1. "Ground Gives Way" - The Ocean Blue
Ladies and gentlemen- this is the undisputed musical champion of 2013. It is a masterpiece. This year, The Ocean Blue, from Hershey, released their first studio album since 1999. Ultramarine, a 12-track treasure, is a shoe-in for Album of the Year. "Ground Gives Way" showcases it all. Oed Ronne's melodic guitar progressions match David Schelzel's soothing voice perfectly. Everything is perfect. *cue applause*
2. "400 Lux" - Lorde
Lorde quite literally came out of nowhere. All of the sudden, it was if we all knew a 17-year-old was taking over the world, and we weren't too upset about it. Her attitude is unique; she truly doesn't care what you think, and you can hear it in her voice in "400 Lux." It's teenage swagger embodied in two mesmerizing synth tracks. Can it get any better?
3. "Sway" - Blue October
Until 2013, Blue October frontman Justin Furstenfeld was, to put it simply, angry. Any Man In America was a tell-all about divorce and child custody, and even though the music was brilliant, it was emotionally overwhelming. Sway, released in August, showcases Justin's happy side, and the title track is pure bliss. "And we sway."
4. "New Town Velocity" - Johnny Marr
In a year that saw Morrissey release his revealing autobiography, former Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr made waves of his own. In February, Marr released The Messenger, his debut solo album. "New Town Velocity" proves he still hasn't forgotten how to play Smiths-esque guitar, and that he has vocal chops. Let's face it: Johnny Marr is timeless.
5. "Domo23" - Tyler the Creator
After "Yonkers" took the rap industry by storm in 2011 and Goblin carried its weight in 2012, Wolf, Tyler the Creator's second studio album, was well-anticipated to say the least. It didn't disappoint. "Domo 23" hits hard, and laughs at those who think Tyler can't produce quality beats. And as for those who say he can't rap? "Came to Pitchfork with a couple Jada Pinkett signs."
6. "All Things All At Once" - Tired Pony
We'd all love a new R.E.M. album. We'd all love a new Snow Patrol album. Those wishes didn't come true in 2013, but Gary Lightbody and Peter Buck's collab project Tired Pony gave us The Ghost of the Mountain. Its feature single, "All Things All At Once," is simple. A handful of Lightbody's brilliantly romantic lyrics on top of some guitar chords. Beauty doesn't have to be complex.
7. "Timeless" - The Airborne Toxic Event
Without doubt the most empowering chorus of 2013. How does ATE do it? Lead singer Mikel Jollett uses the verses of "Timeless" to get you thinking; why is life so short? Why can't I stay here with you forever? And then, in a beautiful panic, Jollett belts out "You are the only thing that makes me feel like I can live forever," and everything is suddenly okay again.
8. "Money And The Power" - Kid Ink
Kid Ink, a 2013 RCA Records signee who sounds oddly like Meek Mill, is the Rookie of the Year. "Money and the Power" is one of those rare hip hop anthems that proclaims "If you don't like me, who cares?" The moral of the story: Don't sleep on Kid Ink. He is dropping My Own Lane on Jan. 7.
9."Reflektor" - Arcade Fire
The only reason this song isn't #1 is because it's too difficult. Too artsy (the marketing campaign was cheesy, and the band's costume party concerts were contrived.) Sometimes, complexity absorbs creative value. However, it is a fantastic track. The band's instrumentation, as always, meshes perfectly. Oh, and David Bowie can be heard in the background.
10. "Strictly 4 My Jeeps" - Action Bronson
Warning: this song (and video) is gross. Action Bronson is everything wrong with hip hop, but at the same time, everything right. His flow is mad good, and he is not afraid to be a bit out-of-the-ordinary. "Strictly 4 My Jeeps" showcases Bronson's love for himself, and his love for women, money and food. "New York, I'm like Jeter, light Caesar."
HONORABLE MENTIONS (CLICK TO LISTEN)
11. "Power Trip" - J. Cole/Miguel
12. "The Mother We Share" - CHVRCHES
13. "Black Skinhead" - Kanye West
14. "Dark Horse" - Katy Perry (Juicy J)
15. "Skip To The Good Bit" - Rizzle Kicks
16. "23" - Mike Will Made It (Miley Cyrus)
17. "Where The Kids Are" - Blondfire
18. "Love Is Colder Than Death" - Dean Wareham
19. "Watching Movies" - Mac Miller
20. "Hop is Back" - Hopsin
12/31/2013
12/27/2013
A Blind Eye to Terror
[To view A Blind Eye to Terror, click on the tab at the top of the website.]
What is bullying? Who gets bullied? Is it just among children? What age? Is it always at school? How do you stop it? Is anyone trying to stop it?
What should I focus on?
If I were to answer all those questions (and really, there are hundreds more), it would take a lot longer than a few weeks. Let's face it: there are people who dedicate their lives to this stuff.
I started with personal accounts. If I was going to understand bullying at its core, I would have to hear stories. And stories. And more stories. I was bullied, yes, but not nearly as bad as children like Rebecca Sedwick.
So I listened, and didn't ask any questions. I just wanted to hear stories.
Out of the 25 or so accounts, one stuck out. Someone told me that their classmate in high school committed suicide because they were bullied, and that the school tried to push it under the rug. That's a serious accusation.
It reminded me of Valentine Road, an HBO documentary about a kid named Larry King who was shot and killed in class because he was different. After the murder, Larry's school refused to put up a memorial.
I needed to talk to Marta Cunningham, the documentarian behind the story. It was the first time I got a hold of a serious source through Twitter. After a handful of tweets, I got a phone call from Ms. Cunningham.
She couldn't comment on the school's decisions, unfortunately, but she did answer my questions about bullying in America. She mentioned that there were progressive techniques out there that schools were not utilizing.
Enter Josh and Gab. I had always wanted to do a story about Josh and Gab, and I had finally found the perfect fit. To ease the atmosphere in the story, I was going to embed a video about the performers. End on a positive note, perhaps.
The experience was fantastic, as expected. Josh and Gab are the best of the best, and I look forward to working with them again.
Time had run out at this point (I had to turn it in for class.) The story is not completed yet, though. There are many more aspects to examine.
For now, though, take a look.
11/12/2013
It's Time to Pay the Athletes
The best-selling item in the Texas A&M online shop is a replica white #2 jersey.
It looks familiar. The normal college football fan sees it every Saturday on the field in College Station, A&M's home. The team's athletic director sees it every day in a financial report alongside dollar signs.
The 20-year-old wearing the jersey, Heisman winner and star quarterback Johnny Manziel, sees nothing. Of the hefty $54.98 price tag, Manziel sees not a penny.
And if he takes even a fraction of one jersey sale, from anyone, the world of college football cries out in disgust. 'What a disgrace.' 'Greedy kid.' 'Never let him play another down.'
This is a system that we, as sports fans, have become accustomed to, and it needs to change. Athletic departments make tens of millions of dollars every season (A&M made over $44 million in 2011-12), but the athletes who play the game work for free. It's big business.
Only in college athletics does this happen. If a company uses a musician's song in a commercial without permission, a hefty lawsuit is on its way.
But if a University sells one, or a hundred, or a thousand Manziel jerseys, and Johnny says anything about it, we remind him of his role in the NCAA.
This role is backwards. Players like Manziel are expected to be in two places at once: on the field leading their teams to wins and in class getting an education.
The wins equal big money for the schools. A team who wins the BCS National Championship in college football benefits huge financially. In 2012, Alabama received a payout of $21.2 million for winning it all.
The education, on the other hand, is given for free to the athletes who lead these teams to championships. Supporters of the current system say this counts as compensation.
But it can't. The athletes, who are required to attend practice multiple times per day, aren't encouraged to go to class. No one pushes them. And they are given preferential treatment on assignments. The University of Auburn was caught giving student athletes boosted grades earlier this year.
Is this education?
No. It's like giving your grandmother a computer and not teaching her how to use it. Does she really benefit from having the computer?
Therein lays the problem. The free education is unattainable, but the fame and the lights of big time college football aren't, as long as the school is raking in the big bucks.
Take the story of Dasmine Cathey, a former football player for the University of Missouri. In 2012, he was reading at a first grade level as a 23-year-old fifth-year senior.
But man, could he play football.
"You don't see many guys his height who can run a 4.6 forty," a former coach said about him.
Cathey was illiterate. The man couldn't read. Some argue that college athlete graduation rates are on the rise, but it doesn't matter, even if that is the case 99 percent of the time. If one college student is illiterate and still playing football, there is a major systematic problem.
How do you fix it?
It's not as simple as paying every student athlete a stipend. You would have to pay the swimming team and the chess club, and quite frankly, those sports aren't the moneymakers.
First, you change the hierarchy.
You have to start at the top with the ones with the heavy wallets – the coaches, athletic directors and presidents. Alabama head coach Nick Saban made $5.5 million in 2013, and the athletic director brought in over $600,000. If either took pay cuts, the money could be put to better use.
