The DIY Scene’s Impact on Artistry and Alternative Careers

By Kiah Easton, Columns Editor [Photo by Kiah Easton] The DIY music scene in Athens, Ohio, provides a crucial launching pad for various art forms and alternative lifestyles. Although the Athens scene is small, the movement reflects a broader trend toward artistic freedom, sustainability and independence, resulting in far-reaching impact. The local youth subculture is…

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ACRN Alumnus Spotlight: Ocean Eiler / DJ The Librarian

By Micah Fluellen, Contributor [Photo via Ocean Eiler / Video by Micah Fluellen] Ocean Eiler, Ohio University and ACRN alumnus, recently visited his hometown of Athens, Ohio, to catch up with his family and present-day ACRN. Eiler attended Ohio University in the late ’90s as a double major in graphic design and interactive design. He…

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VIRTUAL CONCERT CALENDAR: What’s Going On -– Week of 4/27-5/3

By Jonah Krueger, Staff Writer While practicing safe social distancing is responsible, it’s no secret that it can also be maddeningly boring. Add a heaping scoop of stress, multiply it by however many weeks we’ve been dealing with this situation, and a little escapism seems deserved. Luckily, some of our favorite artists have taken to…

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Trying to release new single “This is Not a Disco Pt. 2”

By Lauren Patterson, Staff Writer [Photo courtesy of Trying/Samuel Harris] Indie rock band Trying premiered their latest single, “This is Not a Disco Pt. 2,” on a Z Tapes‘ benefit compilation on April 7. The track will be out everywhere on April 28. Read more: Album Review: Mount Erie –Lost Wisdom, Pt. 2 “This is…

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VIRTUAL CONCERT CALENDAR: What’s Going On – Week of 4/20-4/26

By Abby Jeffers, News Editor Even though everyone is stuck at home and live shows have been canceled or postponed, great music is still happening. Dozens of artists are livestreaming concerts and music festivals – so many that this list is limited to local Ohio events and larger music festivals. Many more individual artists may…

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Album Review: galen tipton – recovery girl

By Kiah Easton, Columns Editor [DESKPOP; 2020] Rating: 8/10 Key tracks: “big loud & violent”, “recovery girl ”, “dont be my light” galen tipton is starting out 2020 with a bang, releasing her debut project under the alias recovery girl through the experimental pop record label DESKPOP Music. Undoubtedly big, loud and violent, as the…

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Athens’ Brick City Records signs four new artists

By Liz Partsch, Contributor Although Brick City Records first started as a small Ohio University student organization, it has expanded into an official student-run record label. Located in Schoonover Center, the local studio attracts many label submissions every fall semester. Brick City President Maya Nauriyal says that it’s a team decision when it comes to…

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Album Review: Grimes – Miss Anthropocene

By Andrew Breazeale, Staff Writer [4AD; 2020] Rating: 7.5/10 Key tracks: “4ÆM”, “Delete Forever”, “My Name is Dark – Art Mix” It’s hard to describe modern music without mentioning Grimes. The Canadian singer-songwriter, Claire Boucher, has been pushing the boundaries of pop, electronic and hip-hop music since her debut in 2010. She is a pioneer…

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Album Review: Kesha – High Road

By Lauren McCain, Contributor [RCA/Kemosabe; 2020] Rating: 6.5/10  Key tracks: “Tonight”, “Kinky (ft. Ke$ha)”, “Summer” Ah, welcome back to the gaudy, paint-splashed, sparkling chaos that is a quintessential Kesha album. Kesha’s fifth studio album, High Road marks a return to the same pop sentiments of her early dollar sign days. And weren’t those the days? …

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ACRN Prom 2020 Q&A: Jeremiah Hayes

By Taylor Linzinmeir, Staff Writer  Photo by Harley Wince, Visual Media Director Q&A with Athens-based R&B artist Jeremiah Hayes at ACRN Prom 2020.  Tell me about where you’re from.  JEREMIAH HAYES: I’m from Columbus and moved here [Athens] about two years ago to study music at Hocking [College] and then eventually transfer over to OU….

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Album Review: Mac Miller – Circles

By Jessica Jones, Copy Editor [Warner Records Inc; 2020] Rating: 8.5/10  Key tracks: “Circles”, “Blue World”, “Good News”, “Surf”  In 2018, shortly before his tragic death, rapper, singer, songwriter and producer Mac Miller left us with Swimming, his final studio album meant to be the first of a three-part project. On Jan. 17, Miller gifted…

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