Jessie Mueller’s performance of ‘Used to be Mine’ Tony performance: Response to Hopper

Posted on December 4, 2023 by rhodesss1

by Sam Rhodes

Jessie Mueller is an actress who performs on Broadway and specifically in this performance as Jenna Hutcherson in “Waitress (musical)”. This is her Tony performance of the piece which starts with the creator of the song, Sara Barellis, starting it off and following into Mueller’s performance. The character of Jenna is pregnant and is trying to save up to leave her abusive husband. But when the husband finds the money, he takes off with it which starts the song. Mueller incapsulates the character with such genuine veracity that the emotion whips her all over the stage in the most distraught fits of anger. But when the lyrics guide her as well as her conniption grows to laser focus on a line with such beautiful despair of heart-breaking situation. Though she is strong in who she is that it doesn’t matter how strong you are life can just break you down tenfold. As she looks out in the audience you just know every soul in there is mesmerized by the performance this one woman just blessed us with. Finally looking up to the ceiling with melancholy perplexed look on her face on what to do now given the circumstances. Yet as the lights go down one of the biggest uproarious applauses shoots up from the audience with a response that is most equal to event that just happened on stage. It is captivating and is more than worth the watch.

She was beat out at the Tony’s for best actress in a musical, but the other person was also deserving of the honor as well. When I first saw this performance, it was with my cast in ‘Christmas at Pemberly’ with Evan Parry as the director and a professor at the college. He showed us as inspiration for performance and because he loved it so much watching the video because it is a brilliant performance. When viewing it really helped transcend everything else in the room disappeared from the room having the only conscious thing was Mueller on the screen belting her heart out.

This performance made appreciate what such an artform can do to people showing just how important such a form is for all people to take in. What separates the world, and the stage is an endless number of possibilities and avenues worth exploring and appreciating. From this performance everyone in the cast could take away this level of possibility of the human expression as something that’s not as confined as it once was. I love theater and I only keep loving it more and more each day with these types of performance to show for it. Not all of it is great but that just makes it all the more special when these types of things happen that are truly extraordinary. Thats why theater is my major cause I want to be part of it and if I can do anything to reach that extraordinary goal its one worth achieving in my book at the end of the day.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erjdq6wwRuU

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“A.M. Radio” by The Lumineers

Posted on December 4, 2023 by brunnera

By Alyssa Brunner

The Lumineers at The crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA - Loud Hailer Magazine

  In my mind, I’m driving down a backroad during sunset in Bozeman, Montana. It’s mid July. My two best friends are sitting beside and behind me. The windows are down, hair is blowing left, right and all over the place but we don’t care. We just finished floating down the Madison River, and we are sunburnt to the max. The kind that hurts to move. The sky begins to paint itself a beautiful orange and pink, and the drums between the pre-chorus and chorus begin. There’s a pause, then The Lumineers are suddenly streaming through my ears. Goosebumps. The hairs on the back of my neck raise every time. I’ve listened to it hundreds of times, yet it’s always the same emotional experience as if it’s the first time. 

“Day and night, my love you said the blood was on my hands.”

“Boom, boom!” (drums)

“Long as you run, I couldn’t give you up.” 

  “A.M. Radio” is a song from The Lumineers, stemming from their fourth album BRIGHTSIDE. I get the chills each time I listen to it. The beat of the drums before the chorus, the melody change, pure bliss. When I hear this song I’m reminded of the past in a nostalgic sense. On the other hand, I’m reminded of the present moment of not being able to let go of things you might wish to. I find myself tearing up often when I listen to it. It serves as a reminder that can run as far as you want, but you know the aspirations deep inside of you are never leaving. It’s a reminder that we are living for the hope of it all. 

  In my opinion, this song is the ultimate anthem for following your dreams and true calling. No matter how much you try to cover things up and pursue other passions, one is always going to call you back. For Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, (founding members) that was music. This is a song for all the dreamers who feel their calling deeply. They might not be confident in the passion at first, but it’s always there. No matter the triumphs, hardships and dedication, it’s always going to be a part of you. Whether that’s songwriting, dancing, painting, rapping, playing piano, etc. there is this spark inside of every one of us. Listen to this song to feel inspired. No matter how far or long you go, it’s waiting for you.