Take the money and put it into hiring personal mentors for student athletes. It's the first step in encouraging them to go to class; making them feel like someone wants them to be there.
Then, you change the rulebook.
College athletes should be allowed to accept money from outside means, whether it's from boosters, jobs or autograph sales. That way, the most talented players, the ones who bring in the most money for their programs, are rewarded fairly. Some will get more money than others, yes, but is it any worse than restricting everyone from the opportunity? No. And removing some of the employment guidelines is a no-brainer. Let them work minimum wage jobs. Students with academic scholarships are allowed to.
Initiatives like these barely scrape the surface of the problem, but it would be a step in the right direction. Athletes like Manziel are being exploited by big-money programs that have room to negotiate.
They'll never stop selling the jerseys.
But they can stop selling the nonsense.
It looks familiar. The normal college football fan sees it every Saturday on the field in College Station, A&M's home. The team's athletic director sees it every day in a financial report alongside dollar signs.
The 20-year-old wearing the jersey, Heisman winner and star quarterback Johnny Manziel, sees nothing. Of the hefty $54.98 price tag, Manziel sees not a penny.
And if he takes even a fraction of one jersey sale, from anyone, the world of college football cries out in disgust. 'What a disgrace.' 'Greedy kid.' 'Never let him play another down.'
This is a system that we, as sports fans, have become accustomed to, and it needs to change. Athletic departments make tens of millions of dollars every season (A&M made over $44 million in 2011-12), but the athletes who play the game work for free. It's big business.
Only in college athletics does this happen. If a company uses a musician's song in a commercial without permission, a hefty lawsuit is on its way.
But if a University sells one, or a hundred, or a thousand Manziel jerseys, and Johnny says anything about it, we remind him of his role in the NCAA.
This role is backwards. Players like Manziel are expected to be in two places at once: on the field leading their teams to wins and in class getting an education.
The wins equal big money for the schools. A team who wins the BCS National Championship in college football benefits huge financially. In 2012, Alabama received a payout of $21.2 million for winning it all.
The education, on the other hand, is given for free to the athletes who lead these teams to championships. Supporters of the current system say this counts as compensation.
But it can't. The athletes, who are required to attend practice multiple times per day, aren't encouraged to go to class. No one pushes them. And they are given preferential treatment on assignments. The University of Auburn was caught giving student athletes boosted grades earlier this year.
Is this education?
No. It's like giving your grandmother a computer and not teaching her how to use it. Does she really benefit from having the computer?
Therein lays the problem. The free education is unattainable, but the fame and the lights of big time college football aren't, as long as the school is raking in the big bucks.
Take the story of Dasmine Cathey, a former football player for the University of Missouri. In 2012, he was reading at a first grade level as a 23-year-old fifth-year senior.
But man, could he play football.
"You don't see many guys his height who can run a 4.6 forty," a former coach said about him.
Cathey was illiterate. The man couldn't read. Some argue that college athlete graduation rates are on the rise, but it doesn't matter, even if that is the case 99 percent of the time. If one college student is illiterate and still playing football, there is a major systematic problem.
How do you fix it?
It's not as simple as paying every student athlete a stipend. You would have to pay the swimming team and the chess club, and quite frankly, those sports aren't the moneymakers.
First, you change the hierarchy.
Take the money and put it into hiring personal mentors for student athletes. It's the first step in encouraging them to go to class; making them feel like someone wants them to be there.
Then, you change the rulebook.
College athletes should be allowed to accept money from outside means, whether it's from boosters, jobs or autograph sales. That way, the most talented players, the ones who bring in the most money for their programs, are rewarded fairly. Some will get more money than others, yes, but is it any worse than restricting everyone from the opportunity? No. And removing some of the employment guidelines is a no-brainer. Let them work minimum wage jobs. Students with academic scholarships are allowed to.
Initiatives like these barely scrape the surface of the problem, but it would be a step in the right direction. Athletes like Manziel are being exploited by big-money programs that have room to negotiate.
They'll never stop selling the jerseys.
But they can stop selling the nonsense.
10/13/2013
Peduto kicks off election season with campaign party
On Sept. 28, Bill Peduto stood on the same stage he stood on five months earlier when he celebrated his primary win over Jack Wagner.
This time, business was less casual, as Peduto and his team told hundreds of supporters their plan of action to win the Pittsburgh mayoral election on Nov. 5.
The supporters gathered at Peduto's campaign kickoff party at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers in South Side. Peduto, the Democratic candidate for mayor, will face Republican Josh Wander and independent Les Ludwig to fill the spot left by current mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
At the party, Peduto circled the room to talk casually with his supporters and take questions.
"There's a lot of people in that room that put their neck out for me, and I'd like to hang out with them and see them," Peduto said. "Not only I hope they are getting a little bit fired up, it gets me fired up too."
With the election in less than a month, Peduto is heavily favored to win the race, according to many supporters attending the party. Wander is overseas in Israel and hopes to attend the upcoming mayoral forums, he said on Twitter. The 80-year-old Ludwig is running for the seventh time.
Even though he is favored to win, Peduto said he plans to "put together the strongest campaign we can put together."
"It doesn't matter who the opponent is," Peduto said. "It's putting together your campaign. It's sort of like the difference between a regular thoroughbred horse race where you're competing against the other horses and a steeple chase where you want to run the course the best you can."
Eric Hagarty, Peduto's campaign manager, said he thinks the campaign will be successful if "we execute like we need to."
"There's still a number of yard signs to put out," Hagarty said. "You still knock on the same number of doors."
There will be two forums in October where voters can hear all three candidates speak. Tomorrow, a "Meet the Candidates" event is set at the Lincoln Place Presbyterian Church, and the next evening, the three will appear at the Hazelwood Initiative Candidates Forum on 5344 Second Avenue.
Peduto and Wander are scheduled to speak alone to the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs on Wednesday about their education at the school. The race's issues will not be discussed.
Even though the events are scheduled, Wander cannot confirm he will be present at any of them.
The final televised debate before the election, the WTAE Candidate Forum on Oct. 29, was cancelled yesterday because Wander could not guarantee to the station he would be back from Israel.
Ludwig started his campaign at the Peduto kickoff, wearing a sign around his neck and handing out flyers. He said he has "a responsibility to look at the corruption" during his campaign.
"I don't dislike Bill...but he has $1.3 million in his [campaign]," Ludwig said. "That means that he owes favors to people and he can't just walk away."
At the party, supporters could eat free food, listen to folk music from a live band and watch the Pirates game on a projector screen. In spirit of Pirates baseball, Peduto's team handed out Pittsburgh baseball t-shirts with "Peduto 13" on the back in exchange for a pledge of support and service.
Attendees gathered around the stage at the end of the event to hear Peduto speak. Peduto talked about the campaign and recalled standing on the same stage in May.
"We sort of turned the political world of Pittsburgh upside down.”
This time, business was less casual, as Peduto and his team told hundreds of supporters their plan of action to win the Pittsburgh mayoral election on Nov. 5.
The supporters gathered at Peduto's campaign kickoff party at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers in South Side. Peduto, the Democratic candidate for mayor, will face Republican Josh Wander and independent Les Ludwig to fill the spot left by current mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
At the party, Peduto circled the room to talk casually with his supporters and take questions.
"There's a lot of people in that room that put their neck out for me, and I'd like to hang out with them and see them," Peduto said. "Not only I hope they are getting a little bit fired up, it gets me fired up too."
With the election in less than a month, Peduto is heavily favored to win the race, according to many supporters attending the party. Wander is overseas in Israel and hopes to attend the upcoming mayoral forums, he said on Twitter. The 80-year-old Ludwig is running for the seventh time.
Even though he is favored to win, Peduto said he plans to "put together the strongest campaign we can put together."
"It doesn't matter who the opponent is," Peduto said. "It's putting together your campaign. It's sort of like the difference between a regular thoroughbred horse race where you're competing against the other horses and a steeple chase where you want to run the course the best you can."
Eric Hagarty, Peduto's campaign manager, said he thinks the campaign will be successful if "we execute like we need to."
"There's still a number of yard signs to put out," Hagarty said. "You still knock on the same number of doors."
There will be two forums in October where voters can hear all three candidates speak. Tomorrow, a "Meet the Candidates" event is set at the Lincoln Place Presbyterian Church, and the next evening, the three will appear at the Hazelwood Initiative Candidates Forum on 5344 Second Avenue.
Peduto and Wander are scheduled to speak alone to the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs on Wednesday about their education at the school. The race's issues will not be discussed.
Even though the events are scheduled, Wander cannot confirm he will be present at any of them.
The final televised debate before the election, the WTAE Candidate Forum on Oct. 29, was cancelled yesterday because Wander could not guarantee to the station he would be back from Israel.
Ludwig started his campaign at the Peduto kickoff, wearing a sign around his neck and handing out flyers. He said he has "a responsibility to look at the corruption" during his campaign.
"I don't dislike Bill...but he has $1.3 million in his [campaign]," Ludwig said. "That means that he owes favors to people and he can't just walk away."
