Zorbing, Reading, "Green"-ing

Recently the Rolling Stonehill got the chance to catch up with Andrew Norkiewicz, who's currently studying at Oxford University in England.  Read all about his amazing experiences below- from country hopping, to "Fire Shots," to getting the chance to roll in a zorbing ball!

RS: How has your abroad experience been so far? What places across the world have you explored? 

AN: My abroad experience so far has been extremely diverse and I am very glad that it

Bodleian Library

has been. I have mixed a lot of academic work (I now know the inside of the Bodleian library better than MacPhaidin) with sport, volunteer work, and travel. Though I have not had much time during term to travel, I managed to make my way around England (Stonehenge, London, Bath) as well as Galway, Ireland in the fall semester. In the spring I was able to spend a week in Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich and I have been currently living in Wales on an organic farm for over a month now.

RS: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done abroad yet? 

AN: If my parents are reading: On Easter Sunday I ran on a high coastal path in Wales that took me onto cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. I ran until the sun set over the ocean and Welsh headlands and was accompanied by four wild horses at one point. If my parents aren’t reading: in Vienna I went to a dive bar that offered a “Fire Shot” for only a euro or so. I thought it was just something that would burn on the way down. Rather, it was a shot of alcohol that was lit on fire while in my mouth. All I can say is that Brother Mike’s should invest in this.

RS: What are you excited most about to bring back to Stonehill?

Water zorbing

AN: Two things. Farming and water zorbing. Working on an organic farm in Wales for over a month has been one of the greatest aspects of being abroad. It has been a great break from bookwork and it has given me a variety of practical skills which have helped me to develop a much more comprehensive understanding of my academic studies. I am very much looking forward to returning to Stonehill with what I’ve learned abroad about sustainability, global perspective of environmental issues, and organic growing in order to help make Stonehill a greener college.

On a more important note: I would very much like to start an initiative that would see the ice-skating rink in front of the science center to be changed into a large pool during the warmer months and used as a water-zorbing station for students. During the Mansfield Ball at Oxford, such a station was created and I can honestly say: running around in a human-sized hamsterball on top of a pool of water was probably one of the greatest/claustrophobic/nauseating experiences of my life.

Carolyn Meklenburg '14
Image credit: Guardian.co.uk

Away We Go

Stonehill's own Rex Macipinlac is at it again!  This Spring, Rex's newest work to hit the world's eardrums is called Celebrate Your Soul.  A bright "west coast rap inspired life anthem, dazzled with references to Super Mario, Ramen, and Armani suits," this song from his newest EP Full Bloom Universe speaks on all kinds pop culture frequently discussed today.  Commenting on everything from Barack Obama to ideas about the apocalypse, the track is both humorous and introspective, all while preaching the resounding message that each day should be "celebrated."  Check it out below, and keep an eye out for Full Bloom Universe!

Lord of the Rings meets Desperate Housewives: Das Barbecü

A performance of  Das Barbecü

The Stonehill Theatre Company and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts present Das Barbecü, a musical comedy with music by Scott Warrender and book and lyrics by Jim Luigs.  Directed by guest artist Peter A. Carey, this re-telling of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas takes place in present day Texas and is filled with romance, rivalries, and line dancing.  Hilarious scenes spin around two sets of mismatched lovers who meet on the day of their shotgun double wedding and amidst three generations of outrageous characters from two feuding families.  Spells are cast and curses affect the lives of many characters resulting in orphaned children and adulterous affairs.  With 13 actors portraying 30 different characters, Das Barbecü is a fun, tongue-in-cheek look at how one magic ring created from stolen gold can cause controversy throughout all of Texas.  This “Lord of the Rings meets Desperate Housewives” country-western musical is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  Show dates are April 11th, 12th, and 13th at 8:00 PM in the Hemingway Theatre at Stonehill College.  This is a MERIT POINT EVENT.  Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $8 for general admission.  Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the Stonehill Theatre Company Box Office at (508) 565-1458 or at the door.  They can also be purchased in the Commons during lunch and dinner starting April 2nd.

Rachel Wingert '16
Image credit: www.georgevreilly.com 

Cultural Osmosis: Gaining Perspective and Acculturation Through Travel

Over Spring break, I travelled farther than Virginia for the first time in my life, going abroad to Germany with my fellow LC members. Leading up to our travel, I felt nothing but anxiety and fear: What if the plane we fly on crashed? What if I am stuck sitting next to someone with body odor? What if I get the window seat and have to force the person next to me to get up multiple times because I need to utilize the facilities? What if I lose my luggage? What if I can’t find anything to eat? And the list goes on. Everything that someone who has not travelled before worries about, came across my mind. After a lengthy flight, we touched down in Munich with no problem, easing my anxieties partially. We then left the airport and headed towards our bus, and as I looked around at the second largest city in all of Germany, I realized how life changing an experience I was going to have: gaining perspective and cultural diversity through my travels.

