Issue 43

November 2016 Website www.thecutmagazine.com

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Cover Photo Lucius at Mr. Smalls Photo by Mark Egge Issue 43

November 2016 Editor-in-Chief Imogen Todd

Assistant Editor David Dwyer

Creative Director Sharon Yu

Photo Editor Lucy Denegre

Copy Editor Izzy McCarthy

Public Relations Evi Bernitsas

Chief Web Editor Daniel DeLuca

Writing Staff Izzy McCarthy, Mark Egge, Justin Kelly, Brooke Ley, Bradley Puskar, Joe Swee- ney, Paige O'Riordan, Cassandra Howard, David Dwyer, Kate Apostolou, Isabelle Sio

Photo Staff David Perry, Lucy Denegre, Mark Egge

Editing Staff Justin Kelly, Josh Brown, Julie Heming, Isabelle Sio,

Design Staff Anna Gross, Serina Liu, Yoonyoung Kim, Anqi Wan

Letter From The Editor

3 Masthead Letter From The Editor

Oh, November. A month tackles the idea of cheap mixtape, and of changes: the weather, girl-power anthems in pop reviews. Highlights include as fall finally gives way to music, and Mark Egge David Dwyer’s rave review winter, and gloves, hats, and gives us an insider’s view of Solange’s newest effort scarves start making regular of James Street Gastropub’s and Kate Apostolou’s appearances on campus; tumultuous history and takedown of the new the country, as we prepare future. Phantogram album. to say good-bye to one leader and to inaugurate Flip ahead a few pages and Last, but not least, be sure a new one. Whatever immerse yourself in Justin to give our interview with your seasonal or political Kelly’s scathing critique Lucius a read. Mark Egge preferences, I hope we can of Ringo Starr (whether and co-frontwoman Holly agree that what this month or not you’re a fan of The Laessig sat down for a chat needs, now more than ever, Beatles, this piece is worth about live performances, is a good dose of distraction. a read) or explore Brooke temperament, stage And that’s exactly what we Ley’s ideas about religion personas, and more. Letter have for you in this issue of in music. The Cut. Now I’ll let you get to the More in the mood to read actual issue. I hope that Dive into this month’s issue about our takes on new you find something here From with two new pieces by our music? Check out our to help you weather the columnists: Izzy McCarthy staff’s monthly suggestions, storms of November. The Imogen Todd Editor

Letter From The Editor 4 Animal Collective at Mr. Smalls Photo by David Perry What We’re 7 Listening To

Essays My Precious Son: 10 The Omnichord

Concert 13 Reviews

Main Interview 17 Crying with Crying

350-Word 22 Articles Table of Contents 6 Shut Up Kiss Me Fancy Shoes Angel Olsen The Walters

Sherlock Holmes Wngs Sparks NxWorries

Geeks For The Rest Hailey Knox Of Your Life Hope Sandoval and the Heads Up Warm Inventions Warpaint Incurable Devil Like Me Piano Magic Rainbow Kitten Surprise Just Like You Bosley Warpaint Ivory Hours The Visualz Siah and Yeshua Quick Musical DapoED Doodles Two Feet

What We’re Listening To

What We’re Listening To Izzy McCarthy Pop Culture's Garbage Girl Power

Perhaps you’ve heard the girl power is sold as an not “sit still.” In this way, only do so by tearing each beauty that is “Independent afterthought.The girl the song certainly has its other down. Women Pt. 1,” a Destiny’s power anthem often positive moments and we Child and girl power classic. becomes a throwaway should be happy to have In contrast to this type of In it, Beyoncè, Kelly, and song, marketed to women young fans relating to cheap girl power anthem, Michelle sing proudly about as pitiful compensation Daya’s lyrics that champion Beyoncè’s musical feminism their financial independence. for all that objectification. independence. remains ahead of the The hit was first featured As a result, the girl power game. “Independent Women on the 2000 soundtrack anthem has almost always But the young singer Pt. 1” preached financial from the Charlie’s Angels been the “chick flick” of falls into a trap. The independence before many film and has been inspiring the music industry; it’s foundational meaning other artists even preached hoards of independent corny, it’s low quality, of Daya’s song is that in cheap girl power. Most women ever since. Likewise, and it fits all too well into her quest for independence, recently, Beyoncè’s “For- Beyoncè’s solo work the stereotype of what our she is different from “other mation” offered an account arguably produces more society wants women to be. girls.” “Other girlies wanna of the feminine experience girl power hit singles wear expensive things,” she the media rarely portrays, than any other artist. But Perhaps the best recent sings, implying that it’s also that of the black feminine between Beyoncè’s feminist example is Daya’s “Sit Still, “other girls” who “wake experience. masterpieces, the girl power Look Pretty.” Sure, lyrics up/In make up,/And play anthem has fallen short. like “I don’t want to be the dumb.” Ultimately, this is So when you hear the puppet that you’re playing where Daya’s girl power words “girl power anthem,” As a genre, girl power hits on a string/ This queen anthem becomes cheap. remember to differentiate have been a pop staple for don’t need a king” are It’s no longer presenting between fake and feminist. decades. They go as far perfectly admirable goals. a nuanced and valuable It’s important that we sift back as Aretha Franklin’s Similar to “Independent account of the feminine through cheap feminism to “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” for example, Women Pt. 1,” Daya’s song experience because it find girl power gold like from 1967. Girl power has preaches autonomy and is simply adhering to Beyoncè’s, which reminds always been a selling point. pride in individual work; society’s expectations of us the kind of feminine But while the saying “sex the singer is evidently girls in the first place; if empowerment that is sells” has pervaded every determined to pursue the girls want to rebel against genuinely valuable. corner of the business, career she wants and will gender norms, they can