At the party, supporters could eat free food, listen to folk music from a live band and watch the Pirates game on a projector screen. In spirit of Pirates baseball, Peduto's team handed out Pittsburgh baseball t-shirts with "Peduto 13" on the back in exchange for a pledge of support and service.
Attendees gathered around the stage at the end of the event to hear Peduto speak. Peduto talked about the campaign and recalled standing on the same stage in May.
"We sort of turned the political world of Pittsburgh upside down.”
9/10/2013
8/05/2013
DF Exclusive Q&A: Gabriel Gaffney Smith
*Looking for the most interesting, innovative, informative Q&As with some of the world's most captivating characters? Tired of the same questions and same answers? Welcome to the 1st installment of the Dented Fretboard Exclusive Q&A, an interview series that will ask the honest questions to the intriguing personas. Click on the "DF Exclusive" tab at the top of the page for the latest music, sports and pop culture Q&As.*
____________________________________________________________________
Gabriel Gaffney Smith, choreographer, composer and dancer for Pittsburgh's own Texture Contemporary Ballet, quite literally does it all.
His dance resume is extensive. After studying at the Miami City Ballet summer intensive and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School (where he also joined the corps de ballet in 2005), Smith took his talents to BalletMet in Columbus, where he still currently lives and dances. In 2012, he was awarded the Columbus Choreographic Fellowship.
On the other end of the spectrum, Smith is a multi-talented musician. His second album, Wonder Full, is a brilliant collection of instrumentals that will have you tapping your foot, fighting back tears, and pondering life.
You can purchase Wonder Full on ITunes and Amazon, like Texture Contemporary Ballet on Facebook, and follow the troupe on Twitter.
Gabriel, the stage is yours.
____________________________________________________________________
Julian Routh: Gabriel, thanks for taking the time to talk with me. I'll start off by saying I absolutely loved "Perpetual Motion." Such an outstanding show. How long did it take for the project to come together? Is this the Texture Contemporary Ballet's most impressive collection of choreography yet?
Gabriel Gaffney Smith: The whole process took about seven weeks, and we worked roughly from 9-6 everyday, plus a couple days off in between for rest of the body and mind. Judging from the audiences' reaction to the show, I would say it was very well received and the collaboration was a success.
JR: Correct me if I'm wrong, but there haven't been many collaborations between ballet and rock-and-roll in, well, the history of the world. How did Texture Ballet and Meeting of Important People come together, and do you think the collaboration worked successfully?
GGS: The drummer of Meeting of Important People, Matt, is married to a former dancer of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Megan, who knew and danced with Alan and Kelsey. So ballet was on their radar. Matt and Megan came to some previous Texture shows. The band was having a CD release party, and threw out the idea of Texture opening the evening. It went well, everyone enjoyed each other's company, and the rest is history.
I think the collaboration worked very successfully, and it is not that uncommon to see rock-and-roll bands working with ballet companies, especially when everyone is looking to push the envelope these days. For example, "Radio&Juliet" was a ballet done to all Radiohead music. It was not played live, but the collaboration was there.
JR: Now, you're from New York. You live in Columbus. How did you get involved with Texture Ballet? Is there a renowned dance culture in Pittsburgh that drew you here?
GGS: I met Alan and Kelsey while I was training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and got to know them better when I joined the company there. I moved out to Columbus to dance with BalletMet, but always kept in touch with them. When I lived in Pittsburgh, we always talked about starting our own company, and when Alan took the reins and said "Let's make this happen," I was on board fully.
JR: There's an aspect of dance, and particularly ballet, that fascinates me. I would imagine it is extraordinarily difficult to get everyone on the same page- each dancer knowing how and when to move. Is it really as simple as 'practice a lot,' or are there other things that come into play in order to successfully choreograph a routine?
GGS: Most dancers at this level have been dancing pretty much their whole lives. Picking up, remembering, and executing choreography is a skill they have been working on for years and years. As much as what you see onstage is a group effort, it really comes down to everyone being responsible and focused on their individual part, which pieces the puzzle together. It is definitely a lot of hard work in the studio to make a great performance.
JR: Texture Ballet has danced to all kinds of music; from "Pursuit of Happiness" and Elbow to Bon Iver and live garage rock. How do you and the troupe go about choosing songs to prepare routines for?
GGS: With the easy accessibility of different artists online, you can slowly start to stockpile songs that you like, that inspire you to dance. In the end, it's just picking which ones you want to become a reality.
JR: How did "Wonder Full" come about? The tracks are very complex, with a lot of impressive instrumentation. Did you write the album specifically for choreography, or did you imagine putting lyrics to the music?
GGS: I never imagined lyrics to any of the songs. I use my voice as a instrument, but not necessarily to make a dialogue. I like when people can have their own stories/ movie inside their head when listening to my music. Some songs on the album were written specifically for projects I was doing for other choreographers. But most of the songs were just created from the movement in my head. It's kind of a yes and no answer, because I see movement and sometimes choreography, but usually not specific. It's more just the movement and the emotion that goes into the music that I create.
JR: What do you hope the album accomplishes? Do you plan on touring with the music? What's next?
GGS: The biggest accomplishment was to get the album out so that people could listen to it. I am very proud of this album. I have been working on it for a long time, and I put a lot of work, and a lot of myself into it. I'm glad I can finally share it with friends, and I'm excited when people listen to it, because everyone has a different response to it...that's the greatest. It's kind of crazy that this is my second album, music was always something I just did for myself and the natural process of sharing my music has been really fun. I have started to play some songs live and I would like to keep exploring that.
____________________________________________________________________
Gabriel Gaffney Smith, choreographer, composer and dancer for Pittsburgh's own Texture Contemporary Ballet, quite literally does it all.His dance resume is extensive. After studying at the Miami City Ballet summer intensive and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School (where he also joined the corps de ballet in 2005), Smith took his talents to BalletMet in Columbus, where he still currently lives and dances. In 2012, he was awarded the Columbus Choreographic Fellowship.
On the other end of the spectrum, Smith is a multi-talented musician. His second album, Wonder Full, is a brilliant collection of instrumentals that will have you tapping your foot, fighting back tears, and pondering life.
You can purchase Wonder Full on ITunes and Amazon, like Texture Contemporary Ballet on Facebook, and follow the troupe on Twitter.
Gabriel, the stage is yours.
____________________________________________________________________
Julian Routh: Gabriel, thanks for taking the time to talk with me. I'll start off by saying I absolutely loved "Perpetual Motion." Such an outstanding show. How long did it take for the project to come together? Is this the Texture Contemporary Ballet's most impressive collection of choreography yet?
Gabriel Gaffney Smith: The whole process took about seven weeks, and we worked roughly from 9-6 everyday, plus a couple days off in between for rest of the body and mind. Judging from the audiences' reaction to the show, I would say it was very well received and the collaboration was a success.
GGS: The drummer of Meeting of Important People, Matt, is married to a former dancer of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Megan, who knew and danced with Alan and Kelsey. So ballet was on their radar. Matt and Megan came to some previous Texture shows. The band was having a CD release party, and threw out the idea of Texture opening the evening. It went well, everyone enjoyed each other's company, and the rest is history.
I think the collaboration worked very successfully, and it is not that uncommon to see rock-and-roll bands working with ballet companies, especially when everyone is looking to push the envelope these days. For example, "Radio&Juliet" was a ballet done to all Radiohead music. It was not played live, but the collaboration was there.
JR: Now, you're from New York. You live in Columbus. How did you get involved with Texture Ballet? Is there a renowned dance culture in Pittsburgh that drew you here?
GGS: I met Alan and Kelsey while I was training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and got to know them better when I joined the company there. I moved out to Columbus to dance with BalletMet, but always kept in touch with them. When I lived in Pittsburgh, we always talked about starting our own company, and when Alan took the reins and said "Let's make this happen," I was on board fully.
JR: There's an aspect of dance, and particularly ballet, that fascinates me. I would imagine it is extraordinarily difficult to get everyone on the same page- each dancer knowing how and when to move. Is it really as simple as 'practice a lot,' or are there other things that come into play in order to successfully choreograph a routine?
GGS: Most dancers at this level have been dancing pretty much their whole lives. Picking up, remembering, and executing choreography is a skill they have been working on for years and years. As much as what you see onstage is a group effort, it really comes down to everyone being responsible and focused on their individual part, which pieces the puzzle together. It is definitely a lot of hard work in the studio to make a great performance.
JR: Texture Ballet has danced to all kinds of music; from "Pursuit of Happiness" and Elbow to Bon Iver and live garage rock. How do you and the troupe go about choosing songs to prepare routines for? GGS: With the easy accessibility of different artists online, you can slowly start to stockpile songs that you like, that inspire you to dance. In the end, it's just picking which ones you want to become a reality.
JR: How did "Wonder Full" come about? The tracks are very complex, with a lot of impressive instrumentation. Did you write the album specifically for choreography, or did you imagine putting lyrics to the music?
