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Home , Channel Orange, Chet Faker, Dog Days Are Over, Florence Welch, Gin Wigmore, Iggy Azalea

MEET NASTY HABIT

CHERRY BOMB REVIEW

MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY 20 WATTS | 1 01 // THE CITY -

02 // YESTERDAY - ATMOSPHERE

03 // GRINDIN’ - CLIPSE

04 // AFRICA - TOTO

05 // GRAVITY - TURNSTILE

06 // CLUSH - ISLES & GLACIERS

07 // R U MINE? -

08 // CLARK GABLE - POSTAL SERVICE

09 // CAROLINA - SEU JORGE

10 // NO ROOM IN FRAME - DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

11 // JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL - CARRIE UNDERWOOD

12 // A WALK - TYCHO

13 // SEDATED -

14 // HEY YA! -

15 // MY BODY - YOUNG THE GIANT

16 // DREAMS -

17 // PAST LIVES - BØRNS

18 // PLEASE DON’T - LEO STANARD

TWEET @20_WATTS WHAT 19 // TOTALLY FUCKED - JONATHAN GROFF YOU’RE LISTENING TO! 20 // TUBTHUMPING -

Cover Photo by Adam Gendler 2 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 3 20 WAT TSSPRING 2015

WE ASKED:

WHAT IS YOUR EMOJI STORY?

LYNDSEY JIMENEZ RIKKI SCHNEIDERMAN ADAM GENDLER JANE DEPGEN PHIL DECICCA EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR MULTIMEDIA CREATIVE DIRECTOR HEAD DESIGNER

MIKEY LIGHT SAM HENKEN JACKIE FRERE TIFFANY GOMEZ JOEY COSCO JAKE LIBASSI FEATURES EDITOR ASSISTANT FEATURES FRONT OF BOOK PHOTO EDITOR DIGITAL DIRECTOR WEB EDITOR

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS:

KAITLIN GRENIER COLE HOCK TOMMY ENDE KENNY ENDE ERIN SINGLETON CAROLYN SAXTON KATIE CANETE JIM COLEMAN WILL SKALMOSKI COPY EDITOR REVIEWS + PUBLICIST PUBLISHER MARKETING SOCIAL MEDIA 4 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS

08 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

10 THE FIVE

11 EAR TO THE GROUND

12 ON THE GRIND

13 PLAYLIST // 20 WATTS GOES ABROAD

15 BACK FROM THE DEAD

16 DROP THE MIC // SEXUALITY IN MUSIC

18 A DAY IN THE LIFE W/ NASTY HABIT

22 WHAT IS EDM?

24 2015: THE YEAR OF HIP-HOP

26 REVIEW // CHERRY BOMB

28 Q&A // RICKY SMITH

31 HEADSPACE

34 DIY, YOU WON’T

38 FUSION FRENZY

42 BACK OF BOOK LETTER

6 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 7 There’s a lot that goes into making a magazine — a lot of arguments, a lot of cuts, a whole lotta shit that you probably don’t even think about as you’re holding this book in your hands right now. When you’re sitting down at the beginning of the semester, thinking about how the hell you’re going to get better when half of the campus isn’t aware that SU even has a music maga- zine, putting out a magazine is equivalent to climbing Everest. It sounds like a fucking awesome idea, but the execution doesn’t go quite right.

That leaves me in an interesting place that very few people are able to understand. Every success, even the smallest ones, are huge. I don’t try to masquerade 20 Watts as the next , and I sure as hell know we don’t have the appeal of some of the other publications on campus. We’re a group of kids brought together by a passion for music that surpasses everyone but the Bandier kids. We’re kids that love the magazine so much that we’ll fight for it and fight for it harder than Boeheim against the NCAA sanctions.

This fight in us makes us a little scrappy, sure, but it only serves us better in the long run. It teaches us that we aren’t entitled to anything and that if we want something, it’s up to us to go out and get it. We don’t believe in instant gratification, and that’s the best thing we might have behind us. We under- stand the work that goes into things and we know that what we put in is what we’re getting out of it.

Looking back at what we churned out this semester, this theme continues throughout the book. Artists have fought for years to be comfortable in their own skin (see page 16) and broke through some walls to destigmatize mental illness in the industry (see page 31). Like us, these people found it inside of them to fight.

Revel in the small things, even Beyoncé didn’t win a Grammy in a day. LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

