Tag: Music

REVIEW: The Perks of Being a Wallflower: My 13 yearold self jumping up and down

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky, was published in 1999. I read it for the first time in 2002 while in 7th grade and proceeded to read it at least 14 more times after. This book is well known in many preteen and teenage circles and is likely to pass from one friend to another with few words on the lips other than: “You have to read this book.”

Chbosky wrote a wonderful coming of age story, set somewhere outside Pittsburgh during the early 1990s. It is filled with mixed tapes, novels, clothing styles, life struggles, relationships and one young boy’s struggle with past painful experiences.

The film, which came out October 12, 2012 was adapted and directed by Chbosky. His writing translated very well to the screen and his original vision seemed to remain in this visual representation. Due to this format, Chbosky seemed to be able to take some of the book’s more delicately hinted concepts to a different level. He did a very nice job of portraying high school life in the 90’s with all the common themes of premature senses of adulthood and self-awareness.

The story is narrated in the form of letters by Charlie (played by Logan Lerman). A young boy starting his first day of high school. From the beginning he mentions a time when “things were bad.” His struggles and pains gradually become clear to us over the course of the film (I really don’t want to say too much about this because it was so well introduced in the film I feel I would be taking something away from you!) He becomes friends with a group of seniors, specifically Patrick and Sam (played by Ezra Miller and Emma Watson) who introduce him to music, style, a social life and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Many typical teenage complications occur, loves gained and lost, bad girlfriend habits, abusive and cheating boyfriends and some other not so common life experiences, mostly in Charlie’s past . . . the “bad times.”

It had been at least 7 years since the last time I read this book but it’s content still sticks to me. I spent the last 15 minuted of this movie with tears running down my cheeks. As did all the other teenage girls sitting in the theater with me! 🙂

Not only is this story beautifully constructed, it is also excellently adapted for the screen. The characters are likable and as difficult as some of the life truths may be they are all important to recognize and acknowledge.

For those of you who have read this book, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised. For those who have not, please go experience this film!

Another great thing about this movie, the soundtrack was excellently constructed. Much of the book is dedicated to talking about music. They did a very nice job of involving this theme in the film.

The Film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1659337/

The Book: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower

The Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/perks-being-wallflower-original/id558273105

PREVIEW/ Announcement: EQMC presents MUSICAL SENSATIONS 10/19/12

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Work Gallery: 306 S. State St. Ann Arbor
Friday October 19th
8pm Free (donations appreciated)

A group of experimental musicians are going to showcase their music for an enthusiastic crowed tomorrow night!
Their music varies in style and content although they all mix and sample other artists, loop sounds and play around with different themes to create interesting new musical pieces.
Much of their music is listening rather than dancing music, although it’s definitely good social hang out/ get to know each other and move around to a beat kind of music at times too.

If you want to broaden your auditory surroundings I suggest you join us tomorrow night!

Blithe Field (Ohio)
http://blithefield.bandcamp.com/

Samn Johnson (Ann Arbor – Michigan Student)
http://samnjohnson.bandcamp.com/

Jonah Baseball (Ann Arbor – Michigan Student)

Preview: Cat Power: Not to be confused with Thunder Cats…

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The Ark is a wonderful venue in Ann Arbor. They are skilled at bringing lovely musicians to the area and have recently been kicking off some new album tours, the most recent of which was Ingrid Michelson.
Cat Power has been performing on and off since the mid-90’s and has recently come out with a new album: “Sun.”
I was introduced to her music in 2007 in a mix CD from a crush. Her sound is somewhat reminiscent of MOBY. She has a beautiful voice and clearly has a finely tuned ear for music.

“Sun” is a blend of electronica, ethereal vocals, and computerized ticks. “Critics have noted the constant evolution of Cat Power’s sound, with a “mix of punk, folk and blues” on her earliest albums, and elements of soul and other genres more prevalent in her later material. [3] [4] [5] Her 2012 album Sun incorporated electronica, in a self-proclaimed move from the “really slow guitar songs” she initially wrote for the album. [6]” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Power) “Really slow guitar songs” are what Cat Power has filled previous albums with. Her early music has a little Patty Smith flavor through out it’s execution. It is refreshing to experience an artist with such a past in the industry reinventing her sound for this album, the first original she has released in Six years. These style changes are not always well received within the music critic and listening community.

This show takes place on Saturday October 27th at the Royal Oaks Theater http://theark.org/3343.html

Learn more about this talented lady: http://www.catpowermusic.com/

Cat Power: Ruin: \”Sun Announcement\” – Video

Preview: El Ten Eleven: Post Rockin, Double Necking

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This LA duo, El Ten Eleven, is coming to The Blind Pig on Saturday October 20th 9pm. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 18+
Their sound is entirely musical, no vocals. Very rhythmic, using drums, keyboard, fretless, double necked bass and loop pedal in innovative ways to create a physically and mentally captivating sound. They are beautiful to watch and amazing to listen to. I highly recommend checking this group out after the Michigan State game on Saturday!