Travelling to Germany had its obvious advantages: the chance to see more historical German landmarks than most will ever see in their life in the course of 13 days, the opportunity to experience a vibrant and youthful German nightlife, the chance to sample a new cuisine, the chance to test the language skills I have been honing all year in my German class, and the ability to check something off my bucket list, leaving the United States and going abroad. These were all amazing advantages and experience gained from our time in the Vaterland, but upon arriving back here at Stonehill I found I have gained something even more valuable: perspective. I have lived on the South Shore my whole life, and have rarely left without the company of family. Going to Germany threw me into a new culture, and allowed me to see how others live beyond the Stonehill, and Southern Massachusetts bubble.

I observed many things about the Germans, but there are a particular few worth mentioning here. The first thing I noticed is their impeccable time management skills: whether it was a tour guide, member of the hotel staff, or a waiter, all the Germans I encountered were timely and conscious of the hour. The beauty of their precision in regards to their schedules was that they were not on time because they were constantly in a rush as we often are here in the states, rather they moved at a normal pace and yet were never late. Germans also place a large emphasis on utility, be it their vehicles, their showers, their souvenirs, you name it, they were all well-made and built to last. Germans also treat money different than we do, when one prepares to pay at a restaurant you pay right at the table, you don’t send your payment off and wait for the waiter or waitress to come back, it all happens right in front of you in a shockingly transparent process. It is also not a shock to a server if they receive no tip, for their wages are high enough as it is so they do not have to work strictly for gratuities, they make a respectable wage no matter what you tip them. Perhaps most shocking to Americans, nearly every German restrooms require a fee for entry. This may sound obnoxious, but these restrooms were kept impeccably clean and stocked with nearly every amenity one could imagine. Germany was just an entirely different world, and I liked it. It was amazing because even the most trivial of tasks such as paying a waiter or using the bathroom were the polar opposite of what I was used to, and therefore an experience worth having.

I do not mean to downplay the significance of my time abroad by highlighting such specificities, but I would like to use them as a springboard to explain the more broad societal themes of Germany. Through my day to day interactions, I realized the German people place an emphasis on utility, transparency, punctuality, a normal and deliberate pace, cleanliness, cordiality, and the ability to make a respectable living despite one’s profession. Not to beat a dead horse, but can any of us say that we have never commented on the lack of such characteristics in our own country? I know that as Americans we like to go it alone, but maybe we can learn more from the Europeans than we may think.

Brendan Monahan '15

Image credit: Brendan Monahan

On His Way

Recently the Rolling Stonehill got to catch up with Chris Borelli, a student artist who, among his other musical conquests, was recently featured on Vans' Warped Tour.  We wanted to hear more about his experiences with that amazing opportunity, and took this chance to get all the details on this once of a lifetime experience.

RS: Tell us how you got started.
CB: So it may come as a surprise to most people, but my passion for writing and producing hip hop music didn't come until I arrived at Stonehill my freshman year. I specifically remember writing a rap verse just to try it out and see how I felt - bearing no intention of taking in anywhere..at all. I decided to recite the verse to my close friends one night and was shocked at the response. It was nothing but love and genuine admiration towards the true potential I showed by writing that one verse. But it was the incredible Rex Mac who prompted me to hone that potential. His advice to me was to embrace this unexplored genre and to not stop writing. Given Rex's musical credentials and his seemingly untouchable knack for producing his own style of rap music, it was not hard for me to take his advice seriously. From that point, the rest was history.

Chris Borelli

RS: What are some of your proudest accomplishments?
CB: Since I've started out, I've learned that I truly love performing just as much as producing - if not more. So almost any type of performance opportunity means the world to me. Given that, I would say that some of my proudest accomplishments include featuring on Rex's opening set at Spring Weekend two years ago - having barely started rapping seriously, opening for Cobra Starship last year in my own set, performing my first paid college gig at Simmons College in Boston, and being featured on the Vans Warped Tour this past summer.