8 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 9 BY RIKKI SCHNEIDERMAN TAU BETA DELTA SIGMA ALPHA SIGMA PI PHI OMI BEYONCE BACKSTREET BOYS LINE 01 JAMES BAY attitude, like on “Race Jones,” or with her KE$HA gorgeous ballads, like “What Is Love.” Who: A small-town­ Brit with big­-city musi- cal chops and a haunting voice. SEE ALSO: EMELI SANDE What you’re hearing: Whispering vocals 04 GRIZFOLK filled with emotion and skillful storytell- Who: Globetrotting five-piece:­ this newly- ing. Listen to “Let It Go” or “Hold Back founded group includes a Floridian singer­ the River” for an idea of this English- and two producers from Sweden. TO THE man’s true vocal skill. What you’re hearing: An effortless blend- SEE ALSO: BEN HOWARD EAR ing of pop-­happy synthesizers and strong 02 SAM HUNT vocal performances. Electric sounds guide their tracks (“Hymnals”), but the band GROUND Who: A country crooner with more than 20 WATTS VENTURED ONTO WALNUT AND COMSTOCK AND ASKED just a pretty face and some cowboy boots knows how to return to bare-bones­ sound INDIVIDUALS IN SORORITIES AND FRATERNITIES ON CAMPUS WHO THEY’RE who is trying too hard to mix pop and (“Cosmic Angel,” an acoustic cut). LISTENING TO. SOME GAVE PERSONAL FAVORITES, AND OTHERS SHARED WHAT THEY LISTEN TO IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAPTERS. country genres. I see you, Luke Bryan. SEE ALSO: What you’re hearing: Hunt has light- 05 ZZ WARD hearted fun without smothering sappi- ness in “House Party” and addresses Who: A Pennsylvanian bombshell social issues in the standout track “Take who sings, writes, and is also a multi­ Your Time.” instrumentalist. Because life isn’t fair. SIGMA SEE ALSO: THOMAS RHETT What you’re hearing: Smoky, deep vo- PHI BETA CHI cals that take command over every SIGMA 03 V. BOZEMAN track. Ward’s voice and musical prowess DID YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST MAKE THE LIST? Who: A feisty singer with a powerful shine through most prominently in her CHAINSMOKERS TWEET US @20_WATTS range whose high-­pitched trills sound edgy, fast-paced­ tracks like “Put the Gun LANE 8 TO TELL US WHAT YOU’VE almost inhuman. Down”, but also soften for her slower TCHAMI BEEN LISTENING TO. What you’re hearing: A performer who tracks (“Last Love Song”). MEEK MILL can stop any show with her howling SEE ALSO: GIN WIGMORE

10 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 11 ON THE GRIND 20 WATTS GOES ABROAD WHY GO ABROAD WHEN 20 WATTS CAN GO FOR YOU? ON THEBY JAKE LIBASSI GRIND ON THEYou know that one song?GRIND The Nobody actually enjoys standing song that you just get? The one around with a Silver Bullet in their that you TURN THE FUCK UP hand while awkwardly tapping TO?!?1! ON THEtheir feet to a song they don’t GRIND even like. Every time you walk You know that person on the into some strange house on dance floor? The one that you Euclid cruising for the oppositeON — THE GRIND just fucking want? or matching — genitalia, you have That song and that person repre- that one jam in mind. Once Dar- PANAMA THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH sent the pinnacle of your night. ius opens up his big fat fucking Despite lacking a full-length , this SWEDEN As far asON anyone is concerned, THEmouth to croon “Wagon GRINDWheel,” electronic three-piece­ has quality orig- A guy from Dalarna, Sweden managed your night didn’t really start until you might as well live there. inal work compiled into two extended to make a lasting impact on the inter- Andre counts to three. plays. Panama is featured on Australia’s After years of research and national community. Vocally , home to art- compared to a young , Kristian You know all the words. inquiry, I’ve found that there are ON THE GRIND ists and Chet Faker. Aside from Matsson (aka The Tallest Man On Earth) in fact no words for this track. their standout original songs like “Always” You’re confident as fuck. Therefore, I hereby decree that shares his love for nature and, well… and “How We Feel,” Panama’s of this magical canticle be known love. His new album Dark Bird Is Home is You walk right up to that boy/girl ON THE GRIND Clubfeet’s “Cape Town” (not featured on as the “bid song.” set to release May 12th, making this his and grab them by the hips. Those either EP) has been in standard rotation first release since 2012. hips don’t lie. You pull them close You enter the party a GDI. You for a few years now, and it’s a perfect for “LITTLE RIVER” and they pull you closer. ONleave a brother. THE GRINDsummer jam for simply kicking it. It’s time. “HOW WE FEEL” LITTLE SIMZ Pelvis meets pelvis. Tongues After collaborating with some of the CANADA tango. Hand meets butt. You’re POMO hottest up-and-coming producers in the ON THE GRINDPomo isn’t your average producer working probably not going home with game, specifically Souleciton members this person, but as far as you’re from his bedroom and watching YouTube IAMNOBODI and Sango, many have concerned, that person is the tutorials to learn how to DJ. His musical taking notice of U.K. rap artist only one in the world.ON THE GRINDknowledge and talent with instruments Little Simz. Her strong British accent was plenty enough reason for Vice’s and undeniable swagger give her the Fuck everyone else, this music channel THUMP to name him ideal traits essential for standing out in acne-ridden behemoth is the ON THE theGRIND breakthrough Canadian producer of a flourishing hip­-hop scene. One listen to most beautiful person you’ve 2014. With his mix of 70s/80s , hip her voice and you’ll be hooked. ever met. And that bass line is hop and organic sounds, Pomo distances “MANDARIN ORANGES (FEAT. WALDO)” enough to get you hard on its own. himself from mainstream dance music. ON THE GRIND “START AGAIN” 12 | 20 WATTS ON THE GRIND 20 WATTS | 13 Not even a year after her band’s sopho- Florence + The Machine really shined - more album went platinum, singer Flor- was written after splitting ence Welch of Florence + The Machine from her longtime boyfriend, and the al- issued a surprising announcement: a bum bears a cold and scathing emotion year off. that only Welch’s voice could achieve.