What We’re Thinking About 8 Pittsburgh Venues: Mark Egge James Street Gastropub

This is the second jazz today at James Street raise the money needed ID. In additional to jazz of three columns Gastropub in Deutschtown. for soundproofing and air music, the venue hosts profiling Pittsburgh A cultural meeting place conditioning. Through its many local and regional music venues, with since its construction in crowdfunding campaign bands of all genres, as hopes of better 1890, James Street’s premises and events, the venue well as many alternative have been the haunts of completed its ballroom lifestyle events, including connecting CMU successive generations of renovations and has a drag brunch the first students to our union bosses, sports celebrities, returned to hosting live and third Sunday of every awesome local and now Pittsburgh jazz music—sans complaints month. music scene. aficionados. —since. The generous financial support from For upcoming events, find Before the days of Along with hosting hundreds community members and the venue on Facebook or tour buses and Interstate of concerts and events a musicians reflects the at www.jamesstreetgastro highways, jazz musicians year, James Street also plays venue’s cherished place in pub.com. Unless otherwise would tour by boat, center-stage to the annual Pittsburgh’s music scene. stated, shows are open to following the rivers Deutschtown Music Festival Every Thursday, famed all ages. A $5 cover charge north from New Orleans. in July. This year’s free, all- jazz percussionist Roger applies to most events. Located at the source of ages music festival featured Humphries hosts a jazz jam the Ohio River, Pittsburgh over 200 bands and attracted session. For a more casual was the ending point for over 18,000 participants. introduction to jazz, James many tours. The musicians Despite its successes, the Street hosts a collegiate who lingered in Pittsburgh venue’s future was uncertain night the first Tuesday of at the end of their tours last spring. A spate of noise every month, showcasing (some eventually staying for complaints from its upstairs local university-affiliated life) gave rise to Pittsburgh’s ballroom threatened the musicians (including long and storied jazz history. owners with the loss of their CMU’s own Grammy liquor license and possible winner Eric DeFade in Modern Pittsburghers can jail time. The venue reached October). Collegiate night experience the city’s great out to the community to is free with a valid university

9 What We’re Thinking About Pittsburgh Venues: James Street Gastropub

My Precious Son: The Omnichord Illustration by Cindy Hsu Article by Brooke Ley and

Essays 10 The very first article I wrote for The Cut was titled “Kids’ music. The song “Clint Eastwood” by The Gorillaz takes Music is Surprisingly Good.” In it, I talked about the its drum part and bass line from the Omnichord’s “rock interesting use of instrumentation in the popular cartoon 1” option. Adventure Time. While researching its soundtrack, I learned that the show uses a type of synthesizer from the 80s Lastly, I was surprised with how versatile the instrument called an Omnichord. The instrument has buttons to select is. It can play many chords, 84 to be exact, but I didn’t different chords and a sort of “strum bar” that one uses realize how this allows for most chord progressions. to play notes within the selected chord, similar to a harp. Further, I thought that the Omnichord could only cover From the first time I heard its chiming sound, I was in songs with a very specific sound—one that fit the sound of love. I knew I needed one. the Omnichord itself. However, I have come to learn that the Omnichord, while fitting certain aesthetics better than Today, the Omnichord is still sold, but not in its original others, can work for almost any song. Chord progressions analog form—it’s been rebranded in as the fully digital with difficult fingerings on a guitar or ukulele all take the Q-Chord. But the Q-Chord wouldn’t do for me. There’s same amount of effort to play on the Omnichord—it only a certain level of charm of having an instrument from the requires that you press simple buttons. Although there 80s, not to mention the superior sound of the original is a bit of skill that might go into effectively utilizing the version. Sounds in the Omnichord start as square waves strum bar, the instrument is one that is extremely easy to and are then filtered and sent through a VCA, which gives pick up. it a warm analog sound that cannot be recreated digitally. Knowing this, I considered looking for one on Ebay, but All of this may not be enough to convince you to buy an I was discouraged by the prices I saw. Wondering if it Omnichord. I definitely enjoy mine, but it’s still not an was really worth it, I asked the The Cut’s Editor in Chief instrument for everyone, especially if you can’t rock that what his opinion was. After watching some videos of the “bedroom pop sad girl” aesthetic. Instead, my hope is instrument, he told me that it would increase my bedroom this: that if you fall in love with an instrument, you take pop sad girl aesthetic. Yes, I decided, I definitely needed the risk of buying it. Believe me—it’s well worth it. this instrument.

