The wake, Issue 10, spring 2016 by The Wake Magazine

GREEK LIFE AND DIVERSITY

CULT CLASSICS

// PG. 5

PG. 13 //

HOW ARE YOU REALLY?

ONE ALBUM WONDERS

// PG. 9

PG. 19 //

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 10 // APR 4–APR 17

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CHE AP R ATES , THOUSANDS OF RE ADERS. CONTACT THE WA K E: SER ICK SON@WA K EM AG.ORG

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 10 GREEK LIFE AND DIVERSITY // PG. 5 WATER BAR // PG. 7

SO BAD IT’S GOOD // PG. 13 Q&A: EMILY STRASSER // PG. 16

TRUMPING TRUMP // PG. 10

ONE ALBUM WONDERS // PG. 19

EDITORIAL: Editor-in-Chief Grace Birnstengel Managing Editor Lauren Cutshall Cities Editor Alex Van Abbema Voices Editor Russell Barnes

Sound & Vision Editors Peter Diamond Olivia Heusinkveld Art Directors Lizzie Goncharova Max Smith Copy Editors Vanessa Nyarko Joe Rush

PRODUCTION: Executive Director Kelcie McKenney Head Designer Becca Sugden Graphic Designers Caleb Vanden Boom Kate Doyle Olivia Novotny Web Manager Carter Gruss

Editorial Interns Emma Klingler Carson Kaskel Colin Miller Gabby Granada Bella Dally-Steele Laura Beier John Blocher Hannah Kloos Faculty Advisor Chelsea Reynolds Distributors Abigail Rommel Sam Gunderson

PR/Ad Manager Sara Erickson

Photography Interns Kellen Renstrom

Social Media Manager Abby Richardson

Illustration Interns Aaron Musickant Madison Digiovanni Helen Teague Sophie Fesser Emily Hill

Social Media Intern Holly Wilson Finance Manager Nels Haugen PR Interns Jenna Ogle Emily Planek

Design Interns Breanna Vick Erin Bankson Web Interns Laurel Tieman Julia Holmes

THIS ISSUE: Photographers Kellen Renstrom, Madison Digiovanni Illustrators Kellen Renstrom, Kate Doyle, Andrew Tomten, Helen Teague, Emily Hill, Max Smith, Taylor Daniels, Sophie Fesser Contributing Writers Abby Richardson, Colin Miller, Jenna Ogle, Gabby Granada, John Blocher, Carson Kaskel, Hannah Kloos, Emma Klingler, Lianna Matt, Bella Dally-Steele, Olivia Heusinkveld, Jenna Walters, Alex Van Abbema, Avery Boehm, Laura Beier, Karl Witkowiak, Peter Diamond ©2015 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 gbirnstengel@wakemag.org.

The Wake Student Magazine 126 Coffman Memorial Union 300 Washington Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 www.wakemag.org facebook.com/ thewakemagazine @the_wake wake-mag.tumblr.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR They say April showers bring May flowers. For me, the rain is my last full month here, and the flowers are my graduation from the University of Minnesota. I’ve written for The Wake since I was a sophomore. My first article for The Wake was published two years ago this month. It was about a University student who was the victim of sexual assault. Coincidentally, April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It’s a month that may bring showers upon the faces of many victim survivors, triggered by the discussions that this month brings. It’s a month that can be overwhelming to a victim survivor’s psyche. But it’s also a month that is necessary to many, as it’s the only time of the year where they feel their experiences are validated. As a victim survivor, all I ask is that if a victim survivor comes to you with their story, that you remind them that showers end with flowers. Russell Barnes Voices Editor

April Movie Preview

“THE JUNGLE BOOK”

“EVERYBODY WANTS SOME”

A live-action adaptation of the beloved Disney movie from 1967. Let’s hope this one is less racist!

Richard Linklater’s “spiritual sequel” to “Dazed and Confused” is about college baseball players in the 1980s which, this time, did not take 12 years to ﬁlm.

April 15

April 1

“MILES AHEAD” April 1 Even if this Miles Davis biopic doesn’t completely deliver, Don Cheadle deserves your support.

F ACEBO O K. CO M/ B AR BER SH O P MOVIE

F ACEBO O K. CO M/ GO D SNOTD EAD

F ACEBO O K. CO M/ GR EENRO O MMOVIE

F ACEBO O K. CO M/ MIL ESAH EAD F IL M

F ACEBO O K. CO M/ D ISNEYJUNGL EBO O K

F ACEBO O K. CO M/ E V E RY B O DY W A N T S SO MEMOVIE

BY ABBY RICHARDSON

“GOD’S NOT DEAD 2”

“GREEN ROOM” April 15 limited April 29 wide

April 1

This ultra-violent horror thriller has excellent reviews thus far. It’s about a punk band that plays a gig in the middle of nowhere and is forced to ﬁght for their lives against murderous white supremacists.

The one April Fool’s Day joke we didn’t need.

“KEANU” April 29

Jordan Peele and KeeganMichael Key star in this stoner comedy about a lost pet cat named Keanu. Unfortunately, Keanu Reeves is not attached to the ﬁlm.

KATE DOY LE

Which form of on-campus is the most obnoxious?

Paella Recipe BY COLIN MILLER

Paella is a surprisingly easy, deliciously ﬁlling Spanish favorite. Feel free to increase ﬂavor and authenticity by adding chorizo and Iberian prosciutto if you so choose. All ingredients subject to desired portions.

UNICYCLING

38%

MOPEDING

14%

LONGBOARDING

ROLLERBLADING

Directions: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in minced garlic (3 to 4 cloves recommended) chopped onion, peas, saffron strands, sliced tomato, chopped red pepper, and shrimp or prawns. Add rice and stir in chicken stock until rice is fully coated. Once rice is mostly cooked, add lemon juice and parsley. Enjoy! Disfruta!

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41%

A NDRE W TOMT E N

THE WAKE // CITIES

New Como Zoo “exhibit” brings empathy toward creatures of nightmare BY COLIN MILLER I recently attended Como Zoo’s new exhibit, “Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders,” in hopes of catching a glimpse at some rare and interesting creepy crawlies. When I got there, however, the creepiest crawly of all ended up being the abject absence of life among the animals that comprised the exhibit and others elsewhere in the zoo. More a small room than a palace, the installation featured large, furry tarantulas, a black widow spider, and things with far more legs than seem necessary (turns out a regular centipede is just about as gross as a human centipede). At the center of the attraction was a cubicle complex of arachnids stylized to resemble a tiny prison, the premise being that each creature had been “accused” of the crime of being deadly or dangerous when, in fact, they were mostly harmless.

The painted bars and miniature jail toilets (in which I assume ant blood pruno was brewing full force) struck me as quite on-the-nose for a zoo, already referred to by many as a jail for animals. The reality, though, is even grimmer still. Jails at least serve the express purpose of conﬁning those who have violated the law, often by endangering others. In truth, zoos are closer to animal slavery; creatures are plucked from their home environments and conﬁned to limiting, homogenous, servile captivity. Such conditions have heartbreaking effects on the animals in question.

either hidden from sight or completely motionless, to the point where they might as well have been components of a “freakout” gag set to accompany a whoopee cushion. I found myself feeling the same way about these invertebrates, whom I would ordinarily detest and likely reach for the ﬂamethrower I wish I had at the sight of, as I do about unjustly imprisoned people: They shouldn’t have to be here. Instead, they should be outside, living their lives as nature intended, not as accessories for human entertainment.

One of the ﬁrst things I noticed about the bug exhibit, and later the others, was the fact that half the critters on display were

GREEK LIFE and DIVERSITY

BY JENNA OGLE

KELLEN R ENSTRO M

By general connotation, “Greek life” and “diversity” do not mix. Historically, fraternities and sororities have been predominantly white. With the recent media coverage of hate crimes committed by various chapters nationally, it seems that the Greek community has a responsibility to address. Akila Pai, Panhellenic Council President, has gone to great measures to create Greek involvement and change at the University of Minnesota. She joined a sorority during her sophomore year, where she admitted to feeling like “a minority student in a sea of white.” Although Pai grew up in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis, her parents emigrated from India, so she was well aware of her unique upbringing. Pai’s intentions in joining a sorority were to surround herself with “big-thinking, dream-catching individuals” in an organization founded on “lifelong support rooted strongly in sisterhood.” Akila’s incredible experience inspired her to extend her goals to the entire Greek community by becoming Panhellenic president. She admits that more could be done to create an encompassing space for different races, genders, and sexual orientations. First, the Greek community must acknowledge its history and realize the need for change. “Denial is our biggest enemy when

The value of sisterhood

it comes to conversations surrounding micro aggressions toward people.” Pai believes that a dialogue needs to be created on parts of the four Greek councils: the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), and the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC), who has its roots historically in black fraternities and sororities. The councils strive to be uniﬁed by the motto “four councils. one community.” Still, Pai admits that they are in the beginning stages of working together to increase recruitment across the board. “MGC and NPHC students compose of four percent of the [University] Greek population by membership, and it’s important that students interested in Greek life are aware of all the ranges of chapters that are available on our campus.” To bring about the change that Pai envisions, the Greek community must focus on their unifying values of lifelong support and the opportunity to grow as an individual. Nationally, there have been chapters that blemished fraternity and sorority images, but many University of Minnesota Greek leaders are determined to create an inclusive environment with a focus on friendship.