Concerns about the future of the band Now, it’s not like Welch had totally immediately surfaced, as is the case disappeared – her collaboration with with any hiatus. Why a year? What if it , the addictive “Sweet Noth- becomes longer? Who could replace this ing,” received significant chart attention, presence in music? and the group contributed to a few films. But these teases were no “Kiss With A The latter concern proves to be the great- Fist.” The full impact of Florence + The est one – stands as one Machine lies within their own music. of the most distinct voices of mainstream indie music, unique and immensely pow- erful. Welch’s distinct vocals restructure and define any track she’s involved in. IN SHORT, Florence Welch is In short, Florence Welch is irreplaceable. irreplaceable.

Which is why the announcement of her WHICH IS WHY THE year-long hiatus was troubling, but for ANNOUNCEMENT OF HER die-hard fans it wasn’t surprising: Welch YEAR-LONG HIATUS WAS suffered from depression between TROUBLING. Florence + The Machine’s smash debut Lungs and then Ceremonials, the band’s second LP. Hopes were rejuvenated in mid-June of In Welch’s absence, music began to last year, when Welch confirmed a third change. Adele disappeared. Ariana studio album, How Big, How Blue, How Grande grew up (and got naked) before Beautiful was in the works, with “What our very eyes. began per- Kind of Man,” as the first single. The forming with Tony Bennett, of all people. song is catchy, but it’s the lyrics chroni- ’s ass became a thing. cling a tumultuous and abusive relation- ship that echo loudest in this track. BACK FROM THE DEAD Overall, music began to lean towards empowerment and strength - which is If this first single (as well as the group’s all well and good. Of course, Welch sang headlining slot at ) is any about all of these things: “,” indication, Florence + The Machine florence & the machine “,”etc. But it was her are back with a vengeance. And they BY RIKKI SCHNEIDERMAN | ILLUSTRATION BY JANE DEPGEN lesser-known ballads of lament where wouldn’t have it any other way.

14 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 15 ARE WE BEING SOLD OUR OWN SEXUALITY? DROP THE MIC 20 WATTS’ FEATURES EDITORS TELL US WHAT THEY THINK. BY MIKEY LIGHT Girl.” Why is it controversial? Because it BY SAM HENKEN Ocean essentially disappeared from the deals with nebulously subjects. spotlight until he announced his new When I say that , and Commodification as defined by the album Boys Don’t Cry, set for release sexuality in general, are commoditized Remember last year’s ? ever-reliable source Wikipedia is “the in July. Channel Orange sold decently, by the music industry, I’m not saying la- They put two-thirds of the Luftballons worth transformation of goods and services, as but no real attempt has been made to bels are slapping big “THIS GUY IS GAY” of gay people on stage and paraded them well as ideas or other entities that may not make Ocean a massive commercial star. stickers onto . around during what should have been the be considered goods, into a commodity.” His one potential sponsorship, an ad most special moment of their lives. And Based on this definition, if homosexuality Let’s take a trip back to 1972. In an campaign with Chipotle, fell through. the song that started all of this shit, “Same is being commodified by the music indus- interview for the now-defunct British Love,” doesn’t even do anything to promote try, where are all the gay people? music publication Melody Maker, David Hip-hop remains without a major ho- homosexuality in the first place. In fact, Bowie (of Labyrinth fame) not only mosexual voice, much less one that is opens the song by reaffirming That’s not to say that the LGBT commu- announced that was he bisexual, but “marketable.” For instance, openly gay his own heterosexuality. nity is not represented in music. There rapper Cakes da Killa remains relatively that it was “the best thing that ever are a host of artists that fall under the happened to [him].” This announcement lol. umbrella of “LGBT music,” but I don’t unknown, despite praise from critics. If la- came with a massive media surge, know any of them. You probably don’t bels were trying to commodify homosexu- But it’s okay, right? Because “Stay With and it defined him until 1983, when he either. The “genre” of LGBT music ality, they would sign more LGBT perform- Me” is so much more powerful when claimed heterosexuality in an interview remains a small niche. ers and market them on their sexuality. for , another now-defunct you learn that it’s about a dude, and music publication. is pretty good for someone The gender of the subject of a song is Sam Smith is another artist whose ca- who’s both gay AND black. not a huge deal. People aren’t looking reer broke before of the clos- Now, Bowie carries quite a bit of musical up the meaning of a song JUST to know et. He appeared on Disclosure’s hit song clout in my book. In fact, to call him one WHY DO WE FUCKING CARE?! the sexuality of the singer. And to say “Latch,” which made him a household of the most influential musicians of the Who gives a shit about an artist’s sexuali- that homosexuality is being used to sell name. He, like Ocean, came out right past 50 years wouldn’t be a stretch. So ty? Why does it matter? We as a society records? I just don’t believe that. before the release of his debut album. why should one of the most important obsess about the personal lives of the people in the history of modern music Frank Ocean rose to fame on the Smith’s In the Lonely Hour was a wild people who devote themselves to enter- be defined by their sexuality? strength of his nostalgia, UL- success both critically and commercial- taining us, and feel the need to inject TRA, and a few days before he released ly. The album netted him four Grammys. Because sex sells. And homosex sells ourselves and our own personal prejudic- his debut album Channel Orange, However, Smith’s album sales hardly even better. es into absolutely everything they do. Ocean published an open letter discuss- differ from any other major pop album. Think about it. Whenever somebody When the music industry all of the ing a relationship with a man with whom “might have the gay,” our society loses sudden starts to promote homosexu- he said he was in love. As with any Homosexuality is just another dimen- its collective shit. Media executives mar- ality and alternative sexual lifestyles in controversial announcement, there was sion of who an artist is. While this as- ket this to tremendous effect. Katy Per- general, it’s telling us that “now it is ac- a huge response from Ocean’s fans and pect of their identity may capture media ry’s career is based off of the success ceptable to be gay.” In actuality, it never the press that was mostly accepting of attention, labels are not falling over of her “controversial” single “I Kissed a should have mattered in the first place. his decision to publish the letter. each other to find the next LGBT star.

