Melisma Summer 2014

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TUFTS’ PREMIER JOURNAL OF MUSIC SUMMER 2014 VOL 12.0 Melisma

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Transcript of Melisma Summer 2014

Page 1: Melisma Summer 2014

TUFTS’ PREMIER JOURNAL OF MUSICSUMMER 2014

VOL 12.0

Melisma

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Interested in writing, art or design? Questions, comments, adulation or hatemail? email [email protected]

4,30:4(EDITOR IN CHIEFMitch Mosk, A’14

EDITORS IN CHIEF 2014-15Jessica Mow, A’15Jordan Rosenthal-Kay, A’17

ART & LAYOUT DIRECTORMoira Lavelle, A’16

MANAGING EDITORSRebecca Sinai, A’16Grant Fox, A’17 CONTRIBUTINGWRITERSGabriel Terracciano, A’15

CONTRIBUTINGPHOTOGRAPHERSJay Dodd, A’14Justin McCallum A’13

Find us online at www.melismamagazine.com

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T he Fall 2013 semester saw the naissance of a cohesive undergraduate music culture that continued to grow and solidify this spring. Both DIY concert efforts on campus

(Applejam) and school-sponsored events (remember the Granoff All-Nighter?) highlighted some of the university’s most talented undergraduates.

Melisma is committed to delivering the freshest insights from both our university’s music scene and its immediate surroundings. Through both print and digital media, Melisma seeks to cultivate and expand Tufts’ musical palate.

This edition of Melisma underscores the history and diversity of music culture at Tufts. We looked back and uncovered the story of music producer and Tufts alum Obey City, talked to WKH�YLYDFLRXV�QHZFRPHUV�6KDUN�6DGGOH��DQG�UHÀHFWHG�RQ�WKH�SROLWLFV�RI�&KLOHDQ�IRON�PXVLF�

We hope you enjoy this issue, and we hope you check out our facebook page: facebook.com/melismamagazine or tweet us @melismamagazine.

Sincerely,

Mitch Mosk, Spring 2014 Editor-in-Chief, and the Fall 2014 Melisma Editorial Staff

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3 HIPSTERS, DADS, & GHOSTS AT THE SOMERVILLE THEATERBy Jordan Rosenthal-Kay

8 THERE CAN BE NO REVOLUTION WITHOUT SONGSAn Essay on Musical Power, Responsibility, and ChileBy Gabriel Terracciano

10 OBEY CITYTufts Alum Sam Obey started djing in base-ments around campus, and now he’s one VM�)YVVRS`U»Z�ÄULZ[�WYVK\JLYZBy Rebecca Sinai

14 BEYOND THE STAGEStudent Composers at TuftsBy Jessica Mow

16 EDITORIAL: THE STATE OF HIP-HOP AT TUFTSBy Grant Fox

2 MELISMA TALKS TO WALDO�6U�WSH`PUN�:WYPUN�-SPUN��ÄSTPUN�[OLPY�ÄYZ[�music video, and scoring commercialsBy Jordan Rosenthal-Kay and Grant Fox

4 BAREFOOT WITH THE DIRTY RIVER STRING BANDBy Jordan Rosenthal-Kay Mitch Mosk

6 INTERVIEW WITH SHARK SADDLEOn playing music together, their dream festival lineup, and why Joe Biden would be the best Band DadBy Grant Fox and Jordan Rosenthal-Kay

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SUMMER 2014VOLUME 12

20 STWO AT THE MIDDLE EASTBy Jordan Rosenthal-Kay

MELISMA���SUMMER 2014���CONTENTS�����

18 MELISMA’S TOP 10 SUMMER ALBUMS

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WALDO

Melisma: What’s it like to be the biggest rock stars in the world? John: Gotta stay humble dude

If you had unlimited budget to make the music video of your choice, what would you make?&RQQRU��3UREDEO\�OLNH�D�ORW�RI�¿UHZRUNV�DQG�H[SORVLRQV�John: Michael BayJust him standing?&RQQRU��+LP�ZLWK�H[SORVLRQV�

How did you get the name Waldo? &RQQRU��:H� SLFNHG� LW� EHFDXVH� WKHUH¶V� NLQG� RI� D� OLJKW�KHDUWHG� DV�VRFLDWLRQ�HYHU\RQH�KDV�ZLWK�LW�VR�ZKHQ�\RX�KHDU�WKH�ZRUG�\RX�KDYH�WKDW�NLQG�RI�YLEH�JRLQJ-DPHV��/LWWOH�ELW�RI�QRVWDOJLD�WRR

Which of your songs would you like people to workout to and what workout would they do?Jake: UndertakerAll: yeah -DNH��3UREDEO\�WKDW�LQ�D�VSLQ�FODVV�

If you could write a dystopian teenage romance novel like the Hunger Games, what would your society be like?-RKQ��(YHU\RQH�ZRXOG�EH�OLNH�PH�-DPHV��7KDW�ZRXOG�EH�SUHWW\�G\VWRSLDQ

