Guitar riffs abound in the six-minute long “Age of Man,” the first song on Greta Van Fleet’s highly anticipated debut album and follow up to their EP, “From the Fires.” Then Greta launches into a series of vintage jams, spitting electric guitar solos accompanied by lead singer Josh Kizska’s Zeppelin-esque voice. The first five songs echo the unique classic rock sound that put Greta Van Fleet at the top of the charts last year. The band weaves with ease through head bangers like “When the Curtain Falls” and more experimental tunes like “Watching Over,” bringing a new energy to their trademark rock ‘n’ roll vibe. However, the remainder of their album is curiously absent of this hard rocker aura. Its second half is tamer, diving into more acoustic guitar sounds and slower melodies. “You’re the One” echoes the styles of powerful ‘70s ballads of yore while “Anthem” exudes a delicate care of which one might not think rock ‘n’ roll is capable. “The New Day” inches a bit further into the pop zone, though, and is a little flouncy in comparison to the roaring melodies of Greta’s first songs like “Highway Tune” and “Black Smoke Rising.”

While these new sounds are no doubt executed brilliantly, they invoke a slight fear that Greta Van Fleet will eventually abandon their distinct sound for a more modern flair. But, leave it to the Fleet to conclude with an extended version of “Lover, Leaver,” a full-blown guitar shredder that cements their newfound status as the modern kings of classic rock.

NOV 5-NOV 19

SIX REVIEWS

RET RO R E VI E W

Piano & a Microphone

Trench

Prince

Twenty One Pilots

BY EMMA CHEKROUN

BY JESSI NEUMAN

Prince’s “Piano & A Microphone” is the cathartic release Minnesotans have been waiting for since the untimely passing of the Twin Cities’ own. Rambling, jazztinged, and consistently evocative, this album gives back a small piece of that connection lost with Prince’s departure.

The pieces in this album return an intimate edge that listeners lose with the high production pop songs Prince produced in the ‘80s. He allows himself to move around and be chaotic for this jazz album, with new renditions of old songs.

Twenty One Pilots breaks their three-year silence with “Trench,” a concept album centering around a character named Clancy who is imprisoned in the fictional city of Dema. It explores themes echoed in their previous albums such as mental illness, suicide, and doubt with an even heavier tone. Fans speculate that Dema is symbolic of depression and the nine red-hooded bishops who rule the city represent Clancy’s many insecurities.

Although the album takes a few listens to fully absorb and process, it is well worth the time.

Its loose alternative genre is sure to please a diverse crowd of music fans.

Each song lingers through time, as Prince hangs on to each passionate syllable, climbing mountains as he reaches to the top of his range before dramatically dropping to a low rumble. In the opening track, “17 Days,” Prince mourns the end of a relationship, making it clear he will win the listener over no matter how much musical vibrato it takes. His remastering of “Purple Rain” is like learning to fall in love again; it’s like the ex you never got over, returning and reeling you in with every honeyed note.

Aside from the emotional release of hearing Prince sing one more time, this album offers a completely different face of Prince; it feels more emotional and personal than other post-mortem or live albums. In life, Prince developed his career in an incredibly p recise manner, taking control of production on numerous levels—this album departs from that precedence and lets go.

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Vocalist Tyler Joseph toys with the idea of suicide while also considering it an impossible option. This highlights the hopelessness, indecision, and questioning that often comes along with mental illness, making the message of “Trench” an even more relatable one.

Honorable mentions on the album include “My Blood,” “The Hype,” and “Legend.” “My Blood” explores themes of depression and love and does so with a sound similar to that of Foster the People. “The Hype” and “Legend” both incorporate Joseph’s classic talents and cheerful strums on the ukulele.

The amount of development and maturity shown by the duo in “Trench” has left many fans speechless. They continue tackling heavy issues and demonstrate their growth both musically and lyrically. It is unashamedly different from previous albums, yet Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun still maintain their signature sound.

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The Bloom Tour Troye Sivan

BY MARLEY RICHMOND Sensual, bubbly, and sometimes melancholic, Troye Sivan’s Minneapolis stop of the Bloom Tour was a night to remember. The show was opened by up-and-coming pop star Carlie Hansen, who just released her new single, “Toxins,” and Kim Petras, a real-life Sharpay with just as much attitude. These two had the crowd jumping up and down and singing along, even if they didn’t know all the words. When Troye came on, the room lit up with even more love, joy, and pride.

His show was a beautiful combination of ‘80s inspired bops celebrating sexuality, and requiems of times when he wasn’t confident in his identity. This allowed his LGBTQ+ audience to remember their own struggles and celebrate themselves as well. Sivan was unafraid to dive into heartbreak with songs like “The Good Side” and “Postcard,” which he performed from a living room couch in the middle of the stage surrounded by hauntingly beautiful lamps. He set the room on fire with classics like “Youth” and “Bite” from his debut album, “Blue Neighborhood,” and more recent anthems like “Bloom” and “1999,” his newest release with Charlie XCX. Sivan’s stage presence was magical, with hips swaying, hands running over his body, strutting the stage, and addressing the crowd with passion and humor in his perfect Aussie accent. As the night ended with “My My My!” it was hard to say goodbye. Now queueing a “Post-Concert Depression” playlist featuring Carlie, Kim, and Troye.

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