16 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 17 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF NASTY HABIT(BY NASTY HABIT)

When they’re not tearing up the local skate park, you’ll find the guys of Nasty Habit headlining clubs across the country. Barely in their twenties, the Syracuse-based hard rock band is a shining example of what happens when you drop everything to chase - the dream. If the hundreds of thousands of plays racked up online don’t hint at suc cess, just ask their die-hard fan base. They traded the dorm room for a 12-passenger van and hit the road to play kickass shows from coast to coast. What’s a day in the life with Nasty Habit? Who better to show you than the guys themselves.

18 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 19 20 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 21 doing this and has even built his career clubs, thus birthing techno, house, and around it; , The Knocks, other sub-genres of EDM. RAC, and plenty others fuse sounds in their live performances as well. However, there was a clear division be- tween these club-central sounds and One of the magical aspects of electron- mainstream pop sugarcoated for the ic music is its ability to transform an public. Moby, The Chemical Brothers, already-established genre through re- and were leading artists who mixes and samples. For example, Gryf- blended mainstream and underground fin’s remix of ’s “Talking Body” in the ‘90s. By the new preserves its original chorus and basic millennium, other major artists encom-

HTTP://BEARAVE.COM/ melody, but renovates its complexion passed the scene, such as , to one of ‘indie dance.’ Electronic artist , Tiesto, and . WHAT IS EDM? Rameses B’s remix of Holly Drummond’s “Diving In” takes the The timeline of electronic music high- song and crafts an ambient, spacey lights the vastness of its evolution in BY ERIN SINGLETON criticism from media outlets and older drum & bass track. Likewise, Manila Kil- terms of genre, production, and context. generations alike. As a music enthusiast la’s take on Dawn Golden’s “All I Want” However, the media’s critical lens di- I’m assuming the phrase “it’s a fantas- of all genres, with a plethora of concerts fashions a futuristic tropical-house re- minishes electronic music’s history and tic era in music to be alive” is probably under my belt, I can safely say that the mix that boasts an uplifting tone. So if makes it easy to stereotype and gener- not the most common phrase you’ll hear electronic music scene is misunder- EDM is capable of adding such dimen- alize EDM as the party scene. A type of nowadays. In fact, I anticipate eye rolls stood. It is possible to be a straightedge sion, why are we looking at EDM strictly music once niche and underground saw from parents in response to the sound of EDM fan. It is possible to attend an EDM through the raving scene lens? an expansion to festivals and raves, and our thunderous beats and basses, cou- concert without wearing a bra and high- has since expanded further. pled with the cries of hipsters proclaim- lighter- tutu. And it is possible to en- Part of the issue is with the name itself. ing the “real” music scene is dead. What joy the music out of a party context – I’m EDM is less about “D” and more about EDM isn’t important just because it’s at else is new? Well, let me repeat myself: listening to it as I write this. the “E & M.” Electronic music can be the forefront of our millennial music in- what a damn fine music era to be alive. listened to now, not just danced to. The dustry — rather, that’s a fraction of the Electronically-produced music has spectrum is expanding, proving that elec- beauty. It’s important because we have Don’t agree? grown into a norm over the past decade, tronic music generates a massive genre. access to a sea of talented artists wait- Well, let’s start here: what is the first worming its way into nearly every genre. The ‘60s brought synthesizers, and while ing to be discovered. It’s important be- thing you think of when you see the Mumford & Sons, for example, are exper- the music was not necessarily “dance,” cause of our capability to blur the lines words “?” Many imenting with electronic sounds in their it introduced an essential flair to rock between genres. It’s important because perceive electronic dance music, or upcoming album, Wilder Mind, depart- music. That flair continued with the ‘70s, of the endless choices we have as listen- EDM, as a group of drugged-out, near- ing from their signature banjo sound. It which introduced funk and artists ers and fans. Take advantage of those ly-naked ravers covered in fishnet tights, should be applauded, not frowned upon, like Sly & the Family Stone and Kool and accessible opportunities and explore bandanas, “kandi” beaded facemasks, that the technological world has made the Gang, who further questioned the for yourself. Uncover a type of music and neon studded bras, which is truly a possible the creation of such music. norm with innovative sounds and digi- you never knew existed. See the world shame. The EDM scene is alive, thriving, Many musicians now create fusions of tal production. By the ‘80s, disc jockeys of electronic music beyond what you al- and showing no signs of slowing down mind-blowing music full of richly blend- were prominent in the dance scene, us- ready think of it, and absorb the voice anytime soon. However, it has met harsh ed, organic sounds. Avicii is a known for ing turntables to sample songs in dance and genre of our generation.