RS: What was it like being a featured artist on the Warped Tour?
CB: Being featured on Warped Tour was absolutely incredible to say the least. I was on a 6-day stint with the tour, which took me to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Mass, and Connecticut. More than anything else, it gave me a little taste of what the tour life is really like - which was the most significant takeaway. Every performance I had on tour was an incredible one. Performing in a different state almost every day, in front of people who have never heard your music before, is unlike anything else and only confirmed that this is exactly what I want to do for a living. It was perhaps one of the most exhausting experiences I've had, but by far one of the most memorable. I hope to be on it again this summer so we'll see how the cards fall with that one.

The artist Macklemore

RS: Who are your current favorite artists at the moment?
CB: I'm open to just about all types of music and am willing to explore aspects of almost any genre. But I particularly appreciate the works of Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Macklemore, Drake, and my musical sensei Mr. Rex Mac himself.

RS: What equipment do you rock with to make your beats? What helps your creative process to make those beats?
CB: I construct all of my instrumentals using a program called Reason. I then record all of my vocals on Garageband. My process for producing almost all of my instrumentals involves a great deal of inspiration. I've found that I often am inspired quite easily by other artists' songs, instrumentals, performances, or just anything musical in general. Thus, most of my beats and songs are inspirationally derived from other beats and songs by other artists. If I'm truly moved by a song or a beat, I'll internalize the musical concept, reconstruct my own concept based on specific sound components of that particular song, and then create my own portrayal of that inspired concept in the form of an original instrumental. It's the most fun I could ever possibly have when it all goes the way I want it to.

RS: Where can we find you online? 
CB: I'm currently in the process of reworking my personal website (chrisborellimusic.com). But other than that, I am on almost every mainstream media outlet there is. You can keep up with all of my musical endeavors on my Facebook music page by searching and 'liking' Chris Borelli 4LM. I have quite a few videos on YouTube as well. On top of that, I am also on Twitter @ChrisBorelli4LM, any and all follows are greatly appreciated.
RS: What are your future plans? Any shows or releases we should be aware of?

CB: My musical future is undefined, but I have hopes on making this music heard on the largest scale possible. Ultimately, my goal is to instill a new sound into the world of hip hop and help solidify the idea of substance being a norm in today's music industry. As of now, I have no major performance opportunities that you should be aware of..yet. But do expect a brand new wave of sound to hit the streams in the very near future. You could perhaps look forward to a brand new single hitting iTunes very soon, with the accompaniment of an official music video. You could also perhaps look forward to the release of my first original EP in the near future. And you could even think about looking forward to a jam-packed mixtape for the summer. All of these things will come to fruition in due time, but patience has been the key virtue since day 1. So please don't sleep on me! With quality work comes quality time. But stay excited, I'm on my way.

Rex Macipinlac '13
Image credit: allindstrom.com and Chris Borelli

Songs for Us Seniors

I find it very interesting that pop music has afforded us seniors with two songs perfect for this time of transition into the “real world”. Both “Thrift Shop” and “Suit and Tie” are extremely applicable to and fit us well.

Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z

Macklemore’s indie-rap jam details an action that a lot of seniors already enjoy to do: buy clothes secondhand. And as the song catalogues, there is a certain fashion statement to be made by wearing these clothes. Specifically, a second hand “long ass coat” suggests that the wearer does not care about materialistic standards and will wear something simply because it keeps them warm. It also speaks to the reality that a lot of us seniors are going to be facing: we may not have “fifty dollars for a t-shirt” and we will gladly wear some goodwill garments. At least we have an anthem for this style.

JT’s comeback collaboration with Jay-Z shows the other side of being a senior: we suddenly have to look presentable at any and all times because of job interviews. For those of us entering the work force, having a suit and tie stashed away in our closets is one thing we can have stacked in our favor as we attempt to gain some form of employment. The chorus from the song “as long as I’ve my suit and tie” can become a mantra quietly chanted as we sit in waiting rooms in anticipation of our names being called. Plus, for nostalgic value it is nice to have Justin Timberlake contributing to the soundtrack of our senior spring. I am sure for many he did the same for elementary school graduations.

Senior Spring can be tough and daunting at times, so it makes me smile in delight that pop music has provided us with two songs that are so perfectly timed to keep us dancing and partying in this final semester. I only hope that as I experience more milestones in life, new music can once again synch up with what is going on in my life. If so, I will be reminded of the magic felt this semester. 

Nick Howard '13

Image credit: Philly.com

Who does fake news better?