WAKEMAG.ORG // 5

THE WAKE // CITIES

KE LLE N RE NS T ROM

The Cheesiest Fundraiser on Campus Satisfy hunger and your conscience BY GABBY GRANADA Who knew gorging on gourmet grilled cheese could help change the world? It’s the ultimate win-win. On March 10, the student group She’s the First (STF) served up some comfort food during their fundraiser aptly titled “Cheese the First,” a campus-wide grilled cheese delivery hotline. She’s the First is a budding non-proﬁt organization that advocates for young women’s rights and educational opportunities with the help of college students across the nation. The University of Minnesota chapter of STF has been passionately ﬁghting and fundraising for the past two years. In their short time on campus, the chapter has had tremendous philanthropic success, their most popular fundraisers being the one at hand as well as “Bake a Change.”

Cheese the First was the brainchild of the Minnesota chapter when they ﬁrst arrived on campus, and it has since grown to become their trademark.

the chapter’s president. She added that the most rewarding aspect of STF is seeing photos and hearing stories of the girls the organization sponsors.

Just last semester, the chapter shattered their goals during Cheese the First by raising enough money to provide the education for four different girls across the globe. Tigist in Ethiopia, Rose in the Gambia, Keerthara in India, and Hima in Nepal are now hard at work in school making their dreams a reality because of the group’s efforts.

“In a sense, we get to be a part of their lives, and seeing our impact is what really motivates us,” Grunewald said. She’s the First meets every other Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Coffman Room 325, and they always welcome new members.

“It’s heartwarming knowing that what we do on campus has a real life impact on young girls’ lives,” said Hannah Grunewald,

Poring Over the Unpredictable

HELEN TEAGUE

Mapping tsunamis and other geohazards

6 // APR 4–APR 17

BY JOHN BLOCHER Forces of nature that used to confound the human mind, birthing myths and gods set on understanding the natural world, are now understood in air-conditioned ofﬁces with fancy computer programs. Dr. Randy LeVeque, a professor of applied mathematics at the University of Washington, visited the University of Minnesota March 10 to discuss his work mapping geohazards across the globe. LeVeque has studied the habits of storm surges, debris ﬂows, earthquakes, and landslides. He has developed two software packages, “Clawpack” and “GeoClaw,” which are widely used to estimate the intensity and scope of geohazards. LeVeque spent the majority of his speech discussing his work with tsunamis, which

occur when oceanic plates dive underneath continental ones, triggering underwater earthquakes, resulting in wave speeds between 400-500 miles per hour.

start of a tsunami is not always readily apparent. Motion sensors can notify surrounding nations within minutes, even seconds after an underwater earthquake occurs.

With no knowledge of tsunami modeling, you might think LeVeque was playing Poseidon Tycoon if you dropped by his ofﬁce. Despite the video gamelike presentation, his work is the result of countless algorithms, equations, and simulations that form approximations about the unpredictability of natural physics.

LeVeque has also contributed to Project Safe Haven, which builds vertical evacuation centers in areas lacking natural elevation, an essential development when tsunamis can bury a coast in ﬁve meters of water in just 40 minutes.

As the statistician George E.P. Box once stated, “All models are wrong, but some are useful.” The results gathered from LeVeque’s observations have proven themselves not only useful, but lifesaving. The exact

Like any subject worth researching, the mapping of geohazards has a long way to go.The U.S. owns the majority of Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis or “DART” buoys. Although they are used in locations

throughout the world, they are often expensive to install and have become the target of pirates looking to make extra cash. As LeVeque would later explain, “During the Indian Ocean tsunami, there was really no warning system available. Even though people knew that there was a tsunami that was going to hit India, Sri Lanka, and other distant shores in several hours, there was really no way to get the word out to many communities along the coast.”

FAC EBOOK. COM/WATERB AR AND P UBL I CS TUD I O

THE WAKE // CITIES

WATER BAR A water-only bar will help educate communities in a variety of ways

BY CARSON KASKEL Have you ever wished you could go to a taproom completely dedicated to water? That dream will soon become a reality. Water Bar will be opening its doors in Northeast Minneapolis in May, and—you guessed it—they will be serving water. In fact, they will educate you on tap water across the Twin Cities, as well. One of the main goals of Water Bar is to start conversations about the importance of local tap water in communities. It plans to bring to light issues such as pollution, urban development, climate change, and environmental injustice.

Water Bar’s website.“Water Bar is a place to talk, to quench your thirst, to inquire, and to share personal stories and reﬂections.” Using the tagline “Water is all we have,” Water Bar strives to raise awareness of the many issues the world faces with water on a daily basis. And since humans are made up of 70 percent water, this is relevant to everybody. “Water is not something

Water Bar hopes to start new spin-off projects based on the experiences of volunteers and visitors. “Water Bar is a creative expression of a whole system and a conduit for the lived experiences of people within that system,” according to the website. By gathering these experiences, the bar can help create a community that is conscious and proactive about issues that revolve around tap water.

// In the wake of the Flint water crisis, it is more important than ever that we know what’s in our water.

The project was developed by artists Shanai Matteson and Colin Kloecker, collaborating alongside environmental advocates, arts organizers, public employees, educators, and members of the community. Since then, Water Bar has popped up in four different states and served local tap water.

people think about, but we have potential water shortage problems and water quality problems,” Matteson told City Pages. “Across Minnesota, most people get their drinking water from But this is more than just an art project and water taproom. groundwater sources, and those are not immune to pollutants.” “Water Bar is an itinerant open space for the generation of conversations and connections around the life-sustaining, precarious, communal activity of drinking tap water,” according to

By visiting Water Bar, community members will have an opportunity to learn about the water they drink on a daily basis. In the wake of the Flint water crisis, it is more important than ever that we know what’s in our water. Water is also a basic human need for survival. It’s a force that brings us all together, because everyone needs it.

Water Bar will be located on Central Avenue near Lowry Avenue, and the opening is slated for May.

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THE WAKE // CITIES

Elephant Circus

Remembering Minnesota’s Republican caucus on campus BY JOHN BLOCHER

The Minnesota caucuses were over a month ago now, but it’s never too late to look back on the day’s chaos; speciﬁcally, at the University of Minnesota’s Republican polling station at Anderson Hall. After slipping a vote for Bernie—bias beware—on March 1, I headed over to Anderson to catch a glimpse of what my Republican peers were up to.The line outside of Anderson was impressive, containing a few hundred people among various age groups, many of them conversing excitedly.

MADISON DIGIOVA NNI

Rubio and Cruz were popular, Kasich and Carson supporters were almost nonexistent, and Trump supporters, who made up 21 percent of the vote in Minnesota, were mysteriously covert. The only clear giveaway was a student sporting a “Make America Great Again” hat who declined to answer questions. “Trump is like the court jester of our political day,” said Krista Schroeder, a student in line to poll.“He says what people are thinking. He calls things as he sees them, but he doesn’t cite anything.” It was clear that some folks didn’t take the other candidates very seriously, either.

Jonathan Dallman, an engineer residing in Dinkytown, indicated that Cruz “looks like a used car salesman.” Although many caucus goers weren’t jazzed about any particular candidate, almost all of them shared resentment towards Hillary Clinton. Freshman George Fisk was one of her more vicious opponents. “She’s a huge liar. A career criminal who only cares about power and money,” Fisk said. “I don’t think she cares about women either, even though she plays that card. I think young women agree more with what Sanders has to say anyways.” The caucus process itself was painstaking. I sat in on the proceedings of district 2-10… and sat… and sat. After nearly two hours, an admittedly underprepared student, by the name of Daniel Waddell, entered to initiate the delegate process. “Would anyone like to read a statement in favor of a particular candidate?” Waddell asked. After a moment of snickering, one brave student stood up and began chanting,“Rubio! Rubio! Rubio!” Following that lovely ﬁasco, another student read an authorized statement on behalf of Rubio’s campaign, stressing the importance of defeating Clinton, at which point another pro-Rubio battle cry ensued. Despite the hilarity of the event, it was evident through bright smiles and eager delegate pledges that voters were excited for the beginning of another political season in Minnesota. “I’d like to volunteer for this,” said freshman Connor Forbrook. “I think everyone who has any interest should volunteer at least once. It’s a cool process.”