“Forever run, I couldn’t give you up.” 

  This three minute, fifty-seven second track is a dedication to your dreams. You know they are there. The worst thing a person can do is dull themselves and ignore those passions. Chase that dream!

“If the photograph doesn’t bring you back, If the final chapter isn’t ever after.”



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Rachel Reid- Blog 3

Posted on December 4, 2023 by reidre

 

Web users obsessively scroll through images online but –art museum attendance is low…

I think that fewer and fewer people are choosing to visit museums is a very sad reality. Thanks to today’s advancements in technology, there is no need to physically leave your house to see something new and exciting. I do think that the ease of technology does have many benefits, but it is also taking away from real-life experiences. Our experiences can define our perception, and without those experiences, our perception of reality could be different than it would be if we did have those experiences. Museums create a special atmosphere for thought and discussion. Yes, those thoughts and discussions can exist outside of museums, but it not the same. Our generation is becoming more and more chronically online, which will be detrimental to our mental health, awareness, and knowledge as a generation. Social spaces such as museums are meant to be filled with people, not online chat rooms. Along with technology, I also think that the pandemic has produced a wave of recluses. Even today many people don’t want to leave the comfort of their homes, afraid of what they might find. I also think the pandemic had a lot to do with more people becoming chronically online, for many they enjoyed having a reason not to leave the house. I also think Western culture has much to do with fewer people visiting art museums. Our generation has always been taught to go to school and work, and appreciating art isn’t widely taught in households. In today’s world, we put so much stress on getting a “proper” education, which typically does not include room for art or creativity. Art museums also get a bad rap. I was always told that art museums, and museums in general are boring, which is not a fair description. I think this mindset that our parents have held also transfers to the child. The way we treat art now directly translates to future generations.   Art museums are a safe space to experience and think about the pieces displayed fully, however, many people do not feel that way. I think that this is a bad trend, however, I do think that going to social and art spaces like art museums will make a comeback. Most of our generation is starting to realize some of the negative effects of being chronically online, so I think those who realize this will make an effort to experience things.

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Boredom, Tyler the Creator

Posted on December 4, 2023 by downeych

Charlie Downey

Tyler the Creator’s music is something I touched on during an earlier blog post this semester. Through middle and high school then into college, I have followed the evolution of his music and can root moments of my life to what Tyler album had dropped most recently. When I was a pissed-off hormonal middle schooler with a popcorn ceiling of a forehead: Wolf; maximum angst with Domo 23 on repeat. The first real heartbreak of my life spawning from, in retrospect, a massively dysfunctional relationship: IGOR. The opening track EARFQUAKE brings that naive immaturity and I DON’T LOVE YOU ANYMORE into ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?… an emotionally destructive closing. But if I cite any moment as the most important to me, it would be seeing Tyler the Creator live following the release of 2017’s Flower Boy, namely the performance of the album’s 8th track Boredom.  The track and performance’s message is that boredom or loneliness can catalyze creative energy, and these low moments should be viewed as ‘found time’ that can be used. “Boredom got a new best friend.” The performance was a call to action where Tyler expressed empathy for viewers who may feel alone, lost, or bored, but in being creative those moments change into ‘found time.’ The performance much like the album ended with the track Enjoy Right Now, Today, which is fully instrumental leaving viewers with a feeling that the goals of the performance were no longer in Tyler’s hands.

“TICK-TOCK”

Hearing Boredom for the first time and then seeing it performed live were massively cathartic moments. I was a sophomore in high school in a transitional period. I had bailed on athletics because I was bored of sports. I had bailed on a friend group. I was bored of nothing conversations about sports. I was lost, I was alone, I was bored and it was self-imposed. I was hungry, but I did not know what to do about it. I liked music, reading, and comedy but lacked any sort of self-confidence to try any of it. The fear of failure or embarrassment outweighed the drive to create. Sometimes it still does.

“What is the problem? Is it me?
Cause I’m not solved, I’m, bored.”