If you frequent Rolling Stone’s web site as often as I do, than you are well acquainted with their infamous top 50 lists, top 50 guitarists, top 50 hip hop songs etc. Their most recent list published was “The 50 Funniest People Now”, full of today’s greatest comedic minds such as Chris Rock, Louis C.K., and Tina Fey. The list seemed well thought out and assembled, until I reached the top 5. Both Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert had placed in the top 5, but Colbert at number 2 and Stewart at number 4. I have to be honest, for a moment I was speechless.

Jon Stewart has been on the air since I was 6 years old and Colbert since I started junior high school. Since I was old enough to, I have always had an appreciation for comedy and politics, so you can imagine why these programs have been stalwart favorites of mine for so long. I have spent many a night watching these shows back to back, laughing until I cry over the years and yet also noticing the subtle changes and adjustments that each show has undergone, Stewart constantly making new stars in the comedy world through the famous “correspondent” role on his show, and Colbert giving the world renowned “Colbert Bump” to any who he sees fit. Before high school, I became obsessed with The Colbert Report, watching it every night at 11:30 in my bedroom before I fell asleep. At the time, I tried to watch The Daily Show too, but it just couldn’t hold my attention. I loved Colbert because he was the epitome of hyperbole, never breaking his ridiculous and unyielding conservative character he had modeled after Bill O’Reilly. His jokes mocking our beloved political system were pure sarcasm, and made me laugh uncontrollably. And yet, by the time I reached high school me and Stephen had lost touch, and suddenly a new funny man came to fill the comedic void in my heart: Jon Stewart.

As I got older, I came to appreciate Stewart for all the reasons I had hated him before. As I matured, I became more interested in the real news that Stewart was covering in a satirical manner, than the utterly ridiculous antics of Colbert which were getting a bit old to me as the years went on. Since then, I have remained a fan of both shows, but I live for my 30 minute lunch break between classes from Tuesday to Thursday when I can watch the episode of The Daily Show from the night prior.

Returning to the Rolling Stone list, I feel that a mistake was made placing Colbert above Stewart for multiple reasons. The first being that there would be no Stephen Colbert without Jon Stewart! Colbert was originally a correspondent on The Daily Show, and through his on air antics with Stewart became far better known than his multiple appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway. Stewart provided a platform for Colbert to display his comedic genius, one that Stewart essentially helped create. I also believed Stewart to be funnier because he doesn’t put on the same show every single night. Each night Stewart covers a different kind of story with a different comedic approach, be it in a gut splitting dialogue with Larry Wilmore or John Hodgman, or a video compilation narrated by Stewart’s classic rants. While Colbert seems to go through the same routine each night, receiving a standing ovation as the show begins, ranting in character for two segments sometime outright or through segments like “The Word”, and then interviewing someone also while in character. I feel that Stewart deserves recognition as the better comedian because he can make both the ridiculous and delicate news topics humorous, and therefore easier to discuss.  Colbert’s constant sarcasm and hyperbole, his ridiculousness for a lack of a better word, can be annoying at times and requires far less creativity than Stewart’s method of comedy. Stewart’s varied approach to both the ridiculous and the delicate news story give him a comedic edge over Colbert, which should have placed him higher on the list above his protégé.

Despite my ramblings, I am still avid member of Colbert Nation and will no doubt be forcing my roommate to watch both programs with me tonight, laughing in a manner that can only be induced by the ingenious comedy of the two most famous fake newsmen in the world.

Brendan Monahan '15

Image credit: Pulse2

Popular Folk Rock: A Breath of Fresh Air to the Music Industry

The day after Christmas, my brother and I went to see The Roots at the House of Blues in Boston. We were lucky to catch them on a short touring stint as they took some time off from The Jimmy Fallon Show, seeing them was like a blast from the past. The last time I had seen them perform was at least 3 or 4 years ago. But anyways, per the usual The Incredible Roots Crew was, well...incredible. As my brother and I left the show and headed to the parking garage near Gold’s Gym where we had parked, he popped in the new Lumineers CD and “Ho-Hey” came on. Which got me to thinking: is folk rock making a comeback on the popular music scene?

