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(09/26/13 9:05am)
Senior Danielle Harris was hard to track down last year because she spent most of it working to pay off voice lessons in New York with celebrity-acclaimed vocal coach Don Lawrence, who has experience with the likes of Bon Jovi and Whitney Houston. This year, to get back into the Penn music scene, Danielle successfully applied to Penn’s Music 10 program. The program, open to music majors and minors, grants Danielle twenty vocal lessons for the school year. She will be working with Philly jazz vocalist Joanna Pascale, who performs at the Loews Hotel three nights a week. Danielle has looked up to her since her freshman year and says, “[Joanna] has this rare capacity as a jazz singer to really command her band. As a vocalist, she asserts her role as a musician through a profound ability to understand and work with other musicians.”
(09/25/13 5:53pm)
Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx vs. Chiddy Bang
(09/16/13 3:38pm)
Arcade Fire’s new existentialist music video of “Reflektor,” has kept fans eagerly awaiting the release of their upcoming album. The music video, directed by Anton Corbijn, starts out as a cut dissolve of a grunge black and white garage scene wherein the band members heroically emerge, each espousing a giant bobble-head. The video begins to resemble a wartime escape as the vocalists load their belongings into the back of a truck. In an eclectic dark disco fashion, a cowboy covered entirely in shattered mirrors takes over the video, giving the visuals a more literal meaning to the song’s title. The existentialist meaning of “Reflektor” becomes more apparent as the bobble-headed band begins worshiping a mirrored disco ball alongside the cowboy. So far, it is only clear that Arcade Fire’s new album will take a more hypnotic and futuristic sound that could easily surpass their previous success in “The Suburbs.”
(09/12/13 9:50am)
New Jersey native and College senior Micah Kaats has been singing and playing the guitar since sixth grade. What started out as a way to pick up girls has recently turned into the release of two EPs and a burgeoning career in music. A philosophy major and consumer psychology minor, Micah never thought of music as a realistic option. But after a semester abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, Micah concluded, “might as well give this a shot because if I don’t, I’ll regret it.” Under the name Meeka Kates, a phonetic spelling of his real name, Micah has been releasing self–described “acoustic electronic” music on Soundcloud and Bandcamp, both online spaces for music distribution.
(09/12/13 9:27am)
“Do I Want to Know?” the first track on the Arctic Monkeys’ highly–anticipated fifth studio album, starts out with a thumping bass like the stomping of a marching band announcing its arrival. Soon enough, the electric guitar finds a smooth loop and Alex Turner reaches a soaring falsetto—confirming that, yes, the Arctic Monkeys are back. Titled “A.M.”—both an acronym for the band’s name, inspired by The Velvet Underground’s “VU,” and a reference to post-midnight rock—the album’s late–night underground vibe could not be more fitting. Their sophomore album, titled “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”—the fastest selling debut album in British history—proved they were here to stay. With each subsequent album, the Arctic Monkeys have cultivated the winning underdog attitude that brought them to the spotlight, all the while adding in a fresh taste of retro hip–hop that ventures in a completely new direction.
(09/11/13 3:25pm)
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(09/05/13 2:00pm)
1. “Diva”—Beyoncé: The rhythm of this hip rap song is good enough to make you feel as good as Queen Bey, or a diva at the very least, “Na-Na-Na, diva is a female version of a hustla.”
2. “So Fresh, So Clean”—OutKast: Leave it to OutKast to boost your self confidence because “Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean.”
3. “Super Rich Kids”—Frank Ocean: “Start my day up on the roof / There’s nothing like this type of view” is the perfect jam as you’re getting ready at the Radian’s penthouse.
4. “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”—Kendrick Lamar: This song is a perfect one for when a freshman bumps into you as they try to avoid stepping on the compass. All that you can say is, “Bitch, don’t kill my vibe.”
5. “Defeated, No More”—Disclosure: Disclosure’s eclectic basslines will get your head banging as you strut your stuff. Shades are a necessity. “I’ve faded and fought / But now I make the rules”
6. “Trying to Be Cool”—Phoenix: Let’s be honest. All you’re really up to is trying to be cool. “Tell me that you want me / Tell me that you want it all”
7. “Cool Like Me”—Fryars: “Don’t you see? This is your mission / Where you can get your head down, turn your life around / Feel like you owe it to yourself”
8. “You Know You Like It”—AlunaGeorge: If Aluna Francis’s baby doll vocals as she sings, “You know you like it but it drives you insane / You know you like it but you’re scared of the shame” and George Reid’s groovy beats don’t get you moving, nothing ever will.
9. “Jerk It Out”—Caesars: The optimism in this song will easily get rid of your Monday blues. It’s hard to not start dancing to this. “Cause it’s easy once you know how it’s done / You can’t stop now / It’s already begun”
10. “Fancy Footwork”—Chromeo: While the lyrics might sound completely irrelevant to your day full of engineering classes, the beat of this song will get your kicks moving. Show everyone that fancy footwork on Locust. “But if you let her see that fancy footwork/ Show her that you’re not that shy / Let her see that fancy footwork / Show her you’re that type of guy”
(09/05/13 9:05am)
Julie Kathryn shows off her soft alto voice and her romantic and feminine musical sound in her debut album titled “Black Trees”. “Black Trees” includes a varied tracklist of loosely defined “dreamy pop” through which Julie Kathryn boasts her soulful memoir. Often compared to Norah Jones and described as “Audrey Hepburn meets Joni Mitchel”, Julie Kathryn’s voice resonates with an edgier class of romantic pop. Julie Kathryn showcases the diversity in her voice and songwriting in the disco-pop song called “Nightingale”, which strongly resembles a 70’s disco song by the likes of Donna Summer and Pat Benatar. Her album comes full circle with her cover of Bob Dylan’s “Emotionally Yours” – a lovely ballad that showcases her voice in all its passion.