If you could cover one Britney Spears album in its entirety, what would it be? &RQQRU��7R[LF-RKQ��,V�WKDW�DQ�DOEXP�RU�D�VRQJ"�-DPHV��,W¶V�DQ�DOEXP�QRZ&RQQRU��-XVW�SOD\�7R[LF�WKHQ�8QGHUWDNHU�IRU�DQ�DOEXP¶V�OHQJWK�RI�WLPH

Do you guys have an album in the works? John: We talk about it-DPHV��1DK��LW¶V�JRLQJ�GRZQ��:H¶UH�UHFRUGLQJ�LW�WKLV�VXPPHU��7KLUG�ZHHN�RI�-XQH�ZH¶UH�KLWWLQJ�WKH�VWXGLR

If you could cover a famous rap song with Childish Gambino at Spring Fling, what would you cover?&RQQRU��7KXJ]�0DQVLRQ�>E\�7XSDF@��&DQ�\RX�JX\V�JHW�GRZQ�ZLWK�WKDW"$OO��>ODXJK@�-RKQ��7R[LF�E\�%ULWQH\�6SHDUV�IHDWXULQJ�&KLOGLVK�*DPELQR

If you could have your own fragrance, what would it smell like? Connor: CoconutsJake: Heavy coconut scent

Any other future plans?&RQQRU��:H¶UH�WU\LQJ�WR�PDNH�D�PXVLF�YLGHR��MXVW�WU\LQJ�WR�JHW�DV�PDQ\�RI�RXU�IULHQGV�LQYROYHG�DV�SRVVLEOH��

If you had a movie about you, who would play you as actors?-RKQ��0DWWKHZ�0FFRQDXJKH\-RKQ��2U�-DVRQ�6WDWKDP�&RQQRU��'XGH��\RX�NLQGD�GR�ORRN�OLNH�KLP��2ZHQ�:LOVRQ�LV�JRRG�IRU�PH��+H¶V�D�JRRG�GXGH�-RKQ�>WR�-DPHV@��-RVHSK�*RUGRQ�/HYLWW��GXGH�

,� WKLQN�ZH� MXVW� ¿JXUHG� RXW� \RXU�PXVLF� YLGHR��7KDW¶V� D�ZUDS��WKDQNV�JX\V��

Follow Waldo on Twitter:�#ZDOGRWKHEDQG�

ON PLAYING SPRING FLING, FILMING THEIR FIRST MUSIC VIDEO, AND SCORING COMMERCIALS

GRANT FOX AND JORDAN ROSENTHAL-KAY

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MELISMA � SUMMER 2014 � LOCAL 3

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HIPSTERS, DADS, & GHOSTS

ALL THIS AND MORE AT THE SOMERVILLE THEATER

JORDAN ROSENTHAL-KAY

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DIRTY RIVER STRING BANDHANGING OUT BAREFOOT WITH THE TUFTS INSTITUTION

JORDAN ROSENTHAL-KAY AND MITCH MOSK

Melisma: How did the band start?:H�JRW� WRJHWKHU� DQG� VDLG�� OHW¶V� SOD\� VRPH�EOXHJUDVV�� DQG�WKHQ�ZH�GLG�

So how does the band work?7KH� EDQG� LV� URRWHG� LQ� 7XIWV�� LW¶V� D� 7XIWV� LQVWLWXWLRQ��:H¶UH�OLNH�DQ���V�KDLUPHWDO�EDQG��ZKHUH�WKH�VLQJHU�GLHV�DQG�MXVW�JHWV�UHSODFHG�RYHU�DQG�RYHU��1R�RQH�GLHV��\RX�DJH�RXW�RI�WKH�EDQG��JUDGXDWH��,W¶V�PRUH�D�SDUW�RI�7XIWV�WKDQ�D�JURXS�RI�SHRSOH��:H�KDYH�WKLV�ELJ�ROG�IROGHU�RI�PXVLF� DQG�ZH� VD\� ³UHPHPEHU�ZKHQ�ZH� SOD\HG� WKLV"´�DQG�WKHQ�ZH�SOD\�WKLV��

[I’d like to let it be known that Melisma magazine is now barefoot with the DRSB.]

What are you musical backgrounds?&ODVVLFDO��7KDW�PDNHV�XV�PDNH� WKH�PXVLF� WKH�ZD\�ZH�GR��ZH�KDYH�D�GLIIHUHQW�OHQV�WR�EOXHJUDVV��

Why don’t all of you play barefoot?:HOO��ZH�MXVW�FDPH�RXW�RI�ZLQWHU«�,W¶V�D�IXQFWLRQ�RI�QHFHVVLW\�

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Are you a river string band that’s dirty, or are you named after the dirty river?0\� IDPLO\� LVQ¶W� IURP� WKLV� DUHD�� DQG� ZKHQ� WKH\¶YH� DVNHG�DERXW� WKH� QDPH�� ,¶YH� VDLG�ZH¶UH� QDPHG� DIWHU� WKH� &KDUOHV��\RX�NQRZ��WKH�GLUW\�ULYHU��<RX¶G�KDYH�WR�DVN�WKH�IRXQGHU"