After months of hunting on Ebay, I was finally able to find a pretty good deal on an Omnichord—the OM-84 model to be exact. Recognizing that it was still pretty expensive, I feared that I would be disappointed with the product. After playing it for about a month, I now feel as though it is one of the best purchases I have ever made.

First, I fell in love with the sound. I’ve never heard anything like its chime; a friend said the instrument “sounds like what magic would sound like.” I can also alter the sound in ways I hadn’t realized before. One of the knobs allows you to change the “sustain” allowing the notes played on the strum bar to either be very plucky or to ring out. One can alter the “voice” of the strum bar notes, making them sound less warm while adding vibrato.

Surprisingly, the Omnichord also has a drum kit. It is horribly cheesy and 80s and I hardly ever use it, but it certainly adds to its charm. There are 10 different drum kits that can be used, each with the tempo control and an “add a bass line” feature. Although this feature is admittedly pretty goofy, it’s been used in interesting ways in popular

11 Essays Talking to Lucius

Known for their We see things when come from families of life, and that helps us per- catchy synthesizer riffs, we hear music. It’s visual artists. I think that’s form and enjoy it. But no, thoughtful song-writing, all sort of connected. an important part of our there’s not like a clear, defin- doppelgänger personas, psyche and our palette. itive line between ourselves and fantastic costumes, I listened to records and We see things when we on stage versus ourselves on indie-pop sensation Lucius I sang along with them hear music. It’s all sort of stage versus ourselves with return to Pittsburgh next (always) and taught myself connected. our families. Thursday, October 27th how to sing and emulate with new music and a everything and mimic other For a small band starting TC: Is it the case that new band line-up. The singers and get inside the out, one of the cheapest, you've changed to become Cut columnist Mark music. But as a person, I most affordable ways of more like your stage persona? Egge recently spoke with was very quiet. I was very, being something was to co-frontwoman Holly very shy. I always thought, dress ourselves and create L: You throw yourself Laessig about creating “how would I be able to do this kind of thing with into these situations and transportive live-music that? I can sing, I enjoy it, the matching outfits and you meet so many people experiences, being shy, I think I’m good at it—but I unifying our voices visually. and you have to adjust and and stage personas. would never perform. I can’t That’s where, I think, it grow. I’ve definitely grown even have a conversation stems from, and everything’s a lot since I was young. The Cut: When you play with somebody. How is that expanded from there. Like I said, I was very, very Mr. Smalls in Pittsburgh ever going to work?” quiet then, and I still feel next week (and at all of TC: When you’re on introverted, but I think as your shows), what is the But [performing] really stage and performing, it I’ve grown, and as I’ve been musical experience you are takes you to a different seems there’s a well-define put into these situations and trying to create? place. I think we’ve helped persona. Is there a clear been forced to speak up, it ourselves some that way line between your persona becomes part of you. I don’t Laessig: I went to a with putting on, sort of, on stage and who you are think it makes you a different show last night, and I was this superwoman outfit. when you're with friends person, I think it just it thinking about being on You become something and family? becomes more habitual, and stage and how, when I was else, and you take yourself therefore more natural. young, I didn’t decide to on a journey. I think, in L: No, not really. I think be a singer or performer turn, that takes everybody there’s a difference, like Lucius returns to until high school, almost else on a journey, and that I was saying earlier, by Pittsburgh on October 27 right before college. I think takes them to a different place, enabling ourselves through to Mr. Smalls in Millvale. it was Junior year of high and lets them experience costumes and visuals and Tickets are $18 and available school when I decided, something outside of songs to take us, as well as via www.mrsmalls.com “okay, this is what I want themselves. the audience, to a different to do.” I’m surprised I mental space. I think we try came to that conclusion We’re very visually driven. and go somewhere different then because, before that, Both [Jess Wolfe and I] than we would in everyday

Short Interview 12 Concert Reviews

Andrew Bird Andrew Bird is nothing if not a showman. On a brisk evening in early Imogen Todd October, he played many roles in snapshots from his newest album, Are You Serious: a friend giving brutal but needed advice on “Capsized,” a melancholic father figure on “Valleys of the Young,” and both sides of a disillusioned pair of romantics on “Left Handed Kisses”. The performance “His presence, even was a lot to handle for one man (“I’m feeling loopy tonight, who knows when he wasn’t what might happen,” he deadpanned at one point after a particularly singing, filled energetic song), but none of it seemed overdone. His presence, even Byham Theatre, when he wasn’t singing, filled Byham Theatre, the paintings of cherubs gracing the ceiling of the old theater seemed oddly in line with Bird’s the paintings of angelic musical workings. During the show, the stage lights shifted in time cherubs gracing with his transformations. Green swirls threw his shadow against the wall the ceiling of the in goblin-like proportions; blue bursts of strobe outlined his gaunt silhouette; old theater seemed warm waves of red lights painted shapes like ladybugs behind him. oddly in line with Bird’s angelic In addition to his newer works, Bird played a collection of songs from his older , devoting incredible energy and care to creating each, and in musical workings.” doing so he managed to make them all sound better than their respectives recordings. He built songs from the ground up, laying down short bursts of violin plucking, then looping those over each other until they formed a thicket of sounds. Over this, he would begin to sing, whistle, or strum a few guitar chords, continuing to loop these sounds over the previous ones until finally, the band joined in. By the end of any given song, guitars sounded like drums, violins sounded like guitars, and his vocals soared above the layers.