Now let me first say, that I understand that the concept of folk rock is one that is very fluid and that differs between listeners. But when I think folk rock, I think Bob Dylan, acoustic Paul Simon, Neil Young, some of CSNY or James Taylor’s work. Most of this music has faded into the past, still being listened to by children of the 1960’s and 70’s, or even some of us in college now. Nonetheless, the last decade of popular music has been dominated by artists such as Ke$ha, Flo Rida, Pit Bull, and the list goes on. And yet, in the last 3 years we have seen a re-emergence of the more traditional sense of artists and musicians onto the popular music scene beginning in 2010 with the release of Mumford & Sons’ first album in the U.S., “Sigh No More”. All of a sudden, these foreign folk rockers were flooding American radio waves with amazing tunes like “Little Lion Man” and “Timshel”. To me, this marked a turning point, as what I perceived as “real music” (no offense to other popular artists, or their fans) was becoming popular. I could turn on a popular radio station, and actually hear a song or two that I enjoyed.

I think we have come to another impasse fairly recently, as the Lumineers’ new hit single mentioned above becomes more popular by the day, with I am sure many more to follow. It is hard to put my thumb on it, but pop music is undergoing some sort of progression or transformation, one in which we are getting back in touch with our musical roots. This may either be a passing fad, or perhaps a new era or popular music, either way I plan to enjoy it while it lasts. I will begin by returning to the House of Blues on February 4^th to see the Lumineers bring down the house, bass drum, banjo and all.

 

Brendan Monahan '15

 

Image credit: Just Jared

That Gnawing Thought: Zombies in Popular Culture

Looking at bestselling books and popular movies, a person might conclude that vampires are in style. But amongst the ranks of the undead, vampires are miles behind another group of ghouls when it comes to overall cultural significance. From video games like Left 4 Dead to the television series The Walking Dead, zombies are on the rise out of the grave and into public consciousness. Interest in these shambling horrors has spiked in recent years and only continues to grow. As I write this, I can glance and spy a book I plan on reading over winter break on my shelf: Theories of International Politics and Zombies, written by Professor Daniel W. Drezner. Disbelief at my own dorkiness aside, the truth of the matter should shock you. Zombies have even penetrated academia.

"Braiinnnnsssss...."

Why such a fascination with zombies? What sets them apart from the witches, vampires, ghosts, and demons? I have a few suggestions. Scientists argue that there is at least the possibility of zombies existing. Similar occurrences are no stranger to biologists; take the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, for example. That is the main difference between zombies and the rest: they are plausible. There is nothing magical about them. They could exist. Remember the story on the news this of the cannibal who devoured the face of a homeless man? More than a few people grew nervous about the possibility that this was some type of zombie. Even when the police announced it was bath salts that caused the man to act in such a way, it does not erase that fact that our minds jumped to the possibility of a zombies.

Zombies are also unlike other creatures in the effects that produce on a society. Recent depictions of vampires, for example, show them coexisting in the world with regular people. They merge with our own institutions or create new ones, sometimes threatening that of humans, but the world continues onward. Zombies change everything. There is little chance of coexistence; humanity either survives or dies. Typical social structures disappear completely in an outbreak. It is a crisis that alters the world in a horrifying and irreversible way.

I believe this is the crux of the matter. Zombies are considered fictional, but the disaster they could create is very real. In entertaining the idea of a zombie apocalypse, it raises questions about how prepared the world is for other catastrophes. A pandemic infection, for example, is a very realistic threat to our entire species, especially in this age of globalization. Zombies allow us to tackle difficult questions about public policy that need solutions now, before the crisis emerges. Thinking about dangers to the entire human race makes even the best uncomfortable and leaves rest either in a panic or unable to comprehend its magnitude. Zombies help bridge that gap; by using zombies as a substitute, we can start discussion topics that would normally remain best left unsaid.

Stepping back from the grand scale and peering into the more personal interest in zombies, they also present individuals with the chance to think about circumstances they never had a chance to before. Could I survive if society collapsed? Could I find food and water? Could I use a weapon? Would I kill someone, even to save myself? What would happen to my family and friends? What skills or knowledge do I have that give me an advantage? Larger moral dilemmas emerge: would you kill an infected loved one to spare them turning into a zombie? Would you kill yourself? Does individual need or the common good matter more? What about liberty and security?  If you even manage to survive, do you bring children into such a world? If you could, do you rebuild society? How do you shape it? During a zombie apocalypse, you and the world are one giant tabula rasa. Zombies allow people to ask challenging questions about themselves in a fictional setting. Placed outside of reality, a person can explore questions that they would otherwise never have a reason to entertain.

Zombies will outlast vampires in terms of culture significance. Vampires are like shiny baubles (after all, they do sparkle now) that are more show than substance. Zombies let us discuss both larger problems and personal dilemmas by creating circumstances that are fictional but nonetheless applicable to other disasters. It is a thought exercise in which all can participate, a philosophical experiment that all can understand and contemplate. Vampires, demons, and ghosts are simply too supernatural. When the credits roll, they and the horror they bring slowly dissipate away. Zombies, and the big questions they force us to consider, linger much longer.