Science Museum of Minnesota Hires New President Alison Brown to become the museum’s first female president BY HANNAH KLOOS

“We’re very excited,” said Andrea Walsh, board president of the Science Museum. “We feel we’ve identiﬁed a leader who will be able to lead inside the institution and outside the institution.”

According to the Science Museum of Minnesota, attendance doubled and membership tripled during Brown’s time at the California Academy of Sciences. Brown hopes to gain similar results in Minnesota by focusing on audience satisfaction and continuing strong community engagement through science research and educational programming. She’s also excited to learn more about the Twin Cities’ vibrant community by becoming an active member of it.

Brown comes to Minnesota from the California Academy of Sciences—the only museum to house an aquarium, planetarium, “As a former Minnesotan, I’m absolutely thrilled that a worldand natural history museum all in one. During Brown’s 17-year class leader like [Brown] will be tenure as chief of staff, she maintained strong leadership and taking the helm of this fantastic, guided the museum throughout a variety of changes, including world-leading science museum in a move and rebuilding project. Minnesota, and I look forward to developing exciting collaborations With the help of a $40 million budget, she plans to usher between our institutions in the the museum into today’s ever-changing and exciting scientiﬁc future,” said former colleague Dr. landscape. “I’m incredibly honored to serve as the next Jon Foley, Executive Director of the president of the Science Museum of Minnesota, taking the helm at a time when museums matter more than ever,” Brown said. California Academy of Sciences. “I’m eager to combine my passion for science and education to advance the critical mission of one of Minnesota’s, and our nation’s, greatest institutions.”

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EMI LY HIL L

In May, Alison Brown will be inducted as the Science Museum of Minnesota’s sixteenth president—and the ﬁrst female. The Science Museum’s board of trustees scoured the country in an extensive search for viable candidates and were extremely impressed by Brown’s passion and experience.

THE WAKE // VOICES

How Are You, Really? MSA’s mental health campaign reclaims sincerity in “how are you?”

A ND R E W TO MT E N

The MSA website reports that nearly one out of every three University of Minnesota students will struggle with mental health issues throughout their academic career. Look around you.That could be the person standing beside you in line for the bus, the person sitting next to you in class, or maybe even your own roommate.

BY GABBY GRANADA How are you? Yes, you. How are you? Before you shrug your shoulders and mumble “ﬁne,” maybe even adding a complaisant nod if you’re feeling up to it, let me ask you again: how are you, really? When was the last time someone asked you “how are you?” with the genuine sincerity of wanting to know where your head was really at? If it takes you more than a moment to recall the last time you’ve had a heartfelt conversation about the state of your mental health, then it’s already been far too long. Unfortunately, “how are you?” has become a doormat platitude in our day to day lives. That three-word, threesyllable phrase is now an empty shell of a question uttered at the tip of every conversation and then shoved aside instantaneously. The Minnesota Student Association (MSA) has set out to change that by taking back the meaning in “how are you?”

It’s easy to make small talk about topical and meaningless things in our lives. It’s far more difﬁcult to talk about the dense complexities we struggle with such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.The painstakingly familiar list goes on and on. MSA’s “How Are You?” campaign was released in the form of an empowering mental health awareness video that doesn’t shy away from the tougher, messier, and far more complicated topics surrounding the stigma of mental health. The poignantly emotional and beautifully executed video implores University of Minnesota students to start talking about mental health, seek the help they need, and offer help to others in return. The video is so much more than a two-minute PSA; it serves as a comforting light at the end of a long tunnel for students battling the toughest war of all—one within themselves.

However, there has been some discrepancy as to whether the University is meeting the high demands of students seeking mental health attention. One University of Minnesota freshman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, illuminated the hazy process of acquiring mental health services here on campus. She explained how after years of struggling with paralyzing pangs of anxiety, she finally summoned the courage to reach out and contact Boynton Health Service this past semester, only to come across a bold-faced obstacle on their website. Her discovery exposed the biggest flaw of this problematic system: first-time therapy appointments are put on a three-week waiting list. The first year of college is already impossibly overwhelming, and with the added weight of mental health issues, the last thing students want to hear is that they’ll need to wait a little longer to get the help they so desperately need. Boynton has valiantly struggled to keep up with the exponentially growing number of students with mental health concerns by implementing a 24-hour University crisis line and providing daily hours for walk-in crisis counseling. But the trouble with “crisis-counseling” is that for many students, labeling their issue as a “crisis”

seems too extreme. Thus, it becomes easy for struggling students to decide against reaching out to receive the help they need. MSA is doing everything in their power to make mental health services on campus more accessible to students. They’ve created a University text line that eliminates the daunting face-to-face confrontation necessary for scheduling an appointment at Boynton. By texting “UMN” to 61222, students can chat with on-hand counselors, free of charge. MSA has made tremendous strides for mental health awareness around campus, but institutional change has proven to be a slow progress won in small battles via forums, protests, and stalemate meetings with administration. Ultimately, what matters most is that college students are getting the help they need and know that they are not alone. It’s important to look out for one another, because the single ﬁber that connects the incredibly diverse student body here in Minneapolis is our circumstance. We are students, ﬁrst and foremost, but scholarship should never come at the expense of our happiness. Our mental health is non-negotiable. So I’ll leave you with the one question I’ve yet to ask: have you whole-heartedly asked someone “how are you?” today? If not, what are you waiting for? That simple, three-word question, when spoken with fervent sincerity, has the potential to change someone’s mood, day, and maybe even their life. It starts with you.

WAKEMAG.ORG // 9

THE WAKE // VOICES

Trumping TRUMP MAX S MI T H

What other barely political candidates could win against the Donald? BY EMMA KLINGLER The Republican establishment is dumbfounded. Many prominent members of the party have spoken out against the real estate king and presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump. Yet, despite their best efforts to warn people about his volatility and lack of policy acumen, it seems that he remains well on his way to becoming the Republican nominee. Every effort that has been made to throw support behind one of his competitors has failed to stick. Frankly, none of them have the charisma or star power to match the celebrity candidate, which is why the establishment is looking at this the wrong way. To halt Trump’s seemingly insurmountable momentum, they will need to go beyond a normal candidate. In the vein of this unconventional election season, we propose some alternatives that our experts believe may present a real challenge to the Donald.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU It is true that he is currently serving as the Prime Minister of Canada, but should that prevent this dashing maple leaf from making a bid to run the U.S. as well? And following his recent, overly genial White House visit, there is no doubt that President Obama himself would throw his support behind such a candidate. Trudeau’s biggest obstacle could be the inevitable questions that would circulate about his birthplace. But really, isn’t Canada kind of a U.S. colony anyway?

GORDON RAMSEY We know what the people want. They want a leader who can shout in the face of inadequacy. They want someone who isn’t constrained by manners or political correctness. And, clearly, they want a reality TV star. Enter Gordon Ramsey. He is the perfect character match to Trump, and he can guarantee that he will make America delicious again. Of course, he faces the same citizenship issue as the aforementioned Trudeau. But as we’ve seen this election season, you can bend any rule past the breaking point as long as you are brash enough.

TINA FEY AS SARAH PALIN People were abuzz with excitement when former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin delivered a mind-boggling speech in support of Trump at one of his rallies. Giving her blessing to the front-runner doesn’t suggest a campaign challenge from Palin any time soon, but that doesn’t have to stop Tina Fey from reviving her brilliant turn as the audacious Alaskan. It’s nearly impossible to tell them apart when Fey is in full maverick mode anyway. And let’s face it: we can’t get enough of Sarah Palin.

LESLIE KNOPE If roles are going to be reprised in this race, there is no question that Leslie Knope has a place on the ticket as well. She is certainly equipped to deal with a candidate of Trump’s nature after working with the likes of councilman Jeremy Jamm. Her passion for politics, and the overwhelming sunniness of her personality, could unite the U.S. in bipartisan support of Knope 2016, toppling the Trump dynasty.

