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(12/11/02 3:46am)
Musician Graham Colton has all the makings of an up and coming rock star. Performing songs from his debut self-titled album he showcased his unique style and talent Thursday night at Axis.\nStudents filled the club for a charity concert featuring Better than Ezra. While most are familiar with the sound of BTE, the opening act, The Graham Colton Band, was a creative surprise. \nThis was the second time the Dallas-based band played in Bloomington this year. The Graham Colton Band came to IU touring with the Counting Crows in October. Opening up the set, 21-year-old Colton commented to the crowd, "Last time we were here we were awakened to hear about the infamous IU porn scandal."\nThe five-member band played songs from their independently recorded CD. Colton sang mesmeric ballads like "Killing Me" which was reminiscent of an Oasis sound. Drum-driven songs like "Jessica" featured a catchy chorus that brought even first time fans to singing the chorus by the end of the song. The Graham Colton Band has the ability to create songs that sound comforting and somewhat familiar, while using a creative and fresh style that's purely their own.\nAfter listening to their set, it was evident by their artistic style who some of their influences are. \nColton said, "I think that we're influenced by everywhere from Tom Petty, Travis, and Coldplay to Oasis and The Beatles." \nColton said he describes their music as "roots rock." \n"It is under the broad spectrum of pop rock which is basically any band that isn't playing death metal," Colton said.\nSince forming the band last year, Colton said they have written between 30 and 40 new songs. For their next album, they plan on focusing more on an organic sound with piano and acoustic guitar driven songs.\n"Cigarette" is one of the new songs that was played Thursday night. It's beautifully crafted and was written with the help of Kevin Griffen from BTE. \nColton said, "It was one of the easiest songs to write. We wrote it in less than eight minutes."\nCurrently, fans can only buy The Graham Colton Band's CD online at their Web site, www.graham colton.com. However, lots of fans are trading songs on the Internet. Colton said he is supportive of the Internet as a tool to download music.\n"Some of the songs we play that aren't even recorded yet have great fan support. Going half way across the country and having people sing songs back to us is pretty remarkable." \nWhile they are thinking about record label options, Colton said he does not want to rush into anything. Instead, he said the band would like to focus on new material and create another album.\n"Everything is happening so fast for us right now. We're just taking it one day at a time because this is all new to us."\nThe Graham Colton Band will be back in Bloomington some time after the new year. This is a great new band to check out.
(10/17/02 5:30am)
Who hasn't had a craving for some unidentifiable food? In the midst of a studying break, you might find yourself staring at the refrigerator, as if expecting it to answer your hunger pains. "Midnight Snacks," a cookbook written by Michael J. Rosen and Sharon Reiss, attempts to offer a solution to your cravings. The book promises to provide "150 easy and enticing alternatives to standing by the freezer eating ice cream from the carton." While all the recipes I tried were delicious, unless you live in a grocery store, chances are you will not have the ingredients necessary to prepare the enticing dishes.\nRosen and Reiss gear the cookbook toward college students and young professionals, but I've yet to find a college student who has Norwegian smoked salmon in their fridge, which is the main ingredient needed for "Smoked Salmon Wedges." This is just one example of the ingredients that this cookbook assumes you have on hand.\nIf by chance you do have a wide variety of odd ingredients in your kitchen, you're in luck and will be able to make wonderfully simple dishes. My favorite was Impromptu Pizza. The pizza calls for seven ingredients. The only ones I already had were salt and pepper. While I did have to go to the grocery store and spend quite a bit on fresh mozzarella and fresh basil, along with the other ingredients, I found the final product to be satisfying. All the fresh ingredients blended together nicely to create an enjoyable entree. Minus the time spent at the grocery store, the actual preparation and bake time were brief.\nAnother recipe I enjoyed were Buckeye Bars. They have a peanut butter base with chocolate on top and are very similar to peanut butter cups. While I actually had more of the ingredients involved in this recipe (peanut butter, graham crackers and chocolate chips) I did have to make a run to the grocery store for unsalted butter, confectioners sugar and brown sugar. These took a little bit longer to make but were worth the effort.\nIn addition to food dishes, "Midnight Snacks" even includes self-care sections like "late night rehab," which offers energizing drinks like Ginseng-Sling and "spa night," which consists of relaxing remedies like Japanese Sake Bath. Even with these sections, chances are you'll have to hit up the grocery store before embarking on your cooking adventure.\nOverall, this is a really good cookbook, as long as you understand that it will not live up to its claim of providing late night snacks to college students. If you are interested in getting an out of the ordinary cookbook, then this is for you. Most of the recipes seem new and original, yet simple to create. If you love to cook, check this book out, but if you want an alternative to "standing by the freezer eating ice cream from the carton," order pizza.