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Joey Gale '13

Behind the Scenes At Dancing with the Stonehill Stars

The RS sits down with Meghan Tinkham, a dance partner on Dancing with the Stonehill stars, to talk about her experience in dance and with the event.
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I have been dancing for about 17 years now, and two of those years are here at Stonehill. I started dancing at the New Hampshire Academy of Performing Arts back at home and graduated from their company in 2011. I have tried several different styles, but I have always found my favorite to be tap and jazz. One of the only styles that I have not tried is ballroom, and that is something that I would love to learn in the future. I got involved in Dancing with the Stonehill Stars through the Stonehill College Dance Team. This is the second year that this event has taken place as a fundraiser for our competition to Daytona. As a first year member of the dance team I was unsure of what to expect going into this, but absolutely loved work with a staff and fellow dance member to create a crowd pleasing dance. I have the pleasure of working with Kristen Pierce, the director of Res Life, and she was incredible. It was very easy to teach her, and she stepped right up to help Rose McClimans and I think of ideas. She was dedicated to this competition and went beyond our expectations. I definitely plan on continuing dance in the future. As a dance minor I hope to be able to teach and work with other dancers after graduating.
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Meghan Tinkham '15
Interviewed by Nicole Colantonio '14

Spotify Has Forced me to Admit it

Spotify has Forced Me to Admit It: I Have a slight Appreciation for Modern Technology

I have often made it clear in prior pieces published, and even in general conversation amongst those who can bear to hear me speak for an extended period of time: I have an absolute and utter disdain for modern technology. By my view, modern technology has slowly robbed all of us of our ability to appreciate the wonderful sound of silence, or even to focus for an extended period of time. Rather than e-mails I wish to write letters, rather than text messages and phone calls, I prefer face to face conversation and interaction with the rest of the human race. I seem to hold the opposite opinion of many, in that I do not want to be in constant contact with the world around me. I would like to be able to lie down on the beach or in a grassy knoll and stare at the sky, without having to hear the incessant buzzing, beeping, and ringing of a cellular device. I would have lived better in an age where the most advanced technology available was the telegraph. Nonetheless, every once in a while something will come along that will force you to question, and perhaps even violate your most basic principles: for me that was Spotify.

I can still remember the day I first met Spotify: it was a cold, rainy day in January. The Sem was ever so quiet on a Thursday afternoon, and my friend Kraig and I were relaxing  in his room listening to music and doing homework. After a solid round of Frank Sinatra’s Live at the Sands, an advertisement began playing with a catchy acoustic melody and a cheery sounding fellah speaking about something called “Spotify”. Now you can imagine my confusion, I had experienced Itunes before, which obviously entailed no advertisements. I had even tried Pandora Radio for a short spell, but after hearing Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow nearly 20 times on Jack Johnson radio in one sitting, I quit on that too.  I had come to despise these services due to their costliness or inefficiency, but Spotify seemed different. At first glance, it appeared simple, straight forward, and perhaps most importantly, free! Once Kraig gave me a little background on the service, I sprinted out of his room to my own (Upper A35 to be precise), and downloaded the program onto my own laptop. And so began my love affair with Spotify.

For me, Spotify has come to represent all that is good in modern technology. It still seems baffling to me that a music program could be available to the public that allowed them unlimited access to an astoundingly large catalog of artists and material, ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Wale, and it isn’t illegal. I consider the interface of the system even more user friendly than Itunes, and it even has a radio feature that kicks Pandora’s tail. An on top of all that, must I mention it again? IT IS FREE!!! Spotify has helped me to discover artists I had never heard of before and delve deeper into the catalogs of artists I have loved since I was a child. I have come to appreciate the program so much, that I pay the 10 dollars a month so I can access Spotify premium. This subscription allows me to listen without advertisements, access the program on my phone, and even download entire playlists to my mobile devices so that I can listen to my music anytime, anywhere, Wi-Fi or no Wi-Fi. Spotify blended the positive aspects of services like Grooveshark, Pandora, and Itunes to create the greatest music providing program known to man.

