National Jukebox, Historical Recordings from the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress has made thousands of recordings, from 1901-1925, freely available for streaming, with their new project, the National Jukebox.

Image: Library of Congress
You can access the National Jukebox from the Music Libguide, under the sound recording tab.

The collection includes a range of genres, including popular, religious, spoken, word, and more. Now, go explore!

CLOSED for Summer

Photo by Nina Leen

 This past year in the Music Library has been great. However, all great things must come to and end. Since classes and finals are all over (FINALLY!) the Herklotz Music Library will be closing for the summer. If you need to use the facilities, you can make an appointment with Assistant Instruction Librarian/Music Subject Specialist, Annette Young (amyoung@oxy.edu). The Music Library will reopen when classes reconvene in the fall. Until then, we'll see you at the beach!

Rap Battle!

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? 

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!

A Music Moment Of Zen.

If the action itself isn't enough, his facial expressions seal the deal on this one.

Electronic Music Concert 4/27/11

Oxy Jazz 4/26/11

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!

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!

Hip Hop Record Listening Party!!!

We had a fantastic hip hop record listening party in the music library tonight. Professor Ford's Death of Hip Hop Class and Professor Myers' class came down to kick back to Kanye, Biggie, Lauren Hill, Ghostface Killah, etc, etc. Check out these pictures!

Occidental College Chamber Music This Saturday!

Robert Vijay Gupta

Robert Vijay Gupta, first violinist of the LA Philharmonic will be performing at Oxy! What a rare opportunity! 

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!

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!

To Tug The Heartstrings, Music Must First Tickle The Neurons

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.

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.

youtube.com/davidchoimusic

Photo credit to Nancy Lee

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.

Because We Love You

Enjoy.

With love,

The Music Library

The Clicking Tone Game

The Second Spring Arts Festival!

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 21^st 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 21^st. 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

323-782-9000

versa@gorgeouspr.com

margo@gorgeouspr.com

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.

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 :)

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
*

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.

Daniel Strychacz presents: Senior Comprehensive Presentation!

SPRING CONCERT!

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

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!

This is cool

Borrowed from the LA Weekly:

Addictive Music Website Alert: The Ambient Genius of "You Are Listening to L.A."

By Gustavo Turner, Thu., Mar. 31 2011 @ 10:00AM

​One of the most annoying things about the current state of the Internet is its lack of elegance. When Mark Zuckerberg wiped the floor with the cluttery, vile thing MySpace had become, his mantra was "make a product that is useful and doesn't suck" (Facebook has struggled, with different degrees of success to retain that mantra through all the changes and the growth).

That's why we get particularly happy when someone comes up with a simple concept that works. It's not that common.

Some enterprising soul San Francisco's Eric Eberhardt has created a genius ambient music project online that consists of only three variables: a photo of a city, a randomized selection of very good, chill ambient music, and the feed from the police radio scanner for that city. They call it "You Are Listening To..."

"You Are Listening to New York" is typically gritty, "You Are Listening to Montreal" is fascinatingly French, but our favorite (of course) is "You Are Listening to Los Angeles":

Click here. Play it as background music. We dare you to turn it off.

Doug Rosenberg's Senior Recital!

Senior Recital featuring

Doug Rosenberg, composition

When: Sunday, April 3rd at 7 p.m.

Where: Bird Studio

Admission is free.

Support Oxy Music!!

The Seven

The Theater Department Presents
THE SEVEN written and directed by Will Power

THE SEVEN is a hip-hop adaptation of Aeschylus' SEVEN AGAINST THEBES,
which follows the struggles of Eteocles and Polynices, the two sons of
the cursed King Oedipus, as they fight for the throne of Thebes. This
is a story of war, family, and a cursed society unsure of how to free
itself. Writer and composer Will Power has taken this classical tale
of pre-destination versus choice and updated it with an urban idiom to
explore modern themes including poverty, race and the abuse of power.
The entire script is in rhyming verse, interwoven with such musical
styles as calypso, do-wop, R & B, funk, and blues. The amazing Kathyrn
Bostic (Musical Direction), grace shinhae jun (Choreography), and a
cast of 18 join Will Power to create this complex and ambitious piece
that will make an old story come alive for a new generation.

