Apparently white people are making a comeback in the hip hop industry. The other day I found these videos titled Pale Kid Raps Fast and Pale Kid Raps Faster, respectively.
Which rapper do you like better?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Strokes- Angles
It has been entirely too long since we've heard from The Strokes. After a five year hiatus, the newest album 'Angles' has finally dropped and it certainly delivers. It captures the band's original style we loved on their first albums, yet it still remains fresh with a healthy dose of 80's and occasionally a hint of reggae. Since lead singer Julian Casablanca was not present during most of the recording sessions, Angles provides a chance to hear more creative influence from the rest of the band, (Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond, Jr., Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti), then on previous albums. The first single of the album "Under the Cover of Darkness" is really a fun one- its catchy and upbeat with a bit edge that we expect from the Strokes. The only down side to the album is that it is a wee bit short, clocking in around only 30 minutes But really why draw out an album with filler songs? Instead each track on Angles has a purpose; the album chooses quality over quantity. And quality they provide: this is an album that lives up to the name of The Strokes. Definitely a winner!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A Music Moment Of Zen.
If the action itself isn't enough, his facial expressions seal the deal on this one.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
LA Opera's Young Artist Celebration
On April 20, 2011, the Occidental College Music Department welcomed LA Opera's Young Artists to Bird Studio for an amazing performance displaying the immense talent of these young artists. The artists--Janai Brugger-Orman (Soprano), Museop Kim (Baritone), Yohan Yi (Bass-Baritone), Matthew Anchel (Bass) and Douglas Sumi (Pianist/Coach)--performed works from Mozart, Gounod, Wagner, Donizetti, Luna and Bellini. The opening performance was a duet of "Bei mannern" from Mozart's Die Zauberflote. The jam-packed hall fell silent as the performers carried the audience through a series of events involving love, heartbreak, family and infidelity. It was a privilege to witness LA's raw talent and the future of opera!
Songs, Snacks, And Study All Day Tomorrow!
Do you get stressed out by the tense atmosphere of the library? Are you the kind of person who pops in your headphones the moment you sit down to work? Do you like to eat delicious snacks?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then come to the Music Library any time tomorrow (April 26th) for a mellowed out music study day! We'll be playing chilled out records on request and serving tons of delicious snacks to help you get through those crazy last days of school. So come on down to crank out some pre-finals studying in a stress-free environment.
Music Library Study Party
Join the Occidental Music Library for an ALL WEEK study party! Finals are coming up fast, stress is building and the anticipation of summer is growing. Let's buckle down for a final week of studying with some chips, popcorn, drinks and more!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Lily Orcutt Junior Recital
Today, Saturday April 23rd, please come to Bird Studio to support the Music Library's very own Lily Orcutt! Lily is a talented singer and todays vocal performance should be amazing! The performance begins at 2:30 in Bird Studio located in Booth Hall. Let me add, that today is not just any performance--this is Lily's junior recital! So come on down to Booth to hear some great music and support a fellow Occidental student librarian!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hip Hop Record Listening Party!!!
Robert Vijay Gupta
Robert Vijay Gupta, first violinist of the LA Philharmonic will be performing at Oxy! What a rare opportunity!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
CSP 64 Listening Party
Yesterday, my shift at the music library was the most exciting one yet! Professor Lorenz hosted a listening party for her freshman cultural studies program (CSP) students. Throughout the semester, she and her class have studied music and migration, which she leads by sharing her own collection of songs. At this party, she gave her students the unique opportunity to share their favorite songs with her. Artists ranged from K'naan, to Mumford & Sons, to Eminem, etc. Towards the end of the party, Professor Lorenz even heard dubstep!
Pizza, candy, popcorn, chips, and salad were served to all the students, and the music library staff were able to snag a few treats as well.
After weeks of planning, the listening party was a huge success. Professor Lorenz made a toast to her students, congratulating them on being a quarter of the way done with college. The students were also able to see the music library and hopefully will come back soon!
Pizza, candy, popcorn, chips, and salad were served to all the students, and the music library staff were able to snag a few treats as well.
After weeks of planning, the listening party was a huge success. Professor Lorenz made a toast to her students, congratulating them on being a quarter of the way done with college. The students were also able to see the music library and hopefully will come back soon!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Amazing New Study About Music
I found this awesome article in the New York times science section and wanted to share it. Originally I tried to summarize the whole article here, but it's pretty dense so I'll just give you all the link and you can check it out for yourselves. Happy learning!