CHESTER CHEETAH

Look, we know this one is a bit far-fetched. But, if we are considering characters here, why not? Trump may think he has this in the bag, but imagine if he had to face off against the original orange-faced Cheetos mascot. Chester drips swagger with his dark sunglasses and smoothly murmured slogan: ELI MANNING “dangerously cheesy.” That level of cool confidence may be what Manning would certainly by viewed as a political outsider. is necessary to top Trump’s assurance of his own greatness. However, he may be the candidate who wants this enough to charge past the unstoppable Donald and snag the nomination. It is clear that the present resistance to the Trump movement will Manning watched with apparent disgust as his brother won continue to appear lackluster next to the infamous leader himself. another Super Bowl title this year. It was clear from his But consider the disruption that any one of these potential emotionless face, captured for all to scrutinize, that he was candidates could cause in the seemingly inevitable nomination. If already calculating his next move to make a comeback as the the Republican establishment is serious about their beliefs that dominant Manning. And what other move could give him more Trump is a menace to the ideals of their party, they need to learn of a definitive win than a presidential nod? to fight this battle the only way that works—fire with fire.

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THE WAKE // VOICES

BY COLIN MILLER In case you somehow missed it, residents of Flint, Michigan have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead in their drinking water, a problem many blame on Gov. Rick Snyder and the state’s Department of Environmental Quality for failing to allocate the necessary budget to ensure water potability and for initially covering up the true gravity of the situation. The root of this issue extends far deeper than the local or state level, too. The debacle in Flint is indicative of an appalling trend of disregarding low-income (and often predominantly black and/or Hispanic) communities and their well-being, referred to by some as the “war on the poor.” It should surprise no one that living in poverty means having limited access to expensive, trendy health foods and sustainable products. Many areas, including parts of Minneapolis (about half of the city’s total area), Chicago, and Detroit, have become known as “food deserts”—places where groceries, especially produce, are inordinately challenging to access. In many such places, reaching a grocery store requires a car, a luxury most of us take for granted. Conditions like these help explain the higher rates of diabetes and heart disease among people of color, as processed, lownutrient foods are more affordable on a lower wage than fruits and vegetables, which might literally be miles away. Not only do mostly black and Hispanic communities have to grapple with food scarcity, they’re also subject to their health being threatened. Many families have seen their homes further devalued by factories and garbage dumps that are located nearby. These facilities produce massive amounts of pollution, which have an incalculable negative impact on the residents in their vicinity. Even locally, the hallmarks of environmental and sanitary inequality are more visible than ever. For example, the Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center effectively routes all trash from the suburbs to a dump in north Minneapolis, where the Minnesota Environmental Partnership also just determined that one in ten babies are born with harmful amounts of mercury in their systems.

Pipe Nightmares activity, a common symptom of low-income locales, the motivating factors for members of the community to join in activism are lamentably few.

What we can learn from the Flint water crisis

Alarming hardly begins to describe the situation were it limited to Flint, or any other poverty-stricken area. However, the fact is that nothing occurs in a vacuum. If Flint’s water crisis only impacted those living there, it wouldn’t have been declared a state of federal emergency by President Obama, or likely even come up in Democratic debate rhetoric. But both those things happened because Flint should be a warning to the rest of the nation, potentially the world, that disaster is imminent without swift and drastic reform. If people continue to live in denial of the manner in which areas, mainly inhabited by people of color, are neglected, they condemn those living there, as well as themselves, to an inevitable ultimatum of epidemic contamination and sickness (not exactly what our currently overburdened healthcare system needs any time soon) or government administrators claiming responsibility and collaborating with environmental agencies, legislators, scientists and engineers to try to prevent more damage. Though the present may seem bleak, the more aware of the scale of this national disease of inequality you are the better. Change starts with the removal of the proverbial wool from the eyes of the public. It’s deeper than buying a Brita ﬁlter and shopping organic. There are pipes under sinks all over the country that have been around practically since the water that ran through them was used for throwing at suffragettes. In all seriousness, you should probably get tested for lead ASAP. Jk… kind of.

Another obstacle poorer neighborhoods face is difﬁculty organizing volunteer groups to carry out local, Earth-friendly projects. Between greater constraints on free time from demanding work schedules and potential dangers of simply being outside in a place with a high concentration of gang

H EL EN TEAG UE

On March 24, Mayor Hodges released a statement on her ofﬁcial website indicating that the Minneapolis Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has detected “violations of pollution limits in an industrial area of north Minneapolis [by ﬁnding hazardous levels of] particulate heavy metals, including lead, chromium, cobalt and nickel.” Furthermore, high concentrations of nitrates were found in water samples from south Minneapolis, suggesting that there is not just one contaminant or place to be concerned about; we have to be far more diligent, active, and informed when it comes to the protection of our water supply.

WAKEMAG.ORG // 11

THE WAKE // VOICES

Hated Winners, Lukewarm Losers Will the real GOP nominee please stand up?

MA X S MI T H

someone to be nominated during a brokered convention—a convention where no nominee has won the minimum number of delegates (50 percent plus one)—the person must have won eight states prior. RNC delegates must ﬁrst vote for an eligible nominee in accordance to how their state voted, and if no one emerges victorious from that, then negotiations begin. While this system in itself is not as divisive and explosive as some articles seem to hint at, what would be is if the GOP changed the rules to allow someone like Romney, who hasn’t been in the race, to run.

BY LIANNA MATT By the time you read this in print, the speculation about Mitt Romney taking over the GOP nomination may already have subsided. That doesn’t matter. What does matter is that we have very divisive candidates on both sides, and because U.S. political campaigns are made for polarization and showmanship, we probably will have this scenario in the future, too.

//The ethical question of allowing Romney to be the presidential nomination for the GOP is not a

question at all; the rules don’t let him.

The Republican National Convention (RNC) is under heat this year, and some people are hoping for a brokered convention, where no nominee wins enough delegates to win. This means, at least to the casual schemers, that the GOP could oust Trump and nominate someone else. The search spotlights were on for someone else to step in through the backdoor. Say, Romney? That won’t happen, though. They can’t do it. Rule 40 of the Republican Party states that for

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The other Republican candidates may not have been able to pull away all of the voters from Trump, and they may be splitting up the leftover vote, but they are legitimate by party standards. With all of the speculation about how Trump would be rejected, not only by a large portion of the U.S., the recognized rules of a party need to be upheld. Rule-by-law is the backbone of legitimacy in modern society, even when applied to something as seemingly superﬂuous as the multi-billion dollar money machine we call election season. As of March 24, the Associated Press has tallied Trump’s delegates at 739, working his way toward the 1,237 requirement, which represents 50 percent plus one of the total Republican delegates. Ted Cruz is second with about 465 delegates, and John Kasich straggles in with 143. In the coming days, 944 delegates are still available, throwing Kasich out of the running and barely making a Hail Mary opening for Cruz to win them all. The delegate nomination may present parallels to the electoral system that we use for the presidential election, but the electoral system was to prevent simple democracy becoming a mob vote. This, the Republican Party’s nomination system, is a bureaucratic and, granted, somewhat elitist step toward the ranking system,

or “instant runoff voting” that Minneapolis has turned to in its mayoral elections. By creating rounds two and up of the nomination system during a brokered convention, it allows for delegates to better rank their candidate preferences, giving a more accurate representation of their region’s desires. It’s similar to how in surveys, a ranking question is more data-worthy and more accurate than having a simple multiple choice question. Even more accurate than survey ranking questions, of course, are constant sum questions that take in not only preference, but also the margin of that preference. States that already use proportional delegates as the outcome better reﬂect that in a way that sometimes the news headlines don’t (small comforts), but not all have to under Republican party rules. The ethical question of allowing Romney to be the presidential nomination for the GOP is not a question at all; the rules don’t let him. The GOP, already critiqued as falling apart and out of order, cannot afford to do anything but follow the rules to maintain a sense of order and standards, even when those standards allow for controversial candidates to be in the lead. The blurred areas surrounding rounds two and up of a brokered convention are questionable, although delegates persuading each other to switch their support is basically how Congress works. The concept of a brokered convention isn’t faulty. The issue lies more in the different ways that states are allowed to vote for their nominees, for there is no standard. Even if this is one of the ways that Republicans are allowing for state for autonomy, when it comes to ﬁnding a leader that is best for their party, they can’t measure it as accurately as they need to.