After a standing ovation and at the behest of a fan, Bird began his encore with “Saints Preservus,” a somewhat creepy tune with lyrics that echo Emma Lazarus’s poem at the foot of the Statue of liberty, along with this line: “I’m a stranger / In a land that’s anything but strange.” Please stay strange, Andrew Bird.

Animal Collective Animal Collective spoke in tongues from the pulpit of Mr. Small’s Theatre. Joe Sweeney The crowd, a mix of diehard fans, intrigued casual listeners (myself included), and ravers just looking for an excuse to do drugs, pulsated in the hodgepodge of sound emanating from the band. Vocals, fast-paced and upbeat synths, and a crisp drum kit made for a high energy atmosphere. Every song shared “Every song a similar motif: an ever-building stack of simplistic elements culminating shared a similar in a tornado of sound. Although repetitive (and at points aggravating), motif: an ever- this style gave way to some truly magical moments when a profound voice building stack of unobtainable with any structured approach rose from the chaos. Multiple times I found myself bored with a song, annoyed with the layering simplistic elements and unorganized intensity, only for it to mutate slightly and become culminating in a something beautiful. tornado of sound. ” Animal Collective purposely avoided the popular tracks from their latest record, opting instead for deep cuts both old and new. This was disappointing on some level, but also impressive: They didn’t need to

13 Concert Reviews rely on their hits to put on a good show. The only real interaction with the crowd occurred when they reminisced about performing at Mr. Small’s years ago, when it was just starting as a venue. Aside from this brief interlude, there was hardly a moment of silence, one song slowly growing to its climax, then quickly morphing into the next.

The music was framed by decorations and a light show akin to Basquiat, Kandinsky, and Pollock collectively vomiting on stage. The massive heads of cartoon alter egos sat behind each of the band members, and above the stage, looping claymation videos were synchronized with the beat. Together, these small stage elements added visuals that aligned perfectly with their music.

Overall, Animal Collective delivered their psychedelic- with a great atmosphere, while simultaneously distancing themselves from their past success.

Nothing But Thieves Nothing But Thieves burst onto the alt-rock scene because of front man Justin Kelly Conor Mason’s stunning vocals—and their October 22 concert proved that they don’t have much else to offer. To be sure, I was in awe of Mason’s singing. Spanning a huge range of pitch and expression, he summoned forth the high-octane power of Aretha Franklin, tempered with the vocal control “It was precisely of Regina Spektor or Bobby McFerrin. From the mumbled intro to “Itch” the brilliance of until the ethereal falsetto wailings of “If I Get High,” Mason had me transfixed. Conor Mason that illuminated his And it’s for exactly this reason that I was so disappointed by the whole show. While Mason tore through chorus after chorus with stunning virtuosity, band’s lack of his band simply fell short. Drummer James Price made exactly two facial luster. ” expressions all night – one of them a laugh at something the guitar tech said – as he pounded through the set list with little subtlety or emotion. Bassist Philip Blake reached a similar level of impotence.

It was precisely the brilliance of Conor Mason that illuminated his band’s lack of luster. His talent and energy made the band seem dull (probably to a greater extent than they actually were). I left Stage AE dreaming of what the concert might have been like if Mason had been joined by musicians of a similar caliber: sublime, without a doubt.

The opening band, The Wrecks, didn’t do Nothing But Thieves any favors. They ripped open the show with thirty minutes of electrifying post-punk jams, the whole band dancing away behind their energetic leader . Anderson’s combination of classic alt rock vocals (think or Vampire Weekend) with screamed climaxes and rapped verses made for a very entertaining opener, and the band’s driving energy made it hard not to dance. The Wrecks have only released one three-song EP, but they’re a band to keep an eye on.

Concert Reviews 14 w/The I know it’s not recommended to go to a concert for an opening act, but Hotelier and Crying when have I ever listened to what The Man says? I went to this concert Brooke Ley mainly for Crying, all of whose works I’ve really enjoyed. They put on a great, although slightly guitar-heavy, performance, and I had a lot of fun hanging with them for the interview (Check it out on page [insert page “They were very here]). They were very down-to-earth people who seemed very passionate down-to-earth about their work–you really could pick up on that in their performance. people who That being said, I really enjoyed the performances that both Hotelier and seemed very pas- Joyce Manor put on. I had listened to Hotelier and Joyce Manor a bit in sionate about their the past, but not enough to really recognize many of their songs. (I can only work–you really listen to angry/sad pop punk when I’m in a certain mood.) Nonetheless, the could pick up on palpable energy of both bands really made for an enjoyable show. Admit- that in their per- tedly, it would’ve been more fun if I knew the music of the bands; there seemed to be a certain passion in being able to shout out the lyrics along formance. ” with the band that I wasn’t able to experience.