So congratulations Spotify, you have forced me to sacrifice my core principles and beliefs for the musical convenience you provide. But, I can’t even lie, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Brendan Monahan '15

Living the HighLife

The Rolling Stonehill recently got the chance to sit down with Nick Capezzuto of 2015, member of the multi-inspirational group HighLife in Suburbia.  This group is influenced by a wide variety of different styles, ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to ska mixed with "intricate chords" and deep drum emphasis.  We knew we needed to track down Nick and find out more about their up and coming EP.

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RS: Highlife in Suburbia goes back about four years where I (Nick) had been playing in a band with Vernon West for a little over a year. We started out as a group called Summer Track, but after our first drummer left we were faced with the decision to find another. I went to high school with Liam Cregan, where we both ran track together, and one day I asked if he’d be interested in jamming on the drums with us. A few days later he tried out, and after a fateful night of fun hijinks we christened our new band.

NC: “High Life” was conceived by our old lead guitar player, and the “In Suburbia” added by both Liam and Vernon. Initially the name was to be written as “High Life In Suburbia,” but I thought Highlife should be one word. The band agreed, and thus Highlife in Suburbia was born.

RC: The three of us have varying influences on our music. Liam, the drummer, is heavily influenced by a unique combination of punk music, jazz music, and his time in the high school marching band. Vernon, on the other hand, draws his style of playing from the Beatles (namely George Harrison), Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, and most notably John Mayer. His roots lie in the blues and his music is filled the same emotion. I find that I tend to be guided by the musical talents of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, and Enter Shikari, in which I don’t identify as a “bass player” but as a “bass guitarist.”

NC: It’s always been a challenge to achieve this with only one guitar player, but we’ve surmounted that problem by developing a unique chemistry between the three of us. What makes the three of us so unique is that we are able to create a massive sound. When we play our songs we structure them in ways with intricate chords, over driving drums, supplemented by a melodic bass riff that brings the rhythm and melody together. The three instruments are then held together by Vernon’s insightful and profound lyrics, which ultimately result in the unique sound we generate.

RS: Unfortunately we haven’t played many lives shows in the past year or so. Back in 2009, however, we played shows around our local scene. Most of these were in VFW halls or places of similar nature, many of the bands we played with tended to be much heavier and aggressive. Still, we played on, and culminated in a series of basement shows with a few other bands our friends were in. There was always so much energy going on. It was incredible.

A photo from Capezzuto's Instagram account,
 which is captioned, "Living the dream"

NC: Our last live show was this summer with a few local punk and ska bands, but that was back in June. However, we do plan on performing more once we can record some of our material and begin letting people listen to it. We’ve spent countless hours perfecting our music and know we feel it’s time to start getting our name out there again.

RS: As of right now Vernon and I are in the process of attempting to put together a rough EP of a few of our favorite songs. We’re currently in the process of setting up a Soundcloud where people will be able to listen to them. They’re not of the superior quality that we hope to have recorded during Thanksgiving Break, but we feel as if they’ll give a much more accurate representation of the things to come. Once we get back together as a band we hope to put together an actual EP and release on our own. Ideally we want to put down anywhere from 6-8 tracks, all of which we’ve worked so arduously to perfect.

NC: Sadly we’re still in the process of setting everything up online, but in the meantime each of us have various other social networking accounts.

Instagram: @vernonwest @captainzzuto
Twitter: @captainzzuto

Check us out, follow us, and don’t forget to #highlife or #highlifeinsuburbia

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Rex Macipinlac '13
Image credit to Nick Capezzuto

The Tallest Man in Scotland

Anyone who knows Nick Howard is already familiar with his passion for music, poetry and the arts.  Although campus is not quite as merry without him this semester, we were eager to hear all about his cultural adventures while abroad in Scotland, and even heard he got to meet one of his musical heroes in the process- nearly by accident!

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RS: What influenced you to go to Scotland?

NH: I was influenced to go to Scotland because of the academic reputation of St. Andrews. I did not really process it as being part of Scotland or the UK. I figured that I knew enough about "British" (what I really meant was English) culture that it would not be an issue. It was one of those I will figure it out when I get there things.  

RS:  So we heard you're doing a radio show over there. Tell us a little bit about what you play and discuss on the air.

NH: Yes, I have brought my radio program "The Beach" across the pond with me. It is basically the same show I have at Stonehill, a mix of modern alternative and folk, classic rock, classic indie (The Smiths), a little punk, and everything in between. Basically the mantra for the show is, to quote Mick Jagger, "It's only Rock n Roll, but I like it"

RS:  What's been the biggest culture shock from being in a new country?