April 15-17 & 21-23 at 7:30pm and May 14 at 8:00pm in Keck Theater.
Join us for a post-show discussion with Will on Friday, April 15.

Tickets are $15 for students, senior citizens, and Oxy faculty & staff
Group rates are available. Call extension 2922 or email
theater@oxy.edu for tickets and information.
You can reserve your tickets in the quad during lunch starting April 11.

Visit http://departments.oxy.edu/theater/The_Seven.htm for more
information.

Senior Recital 4/2/11

Come see Oxy's own senior, Alexandra Forman, perform violin pieces by Tchaikovsky, Bach, and Brahms. The concert will be on April 2nd at 7:30 pm in Bird Studio. Admission is free.

Help Japan!

Dear Oxy Community,

Please support aidJapan @ Oxy, a campus-wide effort of faculty, staff and students who are committed to relief efforts for Japan.

Wednesday, March 23

Cranes on the Quad

12:30 - 1:30pm

JSC Quad

Come help us build a thousand cranes! Learn how to make these small pieces of origami art. Funds raised will be used towards relief efforts.

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Teach-In

5:30pm - 7pm

Johnson 200

An opportunity to hear faculty, student and community member expertise about historical, geographic and cultural issues surrounding the disaster in Japan.

Candelight Vigil

7 pm

Steps between Johnson Hall and Fowler Hall

A campus wide moment to remember the victims of the earthquake and tsunami as well as express support for the people of Japan.

Coming up

Benefit Concert

April 16

2 pm - 4 pm

Bird Studio

Featuring:

Junko Ueno Garrett, piano
Yuri Inoo, percussion
Naoko Takada, marimba
Robin Sharp, hand percussion
Allison Allport, harp
Allison Bjorkedal, harp
Joel Pargman, violin
Carrie Kennedy, violin
Oxy Drumline (at reception)

For more information, please contact civicengagement@oxy.edu.

(Photo credit to http://www.oklubi.com/2011/03/japan-earthquake-video-2011.html)

Celebrate Bach's Birthday with the LA Chamber Orchestra!

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra presents "Bach's Birthday".
8pm this Saturday at the Alex Theater in Glendale.

Featuring Bach's most beloved masterpieces:
1) Bach Keyboard Concerto No. 6 in F major, BWV 1057
2) Bach Cantata 170, "Vergnugte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust" ("Contented
rest, beloved soul's desire"), BWV 170
3) Bach "Erbarme dich, mein Gott" ("Have mercy, my God") from St
Matthew Passion, BWV 244
4) Bach Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068

Follow this link for more information and program notes
http://www.laco.org/performances/149/

Occidental College Dance Production 2011!

Come check out Occidental College's biggest club, where student choreographers and dancers showcase a multitude of dance styles, from hip hop to hula, and bellydance to ballet!

This Friday and Saturday at 7 pm

Tickets:
Student: $5 *
Faculty: $8 *
General: $10

* Discounted tickets are limited- please arrive early to ensure discounted rate.

Come on out and dance to the music!!!

LA Opera performs The Turn of the Screw

I have recently discovered that one of my favorite novellas, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, is also an opera adapted by the great British composer Benjamin Britten. I was delighted to discover simultaneously that it is being performed this month by the Los Angeles Opera.

In case you're not familiar with The Turn of the Screw, I will give you a brief summary of the plot (a more in depth synopsis can be found on the LA Opera's website). The Governess- we never learn the name of our protagonist- is charged with the complete care of two children, Flora and Miles, while their guardian is away. Shortly after arriving at the estate, a strange man appears before her. She describes the man to the housekeeper, Mrs. Grose, who identifies him as Peter Quint, a former man servant at the estate who had seduced the former governess, Miss Jessel. Both Peter Quint and Miss Jessel are dead, yet both continue to appear before the Governess. She becomes convinced that the two spirits are after Miles and Flora, and she becomes determined to protect them. As the story (told from the eyes of the Governess) unfolds, the Governess becomes increasingly paranoid while the audience begins to wonder if the phantoms are merely in her imagination. The ambiguity of the novel is what makes it so chilling. We are left to wonder what is real and what is imagined, and what really happened between Quint and Jessel and Miles and Flora. I am curious how the stage adaptation will incorporate this ambiguity which, in the novella, is created by the unreliable narrator.