Also, I wasn’t expecting Joyce Manor to be a mosh sort of band, but with warning from my friend, we stayed towards the back. As a 5-foot-tall girl, moshing isn’t exactly something I enjoy. However, I heard from my friends at the front that the mosh was “gentle” and what you’d want out of a mosh. I was mainly surprised by the number of people who ran on stage with the band prior to crowd surfing, which there seemed to be a lot of. Al- though I wasn’t participating, the general moshing added to the energy of a band that I would expect to be more chill and sad. To be honest, I preferred it this way, as it made for an exciting and memorable concert experience and was a new way to enjoy their music.

Concert Reviews

Concert Reviews 15 Illustration of Lucius by Jenna Houston Crying at Rex Theatre Photo by Lucy Denegre Thanksgiving Songs

Suburban Home by Silent Night by The Descendants The Wiggles Are you during back to the This was the only song suburbs for the holidays? that would make my Are you pissed about it? sister stop crying in the Play this real loud in your car when she was little. In the season parent’s car. Hopefully we can all of shitty dinner Lucy Denegre make it through a family pregames, gathering without crying. suspicious foods, "All I Want For Paige O’Riordan and that one Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey Medal of Honor by extended relative This is honestly the only You Blew It! you wish wouldn’t Christmas song I enjoy, If you're trying to fight show up to family and Thanksgiving signals with your girlfriend outside gatherings anymore, the beginning of a month of an ugly sweater Christ- these are the songs of alienating both friends mas party then this is the that get us through and family as I listen to it song for you. You Blew It! loudly and on repeat. Is in top -revival form, the holidays. Imogen Todd with one of my favorite guitar riffs of all time. I’m Coming Out by Brad Puskar Diana Ross Looking for a fun way IV. Sweatpants by to spark family drama? Childish Gambino Brooke Ley Did you finally just upgrade from the kids table to dining with the adults? Are all your cousins jealous? Leave them with a good song to show them just how little you care. Izzy McCarthy

Mixtape 18

Crying with Crying An Interview by Paige Paige by An Interview Ley and Brooke O’Riordan like writing an album is sort of like feel I pedal or a delay through life your running But had a baby. never I’ve a baby? having thing this time into of putting a lot I’m like doesn’t labor your fruit of the and like to do have you and happen immediately waiting. of a lot

19 Main Interview Main Interview 20 The Cut: You guys just a bit? and All American Rejects Maybe it’s because they’re released your first full stage, which in retrospect already happy? They don’t length album. Can you R: I don’t think we is such trash now, but I still need to use humor as a talk a little bit about were ever making a stable had this itch to be with a survival skill. Being what inspired that? amount of pay-my-rent- guitar and bopping around someone who grew up in and-loans money. Not or something. Queens, I’m just automatically Ryan: The goal was that many people get an louder and curse a lot. But always to release an album, opportunity to get label C: Where would you say is it’s funny, being in transit so but overall, the inspiration funding to make an album, your favorite place to tour? much and being drawn to for this album—Well, I so I personally thought the West coast, I feel like I’m don’t know if this band is that I should at least see E: My favorite place to losing what is familiar to me going to last. There’s no one album through before play is—I feel like we all and what I feel familiar with. telling. So I thought that I quitting. Quitting and really love the West coast. wanted to make the album getting a job that I know Playing LA is always great. C: So we mentioned dogs— that I wanted to hear in will pay rent. Playing San Francisco is what is your favorite breed middle school. always great. The Northwest of dog? E: Accountant! is awesome. We didn’t get Eliza: A lot of the album to do it on this tour but R: I’ve only been close to was written during last R: (Laughing) Yeah, it playing Austin is always one dog in particular—Brody summer and fall—in has nothing to do with the amazing. —and he was a cairn terrier. 2015. It hits on these two actual band. It was never For anyone who doesn’t universal quests. The first like “we’re all arguing all R: I agree with all that plus know what a cairn terrier is, of which is something in the time”. It’s never been Boston, and our hometown, it’s basically Toto. Which is the past—whether that like that. New York. But yeah, the also a great band. So overall, be a time, place, a state West coast feels magical. I a top tier dog. Very fun, very of mind, the condition of C: What bands were your feel like it’s also because I friendly, a great dog to get a relationship—and then favorite when you were really like it, though. to know. And I miss Brody running into a discrepancy growing up? Like what dearly. there and trying to recreate was the first band that C: What main differences things. The second of which made you say “wow, I do you see between the E: I’ve never had a dog but I is to search for solution out want to make music”? East and the West coast? did make a pact with a friend of the ordinary. A lot of to get a Great Pyrenees and my environment, whether R: The bands that made R: Well, first of all, hip hop name it Falcor. I’ve never met it would be like static at me pick up a guitar were sucks on the West coast… a Great Pyrenees but they home or on the move on AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and I’m definitely joking. I look really magical. Also is various tours, were kind of Guns N’ Roses. I don’t mean, one’s colder and it the Australian Shepherd, complicated situations— listen to any of them now, one’s warmer. One is like those ones with the magical involving interpersonal but whatever. They also beautiful in the area that eyes? They run really far and relationships on those influenced a lot of bands you’re in and then one is fast. I like those a lot. tours. That was a huge that I like. A lot of bands in beautiful when you look influence. A lot of things that time period are bands away from the area that R: I like how mine was I was reading at the time that I really, really enjoy. you’re in. personal and yours was inspired the songwriting to just like “I want the fastest, be more like storytelling. E: I listened to Dido and E: The dogs are happier on strongest, most powerful, The Cores and Celine Dion the West coast. I can attest hottest dog”! C: You said that you and Norah Jones. So I to that. The humor is really weren’t sure if the band always wanted to be a pop different. A lot of people E: No, no, not hot! I’m not was going to last. Do you singer. Then for a while say that sarcasm doesn’t attracted to dogs. I just—I care to elaborate on that there was the Avril Lavigne exist on the West coast. don’t have any pets because