GGS: I never imagined lyrics to any of the songs. I use my voice as a instrument, but not necessarily to make a dialogue. I like when people can have their own stories/ movie inside their head when listening to my music. Some songs on the album were written specifically for projects I was doing for other choreographers. But most of the songs were just created from the movement in my head. It's kind of a yes and no answer, because I see movement and sometimes choreography, but usually not specific. It's more just the movement and the emotion that goes into the music that I create.
JR: What do you hope the album accomplishes? Do you plan on touring with the music? What's next?
GGS: The biggest accomplishment was to get the album out so that people could listen to it. I am very proud of this album. I have been working on it for a long time, and I put a lot of work, and a lot of myself into it. I'm glad I can finally share it with friends, and I'm excited when people listen to it, because everyone has a different response to it...that's the greatest. It's kind of crazy that this is my second album, music was always something I just did for myself and the natural process of sharing my music has been really fun. I have started to play some songs live and I would like to keep exploring that.
7/31/2013
My Hero is Scum
By Friday, I have to find a new hero.
And I'll tell you this- I'm dreading it. Because regardless of whether Alex Rodriguez is handed a yearlong suspension or a lifetime ban from the game later this week, the punishment won't hurt him nearly as much as it will the dozens of impressionable young kids who believed in him.
It was only a decade ago when A-Rod came to the Bronx to don pinstripes. Back when he was well on his way to becoming the greatest player to ever play baseball. That once-in-a-lifetime talent that would eventually earn his own hallway in Cooperstown.
Of course, this was before the allegations. Before the positive tests and Peter Gammons interviews. Before Cousin Yuri. Biogenesis. Dianabol. Shame.
From day one, I have been Alex's most outspoken supporter. While #13 was slapping at mitts, distracting shortstops, and flirting with women from the dugout, I was collecting his memorabilia, wearing his jersey, and defending his naivety.
While #13 was using PEDs to cheat the game I love, I was working day-and-night to recreate his batting stance in little leagues, hoping it would help me be the best I could be. Because that's how A-Rod made it, right? Hard work and perseverance. Sure.
I feel ripped off. Betrayed. Duped. I don't care how many home runs he hit or how much money he stole from the organizations who believed he was doing it clean; to me, he is scum. Lower than scum.
Two years ago, I got the chance to "meet" Alex Rodriguez. Finally, an opportunity to see my hero up close and personal. He walked, with cousin Yuri Sucart by his side, right across the street in front of me. He made sure not to acknowledge any of his fans.
That's the thing about A-Rod: it's all about A-Rod. He pretends it's not all about him, rarely, but it's almost too easy to see straight through his facade. When he "opens up" to Sports Illustrated, ever so arrogantly, it's tongue-in-cheek.
And when the MLB announces the suspension, A-Rod will profess his innocence- again and again. He will sit in front of a microphone and take pages out of the Ryan Braun Book of Lies: "I would bet my life that this substance never entered my body at any point," "I've always had tremendous respect for the game of baseball," "By no means am I perfect."
When really, everyone knows. I know. Alex Rodriguez used performance enhancing drugs, and probably even helped other players use them too.
I hope he is banned from the game. I hope he looks back in 20 years and regrets every single one of his actions. I hope he knocks on the door of the Hall of Fame every day for the rest of his life and no one lets him in. Some people are not worth defending.
Or idolizing.
And I'll tell you this- I'm dreading it. Because regardless of whether Alex Rodriguez is handed a yearlong suspension or a lifetime ban from the game later this week, the punishment won't hurt him nearly as much as it will the dozens of impressionable young kids who believed in him.
It was only a decade ago when A-Rod came to the Bronx to don pinstripes. Back when he was well on his way to becoming the greatest player to ever play baseball. That once-in-a-lifetime talent that would eventually earn his own hallway in Cooperstown.
Of course, this was before the allegations. Before the positive tests and Peter Gammons interviews. Before Cousin Yuri. Biogenesis. Dianabol. Shame.
While #13 was using PEDs to cheat the game I love, I was working day-and-night to recreate his batting stance in little leagues, hoping it would help me be the best I could be. Because that's how A-Rod made it, right? Hard work and perseverance. Sure.
I feel ripped off. Betrayed. Duped. I don't care how many home runs he hit or how much money he stole from the organizations who believed he was doing it clean; to me, he is scum. Lower than scum.
Two years ago, I got the chance to "meet" Alex Rodriguez. Finally, an opportunity to see my hero up close and personal. He walked, with cousin Yuri Sucart by his side, right across the street in front of me. He made sure not to acknowledge any of his fans.
That's the thing about A-Rod: it's all about A-Rod. He pretends it's not all about him, rarely, but it's almost too easy to see straight through his facade. When he "opens up" to Sports Illustrated, ever so arrogantly, it's tongue-in-cheek.
And when the MLB announces the suspension, A-Rod will profess his innocence- again and again. He will sit in front of a microphone and take pages out of the Ryan Braun Book of Lies: "I would bet my life that this substance never entered my body at any point," "I've always had tremendous respect for the game of baseball," "By no means am I perfect."
When really, everyone knows. I know. Alex Rodriguez used performance enhancing drugs, and probably even helped other players use them too.
I hope he is banned from the game. I hope he looks back in 20 years and regrets every single one of his actions. I hope he knocks on the door of the Hall of Fame every day for the rest of his life and no one lets him in. Some people are not worth defending.
Or idolizing.
7/21/2013
Perpetual Motion
Perpetual (adj.) - Never ending or changing.
Motion (noun) - Power of movement. To change place or position.
"Perpetual Motion" (show) - Four nights of mind-blowing contemporary ballet backed by Pittsburgh's finest garage rock trio.
I had the pleasure of attending the third night of Pittsburgh's own Texture Contemporary Ballet's "Perpetual Motion" series this evening at the New Hazlett Theater in North Side, and I must say- it blew my mind. The group's newest collection of uniquely choreographed routines did something to me that's never been done before (besides making me, well, enjoy watching ballet of any kind.)
It shut me up.
I'll be the first to admit- When my high school's dance team performed at pep rallies (*cringe*), I turned into the blabbering fool who was always sure to voice his disgust. "This is horrid." "All they are doing is moving their bodies." "I can do that."
How naive I was.
The routines in "Perpetual Motion" are brilliant. When picked apart and separated, the dances are sophisticated and intricately complex, but the troupe, led by founder and artistic director Alan Obuzor, makes them look simple. And, heck, it's an injustice for me to call what I saw tonight "dance." It's art. Expression. Magic. Beauty.
The performance, divided into four segments (Mulberry Way, Wash, Broken Mirror, MOIP), began with an energetic piece to Elbow's "Grounds for Divorce," which, needless to say, rocks.
Then, after a handful of other impressive routines to stereo tracks (including a beautiful dance to Bon Iver's "Wash"), the group brought out local rockers Meeting of Important People to take it up a notch- literally. On a platform 40 feet above the stage, MOIP cycled through 11 of their finest jams while Texture Ballet followed every beat of the drum.
It was truly incredible. Like nothing I have ever seen before. Here's a clip from rehearsal (videotaping the actual performance was frowned upon) -
On top of that, I can't say enough about how classy both groups are. Members of Texture Ballet took questions after the performance, and you could tell they are humbled by the opportunity to show their art to such a large audience. And MOIP- I could dedicate a whole 'nother blog to them. Always a pleasure to be around, and always a pleasure to listen to. Like family to me.
The last show is tomorrow at 2 P.M. You can purchase tickets here. Also, keep up with both groups by heading to the following:
Texture Ballet - Facebook - Twitter
Meeting of Important People - Facebook - Twitter
Motion (noun) - Power of movement. To change place or position.
"Perpetual Motion" (show) - Four nights of mind-blowing contemporary ballet backed by Pittsburgh's finest garage rock trio.
I had the pleasure of attending the third night of Pittsburgh's own Texture Contemporary Ballet's "Perpetual Motion" series this evening at the New Hazlett Theater in North Side, and I must say- it blew my mind. The group's newest collection of uniquely choreographed routines did something to me that's never been done before (besides making me, well, enjoy watching ballet of any kind.)
It shut me up.
I'll be the first to admit- When my high school's dance team performed at pep rallies (*cringe*), I turned into the blabbering fool who was always sure to voice his disgust. "This is horrid." "All they are doing is moving their bodies." "I can do that."
How naive I was.
The routines in "Perpetual Motion" are brilliant. When picked apart and separated, the dances are sophisticated and intricately complex, but the troupe, led by founder and artistic director Alan Obuzor, makes them look simple. And, heck, it's an injustice for me to call what I saw tonight "dance." It's art. Expression. Magic. Beauty.
The performance, divided into four segments (Mulberry Way, Wash, Broken Mirror, MOIP), began with an energetic piece to Elbow's "Grounds for Divorce," which, needless to say, rocks.
Then, after a handful of other impressive routines to stereo tracks (including a beautiful dance to Bon Iver's "Wash"), the group brought out local rockers Meeting of Important People to take it up a notch- literally. On a platform 40 feet above the stage, MOIP cycled through 11 of their finest jams while Texture Ballet followed every beat of the drum.