G R AP H I C S B Y KE LLE N R E NS TRO M

THE WAKE // FEATURE

Two monthly midnight movie features keep fans coming back for more

BY BELLA DALLY-STEELE Admit it. You’ve watched an Adam Sandler movie and liked it. You’ve said, “Shrek is love, Shrek is life” un-ironically. You first wrote “bae” as a joke, but now you’ve written it on your honey’s valentine. It’s time to face the facts—you love bad pop culture. The question is, why? Whether it’s using hashtags in everyday speech, or embracing “Damn Daniel” into the common vernacular, our society is plagued with a “hipster complex”—a tendency to embrace bad pop-culture phenomena in an attempt to differentiate ourselves. But while some fads are a clear attempt at hipsterness (no, I do not believe that you actually like Neutral Milk Hotel), this is not to say that an appreciation for alternative material is always superficial. Some cinematic flops have gained such historical followings that their valor is impossible to ignore.This “so bad it’s good” genre tends to split into two very distinct groups: quality movies plagued by cheap production, and undeniably terrible films. Two classic examples of mediocre pop culture turning into complete obsessive fandom are two movies that monthly play at Minneapolis’ Uptown Theater midnight showings: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Room.”

WAKEMAG.ORG // 13

THE WAKE // FEATURE

y k c O o e r R u t e c h i T P “ r o r r o H w” o h S : A t c bje

As a cult classic,“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is the poster child for quality movies marked by production error. Among other gaffes, it features cheap props, regrettable stage makeup, and cheesy costumes, yet it has built an incredible cultural following. A single viewing quickly reveals how “Rocky Horror” managed to endear audiences despite its shortcomings.

“Is it the most quality movie I've ever seen? No, definitely not. But it is the best movie I've ever experienced? Absolutely,” Neiman said. “Because ‘Rocky’ is more than a movie, it's a community. And any movie as low-budget as [‘Rocky’] that keeps people regularly coming back to watch month after month has to be special.”

The movie opens on Brad and Janet, a yuppie couple who stumble upon a menacing castle. There, they are scandalized by the strange staff and eccentric lord Frankenfurter, an enthusiastic transvestite and tireless pursuant of love and sex. The couple witnesses an increasingly bizarre string of events, including the coldblooded murder of rock-and-roll, adultery in all of its forms, and the mad-science creation of a muscle-bound sex slave. At the end of the night the castle transforms into a rocket ship, and the sexually awakened (if slightly traumatized) couple is thrown half-naked onto the lawn.

To understand the camaraderie of the ‘Rocky’ cult, you have to attend a movie screening. Enthusiasts come dressed in all sorts of wacky attire, letting their freak flags fly. Audience members are encouraged to interact with the show, shooting squirt guns to simulate rain, throwing rice when Rocky and Frankenfurter strut into the bedroom, and yelling “asshole” and “slut” every time Brad and Janet’s names are mentioned. Live actors ham it up onstage, mirroring the movie and interacting with the audience.

In all its ridiculous, overacted glory, “Rocky Horror” scandalizes viewers, yet one can’t help but admire its sadistic plot and witty social commentary. The prop budget is clearly lacking, but the movie’s premise is undeniably genius. But veteran fan Peter Nieman said the quality of production doesn’t matter in the face of a rich community of followers. “I have always held that the movie itself is very poorly produced and not exactly what most would call a high quality film,” Nieman said. “But the beautiful thing about ‘Rocky’ is how little that matters in the grand scheme of the movie.” That is to say, the show is the longest running theatrical release in the history of film, and it’s not because people dig ripped fishnets. Behind the poor funding, “Rocky Horror” is a poignant commentary on the societal forces that limit our sexual expression.The castle transforms its guests; inside its walls Brad and Janet experience sexual awakenings and Rocky pioneers his sexual appetite. The film’s frankness attracts, endears, and empowers viewers, provoking endless conversations that result in a very special audience experience: a sense of camaraderie.

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In the fandom world, these traditions are unique. No rerelease of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” ever has live performers, and mark my words, if you let slip a single “MUDBLOOD!” in the theater, you’d be thrown out immediately. The fact of the matter is, no fandom interacts with its material to the extent that “Rocky Horror” enthusiasts do. The official fan site for “Rocky Horror” enumerates all the fun, audience inclusive acts, mentioning: “If you feel a new line coming on,YELL IT! A big part of keeping the show fresh is creating new lines with topical humor.” Watching “Rocky Horror” is not a viewing, it’s an experience: meeting the movie, interpreting it, interacting with it, changing it. Fan Cally O’Neill said she found solidarity among other viewers. “You feel a real sense of camaraderie when you're sitting and laughing and yelling at a screen with a hundred or more nerds like you,” O’Neill said. “I think that good feeling is what makes it a quality movie and performance for me.”

THE WAKE // FEATURE

Object

“ The

Room ” With a killer plot and quality cast, “Rocky Horror” stands in stark contrast with the “so bad it’s good” movies that are truly horrible. A legend in its own way, “The Room” is perhaps the best juxtaposition to “Rocky Horror.” “The Room” features writer-director-lead actor Tommy Wiseau as Johnny, a wealthy cosmopolitan lawyer with what I can only describe as a Dracula mullet. Throughout the film Johnny suffers from the repeated infidelity of his fiancé Lisa, who (and I quote) is “TEARING [HIM] APART!” A few joints are smoked, confusing sexual relations are had, and the classic “I hate my mother!” line is belted. Push comes to shove and after five too many sex scenes, Johnny martyrs himself on the bedroom floor. Watching “Rocky Horror,” viewers are fixated on the twisted plot—you can’t look away. In “The Room,” looking away is a top priority. The horrible line delivery, the copious amount of sex scenes, and the faux-Freudian concept are somehow simultaneously repulsive and mundane. The screenplay, while packed with dramatic plot points, lacks an underlying message. The film has no substance. In spite of their fundamental differences in quality, both “Rocky Horror” and “The Room” have inspired in their fans a similar fraternity. While fans can sink their teeth into “Rocky” and tear it apart, “The Room” gives its audience little-to-no material to work with. Yet with its gap-toothed plot and underdeveloped characters, fans take it upon themselves to make up ridiculous back-stories and far out character motivations in order to fill in where the movie falls short.

“Watching ʻRocky Horror,ʼ viewers are fixated on the twisted plot— you canʼt look away. In ʻThe Room,ʼ looking away is a top priority.”

It is tempting to deduce that audiences flock to “Rocky Horror” and “The Room” because they hold a deeper meaning than Hollywood blockbusters—that their tattered presentation is a byproduct of poorly funded “hipster” genius. Although “Rocky Horror” fits this description, “The Room” certainly does not. The two are alike in their poor production, but the only nonsuperficial characteristic they share is the dialogue created in their wake. Because of their substance, or lack thereof, “Rocky Horror” and “The Room” have overcome their budgets to seduce audiences across the nation. So, why is bad pop culture so good? As it would be, it just makes for really good conversation.

WAKEMAG.ORG // 15

THE WAKE // Q & A

P H OTO O F H I RO S H I MA TA KE N B Y S T R A S S E R

Q&A: EMILY STRASSER

BY OLIVIA HEUSINKVELD

A non-ﬁction writer living in Minneapolis by way of New York, Emily Strasser will complete her MFA in non-ﬁction in May 2016 at the University of Minnesota. Her work rests at the intersection of the personal, the researched, and the literary, and has been featured in Ploughshares, Guernica, Tricycle, The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, and Nowhere Magazine. Currently, Strasser is working on Half Life of a Secret, a book that doubles as her thesis and which she describes as tracing “the toxic legacy of secrecy individually and globally through the person of her grandfather, a nuclear scientist who worked as a chemist enriching the uranium bound for the Hiroshima bomb, and the place of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a city built in secret for that purpose.”

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THE WAKE // Q & A

The Wake: Can you give a history of your path from first wanting to become a writer to becoming an MFA candidate? Emily Strasser: I think I always loved reading and writing as a kid but I think there was a part of me that was afraid to really commit to creative writing. I was an English major and I studied abroad in India my junior year. I did a month-long independent research project there that everyone in the program had to do. When it came time to sitting down and writing in an academic way about this experience, that felt really kind of false because I was like: “Who am I to sort of write about these peoples’ identities and draw academic conclusions and say something about this experience, when it feels like it has changed me so much and what I have are more questions than answers? It just feels sort of messier.” When I got back from that experience I had this strong urge to write in a different way and I really didn’t know what that looked like. I starting writing creative non-fiction before I knew what that was, just sort of pulling the images and research and memories together and writing it. Even as I was doing it I kept being like: “Is this allowed, though? What am I doing? What is this?” It felt so freeing and so exciting that I just kinda kept going with it. After that one semester that I spent doing a creative thesis, I knew that I wanted to keep writing. I took a few years between college and grad school; I lived in New York City; I went back to India for a few months; I worked a bunch of different weird jobs writing the whole time and collecting a bunch of weird experiences. What influenced your decision specifically to enter the MFA program after taking a few years off? Strasser: I think it was about really wanting to buckle down and get serious. I was writing during that whole time that I took time off, but I also felt like I was getting really easily distracted, especially living in New York City. I thought: “Okay, I know what I want to do, I know what project I want to work on. How can I carve away that time and space? So it was a form of self-discipline to give myself that focus time.”