If you could have create a federally-recognized holiday, what would it be and when?%$5()227�'$<��0D\��UG��&UDIWV�+RXVH��

If you had an unlimited budget, what kind of music video would you make? :H�VKRXOG�EH�XQGHUZDWHU��ZLWK�D�VTXLG��'H¿QLWHO\�D�VTXLG�� ,Q�-DSDQ��EHFDXVH�WKH\¶UH�NQRZQ�IRU�WKHLU�VTXLGV��DQG�ZH¶UH�SDUWLDO�WR�WKDW��

We hear a lot of folk and bluegrass, obviously, and you all play a lot of standards, but how often do you write your own songs?:HOO��IRON�LV�OLNH�MD]]��\RX�OHDUQ�WKH�VWDQGDUGV�DQG�SOD\�WKHP�\RXU�RZQ�ZD\��%XW�QRW�HYHU\RQH�NQRZV�WKH�VDPH�VWDQGDUGV��VR�ZH¶YH�EHHQ�IRONDI\LQJ�SRS�VRQJV��WDNLQJ�D�SRS�VRQJ��DGGLQJ�D�EDQMR��ZH¶YH�GRQH�³5HSWLOOD´�DQG�9DPSLUH�:HHNHQG��HYHQ�VRPH�.HOO\�&ODUNVRQ��

If any bands were to cover one of your songs, who’d you like to cover what?,¶G� OLNH� WR�KHDU�D�1LUYDQD�FRYHU�RI�RXU�1LUYDQD�FRYHU��:H�FRYHUHG�³+HDUW�6KDSHG�%R[�´

Who is most likely to get TEMS’d?�:H¶UH�DOO�XSSHUFODVVPHQ��7KH�WLPH�IRU�WKDW�KDV�SDVVHG��

If you could add another instrument, what would it be?'UXPV�RU�KDUPRQLFD��$FWXDOO\�� MXVW�KDUPRQLFD��:H�FDQ�GR�WKDW��:H¶YH�WULHG�ZDVKERDUG��LW�GLGQ¶W�UHDOO\�ZRUN�RXW��2QFH�ZH�EURXJKW�LQ�D�WUXPSHW�WR�FRYHU�³+RPH´�E\�(GZDUG�6KDUSH��

DQG�WKDW�ZDV�DQ�H[SHULHQFH��,�ZLVK�ZH�FRXOG�GR�WKDW�DJDLQ��

If you could have one guest performer, who’d it be? <XUWOH� WKH�7XUWOH�� RU� -RKQQ\�&DVK��:H� ORYH�� DQG� KH� VLQJV�EDVV��2U�5RVFRH�+ROFRPE��

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?:RUNLQJ�DW�1LFNHORGHRQ��

Do you feel like you’re a performance-based band, or more of a recording-based band?,W¶V�DERXW�SOD\LQJ�ZLWK�HDFK�RWKHU��LW¶V�IXQ��ZH�OLNH�WR�SHUIRUP��,W�VWDUWV�ZLWK�XV�ZDQWLQJ�WR�KDQJ��PDNH�PXVLF��7KDW�WUDQVODWHV�WR�SHUIRUPDQFHV��2XU�UHFRUGLQJV�DUH�PRUH�RI�D�WLPH�FDSVXOH��$QG�ZH�DOVR�GR�WKHP�MXVW�WR�VSHQG�PRUH�WLPH�WRJHWKHU�DQG�VKDUH�RXU�PXVLF��

If you stopped making music and started making arti-san beer, what hipster village would you live in and what beer would you make?'H¿QLWHO\�9HUPRQW��DQG�FLQQDPRQ�EHHU��LV�WKDW�D�WKLQJ"�$QG�DOVR�VHDVRQDO�EHHU��ZDWHUPHORQ�EHHU�PD\EH"�,I�PDQJR�EHHU�ZDV�D�WKLQJ��WKHQ�WKDW�

MELISMA � SUMMER 2014 � BANDS 5

We’re like an 80s hairmetal band, where the singer dies and just gets re-placed over and over.

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SHARK SADDLE ON PLAYING MUSIC TOGETHER, THEIR DREAM FESTIVAL LINEUP...AND WHY JOE BIDEN WOULD BE THE BEST BAND DAD

GRANT FOX AND JORDAN ROSENTHAL-KAY

Shark Saddle played Battle of the Bands and we inter-viewed them over a game of pool. We lost.