It was truly incredible. Like nothing I have ever seen before. Here's a clip from rehearsal (videotaping the actual performance was frowned upon) -
On top of that, I can't say enough about how classy both groups are. Members of Texture Ballet took questions after the performance, and you could tell they are humbled by the opportunity to show their art to such a large audience. And MOIP- I could dedicate a whole 'nother blog to them. Always a pleasure to be around, and always a pleasure to listen to. Like family to me.
The last show is tomorrow at 2 P.M. You can purchase tickets here. Also, keep up with both groups by heading to the following:
Texture Ballet - Facebook - Twitter
Meeting of Important People - Facebook - Twitter
3/18/2013
3/04/2013
New Age Q&As: Trey "Trace" Marmie
When I was 15, I dreamt of playing in the MLB. That lasted all of two weeks, though, as I did horrendously bad at the tryouts for freshman baseball. How bad? I'm pretty sure the coaches were laughing at me during conditioning. Sigh.
That's why I respect Trey "Trace" Marmie.
Trace, a 15-year-old rapper from Chandler, Arizona, is doing so much at such a young age (I feel old.) And it is quality. Seriously. I have listened to thousands of horrible tracks from kids claiming they are "bout to blow up, man." None come close to Trace. Not even in the same ballpark.
So I invited Trace to stop by dentedfretboard.com and answer a few questions.To keep up with Trace, you can follow him on Twitter @Trace480 and like him on Facebook.
Drop that beat...
Dented Fretboard: Now, I'm sure you get asked this a lot, and I mean A LOT. But you're 15, and you've already played shows with critically acclaimed rap artists (Asher Roth, Aer, Timeflies). How do you do it? Is there a method in convincing people to give you a shot regardless of your age?
Trace: A lot of people ask about the shows I get, and how I get them. There's no certain formula, except for having a fan base, even if it isn't the biggest, that will come out and support you at live events. Luckily, I know some of the best promoters around this area, and I fulfill my commitment every time plus I get the crowd interaction going, so shows are not usually scarce. Most people are surprised about my age, once they figure out, and usually, most are impressed.
Dented Fretboard: Tell me about your entry for the Don't Funk Up Our Beats contest. Where did the beat come from? What kind of feedback have you gotten from it?
Trace: The Don't Funk Up Our Beats 5 Contest Entry video I recently put out was something to get more momentum going. The beat came from their website, and thousands of people enter every year. I decided to roll with it this year in hopes of increasing my abilities, and reaching out to new potential fans. So far, the feedback has been crazy good for the most part. With over 2500+ views in three days, I am satisfied. I am still pushing it, trying to get it to the maximum amount of viewers. From March 11-27, you can vote for it, in hopes I will be the winner that results in a prize.
Dented Fretboard: The rap industry, more so than any other genre, is full of aspiring lyricists. Thanks to Youtube (among others), anyone can be heard. What makes your music different from the rest?
Trace: I think something that lets me stand apart from many other artists is my ability to change it up. I can make a record that will have you feeling positive, and the next minute a record to tell you about a life story/change I've been through. For example, on my next project, I am really hoping to show all aspects of my life with no filter. I want people to see the happy side of me, the down side of myself, and everything else in between.
Dented Fretboard: On April 26, you'll be opening for Jake Miller. I am taking a wild guess, but I think it's safe to say that you're probably the only one in your age group who has opportunities like that. How do you stay humble? I know I couldn't.
Trace: It's easy for me to stay humble, because I will never be satisfied. I do have to recognize small wins, and be happy with those so I know I am going in the right direction, but I always want more. Every time I make a record, I want it to top my last, and every time I perform I want to leave even more people with a positive memory than my last concert. I can't make a song, and then be so happy with it I'm cocky and feel fulfilled. Every time I make a track that I know I want people to hear, I immediately am thinking what is next.
Dented Fretboard: Tell me- one artist you dream of sharing the stage with and why?
Trace: One artist I dream of sharing the stage with is Kid Cudi. All around he has been the most influential artist on me for years. It's a long shot, cause Cudder is the man, but hopefully one day that will become true.
That's why I respect Trey "Trace" Marmie.
Trace, a 15-year-old rapper from Chandler, Arizona, is doing so much at such a young age (I feel old.) And it is quality. Seriously. I have listened to thousands of horrible tracks from kids claiming they are "bout to blow up, man." None come close to Trace. Not even in the same ballpark.
So I invited Trace to stop by dentedfretboard.com and answer a few questions.To keep up with Trace, you can follow him on Twitter @Trace480 and like him on Facebook.
Drop that beat...
Dented Fretboard: Now, I'm sure you get asked this a lot, and I mean A LOT. But you're 15, and you've already played shows with critically acclaimed rap artists (Asher Roth, Aer, Timeflies). How do you do it? Is there a method in convincing people to give you a shot regardless of your age?
Trace: A lot of people ask about the shows I get, and how I get them. There's no certain formula, except for having a fan base, even if it isn't the biggest, that will come out and support you at live events. Luckily, I know some of the best promoters around this area, and I fulfill my commitment every time plus I get the crowd interaction going, so shows are not usually scarce. Most people are surprised about my age, once they figure out, and usually, most are impressed.
 |
| Trace with Asher Roth |
Dented Fretboard: Tell me about your entry for the Don't Funk Up Our Beats contest. Where did the beat come from? What kind of feedback have you gotten from it?
Trace: The Don't Funk Up Our Beats 5 Contest Entry video I recently put out was something to get more momentum going. The beat came from their website, and thousands of people enter every year. I decided to roll with it this year in hopes of increasing my abilities, and reaching out to new potential fans. So far, the feedback has been crazy good for the most part. With over 2500+ views in three days, I am satisfied. I am still pushing it, trying to get it to the maximum amount of viewers. From March 11-27, you can vote for it, in hopes I will be the winner that results in a prize.
Dented Fretboard: The rap industry, more so than any other genre, is full of aspiring lyricists. Thanks to Youtube (among others), anyone can be heard. What makes your music different from the rest?
Trace: I think something that lets me stand apart from many other artists is my ability to change it up. I can make a record that will have you feeling positive, and the next minute a record to tell you about a life story/change I've been through. For example, on my next project, I am really hoping to show all aspects of my life with no filter. I want people to see the happy side of me, the down side of myself, and everything else in between.
 |
| His debut album, "Weight of the World," can be downloaded HERE. |
Dented Fretboard: On April 26, you'll be opening for Jake Miller. I am taking a wild guess, but I think it's safe to say that you're probably the only one in your age group who has opportunities like that. How do you stay humble? I know I couldn't.
Trace: It's easy for me to stay humble, because I will never be satisfied. I do have to recognize small wins, and be happy with those so I know I am going in the right direction, but I always want more. Every time I make a record, I want it to top my last, and every time I perform I want to leave even more people with a positive memory than my last concert. I can't make a song, and then be so happy with it I'm cocky and feel fulfilled. Every time I make a track that I know I want people to hear, I immediately am thinking what is next.
Trace: One artist I dream of sharing the stage with is Kid Cudi. All around he has been the most influential artist on me for years. It's a long shot, cause Cudder is the man, but hopefully one day that will become true.
Songs of the Week #5 (It's BACK)
A couple of things- Yes, I still listen to a lot of music. It's been a busy second semester, though, and I haven't been able to find the time to continue this segment, which was very short-lived.
Remember, this is the segment that featured "Thrift Shop" when it had under 1,000 views. Breaking news- it now has over 135 million.
Does that mean that when your song appears on this blog, you will blow up and play on SNL? No. But it does mean that a handful of people will get to jam to it while everyone else is listening to this disgrace.
So, without further ado, back by popular demand (well, the demand of these two fine gentleman), here are the songs of the week for March 4th, 2013. With a bonus!
1. "Lion's Road" by First Aid Kit. The most simple, powerful song I've heard since "Civilian" by Wye Oak. The similarities- both created by a woman with a guitar. Apparently, there's something about Swedish folk music that really calms me. Even when it's accompanied by a few curse words (Lord's name in vain *gasp*) and eerily depressing lyrics. Bravo to these two ladies for stealing my heart and frightening me at the same time.
2. "Believe Me" by Meek Mill & Dave Patten. MMG's Meek Mill normally doesn't experiment with happy music (click here.) But put him with spiky-haired Dave Patten and an "everything will be alright" choir loop and the possibilities are endless. Ever hear Meek rap a line like "so don't judge me, just love me"? What an uplifting track, and a wildly catchy beat.
3. "Here We Are" by The Cynics. A guitar has never sounded so hypnotizing. Courtesy of a band that has been representing Pittsburgh garage rock since the mid-80s, "Here We Are" is one of those songs that captures all the sounds from other eras, but can still pass as a hit from today. The Cynics will be at Mr. Smalls with Meeting of Important People and Neighbours on April 5th. Grab your tickets here.