(09/26/02 5:06am)
Between balancing a hectic course load and maintaining a vibrant social scene, enjoyable reading is often put off for winter or summer break. It's tough keeping up with daily class reading assignments, let alone, a book for pleasure. Here's where "Little Engines" comes to the rescue.\n"Little Engines, Issue Two" is a literary magazine with various short stories, interviews, illustrations, comics, and random excerpts. This highly creative magazine offers a twist to the typical short story, delving into the realm of underground music, porn, car accidents, and love, to name of a few of the topics.\nThe authors contributing to the magazine are young and fresh. Even their bios are cleverly written with raw humor, foreshadowing the inventive style and technique used throughout their work. Often it is hard to get drawn into short stories since the plot moves so quickly without time for elaborate character development. The stories in "Little Engines" prove otherwise.\nOne of my favorite pieces was freelance journalist David Drury's short story titled "Foster." He uses an imperative writing style in his story, commanding the reader on a journey. He places the reader as the main character in the story as he paints a visceral scene outside a liquor store in Albuquerque. Through only a few pages, Drury offers character development and drags the reader unknowingly to a surprise ending. I left the story feeling satisfied and astonished with the outcome.\nIn addition to the short stories, "Little Engines" compiles creative comics. In the section titled "Animals I've Invented," Tony Larson composes a list of 22 imaginary animals like "moose vulture" and "cornrow caterpillar." Then, in the following pages titled "evidence" Larson draws and describes these fictitious animals. Short sections like these are a fun solution to down time between classes.\n"Little Engines" even takes a subtle crack at the ever-popular store Abercrombie and Fitch. Josh Golden contributes excerpts from the "Abercrombie Look Book," which are guidelines for employees of the store. These excerpts are compiled into a short list for easy reading. Interesting rules, such as, "The customer sees the natural Abercrombie style and wants to be like the Brand Representative," are insightful to the Abercrombie corporation.\nOverall, "Little Engines" is the perfect answer to light reading during the school year. The work compiled is thought provoking and creative; something fun to read and discuss with your roommates. This literary magazine definitely gives your brain a stimulating treat outside the classroom.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The Academy Award-winning movie "Breaking Away" is one of the few things that has put the small, quiet town of Bloomington on the map. The film focuses on the annual Little 500 bike race, and while most IU students remember it for its location, the film's score was perhaps its greatest aspect. \nPatrick Williams, the composer responsible for the Oscar-nominated score to "Breaking Away," will be at IU today through Monday to hold auditions for the Henry Mancini Institute, a program for which he is the artistic director. The Institute is an educational program on the UCLA campus that prepares musicians for a career in the music industry by exposing them to various types of music. While in Bloomington, Williams will also attend a viewing of "Breaking Away" and hold an open discussion of his musical score Sunday. \nIn addition to composing the score for "Breaking Away," Williams has composed music for more than 150 films, records and concerts. With his four Emmys, two Grammys and other awards and nominations, Williams is an accomplished musician. He has worked with greats like Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond, but he considers a piece of concert music he wrote in 1976 his greatest musical accomplishment. He said "An American Concerto," which was written for jazz and symphony and recorded with the London Symphony, is both bold and impulsive. \n"I like moving around," Williams said. "I've written classical, big band, film scores and jazz. I like doing a lot of different things."\nHe said he is excited about the auditions with the Henry Mancini Institute, which is in its sixth year of existence. While in Bloomington, Williams will audition students from the School of Music to participate in the program. The Institute selects more than 80 musicians overall for a four-week summer program. Williams said he was excited to audition such talented students.\n"The IU music school is one of the best music schools in the world," Williams said.\nWilliams said he is looking forward to coming back to IU, a place he hasn't been in more than 15 years. Although he has never seen a Little 500 race, his bond with Bloomington strengthened during the filming of Breaking Away. He flew to Bloomington for a few days during the shooting and got the chance to spend time in town.\nThe IU Student Foundation will sponsor the Sunday night screening of "Breaking Away." IUSF president Jonathan Purvis said he is excited about Williams' arrival.\n"IU has one of the best music schools in the country, and it's good because IU students have the opportunity to be exposed to this world-renowned musician," he said.\nPurvis said he considers "Breaking Away" to be a significant movie for IU because it brought the school national recognition. He said Williams' visit is appropriate because Little 500 is approaching and IU students will get a chance to meet the man who was a part of the movie.\nThe movie is still an important part of the Little 500 tradition for IU students. Sophomore Jeremy Mitchell called "Breaking Away" a classic.\n"It's a must-see for all IU students," he said.\nMitchell agrees with Purvis that the movie is great exposure for the community.\nThe screening and discussion will take place Sunday at 6:30 p.m at the IU Foundation Showalter House. Admission is free for IU students.