The LA Times describes the LA Opera's production of The Turn of the Screw as one worth notice for the "cleverness of a director and designer and the devotion of singers, a virtuoso instrumental ensemble and [conducter James] Conlon's engaged conducting". After tonight there will be four more performances, the last on Wednesday March 30th at 7:30. Tickets range in price from $20 to $240. For more information on this chilling opera, visit the event page here.

Cast:

GOVERNESS: Patricia Racette

PROLOGUE/PETER QUINT: William Burden

MILES: Michael Kepler Meo

FLORA: Ashley Emerson

MRS. GROSE: Ann Murray

MISS JESSEL: Tamara Wilson

Rebecca Black's Friday is Just Awful

Rebecca Black recently achieved internet stardom with the single "Friday" and not because it's especially catchy or good. Rather, this may be the worst song I've ever heard, and most people on the internet seem to agree. Read this yahoo news post that captures my thoughts exactly:

Hey kids! Guess what? Apparently awful is the new great. In an age when the music business is suffering dearly--when even vocal dynamos like Christina Aguilera can't sell albums or concert tickets anymore, and thousands of unsigned, undiscovered artists have to sell records out of their car trunks--a mind-meltingly horrific song called "Friday," by a previously unknown, marginally talented teen-pop singer named Rebecca Black, managed to rack up more than 2.2 million views on YouTube (yes, that's right, TWO-MILLION, TWO-HUNDRED-THOUSAND) just over this past weekend.

It must be seen, and heard, to be believed:

The video got its first big promotion, perhaps not coincidentally, last Friday, when Comedy Central's Tosh.0 blog posted it under the headline "Songwriting Isn't For Everyone." And that was all it took. By the weekend's end, "Friday" had been Tumblr'd, Facebooked, blogged, and tweeted by countless baffled viewers--and dozens of covers and parodies had popped up on YouTube as well, including an amusingly Dylanesque one.

The virality of "Friday," a wannabe weekend-party anthem for the new generation, had nothing to with the song being any good, Rebecca being particularly attractive or gifted, or even with the fact that it was, well, the weekend. It's simply because it was so unbelievably BAD. ("A whole new level of bad," according to none other than Time magazine.) And it's because the song and video raised so many fascinating questions...such as:

Who the heck is this girl? How did she get a record deal? Why is she sitting at a bus stop, if her friends are picking her up in their car? Why is she so indecisive about whether to sit in the front or back seat? If the girl standing to her right is her friend, then is that girl on her left her frenemy? Did the general public REALLY need to be informed that Thursday comes before Friday, or that Sunday comes after Saturday? And, most importantly: Is this a real thing? Or is this an SNL Digital Short for which the Lonely Island are responsible?

Honestly, we're not sure if these questions will ever be properly answered. But we do know that "Friday" is the churned-out product of a Los Angeles-based company called the Ark Music Factory, which sends out casting calls looking for singers between the ages of 13 and 17 to record its songs and, if all goes well, become overnight YouTube stars (a la Justin Bieber). Rebecca Black's "Friday" is Ark's first major hit--and after this, we sincerely hope it's the company's last.

Pi Day!

This is really interesting. Using 31 digits of Pi (3.14159265.....), this man made a song out of it. It may not have a conventional melody but it does make an oddly appealing song.

What Pi sounds like @ Yahoo! Video

Happy Pi Day!

Public Radio Meets Adorable Indie Jam Sessions

Ok, I admit it. I love npr. There's nothing I like more than cuddling into my bed on a rainy day with a mug of sipping chocolate and the dulcet voices of Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich on Radiolab, or driving on a sunny afternoon blasting Ira Glass. Ah, but I digress.

Bob Boilen, host of All Songs Considered, records an enormous variety artists performing stripped and acoustic mini concerts at his office desk, and puts them online for your listening pleasure, providing a beautifully intimate look at some of the most famous folk and indie artists to date. Artists include Iron & Wine's Sam Beam, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Adele, Jakob Dylan, and even Tom Jones, just to name a few. It's really fun to hear not only the music, but also to see these musicians having fun in such a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. So grab your oversized mug of organic tea, slip into your most comfortable pair of Tom's, and head over to NPR.org for a little slice of live music heaven!