21 Main Interview I feel like it’s cruel to have 1:30am and I made a few present with the album after one in New York City. designs and finally got to waiting so long. that one. I was kind of in C: True, yeah. So why did this manic, tired stupor and C: So you talked about you guys choose the band I just thought like “this is how you started off doing name Crying? definitely the most perverted, chiptune music. Listening twisted, disgusting shirt that to your album, you guys E: We were forced to! No, I’ve ever thought of” and have sort of started to just kidding. like people love that. It’s move away from that. got Sonic, Totoro, and Iron Any reason? Do you R: My goal with the band Maiden—there was almost agree with that? name was to have an easy the Monster logo but that name that no other band would have been too much. R: The first two EPs had. So we did the thing are, by definition, chiptune with last.fm where you C: What was the most because we used a Gameboy. search like last.fm/artist/ enjoyable aspect of creating The album is not chiptune and then you write the an album together? because we didn’t use a name in the url. And there Gameboy. So it’s definitely was no Crying. But Crying E: I think everyone was an absolute. The reason for itself was a suggestion a lot more involved and that though is one time I from a friend. At the same collaborative. We all was making a baseline with time, we started out doing spent about a week in the Gameboy—planning chiptune music. A common Seaside Lounge Studio in out the album. And it wasn’t pitfall of chiptune musicians Brooklyn. We kind of had the sound I heard in my is to have a really game-y this makeshift home where head. So then I was like names. And the name Crying we were all together for “why should we even have is strategic in that everyone the creative process of a restriction?” I’m going cries. And it sounds sad and recording but also a lot of to use these software has nothing to do with the songwriting happened synthesizers because why videogames. in-studio. So it felt like we not. I’m not in another were investing a lot of time band. I don’t only listen to C: In a similar vein, and being present with each chiptune. So that’s why the how did you guys come other in terms of writing new album has all of the up with the t-shirt—the the album. I feel like writing other stuff—it’s the actual Sonic/Totoro/Iron Maiden an album is sort of like sounds that I heard in my amalgamation? running your life through head and wanted to make. a delay pedal or having a R: We needed t-shirts baby? I’ve never had a baby. C: That’s all we’ve got; because we had just sold But like I’m putting a lot thanks so much for taking out of two designs. The of time into this thing and the time to talk to us! guy that is in charge of this like the fruit of your labor printing company we work doesn’t happen immediately was like “I can get you and you have to do a lot of t-shirts in a timely fashion waiting. So it’s like months from a certain shop, but and months later, you have one of your t-shirts is too to re-experience this piece. detailed, so we need to Sometimes you can’t register make a different shirt”. So that. But it’s really exciting we got to a hotel at like to come back to being

Main Interview 22 Illustration of Crying by Jenna Houston 350 350 Justin Kelly on Ringo Starr In Defense of Sh**ing Mediocrity: Rage AgainstThe I’m not sure why so many of drummers. After The people feel the need to Beatles’ appearance on the defend Ringo Starr, but for Ed Sullivan Show, sales some reason, they—do— skyrocketed for the brand just say a negative thing or of drums he used, and his two about the least talented sound crept across the world Beatle and wait for people into the ears of billions of to trot out a thin defense. people and It’s either, “He did exactly millions of young drummers. what the music needed!” or, There is no doubt that his “He paved the way for rock style played a huge part in ‘n’ roll drummers!” Both are steering the course of rock weak, but the latter drumming. THAT is the is especially dangerous. issue with Ringo Starr. He had a profound effect on The most common defense drumming, but it wasn’t a is the former, and I don’t positive one. He limited even know where to begin the range of expression to express my distaste and solidified the image of for this style of thought. the drummer as an oaf, Go listen to their recently a non-musician who remastered record Live at contributes nothing more the Hollywood Bowl and than rhythm. In pre-Ringo decide for yourself whether popular music, variation or not Ringo’s constant, and creativity were abundant washy pounding of the among drummers (see Gene cymbals is exactly what that Krupa, Sammy Davis Jr., Joe music needed. Music does Morello). Then came The not “need” one drum beat Beatles, the most popular or another. Language like band in the world, and they that implies that a song had a drummer that only or performance is like a played one beat. And, sadly, Sudoku puzzle, and all that low level of musicianship the musicians need to do became what the world is figure out exactly what expects of drummers. notes go where. Music is not arithmetic, even if Ringo’s banal style might lead you to think so.