(03/07/02 4:17am)
It's a Thursday night, and eight women gather in a room gossiping about boys, school and their weekend plans. They wait for a few other friends to arrive. This could be any typical group of college girls, but what makes them different are their voices.\nLadies First is the only women's a cappella group at IU. Formed in 1999, they perform popular songs without instrumental accompaniment. Sponsored by the IU Alumni Association, Ladies First performs around Indiana as alumni representatives. They also compete in national a cappella competitions.\nLadies First has four two-hour rehearsals each week. On this particular night, the chatting ends as the clock hits seven. Director, senior Nora Colwell, silences the group and runs over plans for a Saturday fundraiser event in Brown County.\nAfter the brief discussion, the women begin practicing the songs they plan to sing for the fundraiser. These songs include popular ones such as "Falling" by Alicia Keys and "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent." Each number features a different soloist while the other members sing backup.\n"We are a group devoted to contemporary a cappella singing," Colwell said. "We do a lot of songs that other female groups wouldn't touch."\nLadies First also competes against other female a cappella groups each year in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. It consists of four competitions. This year, Ladies First won first place in the quarterfinals and they will compete in the semifinals March 9 at the University of Illinois.\nIn addition to their competitions, Ladies First has other achievements to be proud of. They have a CD out that features their a cappella singing. The CD, Ticket to Anywhere, has been nominated for four contemporary a cappella recording awards, including a nomination for best female collegiate album. The awards will be announced April 1.\nColwell said she is happy with the nominations and the group's hard work.\n"I'm really proud of our latest album, Ticket to Anywhere," she said.\nThe album is available through the Alumni Association Web site and is also sold at performances.\nLadies First is also included on a compilation CD, Best of College A Cappella (2002). BOCA is an annual album that features the top college recordings of each year. Ladies First's version of the Destiny's Child song "Independent Women" is on the album.\nWhile Ladies First sings popular covers, the group arranges all the songs themselves. Colwell said each member plays an integral part of the group.\nSophomore Kelli Grant is a first year member in the group. Grant sang in high school and at first wanted to become a music major, but decided to go into journalism. Despite her major, she said, she wants to continue singing in college.\n"I'd rather just sing, rather than learn to sing," she said.\nGrant first heard the group perform at Culture Fest her freshman year. She said she enjoyed listening to the group and decided to audition.\n"There were only four spots open, but I auditioned and made it," Grant said.\nSenior Mickey Seidenstein, member of the male a cappella singing group Straight No Chaser, has seen many Ladies First performances. He said he knows the women well.\n"The girls in Ladies First have a work ethic that is something to truly be proud of," Seidenstein said. "They deserve all of the successes they have accumulated lately and over the last few years." \nLadies First will have auditions March 25 and 26 for next year's group. Any woman interested in singing is encouraged to try out. She should prepare one song, preferably pop, that shows off her solo voice. An accompanist will be provided. The location is to be announced. Interested women can contact Ladies First at IUladies@indiana.edu.
(02/27/02 4:36am)
The lights dimmed and the screen lit up. As the name Patrick Williams scrolled down onto the screen, the audience applauded.\nBloomington residents and IU students gathered Sunday night at the IU Foundation Showalter House to view the Academy Award-winning movie "Breaking Away." The IU Student Foundation sponsored the event in honor of Patrick Williams, who composed the score for the film. He visited IU Friday through Sunday to hold auditions for the Henry Mancini Institute.\nIUSF president Jonathan Purvis opened the evening by introducing Williams.\n"Patrick Williams is one of the most versatile composers in the music industry," Purvis said.\nWilliams was given a plaque by a Little 500 rider on behalf of Mayor John Fernandez. The plaque declared Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002 as Patrick Williams Day in honor of his accomplishments as a renowned composer and his Academy Award nomination for the score of "Breaking Away."\n"Breaking Away" tells the story of four Bloomington teenagers who question their futures after high school graduation. In an effort to unify the campus and town, IU officials decide to create a local town team to race in the annual Little 500 bike race. The movie shows the emergence of the Cutters, today an independent IU team that races in the Little 500. The entire film is shot in Bloomington.\nWilliams said he is proud of the film and its production.\n"It's a little jewel of an American film," he said. "One of those rare moments when everything works together so beautifully."\nAfter the film viewing, Williams remained to answer questions about the movie, his career and the Henry Mancini Institute, which is a free educational program on the UCLA campus.\nAlthough Williams had no idea the film would be such a big success at the time, he said he admits it is very touching.\n"This is such a good movie, I actually teared up watching it," Williams said. \n"Breaking Away" touched many people. Bloomington residents Kem and Mary Haukins attended the screening Sunday night and have a special connection to the movie. When IU graduate Kem Haukins' job transferred him and his family to Denmark, his family used "Breaking Away" as its link back to Bloomington.\n"Along with our children, missing the States, we used to rent the movie and play it frequently," Mary Haukins said.\nWilliams discussed his process for composing movie scores. He said he usually tries to watch the movie a few times before he begins to compose the score.\n"I try to watch it myself and see what's moving me about it," Williams said.\nHe said there should be a balance between the score and the film. The score must accompany what is going on in the movie without taking too much attention away from the plot.\nIn addition to discussing the film, Williams also commented on the Henry Mancini Institute. The Institute has existed for six years. Its summer program objective is to expose students interested in careers in the music industry to various types of music.\nHe said it is very important for students who want to become studio professionals to learn to play eclectic styles of music.\nWilliams went to 11 cities and held 13 auditions for the Institute.\n"I wanted to get a feeling for what is out there at auditions," he said. "I've been very impressed. I'm excited about the talent we're going to have this summer"