4. "Don't Funk Up Our Beats" by Trace. Bonus track! I challenge you to guess how old this kid is. *waits*. Anyone? If you guessed 15 (and you most certainly didn't), you got it. It is so disappointing that this is only 1:48 long. Trace's flow is up there with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator, and I say that confidently. I don't have a single idea what contest this is for, but if Trace doesn't win, it's highway robbery.
Remember, this is the segment that featured "Thrift Shop" when it had under 1,000 views. Breaking news- it now has over 135 million.
Does that mean that when your song appears on this blog, you will blow up and play on SNL? No. But it does mean that a handful of people will get to jam to it while everyone else is listening to this disgrace.
So, without further ado, back by popular demand (well, the demand of these two fine gentleman), here are the songs of the week for March 4th, 2013. With a bonus!
1. "Lion's Road" by First Aid Kit. The most simple, powerful song I've heard since "Civilian" by Wye Oak. The similarities- both created by a woman with a guitar. Apparently, there's something about Swedish folk music that really calms me. Even when it's accompanied by a few curse words (Lord's name in vain *gasp*) and eerily depressing lyrics. Bravo to these two ladies for stealing my heart and frightening me at the same time.
2. "Believe Me" by Meek Mill & Dave Patten. MMG's Meek Mill normally doesn't experiment with happy music (click here.) But put him with spiky-haired Dave Patten and an "everything will be alright" choir loop and the possibilities are endless. Ever hear Meek rap a line like "so don't judge me, just love me"? What an uplifting track, and a wildly catchy beat.
3. "Here We Are" by The Cynics. A guitar has never sounded so hypnotizing. Courtesy of a band that has been representing Pittsburgh garage rock since the mid-80s, "Here We Are" is one of those songs that captures all the sounds from other eras, but can still pass as a hit from today. The Cynics will be at Mr. Smalls with Meeting of Important People and Neighbours on April 5th. Grab your tickets here.
4. "Don't Funk Up Our Beats" by Trace. Bonus track! I challenge you to guess how old this kid is. *waits*. Anyone? If you guessed 15 (and you most certainly didn't), you got it. It is so disappointing that this is only 1:48 long. Trace's flow is up there with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator, and I say that confidently. I don't have a single idea what contest this is for, but if Trace doesn't win, it's highway robbery.
2/21/2013
Catholics reflect on Benedict's legacy
Following Pope Benedict XVI's resignation on Feb. 11, research suggests that although Benedict's papacy was viewed favorably by many, some Catholics in America are hoping his replacement changes the way the papacy is conducted.
Don Briel, director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of Saint Thomas, said Benedict's style cannot be definitively classified.
According to a report released by the Pew Research Center early today, 46 percent of American Catholics believe the next pope should "move the church in new directions," and 63 percent said they were unsatisfied with the way Benedict handled the church's sexual abuse scandal.
 |
| AP Photo: Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan, guides the pope in Milan, Italy last week |
The issue of sex abuse in the church, particularly among high ranking Catholic officials, has resulted in an estimated $2 billion in settlements, according to the New York Times.
Paula M. Kane, the John and Lucine O'Brien Marous Chair of Contemporary Catholic Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, said she wants Benedict's replacement to handle the issue more effectively.
"The pope has to deal with the sexual abuse issue and scandals," Kane said. "He needs to consider ways in which Vatican dogma has not kept up with the times."
The Pew report also revealed that for those who attend Mass at least once a week, 63 percent believe the next pope should enforce similar traditional policies to those of Benedict.
"He is not easily caricatured as conservative or liberal," Briel said. "He is self-evidently a man of deep prayer and humility, one who has brought to the most visible platforms of modern secular culture a careful set of distinctions...that should cause us in the West to rethink our reductionist accounts of private faith."
During his papacy, Benedict was praised by members of the Catholic community for his theological work. Nick Cafardi, dean emeritus and professor of law in Duquesne's School of Law, said Benedict was "a phenomenal theologian."
During his papacy, Benedict was praised by members of the Catholic community for his theological work. Nick Cafardi, dean emeritus and professor of law in Duquesne's School of Law, said Benedict was "a phenomenal theologian."
"His books on the life of Christ are wonderful examples of theology with a really common touch to them," Cafardi said.
After Benedict's resignation officially takes effect on Feb. 28 at 8 P.M, the 117 Cardinals currently under the age of 80 will elect the new pope.
After Benedict's resignation officially takes effect on Feb. 28 at 8 P.M, the 117 Cardinals currently under the age of 80 will elect the new pope.
2/08/2013
'I Fought Joey Porter's Entourage': Meeting the Pittsburgh Penguins
One time, I chased after Derek Jeter's limo for 15 blocks in the middle of Pittsburgh, only to have my legs and heart give out simultaneously. Failure.
Another time, I stood in one spot in front of a door for three hours at All Star Fan Fest for Alex Rodriguez, only to have an attendant tell me he went out of a different door. Failure.
Tonight, I toughed it out in the deceivingly-cold weather for two hours, pennant and Sharpie in hand, waiting for the Pittsburgh Penguins after a 5-2 win over the Capitals. Success.
Yes, I would call myself an 'autograph hound,' if those are the correct words. There's something about getting an autograph that is significantly different than any other experience. Outsiders will say "it's just the guy's scribbled name," but it's so much more than that. But that's for another post, some other day.
Mike picked me up at 9, gave me a pair of gloves (could have used about 50 more) and drove us into the city. After a half hour of, well, finding out where it would be socially acceptable to wait for players, we found a group of 60 fans clothed head-to-toe in Pens' gear grouped behind a set of bicycle racks.
This was the spot.
_____________________________________________________________________
The spot where we would stand, freezing, as we watched for an hour as beautiful car after beautiful car passed by. "Please stop," we wished, but it didn't come true. As with every autograph experience, there was that ongoing battle in our heads: do we stay and risk disappointment, or do we leave and miss something extraordinary?
So we kept standing. Thankfully.
Because before my hands turned to ice (10:30 PM approximately), a black Range Rover pulled up slowly and came to a halt at the end of the line. Everyone gathered. It was Tomas Vokoun.
First rule of autograph hounding: be polite. I was polite. Vokoun signed.
And then, 15 minutes later, another expensive car slowed down in front of us. This time, Deryk Engelland poked his head out of the window.
Second rule of autograph hounding: don't hand over the Sharpie with the tip facing the signer. I committed no such foul. Engelland signed next to Vokoun.
A handful of people left, and a half hour later, the remaining crowd yelled "Fleury" at a pair of headlights approaching quickly. Marc Andre Fleury, my favorite NHL goalie since Johan Hedberg.
Third rule of autograph hounding: don't be too creepy (avoid the phrase "I love you" at all costs.) I kept my mouth shut. Fleury signed next to Engelland.
_____________________________________________________________________
At that point, everyone left. Even the security guards.
But that wasn't fooling our new friend, the guy who fought Joey Porter's entourage in a nightclub over a lost earring. This guy, one of the coolest people in da 'Burgh, assured us that Dan Bylsma hadn't left the building yet.
"Alright, let's stay for a few more minutes."
It didn't even take a few minutes for a pair of bright headlights to shine out at us from the Consol gate. The lights, coming closer and closer, were those of the coach.
Dan Bylsma, wearing a stylish fedora, rolled his window down and spoke words to us. I don't remember what those words were, probably because I was in shock. I broke rule #3, without saying "I love you."
He signed the top of my pennant, exchanged a few words with us and went on his way. In a matter of two minutes, myself, Mike and the man who fought Joey Porter's entourage were the only three in the city of Pittsburgh talking to the coach of the beloved Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ah. Success.
2/07/2013
Bernier shares details on upcoming book
When professor Craig Bernier is not
teaching eager groups of freshmen how to write, he is busy mastering
the craft on his own.
The newest of his works is set to
release by Black Lawrence Press in April 2014, following a decade of
writing and searching for publishers. Your Life Idyllic, a
collection of his own short stories, looks into the life of what
Bernier calls “a character I know really well.”
The collection, given the St. Lawrence
Award by Black Lawrence, is centered around people who go to work, a
character often forgotten in literature, according to Bernier.
“There's something happening in every
day work that is often overlooked,” Bernier said. “Not the work
in and of itself, but the folks who do the work. There's a natural
struggle that I certainly remember when working."
Though he acknowledged that writers are
sometimes “the worst people to talk to about our own styles,”
Bernier said that what makes his collection different than others is
its concentration on language, an aspect in his work that may have
taken its roots in his time as a poet.
“I tried to separate my stories, to
some degree, with an attention to language and how it comes together
in a lovely fashion, or a stark fashion, or an evocative fashion, or
a connotative fashion,” Bernier said.
From now until its release next year,
the book will go through the
publishing stages of editing, cover design and marketing. Black
Lawrence Press, an imprint of Dzanc Books, allowed Bernier to design
the cover with Rob Bupp, senior art director at Chemistry
Communications.
“What's nice about the small press is
you can do a lot more than with some of the larger houses,” Bernier
said. “This has been a project of mine for some time, so I'm really
attached to it. I don't necessarily want to turn over the cover
design or the editing process.”