The Blind Pig Calendar:
http://www.blindpigmusic.com/calendar.html

El Ten Eleven – KEXP

Preview: Battle of the Bands: A Roman Blood Bath

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Mark your calendars for this epic battle of Spartan proportions, which will take place on November 16th: Pendleton Hall in the Union
Although this event will not take place until November is bears mentioning now for those of you who have a band and are interested in joining the fray!
New Beat Happening (NBH), a student group on campus, holds this event every fall to showcase local talent from around Michigan and the University. NBH brings a bigger performer to campus in the Winter semester for general student enjoyment and moral boosting, not to mention potentially introducing you all to something you wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to. (In the past NBH has brought: Atlas Cloud, Girl talk…..) Although this cannot be guaranteed by NBH, due to the finicky tendencies of musicians, the winner of November’s Battle of the bands may be able to open for Winter’s headlining band. If not NBH may be able to offer the Battle winner their own headlining show on campus, to be adored by all who are fortunate enough to bask in their glory.
If you would like to throw your band’s, or your own solo-performing, name in the ring for this Battle please send a sample of your music to:

nbh.battle.2012@gmail.com

and wait with bated breath to see if you will be chosen to battle against fellow musicians for the title of:
New Beat Happening’s 2012 Battle of the Bands Victor!

Preview: Music-Con: The Comic-Con of Michigan Music

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Music-Con is an event sponsored by The Center for Campus Involvement, The Ark and the University of Michigan’s own, student-run, musical performance organization: New Beat Happening.
Sunday, October 21st, 12:00pm-4:00pm (FREEEEEE!!!!)

This event is for students who are interested in learning more about the music world through workshops on Demo Listening, Talent Buyer and Agent Forum, How to Get and Promote Gigs, a Song Writing Workshop, Street Marketing and Social Media as well as a Panel of local arts talking on “Being the Artist.”
Active members of the Michigan music scene lead all of the workshops. The keynote speaker for this event is Eric Morgeson; founder, producer and engineer at Studio A (http://www.studioarecording.com/).
Other workshop leaders hail from The Blind Pig (http://www.blindpigmusic.com/), The Ark (http://theark.org/), Radio hosts, iSPY magazine (http://mispymag.com/), and others.

This event takes place on Sunday October 21st 2012 from 12-4pm in the Michigan Union.

Registration is open to all students until Tuesday October 16th.

Register at: http://campusinvolvement.umich.edu/content/music-con-2012-registration

(if it is after Tuesday the 16th and you are still interested in registering go to: http://campusinvolvement.umich.edu/article/music-con-2012 to find updates on registration)

Please come and absorb the wisdom of these incredible human beings for the furthering of your musical and personal success!

EVENT BREAK DOWN:
11:30am-12:00pm Registration Check In – Michigan Union, 2nd Floor

12:00pm-12:45pm Keynote Speech: Eric Morgeson, Founder, Producer and
Engineer at Studio A
Eric tells us how he got to where he is today owning and operating a recording studio, and the lessons he learned along the way.

1:00pm-1:45pm How to Get and Promote Gigs: Get insider tips on forging through
the local scene to book successful gigs. These experts have worked
in many areas of the industry and offer up-to-date advice.
w. Susie Giang, Vice President and Agent at Fleming Artists and Joe Choma, Owner and Talent Buyer for Grand Circus Media

Talent Buyer and Agent Forum: Have questions about the talent buyer vs. agent relationship? Want to know more about this as a career? This panel discussion will give you the chance to ask questions.
w. Mike Green, Agent for TG2Artists, Adam Bauer, President and Agent at Fleming Artists, Anya Siglin, Programing Director at The Ark, and Jason Berry, Talent Buyer for The Blind Pig

Demo Listening: Demos submitted at the session are listened to, and then our experts provide a to-the-point discussion on what they are hearing and what music execs listen for in a demo.
w. David Siglin, Former Director of The Ark, and Rob Reinhart, radio host at WDET and Acoustic Café

2:00pm-2:45pm Street Marketing and Social Media: From flyering to Facebook,
this meeting explores the trends in marketing and social media.
w. Tim Adkins, Bro-Founder of Pakmode Media + Marketing, and Publisher of iSPY, and Matthew Altruda, Radio Host for Ann Arbor’s 107.1FM Treetown Sound and Marketing Event Coordinator for Sonic Lunch

Songwriting Workshop: Get creative and start writing some songs. This workshop provides guidance in getting your music on paper.
(speaker TBA)

Being the Artist: A discussion with local artists about making a name for yourself, creating albums, being a role model and more.
w. Dante LaSalle, Hip Hop Musician and Deejay
(other artists TBA)

2:45pm-4:00pm Trade Show: Featuring live music, a raffle for Ark tickets and local
vendors offering information about their music related products
and services.

All sessions will be located in the Michigan Union.

Here’s how to have your best conference experience:
· – Make sure you arrive to register between 11:30am-12:00pm so you don’t miss any of the keynote speech by Eric Morgeson!
· – You can choose 1 session to attend from 1:00pm-1:45pm and 1 session to attend from 2:00pm-2:45pm.
· – There will be a 15 minute break between each session to go to the rest room, check your cell phone, grab a snack or ask the speaker a one on one question.
· – The sessions will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. So go to your desired session first, and if it is at capacity, we will ask you to choose another session.
· – Planning to attend the demo listening workshop? Bring your personal demo in on CD for the chance to have your demo critiqued by the experts.
· – Planning to attend the songwriting workshop? Bring a pen and paper.
· – This conference is for you to build your knowledge about the music industry, so make sure you ask questions of the speakers during the Q&A portions of the sessions.
· – Don’t miss out on the trade show at the end of the conference. There’ll be more time to mingle with the speakers, check out local vendors who offer music related products and services, live music and a raffle for a chance to win tickets to The Ark!