Freshman Press
Internet welcomes newcomers to Hollywood
Blinding spotlights; hot, sweaty fans; a six-digit record label contract and your voice broadcasting across radio stations everywhere.
As surreal as it may seem, the possibility of finding fame is not impossible this day thanks to our dear friend, the Internet.
Earn your indie cred
A bevy of fresh faces have just arrived on campus eager to embark on their journeys towards degrees. I invite all Wash. U. students to add a different (yet, also impressive) credential to their resumes. My indie-music education began several years ago with days spent perusing local CD shops, evenings spent in small, smoky underground venues and nights spent pouring over MySpace and last.fm.
Dungen
Dungen’s sound is the brainchild of Gustav Ejste. The group performs as a five-piece, but Ejste is responsible for playing most of the instruments and vocals on recordings. Dungen evokes a psychedelic, classic rock sound. Although the classic rock genre usually calls to mind British and American greats, Dungen is Swedish. Never mind that the lyrics aren’t in English; the music is incredibly melodic, complicated and captivating. The foreign lyrics make for a fantastical sensation and listening to Dungen is a trip.
| img | Dungen’s most recent albums are “Ta Det Lugnt” (2004) and “Tio Bitar” (2007).
Tracks to download: “Panda,” “Mon Amour,” “Du e fâ€r fin fâ€r mig,” and “Gor Det Nu” |
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear’s experimental, folksy sound is evocative of Iron and Wine with slightly more backbeat. There are winding journeys of lengthy guitar strums, piano keys and even clarinet. The band masterfully combines electronic instruments with traditional. The sound of Grizzly Bear can be incredibly calming; they are a great artist to listen to while lounging in bed, reading a book or studying.
| img | This Brooklyn quartet has released three albums on Kanine Records: “Horn of Plenty” (2004), “Horn of Plenty (The Remixes)” (2005) and “Sorry for the Delay” (2006). They have also released “Yellow House” (2006) on Warp Records. Tracks to download: “Don’t Ask,” “Fix It,” “A Good Place,” “A Sure Thing,” “Little Brother,” “Knife” If You Like: Iron and Wine, Now It’s Overhead |
Man Man
Crazy, brilliant and playful all at the same time-Man Man is nearly indescribable. They are a three-ring circus captivated in sound. This band incorporates a myriad of instruments into their funky sound. Nonsense lyrics and lively beats overlapped by xylophones, guitars and synth makes for something ridiculously original. Man Man is highly regarded for their outrageous live shows. They decorate their instruments with knick-knacks and feathers and the whole lot dresses in a matching monochromatic scheme with face-paint.
| img | Man Man has released two albums: “The Man in a Blue Turban with a Face” (2004) and “Six Demon Bag” (2006).
Tracks to download: “Engrish Bwudd,” “Black Mission Goggles,” “Van Helsing Boombox” |
Mono
For an entirely instrumental band, Mono’s post-rock sound is remarkably captivating. Their music is mellow and haunting. This Tokyo-based band features layers of guitar work accompanied by drums and the occasional piano key. Their songs are very long, somewhat like a modern-day orchestra. It’s a perfect lullaby for adult ears.
| img | Mono has released four albums: “Under the Pipal Tree” (2001), “One Step More and You Die” (2003), “Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined” (2004) and “You Are There” (2006).
Songs to Download: “The Flames Beyond Cold Mountain,” “Com(?),” “A Thousand Paper Cranes” |
Voxtrot
Voxtrot’s infectious pop-rock beats are uplifting, captivating and soothing all at once. Vocalist Ramesh Srivastava’s sweet voice speed-sings yet articulates every lyric perfectly, demanding attention for the words. Layers of guitar and bass compliment the drum-driven music.
| img | The Austin band only has one full length album, “Voxtrot” (2007) and three self-released EPs. Every one is worth owning.
Songs to Download: “Loan Shark,” “Brother in Conflict,” “Kid Gloves,” “Raised by Wolves” |
Zac Efron: Disturbed or just doing his job?
What happens when you take a Broadway musical, a star-studded cast and a screenplay missing a few plot points from the original score? A highly entertaining, though slightly creepy, feature film.
“Hairspray,” which came out in July 2007, recreates the 2002 Broadway hit that won eight Tony Awards.
Student-run theatre: how to get involved as a freshman
With so many ways to get involved in theatre on campus, freshmen have many opportunities to participate. In addition to the Performing Arts Department’s annual performances, there are also many student-run dramatic groups that everyone is welcome to audition for.
Feast on local music and bring your own dishes to share
Local bands have always been a thing of wonder: a close fan base, raw sound and mild theatrics, all located within a claustrophobic, dingy setting.
Apart from the rare exception, most of these bands never leave the local stage, regardless of the expanse of their fan base.
What do rankings really mean?
We live in a competitive society. We’re constantly comparing cars, electronics, grades and even people. But is what we’re comparing really the same or are we trying to find a link between apples and oranges? As incoming freshmen, we’re extremely familiar with the college application process and how competitive it really is.
Campus dining options do not promote healthy eating
If you’re a college student, or if you’ve ever known a college student, or if you live pretty much anywhere in North America, you’ve probably heard of the “Freshman Fifteen”-the not-so-mysterious weight gain that supposedly afflicts college freshmen. Researchers disagree as to whether this trend is real-some studies have shown it to be a myth while others have shown it to be real and remarkably widespread.
Out of reach?
What’s that noise? It sounds a little like a pulse. Maybe it’s the speakers next door? Perhaps the movers dropping heavy boxes after trundling up a flight of stairs? Or is it something else?
It is all of these things and more-it’s getting to know your roommates, suitemates, the kids next door, the kids on your floor and everyone in between.
Freshmen look to Student Union for campus improvements
As freshmen arrived on campus, many already had expectations for Washington University’s Student Union, ranging from Internet concerns to interest in fun events.
Students repeatedly mentioned the topic of Internet service as a major concern.
Students upset with unwanted sub-free housing
Although more than 250 freshmen were assigned to substance free dorms this year, not all of these residents requested to live in them.
“That’s not fair. If I didn’t ask for it, it’s not my responsibility [to comply with the contract],” said a freshmen living in a substance free dorm who desired to remain anonymous.