The Strokes' Newest Album

I've been cultivating an obsession with Julian Casablancas for a while now, and I'm incredibly stoked for the newest Strokes album coming out March 22. Check out the two singles they've released so far, I think they have all of the old-pre Julian's solo career catchyness while still encompassing some new ideas. This album is supposed to be more of a collaboration between the bandmembers since most of the previous music was written by Julian alone.





P.S. Check out this picture of Julian Casablancas as a rocker daddy.

A Different Kind Of Mash Up...

I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon Pogo, but I have to say that I'm really happy I did. Pogo is an artist who takes bits and pieces of sound clips from popular films and edits them together into catchy, electro tunes (I think they might be classified as some sort of trip hop, although wikipedia wasn't entirely explicit. Haha). I feel that Pogo is worth mentioning on this blog as further proof that it's possible to find music anywhere, and with so much technology at our fingertips more people are finding new and exciting ways of expressing themselves through art. Check it out!

For more information about Pogo, including his history, North American tour dates, and brand new Lord of the Rings Remix ("Murmurs of Middle Earth"), go to pogomix.net.

Occidental-Caltech Symphony Orchestra

This past week, Occidental and Caltech were in the news for a very embarrassing upset in men's basketball. Embarrassing for Oxy that is. The Caltech men's basketball team had not won a game in 26 years, yet beat Oxy 46-45 on Tuesday, February 22nd. For more information, please visit http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/02/caltech-basketball-snaps-310-game-conference-losing-streak.html.

However, both schools will put all competition aside and come together for two concerts this weekend. The Occidental-Caltech Symphony Orchestra is directed by Oxy's own Professor Allen Gross, and includes students from both schools. The concerts will feature student solo violinist Misha Raffiee, the winner of a student concerto competition.

The Saturday concert will be held at Occidental at 7:30 pm and the Sunday concert will be held at Caltech at 3:30 pm. Two opportunities to see a great performance, but the best part is that they are both free.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Saturday

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Presents

French Connection

This Saturday, February 26th at Alex Theater (just two blocks from the Americana)

The program will include:

• Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte (“Pavane for a Dead Princess”)
• Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
• Beethoven Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36

Featuring conductor Louis Langrée, and the LACO debut of French Pianist Lise de la Salle

The concert begins at 8 pm. Check out the student discount on select seats. For tickets and more information, visit the event page on the LACO website.


Lisa De Salle

LYKKE LI @ EL REY THEATRE & THE WILTERN

If you aren't familiar with Lykke Li, you are missing out on some GOOD music. Lykke Li is a Swedish indie artist, mostly known for her debut album 'Youth Novels' which she released in 2008. She has a very original style and is incredibly talented. However, her second album 'Wounded Rhymes' is due to be released next week in (2 March 2011) in Sweden. Her new album was actually written and recorded for the majority in Echo Park, LA! It promises to be a great one.. and even better than that, she is coming to LA to perform! The first time I heard her (probably about a year ago) I thought: 'she has a weird voice', but listening to her more I really started to get attached to her songs and her overall output is just fantastic. She will be performing at the El Rey Theatre on the 9th of March with Johnossi, a popular Swedish rock duo that have just completed their third album, and on the 31st of May she will be headlining The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Don't miss it!

FREE TICKETS WOOOOO!

The Music Department has 10 tickets to donate to you for the Colburn
Orchestra on Saturday, March 5, at 8 p.m. The concert includes music by Stravinsky, Brahms, and Berlioz, and the performers are college-age conservatory students from the acclaimed Colburn School downtown. The Ambassador Auditorium is just down the road in Pasadena:

http://theambassadorauditorium.org/ for information and directions.

Just come by the Music Department and ask for Colburn Orchestra tickets.

Changing Music Industry!

I came upon this article the other day and thought it was interesting:

http://seekingalpha.com/article/238741-how-the-music-industry-s-transformation-is-paving-the-way-for-monetization-opportunities


According to the article, CD's replaced cassette tapes twenty or so years ago. The technology brought about concerns from record label companies, mostly about piracy. Today, we are witnessing another shift: from the use of physical to digital media.