What if it sucks? Following the performance I realized something: At the start, it probably will suck, but here’s the good news: only you need to know that it sucks. I do not need to get on a stage in front of thousands to create. I can be my one and only viewer/critic. Then, when I make something I want to share, I can. The album Flower Boy and Tyler’s live performance pressed me in the right direction. I played guitar when I was younger like 10-11; took lessons, got bored. I had no interest in learning scales instructors tried to drill into my head. (I still don’t know scales.) Every few months, I would pick up the out-of-tune hollow box that desperately needed new, not 6-year-old strings. I’d badly and slowly play the only 3 chords I knew, and put it back in the corner to sit for another few months. Now I was 15-16, bored and lonely, and had Tyler in my headphones then alive in front of me telling me to use it. I really didn’t have much of a choice. I started writing songs. They sucked. Most of them still suck. But every once in a while…they suck a little less, and I credit songs that suck the least to Tyler the Creator.

“Find some time to do something.”

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Release from Cultural Bondage Oscars and Award shows.

Posted on December 4, 2023 by gannac

By: Asher Gann

The chart Prisoners have been released from cultural bondage featured in Ted Gioia’s article demonstrates how in recent years ratings for The Oscars and other award shows have decreased while people have increasingly been binging movies and TV shows. One of the big reasons is time. In today’s world, it is easy to just sit down on the couch, pull out a streaming service, and binge a show with little interruptions. The general population has also been forced to spend more time at their jobs with a debt-inducing economy. The move to streaming services has allowed for quicker and more accessible movies and shows. Comparatively, these drawn-out 3-hour award shows that feature many movies the general public has not seen do not capture an audience. Most of the American population simply does not have the attention span for that long of a show. Additionally, the general public who do tune into the shows only cares about a select few categories. Award shows are asking too much from audiences to sit for 3 hours and watch a program that most people only care about a quarter of it. Another possibility for the decrease in rating is the internet as a whole. Anyone with access to the internet can search for the “best movies of all time” or “Greatest movies of 2023”. This begs the question “Why would I sit through a long-winded show to find answers I can get in two seconds?” while the world becomes more modern, it is more difficult to rationalize a pre-modern award show. Audiences also put less of an emphasis on institutional art. At its core art is subjective so the idea of a few affluent people deciding the Best Picture or Best Actress of the Year has bored the general public. People are tired of being told what to like or if their favorite film is liked by others.

I think the Oscar’s decrease in ratings is overall a positive thing. The trend has the potential to demonstrate how people do not care about a profusely rich committee’s opinion. It would hopefully bring changes to the format and how movies are judged in general. It could lead to dismantling a toxic subculture in the United States that is solely built on bringing money and prestige to Hollywood. The lower ratings could also lead to better, more creative film making. Filmmakers can focus on personal projects instead of focusing on awards. Many people (including myself) would argue some of the best films are low budget indie films that have no expectations of ever making it to the Oscars. Directors and producers could start focusing on wider audiences and try to impress general audiences rather than a few elites. The decrease in viewership will also lead to a change in the show format in general. Last year a few categories were cut from The Oscars to keep viewers interested. I think the Oscars will probably continue slowly decreasing the filler categories it has and most likely elect to have a shorter duration on air. 

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Cultural Bondage

Posted on December 4, 2023 by harkovichmi

By Macie Harkovich

Of the cultural institutions in crisis, the one trend that I found most intriguing was this: although web users obsessively scroll through images online, art museum attendance is down, especially at large premier institutions. At first this shocked me, but after further analyzing this point, it began to make more sense. As a generation, we are consumed by social media and the internet; whether it be Instagram, Twitter, Tik-Tok, or scrolling on the internet, teens and young adults are, for lack of a better phrase, obsessed with their phone. Year after year, it seems the age at which children receive their first phone is getting younger and younger, which is a big factor for this de-institutionalization. 