22 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 23 and important. The album debuted at leader of a versatile band. In addition to #1 and received unanimously positive previously released tracks, awe-inspiring reviews. To Pimp A Butterfly will reign as live performances indicates nothing the most influential rap album of 2015, short of excellence. Look for the Chance and will certainly be a favorite for both to make news as a superstar without a Album of the Year and Best Rap Album record label, too. at the Grammys next February. “SUNDAY CANDY,” “HOME STUDIO” “I”, “WESLEY’S THEORY,” “KING KUNTA,” “ALRIGHT,” “U” 2015 HONORABLE MENTION SO HELP ME GOD, SILVER MEDAL (YET TO BE RELEASED) IF YOU’RE READING THIS IT’S TOO LATE, DRAKE By the time this magazine prints, we may have experienced a new Kanye It’s tough to discount a rapper that West album in its entirety. Until then, can land every track on his mixtape in we can only speculate on what Yeezy THE YEAR OF HIP-HOP the Billboard 100 — a feat only accom- will include on his new release. Though plished previously by . Drake his singles have charted high, critical crafts club hits with ease, and this latest response has been less than comple- BY WILL SKALMOSKI | ILLUSTRATION BY JANE DEPGEN release is no different. This mixtape mentary; however, it is hard to imagine also takes on an individualistic, contem- a less than excellent Kanye West album. plative theme that adds a certain depth Until then, we can only hope for his best to the work. album yet. In 2014, hip-hop experienced an off Here are the top prizes for 2015’s year. As Iggy Azalea ruled the charts game changers: “ENERGY,” “LEGEND,” “10 “ALL DAY,” “ONLY ONE” with “Fancy,” rap fans spent a year BANDS,” “KNOW YOURSELF,” “6 PM IN NEW YORK” speculating on their favorite artists’ new GOLD MEDAL projects. The Grammy category for Best TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY, Rap Album lacked excitement, with Em- Here are some emerging hip-hop BRONZE MEDAL acts to watch in 2015: inem’s lackluster The Marshall Mathers SURF, CHANCE THE RAPPER LP 2 taking the award. Rap’s reigning king of the West dropped AND THE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT DAYE JACK FETTY WAP his latest album as a surprise on In 2015, we are faced with an entirely (YET TO BE RELEASED IN FULL) Monday, March 16 — a week before PELL DEJ LOAF different situation. Current hip-hop its scheduled release. As fans flocked Though we have yet to hear Surf in its kings — many deemed living legends TWO 9 OG MACO to download the album on iTunes, entirety, Chance has released several — are poised to take over the world they were met with an instant clas- tracks on SoundCloud that bode well for VIC MENSA of music. Some releases have proven sic. A tumultuous 2014 inspired an the upcoming LP. The 21-year-old MC, worthy of the hype; however, many are album centered on self worth, a theme in tandem with the Social Experiment K CAMP TOWKIO still to come. adopted by music fans as both timely (SoX), looks to gain traction as the

24 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 25 production style. “BLOW MY LOAD” song that goes harder than any not surprisingly conjures Goblin-era Tyler song ever. Kanye and Lil graphic lyrics. Wayne appear on “SMUCKERS.” 20 WATTS REVIEWS: Kanye comes in singing and spits Parts even conjure up the feelings an unreal verse highlighted by the and sounds of . “2SEAT- line “You can’t lynch Marshawn if ER” alternates between Tyler’s Tom Brady throwing to me.” Wayne aggressive style of rap and a break- and Tyler trade lines toward the end TYLER, down with female singer. The song of the song, and its hard to beat a concludes with an outro with a gui- Weezy feature. THE CREATOR tar solo loaded with phaser effects and mentions of Mac Demarco, The album concludes with “OKA- CHERRY BOMB who Tyler has said he’s a big fan. GA, CA.” The and a half minute song only features a small amount One new wrinkle in Tyler’s style is and almost defies genre the use of a pitched up effect on altogether, changing its sound many of the songs on the album. throughout, a microcosm of the The lead single of the album, album itself. BY SAM HENKEN “FUCKING YOUNG/PERFECT” at first sounds like it can’t be Tyler, Cherry Bomb shows Tyler, the Cre- Listening to Tyler, the Creator is an ADD fever dream. The dream but it is and the catchy hook fea- ator’s maturation as an artist, but always an experience. Since his gets even more hazy as nearly turing Charlie Wilson will get stuck keeps his childish tendencies. His debut mixtape, Tyler has made the every song has a drastic change in your head, even if the lyrics are beats are more complex and blend music that he wanted to make. In halfway through, such as the fucking weird. ”KEEP DA O’S” has a mixture of genres seamlessly. the case of his new album Cherry title track “CHERRY BOMB,” that Tyler rapping in that voice making But the lack of focus in many of the Bomb, that album is far from your sounds like hardcore punk until fun of of rap music songs and some repetitive beats average rap album. light synthesizers break through over a crazy beat that eventually show he still has some growth to the grime and a sweet female turns into a soulful breakdown. go. Fans of Tyler, the Creator will For years Tyler has discussed vocal part brings the song to a be split, as they were with Wolf, how he is more influenced by happier place. In the place of features from his between those wanting jazz and and R&B than rap, and it shows fellow members, Tyler those wanting rap. For fans of in an album that spans too many At the same time, what you ex- got features from some of the Tyler’s softer work, Cherry Bomb is genres to count. From the opener, pect from Tyler’s previous album biggest names in hip-hop. ScHool a step forward. However, fans of his “DEATHCAMP,” which mixes rap is there. “BUFFALO” samples Pu- Boy Q goes in on his verse in “THE earlier work may be left waiting for and punkish guitars to “FIND sha T’s “Numbers on the Board” BROWN STAINS OF DARKEESE a rap album. YOUR WINGS” that is straight and features the synth sounds LATIFAH PART 6-12 (REMIX),” a up jazz, the album listens like that have come to define Tyler’s