Looking speciﬁcally at your thesis, how were you able to personally process this part of your family history?

FLI CKR US ER BSA B A RNOWL

Strasser: A little context of my thesis: My grandfather was a nuclear scientist who worked starting during WWII in a city that was built very quickly in complete secrecy in East Tennessee by the Manhattan Project. Oak Ridge was one of three secret cities built by the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. My grandfather was a scientist in this city that was built overnight. Gated, nobody in the city knew the whole story of what they were doing.

I started just vaguely knowing that my grandfather had something to do with the bomb and feeling kinda haunted about that. This place in East Tennessee is a place I had grown up visiting as a kid during summers; it’s where my grandmother lived. I loved this landscape and I loved this part of the country, so to try to square my family that I love and this place that I love with something that feels dark and kind of scary--it felt important for myself to try to understand what that meant. What is the unique beneﬁt to doing an MFA Program? Strasser: For me, the biggest thing about the MFA is the time and support to write without the pressure to hold another job, which artists need. The MFA community itself has also been really important to me. We are always celebrating each other’s publications and awards and everything and these are gonna be the people who will continue to read my work my whole life. I think the debates about MFAs get kind of silly because they leave out some of those issues.You don’t need an MFA to be a

good writer or to be a successful writer, but it can be nice to have time set aside speciﬁcally for writing. What advice would you have for writers that are trying to get their work published? Strasser: First, write a ton and read a ton and revise a ton. Find people who you trust to read your work and give you feedback. Go into it expecting rejection and knowing that it’s not personal. I once submitted one essay to like 15 different journals; I got rejected from all of them. One of them got stuck in the system so for about a year, every two months I got a rejection for the same piece from the same journal and I was like: “I know already, though. Stop it!” So many people are publishing, and the editors have their own tastes. Getting rejected doesn’t necessarily reﬂect on your own work. You have to be baptized by rejection--you have to learn to be okay with that.

WAKEMAG.ORG // 17

THE WAKE // SOUND & VISION

The

of “Broad City”

Where we’d like to see our girls go in upcoming seasons Back in January, Comedy Central renewed “Broad City” for two more seasons, giving it at least a ﬁve season run. What began as a low budget web series about two 20-something best friends in New York City has become increasingly irreverent and bizarre as the girls get more comfortable on television, complete with cameos from Whoopi Goldberg and Hillary Clinton. Catch this season’s fourth episode? It opens with a view of Ilana’s apartment from the perspective of a weedsmoking rat. So what does the future hold for Abbi and Ilana? Future episodes could show our girls outside of New York. While the majority of “Broad City” plotlines involve NYC happenings, taking the two out of their comfort zone could

provide ample comedic fodder. How would Abbi and Ilana fare in the suburbs? In the Midwest? Ilana having to dress like a normie already feels like it could ﬁll an entire episode.

ruin the dynamic? Probably not—the show could continue without acknowledging it ever again, leaving viewers wondering if it was a dream sequence after all.

Another plotline could revolve around what Jaimé (Arturo Castro) and Lincoln (Hannibal Buress) do when Abbi and Ilana aren’t there, perhaps even being forced to hang out with Abbi’s sorta-roommate Bevers. On that note, isn’t it about time we see what Bevers’ girlfriend looks like and learn of her backstory? Will we ﬁnd out that she’s joined a doomsday cult?

Other episodes we’d like to see? Abbi dates someone who works at Bed, Bath, & Beyond; it backﬁres. Abby and Ilana somehow become involved in judging a beauty pageant; they educate all those involved in feminism and rape culture and spawn a revolution. Ilana joins the cast of a musical, because we need more surreal musical numbers like the Drake/Missy Elliott homage in season one. And, ﬁnally, “Abbi’s a Pegger: Part II.”

There’s always the prospect that the sexual tension between Abbi and Ilana will become canon with the two ﬁnally hooking up. Would it

K ELLEN REN STROM

Not Just Your Little Black Dress

18 // APR 4–APR 17

H ELEN T E AG U E TEAGUE HELEN

BY ABBY RICHARDSON

BY JENNA WALTERS Pleats, suede, and netting oh my! Spring fashion in 2016 features some new standouts and old favorites that will make fashion lovers everywhere swoon. Here’s what to (and what not to) look for when going through your closet this spring. Spring is the time for color! After all, we are moving out of the slushy, gray phase of winter and the perfect way to do that is with a pop of orange. This vibrant color is hitting the runway in many designers spring collections including Dion Lee, Adam Selman, and Baja East. Push the greens, blues, and purples to the back of your closet and prepare for an orange takeover. Another thing to get ready for this spring is nudity, well

maybe not, but temps are on the rise and so are styles with netting and lingerie. Start stripping those layers now and prepare to show some skin this spring. Go whimsical with a lingerie inspired dress or edgy with a netted top. Either way, these styles that are normally sanctioned to the bedroom are getting their day in the sun. Denim is also making an appearance on the runway this spring. Designers Gabriela Hearst, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony, and Jil Sander Navy sent unique denim pieces down the runway including denim dresses, shoes, and accessories, but this fabric is old news. If you plan to stay unique this spring, plan to stay away from denim. Frankly,

it’s been done and redone one too many times. Try something new this spring, like suede or leather. Another style to look out for this spring is Victorian inspired pieces. The baggy, rufﬂed, puffy look of Victorian-style dresses and tops frequently show up on the runway, but beneﬁt no one this spring. This style ages the wearer and needs to return to the Victorian era. Spring is fast approaching, so keep your closet up to date with these fashionable do’s and don’ts. If you’re feeling adventurous, also check out some up and coming styles for spring including pleats, plaids, and the paper-bag waist.

THE WAKE // SOUND & VISION

TAY L O R D ANI E LS

One-Album-Wonders

Four groups with only one album BY ALEX VAN ABBEMA While many successful artists and bands go on to make several platinum albums and perform on endless tours, there are also ones that only have one studio album to their name. Drugs, other commitments, and even untimely deaths all contribute to these short-lived groups. Here are four of the best. The Postal Service, “Give Up” (2003) The Postal Service is considered a “side project” from Death Cab For Cutie singer Ben Gibbard, and electronic musician DJ Jimmy Tamborello. Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis also joined the group on backing vocals to create “Give Up,” a well-received indietronica album with throwbacks to ‘80s new wave. While “Give Up” has its ﬂaws, some of its weakest lyrics are offset by ﬂashes of brilliance, where Tamborello’s synth pair perfectly with Gibbard’s vocals, particularly evident on the omnipresent “Such Great Heights” and “We Will Become Silhouettes.” In 2013, the band reunited for a tour, and re-released “Give Up” with a few covers and added songs. However, hopes for another album are no more, as Gibbard announced that the band would permanently disband after the last show of their reunion tour. Them Crooked Vultures, “Them Crooked Vultures” (2009)

abstract lyrics, combined with the superb musicianship each artist had to offer blended together to create a solid, fun album. Their band’s ﬁrst single, “New Fang,” won a Grammy award in 2011. While many described the album as being a spin-off of sorts to the music produced by Queens of the Stone Age, Grohl and Jones brought enough of their own styles to the band to differentiate it. Unlike the rest of these bands, there’s a possibility that the band could get back together and release another album. In 2012, Grohl said, “I know that someday we’ll get back together and do stuff, because we love playing with each other.” Jeff Buckley, “Grace” (1994) You may know Jeff Buckley as the alternative/folk rock artist whose cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has experienced a revival in the past few years, so much so that it has been featured on just about every television drama imaginable, from “House” to “The O.C.” “Grace” is an especially haunting album full of emotion and twisted romance. Buckley’s voice has been described by many publications as being one of the best of all time. David Bowie listed “Grace” as the one album he would take with him to a desert island.