I think this trend is both good and bad. First off, it is amazing that everyone has instant access to images online; it takes almost no time to search for an image for no extra cost. If one wants to see the famous Mona Lisa, you can see her in seconds without having to visit an art museum. In this aspect, I find the web super useful, but it is not all good. On the other hand, there is something so inciteful and inspiring about visiting and mart museum. As someone who likes to go to museums, I love experiencing the art without other people and hearing and seeing their reactions to a piece. Using only the web eliminates this social experience. Furthermore, while art museums can be costly, they open you up to a variety of art you otherwise would not have thought to search up on the web.  

In the future, I do think that art museums could possibly be threatened, due to the fact that they choose what they want to show the public. This is not always advantageous, as art museums may omit pieces that are too controversial or pieces that are not widely considered beautiful. But, with so many creators online using different platforms, it not only allows smaller creators to share their content but gives viewers the freedom to invest in art and in media they are passionate about. This point relates to a major point in Gioia’s article, “The Most Dangerous Thing in Culture Right Now is Beauty,” which is that Gioia wants people to find art they are passionate about rather than an institution telling them what they should care about.  

One final point that I would like to convey is that I do not think art museums will ever die as an institution because they hold so much history. There is something more intimate about visiting a museum and hearing a guide tell you the backstory of an artist and their motivation for creating a piece; searching an image on the web does not give that, which is why I do feel that although this institution may be declining, it cannot be replaces, but should evolve with technology. For instance, many museums are implementing augmented reality (AV) and virtual reality (VR) into the museum experience. In the article, How technology is bringing museums back to life, it shows how art institutions are drawing people using technology. The National Museum in Singapore launched a forest exhibit where visitors could use their smartphones to view the art. 

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The Release of Prisoners of Award Shows

Posted on December 4, 2023 by santanarr

by Rebekah Santana

At one point in time, award shows were some of the most-watched television programs of all time. Now, these shows are struggling with decreasing viewers annually. With the creation of the internet, people were able to find niche communities that differed from the mainstream more easily than ever before. Instead of only watching what’s on cable, the internet became the place to hear about new movies and television shows. Word of mouth is a really powerful tool of persuasion that can now be easily amplified online. Even at the beginning of the internet, people were able to find movie and show reviews, which was just the start. Before the internet and social media, the institutions and organizations running these shows dictated who and what was worthy of an award. The American people never got a ballot in the mail to vote, of course – a group of mysterious powerful people simply get to decide for the masses what is award-worthy. When these awards shows were first created, the public had limited ways to find popular movies and television shows, so watching the awards was enjoyable, and a way to find out about the best movies and shows out now.

Social media absolutely amplified the gap between the public and award shows. With the right marketing, or the right viral review, movies and television shows can become massive hits with millions of viewers. All that can now be done without traditional media sources, yet award shows are still choosing projects that are not consistent with what is actually popular, or mainstream. I just looked at the academy award winners from 2022, and I think I only know of one of the films listed – which proves my point.

Streaming services are another large reason that award shows are dying. It seems like more people have streaming services than just cable. It seems like so long ago when I was victim to whatever was on cable television and the dvds in my house. Cable television has set schedules, created by the companies. With streaming services, we’re able to choose from a variety of films and television at our leisure, with no hassle. There are also several movies and televisions shows that would have never gone to theaters, or aired, yet have gained huge fanbases. Most people don’t care about these award shows, and on top of that, don’t have cable. Those two things coupled together means that most people won’t go out of their way to find a way to stream it wherever it may be online.

With the rise of the internet, social media, and streaming services, award shows have become obsolete. The internet has given the people more of a voice than ever with the opportunity to find things they truly like rather than what they are told to like. This is a common theme now that people are able to speak, be heard, and hear from others. Social media creates a larger dialogue within our culture and the ability to hear from people that are just like you. Nobody wants to be told what to believe, think, or feel, by a bunch of rich people whose faces you’ve never seen. It doesn’t seem so trustworthy coming from an institution or organization of elites. Why do politicians appeal to the masses with the “plain folk” persuasive tactic? They want to make people feel like one of them. On social media, most people are just your common person, so their opinions seem more trustworthy. At some point, these award shows will have to adapt to the times, or create spectacles at their shows to garner viewership. There needs to be a large reworking of the show for it to succeed in our culture now, but I don’t think they will be able to survive it unless they have an amazing communiations team.