26 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 27 What are you working on now?

RS I’m working on an EP and collabo- rating with some EDM producers. I’m about to release a video that I worked on with Loud and Clear. It’s a cover of “Who’s Going to Save My Soul” by Swedish House Mafia that we filmed at St. Paul’s Church. I’m doing a few performances on campus, too.

What did you do during your BY JACKIE FRERE year off? Ricky Smith, a freshman in the Bandier RS I deferred a year after I got into the program, is a jack-of-all-trades. He has Bandier program because I wasn’t acted professionally, created a nonprofit sure if I wanted to go. I went to organization, and taken a year off of , which was pretty cool, school to travel. But now Smith means and started to form some business business. He wants to focus on his and philosophical ideas. I started music career, which starts with collab- to think that the world was really @TWENTYWATTS orating with artists and recently signing bad, so I thought, if I could fix the with a manager to promote his image. world, if I was given the power to 20 Watts sat down with Smith for five create something to solve all the minutes to find out what got him started problems that are wrong in the and where he’s headed next. world right now, what would I do? I also experimented with psychedel- Who is Ricky Smith? ic drugs. I matured a lot.

RS I sing, produce and write songs. How would you describe I started in the entertainment your sound? industry as a child — I played in a Broadway show — and I start- RS It’s a combination of a lot of differ- ed taking music seriously as a ent things, because that’s who I am sophomore in high school. I took a as a person. It’s almost a lot of con- year off of school after high school tradictions, even. I’m black and His- to record and think about my life panic and I’m from the city. There’s LET’S a little bit. After I got to Syracuse I a lot of conflicting things about me was contacted by Max Gredinger. as a person, and I feel like my mu- We started talking, and he officially sic reflects that. Very influenced by signed as my manager in Decem- soul and R&B from the 1960s. And ber. He manages the group AER, then in 2015, we’re in a time that’s and we’ve been working together very collaborative — and I’m excited since then. to contribute to that.

28 | 20 WATTS SNAP20 WATTS | 29 Kurt Cobain was diagnosed with mensely difficult to deal with. Strug- bipolar disorder at a young age, ac- gles with mental health once made cording to his cousin, Bev Cobain, it impossible for musicians to have an advocate for suicide prevention. long, healthy careers. Nowadays, mu- Bipolar disorder existed within his sicians aren’t only facing and over- family history, but he never sought or coming their mental illnesses, but received treatment for it. they’re also working to end the stig- “As Kurt undoubtedly knew, bipolar ma attached to the bigger picture. illness can be very difficult to man- age, and the correct diagnosis is crucial,” said Bev Cobain. “Unfor- tunately for Kurt, compliance with SELL THE KIDS FOR FOOD, the appropriate treatment is also a WEATHER CHANGES MOODS, critical factor.” SPRING IS HERE AGAIN, REPRODUCTIVE GLANDS. Still today, there are negative conno- tations aligned with mental illness. -NIRVANA, “IN BLOOM” Harvard Medical School reports that 25 percent of adults deal with some form of mental illness, but two-thirds of those affected never seek help. initially functioned Mental illness is a common , as the principal songwriter for The but due to social stigma, people are Beach Boys. His time with the band hesitant to speak up. marked an incredibly prolific period between 1963 and 1965, during Now, the stigma is being attacked which The Beach Boys produced nine head-on. 20 years after Cobain’s albums and nineteen singles. This pe- death, the music industry has taken riod of work culminated in 1966’s Pet up the responsibility of fighting men- Sounds, often considered one of the tal illness stereotypes. Not only are musicians more accepting of their is- best albums of all time. sues, but some are addressing their During this success, Wilson began experiences publicly. Their message experimenting heavily with drugs as is clear: if you suffer from mental ill- a means of coping with his stress. ness, it’s okay to ask for help. His experimentation included psy- The stress and attention associated chedelics such as LSD, which initial- BY SAM HENKEN with being a musician can be im- ly provided inspiration for his work.