The professor decided on the the title,
Your Life Idyllic, towards the
beginning of his writing process. Noticing “a lot of bleak
characters trying to eke it out,” he chose what he thought to be
the overarching theme connecting the stories. The bleak characters in
his works, Bernier said, has led to his writing being deemed
“depressing.”
“I
don't necessarily know that my stories are bleak,” Bernier said. “I
tend to focus on a moment where everything could change. It doesn't
necessarily change, but the character becomes aware there are other
options.”
Bernier is currently working on a novel
called Gamer, examining the changing culture of a comic book
and gaming emporium, and Doom and Spectacle, a collection of
motorcycle stories.
2/06/2013
My Favorite Song of All Time
Ask any of my friends- I'm not particularly good at making decisions.
And for some reason, everyone (and I mean everyone) continues to rely on me for, say, what to do that night. Or where to eat. Or when to leave. I just can't do it.
With that being said, I was asked again recently what my "favorite song of all time" is. All time. That's hard. Harder than hard, considering my 11 Spotify playlists (with nearly 50 songs on each) and nearly a decade of listening to music for a dozen hours each day.
Even harder than harder than hard, considering the stacks of CDs laying around my house, the $300 worth of songs purchased on ITunes and all those music reviews for the ol' high school newspaper.
I'm 18 years old. Let's say my interest in music began midway through my life. Nine years = 3,285 days. 1/8 of those days, approximately, were spent with headphones on. That's 591,300 minutes. Divide that by the rough four-minute average per song and you get...
147,825 songs.
Pick one of those and call it your "favorite of all time"? Nearly impossible.
Until I thought. And thought. And thought. And finally...This...
My favorite song of all time. That's it. To be honest, it wasn't as hard of a decision as I had imagined.
For three minutes, this song speaks volumes to me. I first heard it in middle school, on a field trip bus to god-knows-where, and I was motionless for the entire ride. Song on repeat. Volume all the way up. Ears in pain, but begging for more.
Since then, I get the same feeling when I listen to it, something I can say about few other other pieces of music. It reminds me of simpler times, free of obligations and worries. No need to personally relate to every single piece of music (a pet peeve of mine.)
I was 12 years old. Let's be honest- I had no idea what the song meant. Music doesn't need to be so complicated. I just loved it for what it sounded like. I loved it for its raw emotion. I loved how Martha's voice complemented Gary's so beautifully.
I loved how it made me feel, and I still do.
And for some reason, everyone (and I mean everyone) continues to rely on me for, say, what to do that night. Or where to eat. Or when to leave. I just can't do it.
With that being said, I was asked again recently what my "favorite song of all time" is. All time. That's hard. Harder than hard, considering my 11 Spotify playlists (with nearly 50 songs on each) and nearly a decade of listening to music for a dozen hours each day.
Even harder than harder than hard, considering the stacks of CDs laying around my house, the $300 worth of songs purchased on ITunes and all those music reviews for the ol' high school newspaper.
I'm 18 years old. Let's say my interest in music began midway through my life. Nine years = 3,285 days. 1/8 of those days, approximately, were spent with headphones on. That's 591,300 minutes. Divide that by the rough four-minute average per song and you get...
147,825 songs.
Pick one of those and call it your "favorite of all time"? Nearly impossible.
Until I thought. And thought. And thought. And finally...This...
My favorite song of all time. That's it. To be honest, it wasn't as hard of a decision as I had imagined.
For three minutes, this song speaks volumes to me. I first heard it in middle school, on a field trip bus to god-knows-where, and I was motionless for the entire ride. Song on repeat. Volume all the way up. Ears in pain, but begging for more.
Since then, I get the same feeling when I listen to it, something I can say about few other other pieces of music. It reminds me of simpler times, free of obligations and worries. No need to personally relate to every single piece of music (a pet peeve of mine.)
I was 12 years old. Let's be honest- I had no idea what the song meant. Music doesn't need to be so complicated. I just loved it for what it sounded like. I loved it for its raw emotion. I loved how Martha's voice complemented Gary's so beautifully.
I loved how it made me feel, and I still do.
1/31/2013
Frightened Rabbit returns to Pittsburgh
With their new album set to release just weeks before the show, indie rockers Frightened Rabbit, hailing from Scotland, will make their well-anticipated return to Pittsburgh on March 29. This time, a couple of things are different. Yes, Scott Hutchison is still their lead singer, and yes, they are still those bearded instrumentalists who sing "Swim Until You Can't See Land."
But now, with 481 live performances under their belt and clear assurance that they are not Mumford and Sons, they revisit the Steel City with newfound admiration from an international platform.
The band has been to Pittsburgh three times since 2009, and each time, their music has been played to larger audiences. In 2009, they took the stage at Carnegie Mellon University with Satin Gum and Arc in Round, and in Nov. 2010, they headlined a show at Club Diesel.
The last time Frightened Rabbit played at a Pittsburgh venue was Aug. 6, 2011 at Stage AE, when they opened for indie icon Death Cab for Cutie.
But in less than two months, they will take their soft Scottish verses to Mr. Smalls Theater in Milvale, which is also bringing acts like The Cynics, Marina and the Diamonds and Crystal Castles in the coming months. Needless to say, the venue is one of the city's finest, bringing well-respected headliners from all over the world, but rarely Scotland.
Scotland's coming soon, though. Quick, like a frightened rabbit.
Tickets can still be purchased for $16 through Ticket Web.
But now, with 481 live performances under their belt and clear assurance that they are not Mumford and Sons, they revisit the Steel City with newfound admiration from an international platform.
The band has been to Pittsburgh three times since 2009, and each time, their music has been played to larger audiences. In 2009, they took the stage at Carnegie Mellon University with Satin Gum and Arc in Round, and in Nov. 2010, they headlined a show at Club Diesel.
The last time Frightened Rabbit played at a Pittsburgh venue was Aug. 6, 2011 at Stage AE, when they opened for indie icon Death Cab for Cutie.
But in less than two months, they will take their soft Scottish verses to Mr. Smalls Theater in Milvale, which is also bringing acts like The Cynics, Marina and the Diamonds and Crystal Castles in the coming months. Needless to say, the venue is one of the city's finest, bringing well-respected headliners from all over the world, but rarely Scotland.
Scotland's coming soon, though. Quick, like a frightened rabbit.
Tickets can still be purchased for $16 through Ticket Web.
1/24/2013
Quotes, Quotes, Quotes
Direct quotes (overquoted)
1) "There are lots of things we could have done better," Orpik said. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) - Players tend to show a lot of emotion during postgame press conferences, but this displays none, and could have been paraphrased easily.
2) "We had some guys hurt this year (i.e. Hakeem Nicks, Chris Snee, Ahmad Bradshaw) and that was a problem," Mara said. (ESPN) - The writer should have put "Mara acknowledged that injuries were a reoccuring problem during the season."
Direct quotes (humanized)
1) "I got a text from one of the actresses," says Maura. "She said she walked into her bank and the people there were like, ‘Didn't we just see you in that Public Enemy video?'" (The City Paper) - The writer includes this quote to show how widely-recognized the music video is, and in the process, humanizes the actress as a normal Pittsburgher running errands.
2) “I stood next to President Obama as the Marines carried those flag-draped caskets off the plane at Andrews,” she said. “I put my arms around the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters.” (New York Times) - This quote shows the respect and compassion Hilary Clinton has for the men and women who serve for our country. Very emotional.
Not for attribution
The NRA wanted the government to change the way it deemed someone "mentally defective," excluding people, for example, who were no longer under any psychiatric supervision or monitoring. (ProPublica) - Clearly, a source from the NRA, probably a high ranking official, wanted to say this as his/her personal view, but decided to hide behind the shield of the company. To see, replace 'the NRA' with someone's name. It works.
Background
A source close to Te'o gave ESPN's Jeremy Schaap documents that the source says are Te'o's AT&T phone records from May 11 to Sept. 12, the date that Kekua was supposed to have died of leukemia. (ESPN) - The person who handed over these documents would have been fired for doing so, especially in a case with this much national recognition. But if Schaap didn't indicate where he got the documents from, he most likely wouldn't be able to use them in his research.
Deep background
In some cases, the recruits were ordered by instructors to go to a closet, where they were then molested by the instructors. (New York Times) - This reporter would have no idea practices like this were going unless he was hinted towards it. The person who revealed this information wanted this to be revealed, but not in any way linked back to him/her.
1) "There are lots of things we could have done better," Orpik said. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) - Players tend to show a lot of emotion during postgame press conferences, but this displays none, and could have been paraphrased easily.
2) "We had some guys hurt this year (i.e. Hakeem Nicks, Chris Snee, Ahmad Bradshaw) and that was a problem," Mara said. (ESPN) - The writer should have put "Mara acknowledged that injuries were a reoccuring problem during the season."