 

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Lovesong by beabadoobee

Posted on December 4, 2023 by mckoykn

By Kai McKoy

“I didn’t think I’d ever want this yet when we had first met in the fall,” 

Beabadoobee’s soft voice streams through my ears as I imagine myself in a scenario, painting the scene of the story she tells through her song “Love Song.” When listening to music, I usually do something active, whether walking or pacing my room; in any case, I’m never quite sitting still until I come across this particular song. This song has a flow and sound that makes me want to sit down and absorb everything around me, from every note to the catch of her breath. Something about this particular Beabadoobee song instilled something in me that may be far too cliche to say. Maybe I fell in love with the instrumentals, how the notes intermingled, the gentle strumming of the guitar, the airy, dream-like atmosphere of the song, and the layering of the instruments. Maybe I fell in love with her voice, quietly and sweetly singing to the listeners as if they were asleep and she didn’t want to disturb them. Or perhaps I’m fascinated with the tenderness of her lyrics detailing a girl experiencing sudden care for someone so deeply.

Her voice almost melts into the music as she starts to sing,

“I miss the train again. I called your name as if you’d drive it back”,

insinuating that the missed train is a metaphor for the boy she adores. She calls out to him, knowing it makes no difference because he doesn’t notice her attempts to reach out, a missed opportunity. The next lyrics follow suit and say,

“I swear you’re in my head throughout the day. I can say that for a fact,”

touching on her obsessive thoughts about him. As I do, and I’m sure anyone who has experienced a crush on someone, delves into constant questions of “I wonder what they’re up to”, “What are their plans today?” and all the “What-ifs” imaginable if you approached them with your heart on your sleeve. At last, in her repetitive chorus, she closes with a daydream and child-like repetition of  “doo-doo-doos” that add to the dreamy state of the song, showing how immersed she is in her thoughts.

Love Song is a single and one of the songs from her album Beatopia that centers around her experience with romance. A song in which Beabadoobee appears to be writing about a boy she unexpectedly and gradually fell in love with, but it seems her feelings are one-sided. As time passes, her connection and availability to the boy become distant until he is completely gone, and all he remains is a hopeless memory. Instead of expressing disappointment, the song entails acceptance and contentment, even with the boy’s unreciprocating feelings and her not getting a happily ever after. 

Unlike other love songs I’ve listened to, I never cried to this song. Instead, it gives me the opposite effect of an unexplainable relief or a sense of happiness. This song allows me to see a different perspective and reminisce on past “loves” I experienced in my own time. Instead of feeling dejected, you feel glad that you experienced the innocent giddiness of having a crush, and in the end, when you two part ways, you wish them nothing but the best. It’s a song about coming to terms with not being in their life, and for your sake, you are letting them go, allowing their existence to just be a pleasant memory. Near the end, she wraps up this beautiful message as she restates the title of the song through the chorus:

 “I guess that this is just another love song! About you…doo doo dooooo doo doo doo do…” 

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Post 3

Posted on December 4, 2023 by nabermc

by Margot Naber

In Ted Gioia’s de-institutionalization of arts and entertainment chart, he claims that web users obsessively scroll through images online, but art museum attendance is down, especially at large premier institutions. This is true, however I think the cause is complex. Ted Gioia’s article was written in 2023, post-pandemic. I don’t think it is sufficient enough to blame the increase of online viewership and the decrease of in-person attendance on the fear of contracting Covid-19. 

As we all know, everyone became reliant on technology during the pandemic. That has furthered the already brewing addiction to screens that has plagued our society. Even after the world’s re-opening, normal life has not resumed and our inability to put our phones down has become more apparent. I’m not surprised that locking everyone up in their houses, with the internet being the only thing connecting them, has caused a decrease in in-person revenue. 

When you have developed an addiction to something, it’s hard to break away from it. I think the majority of people are suffering from an addiction to technology. Why would they leave their homes and pay money to visit an art gallery when they have free access to images online? It’s hard to argue the appeal of in-person visitation to these businesses. 