Defense number two is actually valid, and that’s the scariest part. Ringo— did—pave the way for lots

350-Word Articles 24 350

In Kanye West’s 2004 song music has relatable for a non-Christian artist to “Jesus Walks,” he raps that aspects to it outside of the make a song with religious “They say you can rap Christianity, and although influence that could Brooke Ley Brooke about anything except for it is a distinct part of his become popular despite Jesus. That means guns, rap, it is not necessarily listeners’ differing religions. sex, lies, videotape. But if I the main feature in all of Drake tackled this a bit

Music talk about God my record the songs. Further, the with him having a bar won't get played, huh?” Christian parts of his songs mitzvah in his At the time, this song was are still extremely well for “HYFR”, but I would praised for its openness made; it’s hard to deny the be interested to see how of faith within a non- beauty in the opening verse non-Christian religions Christian genre, but whether of “How Great.” could be integrated into through Kanye’s influence music specifically. or not, Christian beliefs are Sufjan Stevens differs from now more frequently seen Chance in this respect. On in non-Christian genres or Google, his album “Carrie

Christianity in Christianity at least music enjoyed by and Lowell” is listed under non-Christians. the genre “.” However, I would argue “Non-Christian” “Non-Christian” I was thinking about this in that the entirety of the terms of Chance the Rapper album is about God and and Sufjan Stevens in other Christian topics. particular. Chance’s latest album “Coloring Book” Rather than including has a pretty clear gospel relatable non-Christian influence to the point that aspects in his tracks, Sufjan when you google it, the instead makes the Christian 350 listed genre is “Christian God relatable regardless of hip hop”. However, I faith. Although a song like struggle to associate “No Shade in the Shadow “Coloring Book” with of the Cross” is one with distinctly Christian music. clear Christian influence, I wouldn’t expect to turn it is mainly about self- on my local Christian destructive behavior and radio station to hear “How succumbing to self-fulfilling Great” playing despite the prophecies, a relatable fact that the majority of theme regardless of religion. the song is a choir singing a hymn. I also enjoy the There is also a certain album as a non-Christian degree of “normality” that and know many others Christianity holds within who share this sentiment. American society that other I think this is mainly due religions fail to achieve. I to the fact that Chance’s think it would be difficult

25 350-Word Articles 350 with Illustration by Jack Taylor Bradley Puskar Memes Norf Norf So the other week, this violent, more kid- shouldn’t be on the radio is really sweet white lady unfriendly, than in the just wrong. If you’re a parent decided that it was a good old days? The short and you don’t like the songs good idea to film herself answer is no, it isn’t. Rap kids are listening to, then reading the lyrics to Vince has been on the radio don’t let them listen to it. Staples’ “Norf Norf.” She for years, and you can’t That’s the power parents created the video after make this argument if hold, in case everyone hearing the track being you remember classics forgot. It’s honestly pretty played on a Top 40 radio like Kanye’s “Slow Jamz” rude to think that a station station her kids happened from 2004, or 50 Cent’s would put into place even to be listening to. In the “Candy Shop” in 2005. more censorship rules just video, the nice woman These songs are literally because someone is offended kindly reads every word just about having sex, so as a parent. of the song, being reduced come on. Radio today’s to tears at multiple places, just as inappropriate as it Staples commented on and then delivered her used to be. the whole situation, after message: stop playing all enduring a barrage of fan this inappropriate hippity My main gripe with her tweets. Surprisingly, his hop on the good, clean decision, however, is only complaint was toward radio. She believes that pretty simple. Who does his own fans. He reminded music has become filthy this woman think she is, everyone that people simply and inappropriate for her telling people what should have opinions, and it isn’t young children. Let’s talk be allowed to be played right to make fun of them about it. on the radio. It’s public, for how they want to parent made for the masses (most their children. Smart move, First off, this woman of which are adults), and Vince. 350 makes a pretty compelling anyone thinking that argument, at the surface. a song isn’t specifical- Are top 40 tracks more ly appropriate for kids