This rock supergroup consisted of Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), In the midst of recording his second studio album, Buckley died in 1997 in an accidental drowning accident. Many consider Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). Their pairing had been in the works since 2005, “Sketches for My Sweetheart, the Drunk” as a full length album, but it was unﬁnished when he died. He’s had several live albums and the group ﬁnally got together in 2009 to release their album and go on a worldwide tour. Them Crooked Vultures’

released posthumously, and even had a new compilation album released in February. The Sex Pistols, “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” (1977) Rebellious, rude, and raunchy, at the time of “Never Mind the Bollocks” release, the band was already extremely controversial. They had sworn on live TV (this was the ‘70s mind you), were ﬁred from two record labels for erratic behavior, and banned in playing in most parts of England. The group had a mission: attack social conformity and the “fascist regime” of Great Britain in the ‘70s. Their music wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t particularly accessible either. They were angry, and full of hate, something that rubbed many casual observers the wrong way. However, “Never Mind the Bollocks” was undoubtedly one of the most exciting rock ‘n’ roll albums of its time. The Sex Pistols were largely credited with starting the punk movement, heavily inﬂuencing bands like The Clash. After the band’s U.S. tour tension between the members and a worsening heroin addiction from Sid Vicious, the band broke up just four months after the album’s release. Vicious died in 1979, and the band did a couple of reunion tours in the ‘90s and early 2000s. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February, 2006, but refused to attend the ceremony, calling the museum “a piss stain.”

WAKEMAG.ORG // 19

THE WAKE // SOUND & VISION

COVER PLAYLIST 2.0

BY JENNA WALTERS Previously, The Wake wrote about some of our favorite cover songs, but we realized there’s always more to gush over. Cover songs need to be appreciated, so listed below are some pretty awesome songs that have been expertly altered by different artists through creativity and passion.

1.“Shadowplay” by The Killers A Joy Division hit from the late 1970s, The Killers enhanced “Shadowplay” by giving it a more distinct dance beat. Their instrumentals make the song more recognizable while keeping the original rock-lyric feel. 2.“Do I Wanna Know” by Chvrches Chvrches, a Scottish electronic band, covered “Do I Wanna Know?” by the Arctic Monkeys. The song, which is originally sung by a man, takes new life in the Chvrches cover with lead vocalist Lauren Mayberry. Chvrches also adds one of their signature electronic beats to their cover, giving the alternative rock song a new and modern makeover. 3.“Stranger in Moscow” by Tame Impala

FLICKR USER TONYSHEK

Tame Impala digitalized the beat of Michael Jackson’s “Stranger in Moscow” to modernize the 1990s classic.They mixed up the song by giving it an electric beat. 4.“Tonight Tonight” by Passion Pit

Passion Pit, gives the lyrics a deeper emotional meaning with his delicate and raw voice. 5.“Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande Artists Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande collaborated on a cover of “Don’t Dream it’s Over” by Sixpence None the Richer. They completely stripped the song down and sang an acoustic version of the hit. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is originally sung by a man, but these two female superstars added femininity to the song, giving it softness and modernization. 6. “Pursuit of Happiness” by Lissie Singer-songwriter Lissie turned “Pursuit of Happiness,” a hiphop song by Kid Cudi, into folk rock anthem. This cover is cross-genre fun for everyone. 7. “Spiderhead” by Grouplove In Grouplove’s cover of Cage the Elephant’s hit song “Spiderhead,” the band slows the song way down, creating a whimsical lullaby-esque remake. Their slow rendition of the song adds delicacy and meaning into very powerful lyrics.

Passion Pit, an American indietronica band, recreated Smashing Pumpkins hit “Tonight Tonight.” While they primarily kept true to the song’s beat, Michael Angelakos, the lead singer of

Political Soapboxes at Award Shows

Should celebrities take a stand during their moment of gratitude? BY AVERY BOEHM

However, in recent awards shows, there has been a shift in the topics of acceptance speeches. Some actors have taken their time on the stage to bring to light social or political issues they find pertinent to the audience, but viewers may question whether this is the appropriate event to make a stand for one’s personal platform. Spreading word about important issues is a noble endeavor. For example, during the 2015 Academy Awards, Eddie Redmayne’s acceptance speech for his role in “The Theory of Everything,” the actor dedicated his award to people battling ALS. The film Redmayne was being honored for followed a man, who perseveres through the challenges of ALS. It made sense for Redmayne to speak on ALS because it carried significance within his film.

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More frequently, though, celebrities are utilizing their allotted time to speak about personal causes. For example, in this year’s Academy Awards celebration, Leonardo DiCaprio, who was awarded Best Actor for his role in “The Revenant,” finished his acceptance speech with a passionate talk on climate change. He rallied both the audience before him and the viewers at home to band together to make a lasting impact on pressing environmental concerns. It seemed inappropriate that a high profile celebrity such as Leonardo DiCaprio, who boards private planes multiple times a month, would lecture the general public when he himself is party to environmentally irresponsible actions. While it may seem unfitting for artists to make a stand for their individual cause during a program focused on celebration and entertainment, it is possible that their call for action will resonate with viewers and put some individual changes into effect. This is the ultimate goal of their impassioned words— to inspire a difference. Ultimately, when celebrities rally their social or political platforms, it’s up to the viewers to decide whether they want to listen or change the channel.

TAYLOR DANIELS

Millions of people watch award shows with baited breaths as artists’ names are called, those winners mount the stage and begin their speeches of gratitude to those that aided them.

TAY LO R D ANI ELS

THE WAKE // SOUND & VISION

CAFFEINE AND COLLECTIBLES

Local art displayed in coffee shops—a new mutually beneficial trend

BY LAURA BEIER Entering a coffee shop is like entering another world. The aroma of roasted coffee beans and steamed milk washes over you as soon as you step in the door. Everyone inside is focused intently, whether it be on a book, assignments, or the eyes of their Tinder date. Signs hung above the counter promise warm drinks and cold refreshers, while pastries sit patiently behind the glass, waiting to be paired with someone’s usual caffeinated routine. This signature coffee shop aesthetic would not be complete without local art. In almost every establishment serving the liquid lifesaver that is coffee, various photos, prints, and painted wonders cover the walls, and almost always these portraits are from local artists. Could this be for the beneﬁt of the coffee shop, seeing as they acquire aesthetically pleasing decor for their space? Or is it a plug for the local artists, seeing as they get a constant distribution source and don’t even need to attend for sales? From the look of it, it’s both. Espresso Expose, a café on campus with a studious yet social vibe, is always brimming with groups of students, the occasional visitors, and the “usuals” that call this corner spot their home. A vast mural of the Minneapolis skyline at sunset covers the front wall that faces large windows overlooking the bustling Washington Avenue, and the rest of the neutral colored walls exhibit multiple local artists, each getting their own wall space and brief description. Employees at Espresso Expose seek out artists to exhibit their work and much of the work shown was created by friends and those in the social circles of the baristas. One display was even created by one of the baristas herself, and another by a girlfriend of an employee.

On the other side of campus lies a large, seemingly misplaced house with a Nordic build. The upstairs of Bordertown Coffee and Tea is student housing, but the downstairs is a homey, communal space ﬁlled with mismatched furniture and the radiant work of Wyatt Prosch. A photographer from Minneapolis, Prosch captures natural beauty from around the world, architecture in the Minneapolis area, animalia, and more. The clear, bright photos of buildings on campus at sunset and the vibrant colors of natural scenes stand out against the plain walls of Bordertown, creating enhanced intrigue. Avid on his social media accounts, Prosch does 90 percent of his distributing online. “People can purchase prints from me online and engage with me on my photography’s social media accounts and that is what I wanted, rather than having a ‘garage sale’ of my work in a coffee shop,” Prosch said. Bordertown needed artwork to display, and ﬁnding him through his social media accounts, an employee arranged to have his work up in their space. However, Prosch does not put price tags on his work, feeling that it takes away from the experience of initially viewing and appreciating a photograph. “My primary goal was to have people become more familiar with my work through enjoying it in such a relaxing environment,” Prosch said, and it seems he has achieved just that.

Completing the coffee shop community at the University of Minnesota is Hard Times Café on the West Bank. An eclectic, unique business serving vegan food along with the staple coffee and tea offers an interesting atmosphere, complete with plants, vintage decor, and of course local artwork. Bright canvases and diversified designs cover the walls, price tags lingering occasionally under the art. Artist profiles were not displayed as clearly and openly as at Espresso Expose, but upon talking to the baristas, more information about the artist and their work could be found, showing again this system of selling and displaying artwork simply and effectively. Whether it’s just a trend flourishing in the art world, or a distribution technique here to stay, local art in coffee shops is a great deal; for artists, shop owners, and coffee-shop goers. Without the array of colors and scenes hanging in the spaces where we enjoy warm drinks, study, and converse, who knows if the experience would be nearly as enjoyable.