Coming from a family of artists, I think this is a bad trend. My step-father, a photographer, and my step-sister, a painter, have struggled with their careers after a decline in gallery attendance. It’s already a hard profession to make a sustainable income, and the decline of museum and gallery attendance is only making it more difficult. I think that using social media and the internet to boost artwork and reach a larger audience is helpful, however I think in-person exhibitions are equally important. Museums and exhibits allow for interaction with art and give a platform for the artists. Most art museums are inexpensive and provide discounted prices for children, students, seniors, and the military. Visiting them doesn’t break the bank, I just don’t think people really care anymore when they have access to so much online. 

Unfortunately, I think the numbers will keep trending downwards or stay the same. I think the leading cause of people visiting art museums at this point in time is because they are tourist destinations. A few that come to mind are the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Louvre in Paris, and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Now that travel has opened up, I am hopeful that more people are traveling to see such places. However, that doesn’t really benefit smaller museums and galleries that don’t have as big of a reputation amongst tourists.



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Silver Springs Performance: Fleetwood Mac Reunion Concert 1997 Burbank California.

Posted on December 4, 2023 by santossb

By, Sophie Santos 

 Silver Springs Performance: Fleetwood Mac Reunion Concert 1997 Burbank California.

I spend many spolom drives home from work listening to live recordings of Fleetwood Mac. The way that almost all of their songs have a swelling rise and fall melodic pattern has always enamored me. I love the way in which a story is told, not only through their lyrics but in the motion and sound of their songs. Silver Springs has always been a favorite song of mine, solely because of the emotional connection and strain listeners can feel in the voices of Stevie as she pleads with Lindsay. 

The reunion concert held in 1997 in Burbank California, gave way to a performance so moving that it echoed across the country. Stevie walked on stage in one of her signature beaded shawls, and wrapped her now-aged sun-spotted hands around the mic. Following her Lindsay, her famous ex-lover and bandmate, made his way to the left of Stevie on stage. Both of them breathe and smile softly at each other with their now wrinkled eyes. Their prolonged gaze encases the knowledge of their past love, memories, and regrets. They begin to sing the song Silver Springs in a slow and intimate manner. Yet, as McVie and Fleetwood slowly tapered upwards to the climax of the song tensions between Stevie and Lindsay swell. Before Stevie sang in a low-toned groan, using words of nostalgia and longing. Now as she reaches the peak of the ballad, she turns away from the crowd and towards Lindsay.

Her hair floats over her right shoulder as she darts her head in his direction. She begins to sing not to him but at him. She repeats the mantra “You’ll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you.” As she has directed her focus towards him he remains forward facing to the audience. The tension is evident. He tries not to look at her as he repeats the chant. Finally, he caves and locks eyes with her from across the stage. For the remainder of the song he joins her in singing the mantra repeatedly, a song she wrote many years ago for him. 

Staring into each other’s eyes Stevie begins to adlib the words “never get away, never get away” as Lindsay carries on singing. The suspense between the two gives way to a sense of nostalgia, longing, and regret. In this moment all the world slips into disregard as the past, previous, and future relationship of the two buckles beneath the pressure of one song. In one instant the experience of unrequited love, turned regret surfaces, and boils over onto the performance of a lifetime. Nearing the ends of the song Stevie breaks her gaze simultaneously as that it seems Lindsay hesitates to reach out towards her. He is left standing with the whisper of a chance touch her as she recedes from his grasp. She turns and stands strong, finishing the song directed towards the crowd. He is left there, just as she was many years ago, an aimless soul chanting “You never get away, never get away” 

This performance, though according before I was even born, has always had an immense effect on my perception and digestion of the bands music. By watching the visual interpretation of the song, gave me, and many other viewers, a life theatrical interaction of what the songs purpose resounds. Yet the valence of mystery and the toil of emotion has left me with an urge to dive deeper into the meaning and emotion behind their songs. I, an avid Fleetwood Mac lover, will always remember what magic occurred on that stage in Burbank in 1997 and will “never get away, from the sound” of the bands music in my head.

https://youtu.be/eDwi-8n054s?si=-fzuqjy3BKZJkt70

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