350-Word Articles 26 350 Album Reviews

A Seat at the Table returns song, “Weary,” is aptly This emotional journey by Solange from a four-year absence titled: she’s unstable and continues throughout with , questioning her place in the album. It becomes a wonderfully constructed the world, and calling on more redemptive, more account of the Black the audience to do the celebratory, and more experience in America. same. “Weary” leads right empowered. Solange The album is comforting into “Cranes in the Sky,” has great dexterity: she and inviting, with its tight an impressive highlight. knows exactly what she’s harmonies and gentle Solange cycles through doing, and she succeeds in funk dominating the a list of distractions communicating what her soundscape. from her worries: “I struggles have been. tried to dance it away/I All songs are directly tried to change it with Solange created one of the about Solange’s my hair/I ran my credit best albums of the year: experiences with her card bill up.” Over a the production is perfect, culture and race, and simple percussion line and it is paired with this extremely personal and a soft bed of strings, such a strong perspective touch makes her work it is a melancholy, yet and voice. There is no hyper-specific to America also redemptive, look way around it: this is an in 2016. Every song is at solitude and how important album. She informed by her Black to repair in times of provides solace, which experience, and to great stress. She nudges the is no small task, and she effect. The album unfurls audience to be mindful never wavers from being a David Dwyer along this thematic of themselves, and it is beacon of empowerment. narrative. The first proper nothing if not beautiful.

Never Hungover Again Since their signing to The latest record encounter with a girl by Joyce Manor Epitaph records, and lengthens things up, who likes Kanye a little subsequent release of featuring their first track too much, and “Last You previous album Never over the four minute Heard of Me,” which Hungover Again, Joyce mark, “Stairs.” However, tackles the concept of Manor has taken on a the songs keep the relationships and how more clean cut, polished intensity high, cramming easily they go wrong. sound. This refinement is easy-to-follow stories Overall, the album is a still clearly visible on their into each of the ten cuts. wonderful step forward newest album, Cody, but Standouts include singles for Joyce Manor, wherein Bradley Puskar they still keep the punk like “Fake ID,” in which they continue to refine edge that makes them a singer Barry Johnson their soundAlbum and mature great rock band. recounts a romantic their lyricism. 27 Album Reviews Reviews Yes Lawd! I’ve always been match made in heaven, Gaye album for the by NxWorries disappointed with “cloud combining the talents of modern generation, with Album rap,” because although producer Knxwledge and lyrics and instrumentals it combines rapping and vocalist Anderson .Paak. that are fully aware of vaporwave (two genres I Knxwledge compacts their sensuality. Though love), I’ve always found .Paak’s scattered vocal the lyrics border on Reviews the vocals unfitting styles into a more vulgar at times, .Paak’s for the vaporwave coherent form, while smooth voice delivers instrumentals. I wasn’t .Paak adds a new, sexy them perfectly. Even sure what I was looking layer to Knxwledge’s if you’re not looking for in the vapor wave vaporwave influenced for a sultry album, I’d Brooke Ley and vocals combination instrumentals. And when recommend Yes Lawd! for until I found it in Yes I say sexy, boy, do I mean its excellent instrumentals Lawd! NxWorries is a sexy. This is a Marvin and vocals alone.

Gameshow I’ve always been match made in heaven, Gaye album for the by Two Door disappointed with “cloud combining the talents of modern generation, with Cinema Club rap,” because although producer Knxwledge and lyrics and instrumentals it combines rapping and vocalist Anderson .Paak. that are fully aware of vaporwave (two genres I Knxwledge compacts their sensuality. Though love), I’ve always found .Paak’s scattered vocal the lyrics border on the vocals unfitting styles into a more vulgar at times, .Paak’s for the vaporwave coherent form, while smooth voice delivers instrumentals. I wasn’t .Paak adds a new, sexy them perfectly. Even sure what I was looking layer to Knxwledge’s if you’re not looking for in the vapor wave vaporwave influenced for a sultry album, I’d Cassandra Howard and vocals combination instrumentals. And when recommend Yes Lawd! for until I found it in Yes I say sexy, boy, do I mean its excellent instrumentals Lawd! NxWorries is a sexy. This is a Marvin and vocals alone.

Eyelid Movies When Phantogram first album lacks originality and is “You’re Mine,” which by Phantogram released Eyelid Movies in instead feels like a whiney has the clarity and edgy 2009, the small, relatively diary, filled with scattered punch of Phantogram’s unknown duo breathed a thoughts and feelings. earlier work. While it’s fresh sound into the music The instrumentals are honorable for musicians world. Now a festival overdone and muddled. to experiment, Three is staple, Phantogram is The songs render an image not the kind of experi- edging towards the of bored artists hurling ment that reveals creative mainstream. Their newest colors onto a canvas that discovery or spark. It’s Katherine Apostolou album, Three, is an combine to make a muddy long, it’s dull, and it’s unfortunate consequence brown. The one track that disappointing. of this trend. The unfocused stands out from the mess Album Reviews Album Reviews 28 Joyce Manor at Rex Theatre Photo by Lucy Denegre www.thecutmagazine.com The Cut Magazine Issue 43 November 2016