WAKEMAG.ORG // 21

THE WAKE // SOUND & VISION

S O P H I E FE S S ER

KENDRICK LAMAR’S “untitled.unmastered”

How our generation’s greatest MC breaks the mold with minimalist experimentation BY HANNAH KLOOS What happens when a song can’t find a home? In an uncharacteristic and surprising move, Kendrick Lamar recently dropped a collection of demos from the “To Pimp A Butterfly” vault, otherwise known as “untitled unmastered.” For months, Lamar’s shared snippets of songs from the album on late night talk shows and the Grammy Awards as a precursor to the album’s release, and keen ears immediately recognized some of the material from Lamar’s live performances. While “untitled unmastered.” is technically a compilation of demos, the songs are by no means throwaways. The album is a treasure trove, comprised of an intriguing and dense anthology of songs. It keeps its fans close to mind, notably featuring an improvised jam session at the end of the epic “untitled 07 | 2014-2016.” “This is a fifteen-minute song,” Lamar pronounces in the song. “We on stage, just jamming out… 100,000... they all sing this shit.” The project also includes contributions from beloved collaborators Bilal and Anna Wise, as well as fellow Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate SZA. The album gives fans an inside peek into Lamar’s creative process and the evolution that occurs through the construction of an album. He could have easily kept these songs to himself, but thankfully decided to share them with the world, and it feels special. The unexpected and unconventional unveiling of “untitled unmastered.” isn’t revolutionary. Beyoncé famously “changed the game with that digital drop” when she released her self-titled album in 2013 without any promotion, each song alongside a corresponding video no less.

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Future makes music at a rapid-fire pace, churning out surprise songs like a well-oiled trap music machine. However, “untitled unmastered.” marks a new era for Lamar. Aside from sporadic features, we usually don’t hear much from him until a new album comes around. Lamar doesn’t do many interviews and keeps a low profile on social media. In contrast with other rappers today (see Kanye West), Lamar lets his art speak for itself. Lamar’s albums live in rich, intricate, distinctly separate worlds. In “g.o.o.d. kid, m.A.A.d. city,” the gunshots go off, the sirens blare, and the voicemail beeps as Kendrick recounts his tumultuous childhood in Compton, California. We ride with Lamar down Rosecrans Avenue, tag along with him and his crew, and viscerally experience the ups and downs of his life through the album’s narrative arc. Following “g.o.o.d. kid, m.A.A.d. city’s” commercial and critical success and Kendrick’s simultaneous launch into the limelight, “To Pimp A Butterfly” offers perspective on an entirely new battleground: fame. Lamar centers on the exploitation black artists often face and details his struggles with depression over gritty, expansive jazz and funk rhythms uncommon to hip-hop today. The album was universally lauded as a masterpiece, and rightfully so. As Nina Simone once said, “an artist’s duty is to reflect the times,” and the album’s necessary commentary on police brutality and the residual effects of slavery, mass incarceration, and racism in the U.S. mirror that sentiment. Although his lyrics are timely, Lamar strays far away from modern rap trends. In the age of the single, he crafts exceptionally conceptual and cohesive albums, meant to be listened to all the way through. If you only know Lamar by his

hits “m.A.A.d. city,” “Backseat Freestyle,” or even “Alright,” you haven’t heard the full story. Sitting down to unpack Lamar’s lyrics is a task only fit for those with the drive, patience, and desire to do so. That isn’t to say that he doesn’t have quality, catchy beats, just that they often aren’t the main focus. Lamar’s music is most valuable when his lyricism receives your full attention. The way he’s garnered that attention is quite remarkable. In a span of approximately five years, Lamar has transitioned from putting out mixtapes to getting namedropped by President Obama, who said that “How Much A Dollar Cost” was his favorite song of 2015. Very few mainstream, award-winning artists have a viewpoint like Lamar’s and the bravery to share it. Everything he does seems to incite a conversation about race relations or the state of modern hip-hop. His song “Alright” even serves as an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement. The release of “untitled unmastered.” further intensifies anticipation and curiosity for Lamar’s next full album, but if he can continue to be creative, there’s no limit to what he will accomplish. Rest assured that as long as Lamar is in control, rap isn’t dead. Its blood is pumping and its heart is pounding to the beat.

C O U RT E S Y O F TH E1975. C O M

C O U RT E S Y O F FAC E B O O K. C O M

“Zootopia” BY GABBY GRANADA As my roommate and I passed the movie posters for “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” “Deadpool,” and “Hail, Caesar!” we found ourselves questioning why on Earth two college kids were about to pay money to watch a children’s movie titled “Zootopia.” However, within a few minutes of the furry odyssey, we understood what all the hype was about.The world of “Zootopia” came to life before our eyes with groundbreaking, detailed animation of a vivid, bustling metropolis that exploded off the screen. The endearing characters in “Zootopia” are the stars of the show, weaving charm, wit, and a little bit of humor into every scene. The voices of Jason Bateman, Octavia Spencer, J.K. Simmons, Idris Elba, and—yep—Shakira, only skim the list of the film’s hilariously brilliant all-star lineup. The most pleasantly surprising aspect of “Zootopia” is its humor. The movie is filled with witty one-liners geared toward an older crowd, fitting, considering the majority of our theater was comprised of kid-free adults who chose to spend their Friday night watching the perils of talking animals. What is most impressive about “Zootopia” is its rare ability to catapult the audience on a heartfelt journey into a stunning, one-of-a-kind world reminiscent of classics like “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo.” It’s no wonder that the film is maintaining an impressive 99 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and is climbing boxoffice sales exponentially. We left the theater with the fuzzy, feel-good warmth every great family movie instills and Shakira’s dangerously catchy feature song, “Try Everything,” permanently stuck in our heads.

CO U RT E S Y O F I NGR I D S U P ER S TAR . B AND C AMP. C O M

THE WAKE // SOUND & VISION

The 1975’s “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It” BY KARL WITKOWIAK British pop-rock group The 1975 brings back their ’80s sound with their sophomore release. Their slicked back, new-wave/ disco grooves and production come back in full swing on this record, as blaring synths and funk-flavored guitar riffs makeup almost every song on this record. Stylistically, it’s more complicated than that, from the funky and off-the-wall “Love Me” to the toned down synths on “Somebody New” or any of the instrumentals, such as the ethereal “Please Be Naked” or the lengthy title track. Much like their debut, The 1975’s sound is glamorous and stylized, without being too overblown. Lyrically, this album covers plenty of ground, but mainly focuses on how much of a mess lead vocalist Matt Healy’s life is. Healy explores complicated relationships such as on “She’s American” or “The Sound,” his complications with religion on “If I Believe You” and drug use on “UGH!” The album ends on a very somber note with the last two songs “Nana” and “She Lays Down,” both acoustic tracks dealing with the depression his mother faced, whose drug abuse seemed to parallel his own. Healy’s impressive range in his vocals also balances the popflavored groove with feelings of desperation. The sophomore album from The 1975 album, while rather similar to their debut, offers plenty of the ’80s bombast and style that we love about the group in the first place. We know the sound, but we love it nonetheless.

Frankie Cosmos’s “Next Thing” BY PETER DIAMOND On her sophomore album “Next Thing,” New York singersongwriter Greta Kline is floating on airs, or so it would seem on “Floated In,” where she proclaims she’s begun living. With “Next Thing,” Kline puts to rest any claim that a song less than a minute and a half long could be considered disposable in the “content” era. In lyrically wearing her heart on her sleeve, Kline finds empowerment in vulnerability. As its album art indicates, much of “Next Thing” was written while Kline was experiencing her first major tour supporting “Zentropy,” an exercise in learning how to be a professional musician. In many ways, “Next Thing” is about subverting public and media expectations of who Kline is. “My soul is not like a waterpark,” she muses on “Sinister,” “it’s big and surprisingly dark.” It’s learning how to be at peace with oneself and refusing to accept other people’s false perceptions of you. Yet for all of Kline’s sarcastic, dark humor amid deceptively innocent twee-pop, consider the names that fill the air in “Embody,” an ode to friendship that’s about channeling the positive attributes of loved ones in times of trouble, or how she ruminates on the magic of a kiss that never was from “On the Lips.” Kline has a knack for drawing the big picture from the smallest interaction. The infinite universe is her palette, and “Next Thing” has all the makings of an artist refining her craft. “Sometimes I cry cause I know I’ll never have all the answers,” Kline concedes, learning to take solace in the unknowable wonders of the world as she continues to grow in it.

WAKEMAG.ORG // 23

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Thursday April 14th | 8 PM / $5-$7 / 18+ | The Triple Rock Social Club