Melisma: If you guys could elect a band dad, would you pre-fer, Joe Biden or Barack Obama?'DQ��-RH�LV�VR�IXQQ\��KH¶V�VR�FKLOO�DQG�FUDFNV�MRNHV��,�GRQ¶W�NQRZ�DERXW�%DUDFN��+H¶V�D�QLFH�JX\�,�MXVW�GRQ¶W�NQRZ�KRZ�,�IHHO�DERXW�KDYLQJ�D�VRFLDOLVW�DV�D�EDQG�GDG�-DFNVRQ���WR�'DQ��<RX�MXVW�VDLG�WKDW�RQ�WKH�UHFRUG�

If you had unlimited budget to shoot your own Shark Saddle vid-eo, we’ll cap it at four minutes in length, what would you make?'DQ��0��1LJKW�6KDP\ODQ��:H�ZHUH�DFWXDOO\�WDONLQJ�DERXW�WKLV�ODVW�QLJKW��:H�ZDQW�D�PDVVLYH�EDWWOH�VFHQH�*UHJ��,�ZDQW�:LOO�)HUUHO�DQG�-RKQ�&��5HLOH\�WR�VLQJ�PH�³%RDWV�DQG�+RHV�´'DQ��<HDK��,¶G�SD\�IRU�WKDW�

How is it you came to such a cohesive sound so quickly?*UHJ��:KDW"'DQ��'UXJV��ORWV�RI�DFLG�*UHJ��)LYH�RI�XV�OLYH�RQ�WKH�VDPH�VLGH�RI�WKH�VDPH�KDOO�0LFKDHO��$QG�ZH�DOO�OLVWHQ�WR�WKH�VDPH�NLQG�RI�PXVLF��:H�GH¿QLWHO\�KDYH�RXU�RZQ�VW\OHV�EXW�OLNH��WKHUH¶V�D�ORW�RI�RYHUODS�WRR�'DQ��*UHJ�UHDOO\�ORYHV�0LOH\�&\UXV�*UHJ��<RX�GRQ¶W�HYHQ�XQGHUVWDQG�P\�ORYH�IRU�KHU��,W¶V�EH\RQG�ORYH�

What’s the deal with Annahstasia? She came and performed but I thought she was out?*UHJ��6KH�LV�RXW�EXW�ZH¶UH�JRQQD�GR�D�EHWWHU�MRE�RI�DQQRXQFLQJ�KHU�DV�D�JXHVW�SHUIRUPHU�

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? Make up a fantasy future for the band.0LFKDHO��:H�RZQ�DQ�LVODQG�

*UHJ��+XJK�+HIQHU��+H�VWDUWV�D�UHFRUG�ODEHO��ZH�JHW�VLJQHG��\RX�NQRZ�ZKHUH�ZH�OLYH�

What about 100 years? Where’s your ideal grave plot?5RKDQ��0DUV�*UHJ��,�ZRXOG�OLNH�WR�EH�EXULHG�RQ�WKH�6XTXDPLVK�,QGLDQ�5HVHUYD-WLRQ�

Have many of you have ever seen a shark?>7KH\�DOO�UDLVH�WKHLU�KDQGV@'DQ��,�VZDP�LQ�D�VKDUN�WDQN�

What are you guys doing for the summer?'DQ��,�PLJKW�EH�LQ�6DQ�)UDQFLVFR�WKLV�VXPPHU�-DFNVRQ��7KDW¶G�EH�DZHVRPH�*UHJ��:H¶UH�SODQQLQJ�RQ�OD\LQJ�GRZQ�VRPH�WUDFNV�E\�WKH�HQG�RI�WKH�VHPHVWHU��'R�DQ�(3�KRSHIXOO\�RXW�QH[W�IDOO�

What would be your dream festival lineup dead or alive?'DQ��*UDWHIXO�'HDG��6QDUN\�3XSS\��+HQGUL[��$OOPDQ�%URWKHUV��ZH�KDYH�WR�WKLQN�YHU\�FDUHIXOO\�DERXW�WKH�¿IWK�EDQG�-DFNVRQ��:HH]HU�*UHJ��7KH�5DUH�2FFDVLRQV�'DQ��7KH�%UHFNHU�%URWKHUV��ZHOO��,�GRQ¶W�NQRZ�*UHJ��7RZHU�3RZHU�*UHJ��&ODSWRQ�0LFKDHO��/HW¶V�MXVW�PDNH�D�6KDUN�6DGGOH�)HVWLYDO�

If you could play at any American music festival what would it be?'DQ��*DWKHULQJ�RI�WKH�YLEHV�LW¶V�LQ�6HDVLGH�3DUN�LQ�%ULGJHSRUW����PLQXWHV�IURP�P\�KRXVH�LW¶V�EDVLFDOO\�D�*UDWHIXO�'HDG�WKLQJ��7KH\�EULQJ�LQ�'HUHN�7UXFNV¶�EDQG��2K��WKDW¶V�WKH�¿IWK�EDQG��7HGHVFKL�7UXFNV��6RUU\��'HUHN�

Page 9: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA � SUMMER 2014 � INTERVIEWS 7

WITHOUT A DEMO, IT’S HARD TO GET BOOKED, BUT APPLEJAM IS WILLING TO BOOK PEOPLE NO ONE’S HEARD. ĭ

ĬWhat’s your craziest encounter with someone recognizing you?*UHJ��$� SHUVRQ� ,� NQRZ�ZDV� LQWURGXFLQJ�PH� WR� VRPHRQH� ,� GLGQ¶W�NQRZ�EXW�WKH\�UHFRJQL]HG�PH�DV�*UHJ�IURP�6KDUN�6DGGOH�ZKR�JHWV�DOO�WKH�UDF\�7XIWV�&RQIHVVLRQV�

If you could create one piece of merchandise what would it be?0LFKDHO��7KRQJV�WKDW�VD\�³RUJDQ�DVP´�RQ�WKHP�DQG�KDYH�D�SLF-WXUH�RI�-DFNVRQ�SOD\LQJ�WKH�RUJDQ�'DQ��*UHJ¶V�IDFH�VD\LQJ�³6DGGOH�8S´�WKDW�SLFWXUH��2U�*UHJ¶V�IDFH�VD\LQJ�³¿QG�\RXU�*�VSRW´�RQ�D�WKRQJ�

Where did you record the EP and with what equipment?*UHJ��,�KDYH�WZR�PLFV��D�ODUJH�GLDSKUDJP�FRQGHQVHU�DQG�D�SHQFLO�FRQ-GHQVHU�DQG�D�WZR�LQSXW�LQWHUIDFH��$QG�ZH�WUDFNHG�WKHP�WR�D�FRPSXWHU�LQ�*UDQRII��,�WULHG�D�EXQFK�RI�GLIIHUHQW�FRPELQDWLRQV�EXW�ZKDW�ZRUNHG�EHVW�ZDV�D�VWHUHR�LPDJH�VHWXS�ZLWK�WKHP�ERWK�VL[�IHHW�DSDUW�LQ�IURQW�RI�WKH�VHW��/XFNLO\�'DQ�LV�D�EDODQFHG�HQRXJK�SOD\HU�DQG�WKH�F\PEDOV�GLGQ¶W�EOHHG�WKURXJK�DV�PXFK�DQG�ZH�FRXOG�MXVW�(4��FRPSUHVV��DQG�SDQ�LW��:RUNHG�RXW�¿QH��7KHQ�ZH�FDPH�EDFN�XS�WR�+RXVWRQ�DQG�MXVW�SXW�HYHU\WKLQJ�HOVH�LQ�DV�D�GLUHFW�LQSXW��5HFRUGHG�HYHU\WKLQJ�LQWR�5HDSHU�

Would you guys ever consider a collab with a rapper?*UHJ��:LOOHP�=RRN�

'LG�\RX�JX\V�KDYH�VRPH�LGHDV�ÀRDWLQJ�DURXQG�EHIRUH�7XIWV�IRU�songs? How does the writing process work? Does one of you sketch something out and bring it to the rest of you or is it a more organic process?$LGHQ��,W¶V�NLQG�RI�D�FRPELQDWLRQ�RI�WKH�WZR��2QH�RI�XV�ZLOO�EULQJ�DQ�LGHD�DQG�ZH¶OO�DOO�VRUW�RI�ZRUN�WKURXJK�LW�DQG�WXUQ�LW�LQWR�VRPHWKLQJ�5RKDQ��6RPH�RI�WKHP�MXVW�FRPH�RXW�RI�MDP�VHVVLRQV�DQG�WKLQJV�OLNH�WKDW�

Are you guys getting any press? Any blogs trying to interview you guys?'DQ��*UHJ�MXVW�JRW�DQ�LQWHUYLHZ�*UHJ��6RPH�FKLFN�IURP�%HUOLQ�IRXQG�P\�VRXQGFORXG�DQG�OLVWHQHG�WR�WKH�VROR�(3�,�SXW�RXW�RYHU�ZLQWHU�EUHDN�DQG�VDLG�VKH�ZDQWHG�WR�LQWHUYLHZ�PH�IRU�KHU�EORJ�0LFKDHO��+DYH�\RX�UHDG�ZKDW�LW�VD\V"*UHJ��<HDK��LW¶V�DOO�MXVW�QRUPDO�LQWHUYLHZ�VWXII�XQWLO�LW�FDOOV�PH�RXW�DW�WKH�HQG�IRU�ORRNLQJ�UHDOO\�ERUHG�DQG�GLVWDQW�ZKLOH�SOD\LQJ�ZLWK�WKH�2O\PSLF�&ROOHJH�-D]]�%DQG�P\�MXQLRU�\HDU�RI��KLJK�VFKRRO�'DQ��<RX�KDYH�D�VWDONHU�IURP�*HUPDQ\�

Have you considered bringing any of your material into Shark Saddle?