NH: In my opinion, culture shock can kind of be like an earthquake, sometimes there are large tremors and sometimes there are just small aftershocks. At the beginning there was a huge quake of "Oh my God, what is this country? Everything is different?" Now I simply enjoy taking notice in the different phrases, expressions, foods, customs, spelling, and culture overall. To summarize, I have continued to learn about the culture, the only difference is now it does not overwhelm me, I embrace it. 

We see you recently got to meet the Tallest Man on Earth. Can you tell us a little about that?

NH: Yes, I did meet The Tallest Man On Earth. Probably one of the greatest moments of my life. To make a long story short, my friend and I ended up in the same cafe as him, so when he stood up from where he was sitting, we went over, introduced ourselves, chatted a wee bit, and got a photo. He was just such a relaxed, yet still so focused guy. He had it in his eye and it all came out in the show.

The "Tallest Man on Earth", Kristian Matsson

RS:  Have you discovered any new music or art in Europe that you wouldn't have picked up in America?

NH: I wish I could say, but unfortunately no. You could maybe count my re-interest in The Who, but that is just because I love 60's rock, before it became big and bloated in the 70's. What has really happened is I go through periods where I listen to marathons of American music. I will devour the catalogs of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Neil Young (technically he is Canadian), Bon Iver, Iron & Wine, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and Passion Pit. You get the picture. I like to hear my country in my music choice, both classic rock and modern alternative. My goal is to get into one Scottish band that captures what I feel that the sound of St. Andrews is.
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Nicole Colantonio '14
Image credit: Nick Howard and yetimusic.net

DONUTS, CROSSES, AND CATS, OH MY!

Tyler the Creator

Tyler The Creator and his buddies make up the LA music and skate collective, Odd Future (aka Wolf Gang; OFWGKTA)…and yes, they live up to their self proclaimed oddness. 

Late 2010 saw these cats blossom in all their grotesque glory over several hip hop blogs and forums. With lyrics that were packed with racist, homophobic, and violent content, a 19 year old Tyler led his gang of wolves into the mainstream arena with his grimy, slow burner, “Yonkers.” Over this track, he spews a stream of consciousness about popping Xanax, dancing around his house in pink panties to Marvin Gaye, and stabbing pop sensation Bruno Mars in the throat till the cops come in. Did I mention he was 19 at the time?

What followed suit was the rise of his bandmates such as stoner rapper Domo Genesis, 16 year old wordsmith Earl Sweatshirt, the hilariously dichotomous Mellowhype, and R&B crooners Syd and Frank Ocean. With Tyler as the crew’s ringleader, Odd Future has gained an international cult following of teens who love to mosh and crowd surf at their live shows. Yet, it’s not only the intense content that has garnered Tyler appeal and popularity. He has savvily integrated his own drawing and graphic design skills into the group’s marketing ploys. 

Since Odd Future’s rise to fame began, it was obvious that Tyler was a creative dude. It was obvious that, despite Odd Future’s rowdy all-over-the-place-ness, Tyler has kept a subtle calculatedness as to how he promotes himself and his posse. From photos, to album cover art, to commercial advertisements, to skate apparel, Tyler has retained a creative control that is evidenced in all things Odd Future.

A quirky donut image from Odd Future

Now, how could one possibly create visual designs to complement songs as chaotically random as Odd Future’s? In a hilarious yet brilliant fashion, Tyler has managed to integrate his own childhood sketches into the group’s image. Items like upside down crosses, tie dye print, half bitten donuts, cats, and bright and bold text are the group’s signature visual motifs. With no deep reasoning behind their significance to him, Tyler succeeds in advertising absurdism, which somehow captures the randomness of Odd Future. Oftentimes, their songs do not revolve around a storyline, plot, or motif…they’re literally just a bunch of cool sounding rhymes, with each line simultaneously punching listeners in the eardrums and provoking thoughts.

Examples of these designs have resonated throughout Odd Future’s run so far. Tyler’s half bitten donut and cat designs have been printed on hoodies, which have sold in Odd Future pop up shops for over $200. Tyler’s love for upside down crosses have appeared on album covers such as his own 2011 release, Goblin, and Mellowhype’s past two releases, Blackenedwhite and Numbers.  

Despite all of Odd Future members’ different personalities and musical styles, it’s evident that Tyler knows how to run an organized operation. He’s not only an artist behind a microphone; he’s an artist with an eye for what visually pops. Forget the explicit content—the elaborate creative vision makes him all the more threatening.

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Rex Macipinlac '13
Image credit: Tyler the Creator