30 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 31 “At first, my creativity increased more younger artists are taking it one step their first album, Manners, he spent combat the stigma of mental illness than I could believe,” Wilson said in further, using their fame as a plat- five weeks in a mental health facility. in the media. reference to LSD during a 2011 in- form to help others deal with their When the band started to work on Angelakos recently became a terview with . “On the own issues. their second album, Gossamer, stu- spokesperson for Bring Change 2 downside, it fucked my brain.” The lead singer of Passion Pit, Mi- dio difficulties sent Angelakos into a Mind, another organization that The drugs caused Wilson to hear chael Angelakos, was diagnosed with two-month-long manic episode. Ma- deals with the destigmatization of voices in his head - voices that have bipolar disorder when he was 18. He nia, an element of bipolar disorder, mental illness, and starred in a PSA. not gone away since. Wilson stopped kept that fact out of public knowledge is a state of grandiosity and racing “Once I started accepting my mental working on the follow-up to Pet thoughts, according to the Diagnos- because he didn’t want people to link condition, it like stung for a little bit Sounds, titled SMiLE, and was diag- tic and Statistical Manual of Men- his music to his condition. and everything improved,” he said nosed with bipolar schizoaffective tal Disorders. Because the mania in the PSA, targeted towards men disorder and depression. Instead of is conducive to drug and alcohol coping with mental illness. “When seeking help, he secluded himself abuse, Agelakos binge drank to cope people ask me what its like to live and self-medicated with more heavy CURRENT, YOUNGER with his state. bipolar, you just have to adjust and drug use. Despite living in and out of ARTISTS ARE TAKING IT After this period, his girlfriend finally figure out exactly how you’re gonna the spotlight for 15 years, Wilson did ONE STEP FURTHER, convinced him to see a professional. live your life the way you want to not seek help for his issues until he USING THEIR FAME AS Angelakos was able to return to work achieve it. Achieve what you want married his second wife in 1995. A PLATFORM TO HELP on the album after he stopped drink- to achieve but you can only do that OTHERS DEAL WITH Wilson now writes and releases mu- ing, as his new producer requested. when you get help.” THEIR ISSUES. sic on a fairly regular basis, and is The band eventually finished Gossa- vocal about how he copes with his mer, but cancelled tour dates follow- illness. He even finished SMiLE, ing the 2012 release so that Angela- kos could focus on his health. which he had abandoned at the on- “The reason I never came out about set of his illness in 1967. With the it in the years beforehand was be- Since then, Angelakos has worked rebirth of his career, Wilson wants cause I didn’t want mental illness to erase the stigma that comes with to combat the negativity associated to inform how people listen to the mental illness by being open about with his condition. music and then read into it as being, his struggles. Before deactivating his “I say ‘We Shall Overcome,’ I use you know – this is the sound of bi- account, he retweeted mes- that all the time.” he said in an inter- polar,” he said in an interview with sages from mental health organiza- view with Ability Magazine. “We shall Timeout Chicago. tions and sent encouraging tweets overcome all the bad notions people to fans suffering from the same As a result of his disorder, Angela- have, the preconceived notions.” problems he dealt with. In 2013, An- kos attempted suicide once when he gelakos received the Beatrice Stern Wilson rejuvenated his career by was 19, and continued to struggle Media Award at the Erasing the Stig- accepting his issues and dealing with suicidal thoughts into his twen- ma Leadership Awards, awarded to with them in a healthy way. Current, ties. Before Passion Pit released individuals who have chosen to help

32 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 33 IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT...DO IT YOURSELF.

BY JOEY COSCO REPORTING BY MIKEY LIGHT PHOTOS BY ADAM GENDLER

One of the funny things about music is that it encompasses both the acoustic cover of ’s “The First Cut Is The Deepest” you recorded with your roommates, and Beyoncé’s latest stu- dio album. In the past, these two re- cordings are a huge distance away. But in 2015, the difference between these two situations is growing smaller and smaller - with the Internet, it’s getting increasingly easier to “do it yourself.” Here’s a guide on how to DIY and take your music project from the dorm room to iTunes and beyond.

34 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 35 SQUARE Besides paying for your cappuccino more: Gold says Square takes a sig- KICKSTARTER at Kubal, you can use Square for nificantly smaller chunk of your prof- That big one. With more than two ing production quality, the group set many things, including selling re- its compared to similar services. dozen music projects funded in Syr- out to create a better effort. The cords. All it takes is a picture of your merch and a free account and you’re “That’s crucial. That’s how you get acuse alone, Kickstarter is a great sticker price for a passable record- the money,” Gold says. way to raise some scratch for your a ing: $10,000. Orange Appeal then good to open your own store. What’s cappella group’s album, your band’s listed their album on Kickstarter. music video, or even your first tour. TUNECORE “I didn’t think we were gonna do it Alex Shenkman, a Syracuse se- to be honest,” Shenkman said. “But You wrote your stuff. You recorded a fast track. You don’t have to worry nior and a capella group Orange nineteen kids raised over $10,000, your stuff. Now it’s time to sell it. about going to every single website.” Appeal’s music director, says after and we raised that really fast.” Tunecore will let you do this at low prices while still reaping rewards. For a small annual fee, Tunecore recording an album with disappoint- will distribute your music catalog to “You can release one song, one al- iTunes, Spotify, Music, and bum,” Gold says. “It’s an easy way to a dozen other places people actually PLEDGEMUSIC get your music out there. They have look for an buy music online. For a non-Kickstarter crowdfunding op- “Artists are more interesting when tion, consider PledgeMusic. This site they’re creating something than when carefully words its purpose. Instead of they’re selling something,” President SOCIAL MEDIA ADS funding an artist’s project, PledgeMu- and Founder Benji Rogers says. Everyone knows Twitter and Face- talent buyer and promoter Matt Dunn sic allows users to pre-order your al- book, and obviously it’s important for says. “Social Media works.” Therefore, PledgeMusic should help bum and then “unlock” perks, usually your budding music project to have a you market yourself and your most insight into the creative process. presence on these types of social Since Facebook’s algorithm prevents interesting. sites. Perhaps more importantly: 100% of your fans from seeing every actually coughing up a little cash for post, paid ads can help you reach on social networks. your full potential. BANDCAMP “Paying for advertising on Twitter Keep your fans happy and upload cuse band Sophistafunk uses Band- works. It just does,” Syracuse Shows your music to a site like Bandcamp camp to distribute free downloads to that allows free streaming. Then you people who come to shows and grab While reporting this article, frequently-heard advice included the following can charge set prices or let fans pay their business cards. tips: tour often, use music blogs to your advantage, and, of course, make what they want for your stuff. Syra- sure your music is solid. Combining an old fashioned musician’s perfection- ist work ethic and 2015’s many marketing tools, there’s no reason you can’t do it yourself and get your project off the ground.