*UHJ��:H�KDYH��7KH�WKLQJ�LV��IRU�WKH�PRVW�SDUW�,�W\SLFDOO\�ZULWH�

GLIIHUHQW�NLQGV�RI�VRQJV��PRUH�WKUHH�PLQXWH�VWXII��EXW�,¶P�¿QGLQJ�VRPH�RI�LW¶V�DGDSWDEOH�

:KHUH�GR�\RX�VHH�\RXUVHOYHV�LQ�WKH�7XIWV�PXVLF�VFHQH"$OO��7KH�WRS

:KDW�GR�\RX�WKLQN�RI�WKH�7XIWV�PXVLF�VFHQH"'DQ��,�GRQ¶W�NQRZ�ZKDW�LW�ZDV�OLNH�EHIRUH�EXW�,�WKLQN�WKLV�\HDU��LW¶V�MXVW�H[SORGHG�LQ�WHUPV�RI�HYHU\RQH�MXVW�ZDQWLQJ�WR�VWDUW�D�EDQG��ZULWH�PXVLF��DQG�SHUIRUP��:H�JRWWD�JLYH�$SSOH�-DP�FUHGLW�IRU�WU\-LQJ�WR�GR�PRQWKO\�VKRZV�DQG�EULQJ�OLYH�EDQGV�KHUH�*UHJ��'H¿QLWHO\��7KH\¶UH� JLYLQJ� EDQGV� DQ� RSSRUWXQLW\� WR� SOD\��:LWKRXW�D�GHPR� LW¶V�NLQGD�KDUG� WR�JHW�ERRNHG�EXW�$SSOHMDP� LV�ZLOOLQJ�WR�ERRN�SHRSOH�QR�RQH¶V�KHDUG�

Are any of you guys in side projects other than Greg?'DQ��-DFNVRQ�LV�LQ�WKH�6W��9DOHQWLQHV��$LGHQ�LV�LQ�WKLV�WKLQJ�FDOOHG�WKH�3RFNHW�0RQH\�2UFKHVWUD�$LGHQ��*R�OLNH�XV�RQ�)DFHERRN��:H�KDYHQ¶W�UHDOO\�KLW�WKH�)DFH-ERRN�VFHQH��ZH�RQO\�KDYH����OLNHV�

What is the ideal combination of illicit substances you would like your audience members to be on when they listen to your music?$OO��$FLG�

It’s a combination, you can choose different things'DQ��*UHJ��ZKDW¶V�WKH�PRWWR�IRU�HYHU\�VKRZ�ZH�GR"*UHJ��,I�\RX�UHPHPEHU�LW��\RX¶UH�GRLQJ�LW�ZURQJ'DQ��7KHUH�ZH�JR�

Page 10: Melisma Summer 2014

THERE CAN BE NO REVOLUTION WITHOUT SONGSON MUSICAL POWER, RESPONSIBILITY, AND CHILE

GABRIEL TERRACCIANO

L�HW¶V� WDON� D� OLWWOH� ELW� DERXW� EHLQJ� D�PXVLFLDQ��:KDW� H[DFWO\�GRHV�WKDW�PHDQ"�'R�\RX�SOD\�\RXU�LQVWUXPHQW�IRU�DUW��RU�IRU�

HQWHUWDLQPHQW��RU�IRU�PRQH\��RU�PD\EH�IRU�DOO�WKUHH��RU�PD\EH�IRU� QRQH� RI� WKRVH� UHDVRQV"�+RZ� GRHV� \RXU�PXVLF� VKDSH�ZKR�\RX�DUH��DQG�KRZ�GR�\RX�VKDSH�PXVLF"�:KHQ�\RX�SLFN�XS�\RXU�LQVWUXPHQW�RU�FOHDU�\RXU�WKURDW�WR�EHJLQ�\RXU�IDYRULWH�VRQJ��GR�\RX�EHFRPH�VRPHERG\�GLIIHUHQW"������$QG�KHUH�LV�RQH�RWKHU�TXHVWLRQ��$UH�\RX�DZDUH�RI�KRZ�ZRQ-GHUIXOO\�SRZHUIXO�\RX�DUH"����1R�PDWWHU�ZKDW�KDSSHQV�RQFH�WKH�PXVLF�EHJLQV��D�FHUWDLQ�SDUW�RI� HYHU\�PXVLFLDQ�FRPHV�RXW�ZKLOH� WKH\�SOD\�� D�SDUW� WKDW�ZDV�QRW�WKHUH�EHIRUH�DQG�ZLOO�QRW�EH�WKHUH�DJDLQ�ZKHQ�WKH�PXVLF�LV�RYHU��,W¶V�IXQQ\�WR�VHH�WKH�PRVW�PLOG�PDQQHUHG�RI�SHRSOH�VXG-GHQO\�EHFRPH�PDJQHWLF�DQG�FDSWLYDWLQJ�RQFH�DQ�LQVWUXPHQW�RU�PLFURSKRQH�LV�LQ�WKHLU�KDQGV���2QH�PLQXWH�\RX�DUH�WKH�RQH�ZLWK�WKH� SRZHU�� XS� RQ� VWDJH�� IDQV� ZRUVKLSSLQJ� \RX�� DQG� WKHQ� \RX�FRPH�RII�VWDJH��DQG�\RX¶UH�RQFH�PRUH�RQH�ZLWK�WKH�FURZG��,W¶V�D�TXLHW�\HW�SRZHUIXO�ÀH[LELOLW\��DQG�FDQ�EH�XWLOL]HG�IRU�DOO�VRUWV�RI�SXUSRVHV��UDQJLQJ�IURP�SURPRWLQJ�VKRZV�E\�ZRUG�RI�PRXWK�WR�DGYDQFLQJ�ZRUOG�FDXVHV���

����2QH�RI�P\�IDYRULWH�H[DPSOHV�RI�KRZ�SRZHUIXO�PXVLF�FDQ�EH�LV� IRXQG� LQ� WKH�PXVLFLDQV� RI� WKH�1XHYD�&DQFLyQ� �1HZ�6RQJ��PRYHPHQW� LQ�&KLOH� GXULQJ� WKH� ����V� WKURXJK�����V�� �$W�¿UVW�WKHVH�UHSUHVHQWHG�D�FRPPXQLW\�RI�IRON�PXVLFLDQV�DQG�HWKQRPX-VLFRORJLVWV��HDJHU�WR�UHFODLP�VRPH�RI�WKHLU�FXOWXUDO�DQG�PXVLFDO�LGHQWLW\�E\�FROOHFWLQJ�IRON�VRQJV�DQG�SOD\LQJ�IRON� LQVWUXPHQWV�IURP�DURXQG�&KLOH���,Q�UHVSRQVH�WR�D�SHUFHLYHG�FXOWXUDO�WDNHRYHU�E\�FRXQWULHV� OLNH� WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV�� WKH�UHVXUJHQFH�RI�&KLOHDQ�IRON�PXVLF�UHVXOWHG� LQ�D�JUHDWHU� LGHQWL¿FDWLRQ�ZLWK� LQGLJHQRXV�FXOWXUH�� LQFOXGLQJ� WKH� ZHDULQJ� RI� WUDGLWLRQDO� FORWKHV� DQG� XVH�RI� WUDGLWLRQDO�PXVLFDO� LQVWUXPHQWV��3HUKDSV� WKH�EHVW�NQRZQ�RI�WKHVH�HWKQRPXVLFRORJLVWV�LV�9LROHWD�3DUUD��ZKRVH�VRQJV�KDG�IDU�UHDFKLQJ�VXFFHVV��DQG�ZHUH�HYHQ�FRYHUHG�E\�DUWLVWV�VXFK�DV�-RDQ�%DH]��:LWK�DQ�RSSUHVVLYH�ULJKW�ZLQJ�UHJLPH�LQ�SRZHU��KRZHYHU��WKHLU� VRQJV� WXUQHG� LQWR� DFWLYH� VKRXWV� RI� SURWHVW�� DQG� D� FDOO� WR�DFWLRQ� IRU� WKH� OHIWLVW�� 6RFLDOLVW�� DQG� JRYHUQPHQWDO� RSSRVLWLRQ�OHDGHUV�ZLWKLQ�&KLOH��6RQJ�VXEMHFWV�UDQJHG�IURP�VWRULHV�RI�KRZ�XQLRQ� VWULNHUV�ZHUH�PDVVDFUHG�� WR� SROLFH�EUXWDOLW\�� WR� FURRNHG�PLQLVWHUV��DQG�HYHQ�WR�SHUVRQDO�SROLWLFDO�UHVSRQVLELOLW\���

Page 11: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA � SUMMER 2014 � ESSAYS 9

THERE IS SOMETHING CONTAINED WITHIN MUSIC THAT CREATES A CATALYST FOR EMO-TION, INSPIRATION, AND UNDERSTANDING THAT I DO NOT THINK ANY-THING ELSE REALLY HAS.

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HDQ�FXOWXUH��7KH�RQO\�VXUYLYRUV�RI�1XHYD�&DQFLyQ�ZHUH�EDQGV�WKDW�ZHUH�WRXULQJ�LQ�(XURSH�ZKHQ�WKH�FRXS�KDSSHQHG��DQG�ZHUH�HIIHFWLYHO\�H[LOHG��,W�LV�D�WHVWDPHQW�WR�MXVW�KRZ�SRZHUIXO�WKHVH�DUWLVWV�DQG�PXVLF�KDG�EHFRPH�WKDW�3LQRFKHW�VR�HIIHFWLYHO\�WULHG�WR�UHPRYH�WKHP�IURP�&KLOH��,I�WKH\�KDG�UHPDLQHG��ZKR�NQRZV�LI�KLV�UHJLPH�ZRXOG�KDYH�ODVWHG�IRU�DV�ORQJ�DV�LW�GLG"������,I�WKH�H[DPSOHV�RI�WKHVH�PXVLFLDQV�KDYH�VKRZQ�XV�DQ\WKLQJ��LW�LV�WKDW�DUW�DQG�PXVLF�DUH�LQFUHGLEO\�SRZHUIXO�IRUPV�RI�H[SUHV-VLRQ�DQG�FRPPXQLFDWLRQ��7KHUH�LV�VRPHWKLQJ�FRQWDLQHG�ZLWKLQ�PXVLF�WKDW�FUHDWHV�D�FDWDO\VW�IRU�HPRWLRQ��LQVSLUDWLRQ��DQG�XQGHU-VWDQGLQJ�WKDW�,�GR�QRW�WKLQN�DQ\WKLQJ�HOVH�UHDOO\�KDV��$V�DUWLVWV��ZH�KDYH�DQ�DELOLW\�WR�FRQQHFW�WR�SHRSOH�ERWK�DV�PXVLFLDQV�DQG�DV�LQGLYLGXDOV��DQG�DUH�IDFHG�ZLWK�ZDONLQJ�DORQJ�WKDW�GLYLGH�HDFK�DQG�HYHU\�WLPH�ZH�SOD\�RXU�LQVWUXPHQW��:H�DUH�ERWK�RQH�ZLWK�RXUVHOYHV�DQG�WKH�FURZG��DQG��IRU�WKH�PRVW�SDUW��PHPEHUV�RI�WKH�JHQHUDO� SRSXODWLRQ�� ,W� LV� WKDQNV� WR� WKDW� TXLHW�� DUWLVWLF� ÀH[LELO-LW\�WKDW�PXVLFLDQV�FDQ�KDYH�VR�PXFK�LQÀXHQFH�RQ�SRSXODWLRQV��DQG�LV�GH¿QLWHO\�D�UHDVRQ�ZK\�WKH�PXVLFLDQV�RI�1XHYD�&DQFLyQ�ZHUH�DEOH�WR�KDYH�WKH�HIIHFW�WKH\�GLG��%XW�LW�LV�DOVR�LPSRUWDQW�WR�UHPHPEHU� WKDW� SULQFLSOH� RI� SRZHU� DQG� UHVSRQVLELOLW\�� EHFDXVH�VXFK�D�SRZHU�DV�PXVLFLDQV�KDYH�FRXOG�HDVLO\�EH�H[SORLWHG��$QG�ZKLOH� HDFK�PHVVDJH� IRU� HDFK�PXVLFLDQ� LV� XQLTXH�� LW� LV� PXVLF�LWVHOI�WKDW�XQLWHV�WKHVH�DUWLVWV�LQ�WKHLU�SXUVXLW���

Page 12: Melisma Summer 2014

OBEY CITYTUFTS ALUM SAM OBEY IS ONE OF BROOKLYN’S FINEST PRODUCERS

REBECCA SINAI

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SAM OBEY BY BENNET KUHN

Page 13: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA���SUMMER 2014���FEATURES���11

I feel like there should be a shift to desire to be surprised and enlightened when you go watch a DJ

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Page 14: Melisma Summer 2014

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ASTRO NAUTICO LOGO COURTESY OF BENNETT KUHN

Page 15: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA���SUMMER 2014���FEATURES����13

BENNETT KUHN BY JOHN SUBRANNI

Page 16: Melisma Summer 2014

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A DIFFERENT STAGESTUDENT COMPOSERS FIND PASSIONS IN THEATER

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Page 17: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA � SUMMER 2014 � FEATURES����15

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I decided that it would be fun to take on a role of really composing a lot of music, and creating the ËVJEJUZ�PG�UIF�show with sound

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Page 18: Melisma Summer 2014

ĬEDITORIAL: THE STATE OF HIP-HOP AT TUFTSIS SPRING FLING THE ONLY DAY OF THE YEAR WHEN TUFTS STUDENTS WANT TO HEAR HIP-HOP MUSIC?

GRANT FOX

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SHAUN “KVVAM ANDAH” BY JAY DODD

Page 19: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA ���SUMMER 2014 � OP-EDS 17

Hip-hop is on the cusp of becoming a legitimate aspect of the tufts music scene

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Page 20: Melisma Summer 2014

OUR FAVORITE SUMMER 2014RELEASES

FAMILIARS

by The Antlers

TURN BLUE

by The Black Keys

*O�$0OËJDUBy OWEN PAL-

LETT

Ultraviolence

by Lana del ray

Just be Free

by Big Freedia

Page 21: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA MAGAZINE � SUMMER 2014 � EXTRAS 19

LAZARETTO

by Jack White

I NEVER LEARN

by Lykke Li

NIKKI NACK

by tUnE-yArDs

Where we

come from

by Popcaan

Days of Abandon

by THE PAINS OF BEING

PURE AT HEART

Page 22: Melisma Summer 2014

STWOTHE PARISIAN PRODUCER MAKES HIS BOSTON DEBUT AT THE THE MIDDLE EAST

JORDAN ROSENTHAL-KAY

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Page 23: Melisma Summer 2014

MELISMA�� SUMMER 2014 ��LIVE SHOWS ���21

I try though just to make the kind of music I like, with-out looking at whatever people are looking for.

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Before his set, Melisma Staff Members Jordan Rosenthal-Kay and Rebecca Sinai had the chance to speak with Stwo.

Melisma: You just started touring in the US a few days ago, ZDV�\RXU�¿UVW�VKRZ�LQ�'&"�+RZ�ZDV�LW"6WZR��<HD��LW�ZDV�VXSHU�VLFN��HYHU\RQH�ZDV�VXSHU�IULHQGO\�DQG�VWXII��DQG�LW�ZDV�FUD]\�� OLNH��DW� WKH�HQG�RI�P\�VHW�SHRSOH�ZHUH�VWDUWLQJ� WR� GR� VRPH� NLQG� RI� EUHDNGDQFH� EDWWOH�� OLNH�� RQ� WKH�FURZG��VHULRXVO\�� WR�PH�WKDW�ZDV�WKH�EHVW�ZD\�WR�ZHOFRPH�PH�WR�$PHULFD�

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