(02/21/13 10:29am)
ULTRA
(02/14/13 10:43am)
Street: Let’s start with a little background information on the oldest performing arts group at Penn.
SV: The Glee Club was founded in 1862, which makes this its 151st season. It’s been growing and shrinking in size and becoming a very integral part of the University and the culture of the University. The Glee Club for a long time has been welcoming students at Convocation and when they become seniors, sending them off at Commencement. It’s sort of become a tradition.
(02/14/13 10:32am)
Four minutes into Foals’ new album, “Holy Fire,” the instrumental build–up of pounding drums and plunging guitar strings in “Prelude” establishes an atmospheric vibe that strongly resembles their previous hit, “Spanish Sahara.” The resemblance ends as soon as “Inhaler” begins. Riveting electric guitars strings ease into Yannis Philippakis’s raspy vocals. Soon enough, the song’s prowess builds up to a roaring “and I can’t get enough... SPACE!” Following such a powerful song that perfectly embodies internalized self–conflict, “My Number” opens up with deceptively funk–rock instrumentals. About a minute in, the song takes shape as a catchy, chorus–driven pop song. “My Number” is most similar to the repetitive choruses found throughout their previous studio production, “Total Life Forever." While “Holy Fire” fails to surpass the band’s previous success, its varied track list is definitely worth the listen.
(01/26/13 5:00pm)
Prepare yourself to listen to Kanye West in a way you never have before courtesy of San Diego-based music producer, Carlos Serrano. Even remixed over psychadellic lazer beams by Kavinsky, Kanye’s breathless vocals never miss the spot. Carlos Serrano remixes Kavinsky’s new track “Protovision” and Kanye West’s “Good Life” flawlessly. Be sure to check out Carlos’s soundcloud for more unconventional yet superb mashups.
(01/17/13 10:50am)
Featuring everyone from Skrillex to Santigold, A$AP Rocky’s major-label debut is an indulgent sampling experimentation. The 12-track mixtape begins with the eponymous track, “Long Live A$AP,” which serves as the perfect introduction to the whirlwind of hip-hop that follows.
(01/17/13 10:42am)
CASTLE:
“Don’t You Worry Child”—Swedish House Mafia
Wishing to assure you that they are, in fact, all internationals, Castle boys groove to music from overseas. Electronic music by French and Swedish DJs are most popular au chatêau. Practice your fist pump and swing right over.
(11/29/12 10:19am)
While her debut album, “Born to Die,” polarized audiences and her SNL flop did little to help, Lana del Rey’s follow up, “Paradise,” could win over some of her detractors. The eight–track EP features some convincing songs amongst several lackluster album–fillers. Even though her moaning vocals remain unaltered, the lyrics throughout the album are not as depressing and tear–inducing as they were in her debut album. Nonetheless, the self–proclaimed Marilyn–Elvis lovechild channels Walt Whitman in “Body Electric,” juxtaposing his famous phrase “I sing the body electric” with “Diamonds are my bestest friend.” With her bizarre flair, she ironically proceeds to sing, “My pussy tastes like Pepsi–Cola” (“Cola”) minutes after belting, “Be young, be dope, be proud” (“American"). Sure, she’s weird, but somehow all the nonsense is not a pain in the ear.
(11/15/12 10:38am)
Every fangirl’s dream has come true. One Direction has come out with a new album. Throughout “Take Me Home,” it becomes clear how much the boys have matured. The raunchy “I want you to rock me, rock me, rock me, yeah” and “Don’t let the pictures leave your phone, ohhhh” are exemplary of One Direction’s transition to more PG–13 lyrics. Expect the tearjerker “Little Things” to be slow–danced to at spring formals. The boys’ angelic voices are particularly showcased in the modern–day Romeo–and–Juliet “They Don’t Know About Us." The rest of the album is predictable bubblegum pop. Even N*Sync would be impressed.
(11/09/12 9:26pm)
Last March, the release of “Break it Yourself” strongly redefined Andrew Bird’s sound, featuring melodic pop hints and multifaceted song lyrics. Resurging from such a success his previous work . Bird’s characteristic violin strings are distinctively accompanied by fiddle. Covering hefty issues such as death and salvation, the lyrics in “Hands of Glory” provide a more heartfelt and stripped–down side to Bird’s work. The album is bookended by the most captivating tracks — “Three White Horses” and “Beyond the Valley of the Three White Horses.” While “Break it Yourself” remains unmatched, Andrew Bird’s “Hands of Glory” offers a completely different and ground–breaking sound.
(10/11/12 9:22am)
Street: What was your transition from “Haircut” to “Mayer Hawthorne” like?
Mayer Hawthorne: I started my career as a hip–hop DJ and producer. I’ve been doing that my whole life really. I’ve only been singing for a couple years. So, this is definitely something that is still very new to me and something that I’m still learning every day. But it’s something that I’m really enjoying.
(10/04/12 9:30am)
Central to Penn’s music scene is Pilam, a 51-member fraternity that periodically hosts concerts at their house on Spruce Street.
(09/27/12 9:26am)
Thirty seconds into “Flesh and Bone,” the opener on The Killers’ new album, “Battle Born,” it is easy to believe the band has not changed in eight years — the pop synths, edgy guitar chords and Brandon Flowers’ raspy vocals are reminiscent of their first studio production, “Hot Fuss.” Nonetheless, “Runaways,” undeniably the strongest track on "Battle Born," features high–soaring vocals and riveting drumbeats that showcase the group’s distinctive Springsteen and 80s rock influences in a completely new way. Although “From Here On Out” might be too country for some, “Battle Born” has a diverse track list that's worth checking out.