36 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 37 WHY HAVE ONE GENRE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THEM ALL? // BY JAKE LIBASSI

Today, the music industry is seeing saturated, artists must find ways to a term that’s been thrown around construct completely unique sounds, for years finally establishing itself in which means defying typical genre mainstream sound: genre-bending. conventions. Crossovers between Technological advancements make jazz and electronic, rap and funk, it easier than ever for artists to rec- and even country and EDM exempli- reate any sound, instrument, and fy how current artists aren’t afraid to noise imaginable. The industry is so experiment. For some, it’s a way of

38 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 39 infiltrating new fan bases in order to cessible points for people who don’t bahtoon, deep house, dubstep, big- ones making the biggest changes reach a certain level of commercial typically like this genre. There’s a room house, and trap, respectively.” in the industry. And no, I’m not re- success. For others, genre-bending fair chance your parents would en- ferring to DJ Snake and Lil Jon. It’s Cohan also bends genre barrier in is a way of expressing originality. joy Kygo or Klingande because their Goldlink, Kygo, Dylan Francis, and his own music, experimenting with take on electronic is Cohan leading the charge. Industry professionals, like leg- hip-hop, , and indie rock to likely light and blended with relat- endary producer Rick Rubin, no- as a producer. He’s been producing Next time you go on a hunt for new able genres such as jazz and disco. ticed these creative minds early on electronic music since high school, jams, try to shed your preconceived and took it upon themselves to aid Rafe Cohan, a Syracuse University exploring various genres to get a notions of traditional genres and dive grasp on the basics before honing into the extensive ocean of music them in developing their “futuristic” student artist known professional- in on his own distinct style through that exists because of genre-bend- sounds. Rubin has taken select art- ly as White Cliffs, has noticed this sound design and sampling. His in- ing. Don’t like country? Maybe you ists under his wing who he believes trend across the industry. challenge the single-genre standard, fluences range from electronic sub- would if you heard it melded with hip- demonstrating show how significant “Recently in electronic [music], genres to classic rock to reggae. hop. Don’t like hardcore? Maybe you there has been a massive correla- would if you heard it with jazz. The this transformation is. “My dad put me onto a ton of Bob tion between commercial success possibilities are endless, and all you Marley and music as Rapper and 2014 Bandersnatch and ‘owning’ a subgenre. The last have to do is venture out to find them. a kid, and I have definitely tried to performer Goldlink is one of Rubin apply that warm, vintage, imperfect protégés. He teamed up with an- aesthetic to what I hope to develop other Rubin disciple. Together the as my signature sound,” Cohan said. two teamed up to release “Sober “ Thoughts,” the video of which Bill- CURRENT ARTISTS His diverse musical taste plays a board.com described as “slightly AREN’T AFRAID TO huge role in the music he creates, surreal…whose casual, eclectic vibe whether it’s listening for inspiration- perfectly matches the laid-back EXPERIMENT al purposes to aid his creative flow, synths and melodic hook.” This is or directly pulling a sample from an real. This sound is working. And right existing piece of music and rework- now in electronic music it’s essential. ” ing it to his liking. Electronic music has had a remark- “For example, ‘Go With You’ by Toro five years of electronic music, if able impact on the genre-bending y Moi is a recent example of a com- looked at from a distance, is noth- craze, both within its own scene as pletely organic piece of indie-rock ing more than a series of subge- well as various other music scenes that provides an unexpected back- nres being pioneered,” Cohan said. due to its versatile nature. Simply bone for one of my upcoming proj- “Artists like Dillon Francis, Oliver put, it is a piece of our generation. ects,” he said. Heldens, Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Saxohouse and tropical house, for and RL Grime have all laid claim to The artists who have been working example, are relatively new styles their own subgenres such as moom- to push these boundaries are the of electronic music which act as ac-

40 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 41 THANK YOU! THEO CATEFORIS FACULTY ADVISOR

MELANIE STOPYRA OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

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42 | 20 WATTS 20 WATTS | 43 SPRING 2015 YOUR STUDENT FEE 44 | 20 WATTS