Los Angeles Opera 4/20
On Wednesday, April 20th, four young opera stars from Members of the LA Opera Company's Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program will be coming to Oxy. The event will feature music and discussions with the artists at 12:30 pm in Bird Studio. This event is also a part of CSP 99.Monday, April 18, 2011
David Choi Concert at the Bootleg Theatre
Last Friday, I was lucky to attend a David Choi concert at the Bootleg Theatre. He is an unsigned artist who is famous within the Youtube community.
I expected a huge concert with a bunch of aspiring singer-songwriters singing and jumping along. But it was a little bit different. Going in, I was surpised at how small the venue was, probably big enough to seat 150 people. Instead of a huge back up band, there was only a stand up bassist (which I thought was super cool), and a drummer (who used brushes instead of sticks to play quietly). Moreover, his band was with him for only half of the set.
We sat and watched as he performed his music. Instead of a typical concert atmosphere, I was sitting there being mellow. But it was really cool; he is a very talented artist.
The best part was that the venue was small enough to have a meet and greet afterwards. After waiting in line, we took pictures with him and chatted briefly.
That being said, I would recommend his concerts to everyone! Seeing that he lives in OC, he will probably be back.
Photo credit to Nancy Lee
Friday, April 15, 2011
Son Jarocho Ensemble 4/21
At the Herklotz music library, we are always looking for new and exciting music. Luckily, Oxy offers us many changes to find some. On Thursday, April 21, Cesar Castro will direct the San Jarocho Ensemble. According to the flyer, "San Jarocho is a musical genre from Veracruz, Mexico, that mixes indigenous Mexican, African, Spanish, and Arabic sounds." The mix of east and west proves to be a perfect combination for Occidental College (get it?) and this concert is one that you do not want to miss. The show starts at 8:00 pm in Bird Studio and is free for all.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Occidental-Caltech Symphony April 16th
OCCIDENTAL-CALTECH SYMPHONY
Spring Concert
ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY!
Allen Robert Gross, Conductor
Saturday, April 16, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Thorne Hall at Occidental College
Featuring
Rimsky-Korsakoff: Procession of the Nobles from Mlada
Schubert: Symphony No. 6 in C Major
William Grant Still: Symphony No. 1 (“Afro-American”)
FREE ADMISSION
Information: Occidental Music Department office at 323/259-2785
FRIEND SLASH LOVER Plays the Bootleg Theatre
FRIEND SLASH LOVER TO NOW PLAY BOOTLEG THEATER ON APRIL 21st AT 11:00PM“FAV (Band) of the Year (2010) – Beatcrave.com
“Pink Floyd with a touch of Roxy Music…..with The Killer’s blend of rock and wit.”
– Pop Making Sense
LA’s own Friend Slash Lover with their open-tuned chord progressions and tongue-in-cheek social commentary will make their debut at The Bootleg Theater on April 21st. The Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd. The band takes the stage at 11:00 PM. Tickets are $8.
Friend Slash Lover is the brainchild of Josh Mintz; an accomplished creative director and guerilla artist. He has been exploring the marriage between pop art and music since attending Rhode Island School of Design some years ago. Mintz eventually decided to take his music out of his bedroom and into a recording studio.
The result is an impressive catalogue of material that draws inspiration in equal parts from Sigur Ros, Radiohead and post-modern sensibility. Their debut EP; As American as Ones and Zeros, releases this Spring along with remixes of the entire EP by John Goff aka “Megahertz.”
Restlessly creative, daringly inventive and addictively listenable, Friend Slash Lover is a band that will continue to exceed our expectations.
For more information on Friend Slash Lover, MP3s and/or guest list requests, contact:
Versa Manos/Margo Drgos
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Japan Benefit Concert
When: Saturday, April 16th at 2:00 pm
Where: Bird Studio, Occidental College $15 suggested donation at the door ALL proceeds will go to the Red Cross Musicians: Junko Ueno Garrett, piano; Yuri Inoo, percussion; Naoko Takada, marimba; Robin Sharp, hand percussion; Allison Allport, harp; Allison Bjorkedal, harp; Joel Pargman, violin; Kazi Pitelka, viola; Roger Lebow, cello
Vertical Four Bassoon Quartet: Christy Havens, Paul Curtis, Mitchell Cyman, Krista Wodelet
And a special appearance by the Oxy Drumline during the reception.