While revenue from CD sales may be down, more people are exposed to music. It is not all that bad for the record label companies. There is a greater fan base and more concert ticket sales.

On the other hand, with websites like Youtube exposing artists to a wide audience, music artists no longer need to be signed by record companies in order to be successful musicians or to be well known.

That being said, people are the ones who have greater power in determining who becomes famous. In the past, record companies had more of a say.

How the tides have turned!


(credit to http://us.music-jobs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/broken-cd.jpg and http://blogs.wyomingnews.com/blogs/backstagepass/files/2009/09/youtube_logo.jpg for images.)

27th Annual Waltz Night

On behalf of the Occidental Folk and Historical Dance Troupe,
I would like to invite you to our 27th Annual

Viennese Waltz Night

Saturday, February 19


Samuelson Pavillion

Doors open at 8 pm
Grand March at 8:15 pm
Performance at 9 pm
Last Waltz at 11 pm

This is an occasion to dress up -- but NO HIGH HEELS please.
(In this style of dance, they are hazardous to the dancer and her partner alike.)

The evening will feature ...

Waltz and Polka clinics -- brush up your steps, or learn for the first time!

A performance by the Folk and Historical Dance Troupe, dancing to "The Beautiful Blue Danube," by Johann Strauss, Jr.

General dancing to waltzes and polkas played by the Occidental-Caltech Orchestra.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Admission is free, but donations are welcomed.

Please direct any questions to Alan Knoerr (knoerr@oxy.edu or (626) 533-8131).

BONNAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The Bonnaroo lineup was recently announced and it looks even more sicknasty than Coachella and Sasquatch COMBINED!!! Seriously, this is probably every band I've wanted to see in the last 2 years and more. Looks like I'm going to Tennesse.

Watch this silly video of Conan (who did a set at Bonnaroo last year) announcing the lineup, plus some really amazing/headachey graphics that fully convey the magnitude of this event.

Plus go here for the full lineup: http://www.bonnaroo.com/artists.aspx

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra presents French Connection.

Featuring *Ravel, Saint-Saens, and Beethoven.*

At 8pm on Feb 26 at the Alex Theater in Glendale.
It is a beautiful theater that is only 2 blocks away from the Americana.

Follow this link for more information and program notes
http://www.laco.org/performances/148/
As students we get great discounts from LACO http://www.laco.org/college/
Email sittig@oxy.edu or the Box Office (tickets@laco.org) with
questions.

Halcyon Trio - Feb. 15, 2011

Sasquatch Lineup!!

Did you miss out on getting Coachella tickets? (I know I did, one week and sold out was CRAZZZYYYY!) Have no fear, Sasquatch is here! and the lineup is looking pretty fearsome. CH-ch-checkitout.

21 by Adele

If you have not yet had the pleasure of listening to the unique, sultry, powerful vocals of Adele it is really time for you to correct this situation. Winning her the 2009 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, her debut album 19 reached the top of British charts and sold over 2.2 million copies worldwide by 2009. Overflowing with soul, Adele's voice should not be missed.

For those of us who have already fell for Adele, her second album could not come soon enough. Finally the wait is almost over- the English singer/songwriter's newest album 21 will be dropping February 22nd. Until then, check out the 21 Days of Adele page on her website where new content will be available each day until the release. Currently, the page contains interviews, videos of live performances, sweepstakes, and even a full streaming of 21. Thank you, Adele.

If 21's first single "Rolling in the Deep" is any indication, we have a lot to look forward to. Take a look at the music video, a perfect match to this beautiful yet brooding song.




Now here is the best part. Adele will be kicking of a 23 day tour on March 12th, rolling into to LA on the 9th of June. Tickets go on sale tomorrow. For more info check out adele.tv.

Tour Dates:
05/12 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
05/15 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
05/16 – Montreal, QC @ Olympia Theater
05/18 – Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
05/19 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
05/23 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
05/24 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater
05/26 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
05/28 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
05/29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
05/31 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
05/31 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
06/01 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
06/03 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
06/04 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield Theatre
06/08 – San Diego, CA @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
06/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
06/12 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs Waller Creek
06/15 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
06/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
06/18 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
06/20 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium

Synchromy This Saturday