Direct quotes (humanized)
1) "I got a text from one of the actresses," says Maura. "She said she walked into her bank and the people there were like, ‘Didn't we just see you in that Public Enemy video?'" (The City Paper) - The writer includes this quote to show how widely-recognized the music video is, and in the process, humanizes the actress as a normal Pittsburgher running errands.
2) “I stood next to President Obama as the Marines carried those flag-draped caskets off the plane at Andrews,” she said. “I put my arms around the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters.” (New York Times) - This quote shows the respect and compassion Hilary Clinton has for the men and women who serve for our country. Very emotional.
Not for attribution
The NRA wanted the government to change the way it deemed someone "mentally defective," excluding people, for example, who were no longer under any psychiatric supervision or monitoring. (ProPublica) - Clearly, a source from the NRA, probably a high ranking official, wanted to say this as his/her personal view, but decided to hide behind the shield of the company. To see, replace 'the NRA' with someone's name. It works.
Background
A source close to Te'o gave ESPN's Jeremy Schaap documents that the source says are Te'o's AT&T phone records from May 11 to Sept. 12, the date that Kekua was supposed to have died of leukemia. (ESPN) - The person who handed over these documents would have been fired for doing so, especially in a case with this much national recognition. But if Schaap didn't indicate where he got the documents from, he most likely wouldn't be able to use them in his research.
Deep background
In some cases, the recruits were ordered by instructors to go to a closet, where they were then molested by the instructors. (New York Times) - This reporter would have no idea practices like this were going unless he was hinted towards it. The person who revealed this information wanted this to be revealed, but not in any way linked back to him/her.
1/22/2013
Sophomore journeys to Rome
During the fall 2012 semester,
sophomore broadcast journalism and sports marketing major Kylie
McCracken was not waking up in her dorm room in Vickroy. Instead, she
was in Rome, Italy as a participant in the university's study abroad
program.
You can keep up with Kylie by visiting her website or by following her on twitter @Cracken_me_up. I suggest you do so.
McCracken, who describes herself as the
type of person who can make friends with a group of people she just
met in a half hour, had no problems making friends while traveling
around Europe.
“My favorite memory would be
traveling around with all the friends I made,” McCracken said.
“They were just great company and we had a ball.”
With her European friends, McCracken
carried on the same daily routine as the one she practices on the
Bluff, except after class, she explored the town. Though she saw the
Vatican and tasted a fair share of authentic Italian cuisine, there
was still some territory left undiscovered.
“I would of liked to do day trips to
the beach and to little cities around Italy that I never got the
chance to go to,” McCracken said, pondering what she would have
done differently.
All regrets aside, one memory that
McCracken will never forget is seeing the Pope on five separate
occasions.
“I feel like I'm blessed for life,”
McCracken said, chuckling. “You have to embrace it and enjoy every
time there. And he's a great guy. I enjoyed his company.”
While expressing how much the trip made
her “more worldly and more independent,” the sophomore added that
she barely missed Pittsburgh.
“It goes so quickly. Never once did I
get homesick,” McCracken said. “I actually dream every day of
being over in Europe. I miss it so much.”
McCracken plans to study abroad again
in the fall of 2013, this time to Dublin, Ireland.
You can keep up with Kylie by visiting her website or by following her on twitter @Cracken_me_up. I suggest you do so.
1/14/2013
#Prayers4Falcones
I had to stop everything and blog about this, because it's truly a beautiful thing. A few hours ago, I read an article on Fox News about our generation being narcissistic with our use of social networking.
Well, what I have witnessed tonight is quite the contrary.
An hour ago, a friend of mine, Nikki, posted this on Facebook:
I didn't think too far into it, of course, as she always posts kindhearted things (she's truly a good person.)
But what about hundreds and hundreds of people joining in support?
When I loaded Twitter, that's what I saw. The hashtag, #Prayers4Falcones, was being circulated. First, by a few friends. Then, by everybody.
And now, trending in Pittsburgh.
Wow. I am speechless. At lightning speeds, my peers, and everyone in the city of Pittsburgh, are trying to make a family's day a little less painful. To know that an entire city has your mother in their hearts and prayers has to be overwhelming.
Someone close to me has cancer, and I couldn't imagine losing them. I also can't imagine what the Falcones are feeling right now, but I hope that they can at least go to bed tonight knowing that so many are there for them.
Including me.
#Prayers4Falcones.
Well, what I have witnessed tonight is quite the contrary.
An hour ago, a friend of mine, Nikki, posted this on Facebook:
I didn't think too far into it, of course, as she always posts kindhearted things (she's truly a good person.)
But what about hundreds and hundreds of people joining in support?
When I loaded Twitter, that's what I saw. The hashtag, #Prayers4Falcones, was being circulated. First, by a few friends. Then, by everybody.
And now, trending in Pittsburgh.
Wow. I am speechless. At lightning speeds, my peers, and everyone in the city of Pittsburgh, are trying to make a family's day a little less painful. To know that an entire city has your mother in their hearts and prayers has to be overwhelming.
Someone close to me has cancer, and I couldn't imagine losing them. I also can't imagine what the Falcones are feeling right now, but I hope that they can at least go to bed tonight knowing that so many are there for them.
Including me.
#Prayers4Falcones.
1/13/2013
The Nature of News
1. The Huffington Post
Among the things the site does especially, The Huffington Post does an extraordinary job of examining conflict. In their article about Joe Biden and gun control, their reporting focuses on the ongoing fight over gun control following the shooting at Sandy Hook. The struggle between Democrats and Republicans is on display, and the article is even paired with a slideshow of Biden's opposition. For fans of novelty, Huffington Post isn't for you. On their front page, there is only one story relatively close to novelty.
2. New York Times
The New York Times is one of the nation's most primary advocates of impact. Their stories are always focused on how people in the country, New York and around the world are being affected by current events. For example, their article on the flu outbreak in the U.S gives plenty of information that is useful to normal citizens in America on how to stay safe from the flu. They also examine prominence in magnificent fashion. One of their top stories today is about Junior Seau's brain disease , something that wouldn't be discussed if Seau was a normal businessman in a small town.
3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
For starters, the Post-Gazette is timely. In their article about Fort Pitt Boulevard today, they report a story that affects the entire city of Pittsburgh at 6 PM, a time that hasn't even come yet. Nobody would care if the Boulevard was closed three years ago. In the same fashion, the outlet capitalizes on proximity. If someone had missed their hearing in Austin, Texas, no one from the paper's primarily-Pittsburgh audience would read.
4. Pro Publica
Pro Publica thrives on accuracy. For instance, in their piece on drone strikes, they include hyperlinks to every source, verifying every single fact. When they make declarative statements, they provide more than enough evidence to justify their stance. Novelty can't be found on the website, though. They only publish stories about the most serious, important topics, and cannot be relied on for stories about funny happenings around the country.
Among the things the site does especially, The Huffington Post does an extraordinary job of examining conflict. In their article about Joe Biden and gun control, their reporting focuses on the ongoing fight over gun control following the shooting at Sandy Hook. The struggle between Democrats and Republicans is on display, and the article is even paired with a slideshow of Biden's opposition. For fans of novelty, Huffington Post isn't for you. On their front page, there is only one story relatively close to novelty.
2. New York Times
The New York Times is one of the nation's most primary advocates of impact. Their stories are always focused on how people in the country, New York and around the world are being affected by current events. For example, their article on the flu outbreak in the U.S gives plenty of information that is useful to normal citizens in America on how to stay safe from the flu. They also examine prominence in magnificent fashion. One of their top stories today is about Junior Seau's brain disease , something that wouldn't be discussed if Seau was a normal businessman in a small town.
3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
For starters, the Post-Gazette is timely. In their article about Fort Pitt Boulevard today, they report a story that affects the entire city of Pittsburgh at 6 PM, a time that hasn't even come yet. Nobody would care if the Boulevard was closed three years ago. In the same fashion, the outlet capitalizes on proximity. If someone had missed their hearing in Austin, Texas, no one from the paper's primarily-Pittsburgh audience would read.
4. Pro Publica
Pro Publica thrives on accuracy. For instance, in their piece on drone strikes, they include hyperlinks to every source, verifying every single fact. When they make declarative statements, they provide more than enough evidence to justify their stance. Novelty can't be found on the website, though. They only publish stories about the most serious, important topics, and cannot be relied on for stories about funny happenings around the country.
1/01/2013
Moving Forward
5...4...3...2...1.
Nothing matters. Not the color of your skin. Not the religion you believe in. Sexuality. Gender. Occupation. Age. None of it.
The countdown is the countdown, and we count down together. And when the clock strikes midnight on the first of January, we are all one. We are all beginners, starting off in a new age of calendar months, trips to the doctor, relationships, movie premiers and one-hit wonders.
This will be the year thousands of people will marry their soul mates. The year hundreds of thousands of new lives will be birthed. New cars will be bought, new classics will be written and old records will be broken. History will be made and time will fly by. Some will lose loved ones and some will lose themselves.
But no matter what, it's another step forward in the course of our lives.
It's 2013. Cheers to moving forward.
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