Monday, April 11, 2011
A Rather Vague Plug for 1642...
My dear friend Ellie Athayde is a highly accomplished bass player (well, everything player really, plus she can sing like nobody's business and she is a competitive horseback rider. She's one of those people that's talented at everything in the most unassuming, laid back, wonderful way. I love this girl.), so when I found out she was going to be playing with her (then nameless) jazz band at a bar in Westlake, I threw on my grungiest flannel and headed on over.
Let me just say that this place is Oh. So. Awesome. Apart from the low, dark ceilings and brick walls that make you feel like you're stepping into a New York jazz club, the people are laid back and friendly, the beer is good, and I'm relatively certain it's 18 and over (Don't hold me to this-I was there with 2 of my best friends who happen to be 19, but they might have gotten in because they're, uh, with the band so to speak).
And the best part?? Really amazing, really unconventional live music (See, it's a music blog. I'd get there eventually)! This place has everything from dixieland jazz to old-time bluegrass, which is a massive plus in my book. It's not often you find a hip, trendy, youth oriented bar that is still featuring songs like "Sweet Georgia Brown." I was in weird, nerdy, heaven. The music was upbeat, everyone was happy, and it really felt like the sort of underground neighborhood bar that only exists in offbeat movies.
Unfortunately, I can't find a website for 1642, since I think it's a relatively new bar, so I don't know when they have live music or who it is (hence the vague part). I'm almost positive they have music every Wednesday though. So if you're in the mood for a whimsical blend of trendy nostalgia, head on over to 1642. Plus, they feature some beer from the Eagle Rock Brewery. And, if you happen to notice a low key happy bass player who occasionally sings and always smiles, tell her that Cara says hey :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Senior Recital
Music Department Senior Recital
Alyson Melzer, violin, from the studio of Lawrence Sonderling,
with Galina Barskaya, piano
Saturday, April 9, 2011
7:30 p.m. Bird Studio
Reception following recital
*
Alyson Melzer, violin, from the studio of Lawrence Sonderling,
with Galina Barskaya, piano
Saturday, April 9, 2011
7:30 p.m. Bird Studio
Reception following recital
*
MOFA This Friday!
For a taste of some of Oxy's musical talent, come to Bird Studio this Friday, April 8th for everyone's favorite end of the week recital, Music on a Friday Afternoon! Enjoy the vocal styling of Tim Chang, Rebecca Salt, Micahel Ursu and the music library's very own Aisling Brouwer! Megan Lang will be performing on violin, Shelby King on flute, Tucker Riley on guitar, Nina Paus-Weiler on piano, Sean O'Conner on saxophone, Kainsa King on piano, and Jen Fox on piano. Finally, Amy Ishioka, Andrew Chang and Raphael Monroy will be playing together in a piano trio. Come support your friends and peers while taking advantage of this opprotunity to listen to some beautiful live music. The MOFA will begin at 4:30 in Bird Studio.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Snoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo00p
Snoop came to Oxy this weekend. It didn't really seem like a logical choice-- given that Oxy is an extremely politically correct student body and about 50% hipsters-- but it was still pretty cool. No one seemed to know who was opening even after he came and went, but supposedly it was someone mildly famous/good. Held in the Greek Bowl, it was actually surprisingly half-full ish. You had a few choices for a view, either try to penetrate the moshpit surrounding the stage (like I did), stand in the central grass area, or up on the stairs. Unless you were unlucky enough to be at the very back of the moshpit, most people could see Snoop. I thought he did a good job, despite his graying hair, he still hits every line and just has a really great stage presence. It probably doesn't hurt to have a solid backup team of DJs and rappers, plus three foxy dancers with their stink faces on. All in all, a good show.
photo credit: Elke Teichmann
Friday, April 1, 2011
Weekend Entertainment
As soon as I get off work, I will be driving to Santa Monica for N.W.A.'s once in a lifetime reunion show! The remaining members will perform together for the first time since their controversial split in 1991. This free concert is one of many that aim to raise awareness for R.A.T. (Rappers Against Tsunamis), which works with at-risk youth engaging in tidal wave prevention. For more information, please visit http://www.laweekly.com/events/n-w-a-1233951/. You don't want to miss it!
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