By Maria Lubanovic, Copy Editor Sylvester, the Queen of Disco, grew up in the Pentecostal church, where he found his passion for singing through a gospel choir. As an androgynous gay man, he had a difficult time feeling like he belonged and eventually found groups of gay men, trans women and drag queens to perform…
Category: Features
Artist Profile: Austin Hitte
By Maddie Young, Contributor [Photo via Spotify] When hearing the phrase “SoundCloud Rapper,” a specific image comes to mind: a middle-school kid wearing Air Force Ones with rainbow hair rapping about a Louis Vuitton bag that they don’t even own. But a new generation of DIY rappers have taken over this new golden age of…
ACRN’s Top 10 Disappointing Albums of 2019
10. Avril Lavigne – Head Above Water, [BMG; 2019] By Maria Lubanovic, Copy Editor If you told me Avril Lavigne would release an album with cover art of her naked behind a guitar as a way to show a raw and emotional edge, I wouldn’t have flinched. That’s a classic comeback move for a lot of…
ACRN Celebrates: Bob Marley
By Tierney Carter, Contributor Today, many hear the cool, smooth sounds of reggae music and have to take a moment to reflect on the king of reggae himself, Bob Marley. This Jamaica-born singer took the world by storm (or by a puff of smoke) and helped to establish the Rastafarian vibe that so many find…
ACRN’s Top 10 Movies of 2019
10. Jojo Rabbit [Fox Searchlight; 2019] By Andrew Breazeale, Staff Writer Taika Waititi’s follow-up film to his outing with Marvel is a delightfully sweet and hilarious movie about young Nazis. Yes, you read that right. Waititi’s dark satire follows a young Nazi youth named Jojo whose closest friend is an imaginary Adolf Hitler. While Jojo Rabbit may…
Artist Profile: Jessi Blue
By Anna Birk, Contributor [Photo via Spotify] Raw emotion is true to Jessi Blue’s brand as a musician. Accompanied by record-pops and a calm, jazzy demeanor, lyrics such as “My sanity is bound by a single thread / You left me a letter and I cried when I read,” convey the deep, dark wounds of…
ACRN’s Battle of the Bands 2019 Winner Q&A: Gorilla Party
By Liz Partsch, Contributor [Photo by Harley Wince, Visual Media Director] Q&A with bassist Preston Frick, drummer Tyler Tompkins and guitarist/vocalist Carson Dunlap of ACRN’s Battle of the Bands 2019 victor, Gorilla Party. So, what do you guys plan on doing with the prize money? PRESTON: We already put the money toward T-shirts, which we are…
Preview: galen tipton, saladfucker, Camille Karavas / Nov. 16 / Galbreath Chapel
By Taylor Linzinmeir, Contributor Athens may be cooling down for the winter, but ACRN is just heating up. Come take shelter from the frigid cold and warm up to the sweet sounds of college rock bouncing off of the walls of a 1950s chapel this Saturday, November 16. No matter what kind of music you’re…
Feature: Chris Thile and his Eternal Journey of Innovation
By Jonah Krueger, Contributor [Photo courtesy of Devin Peddle] Chris Thile may very well be the most renowned, most popular living mandolin player. His fingerprints can be found on just about anything that gets tagged with the term “bluegrass,” and the tale of 5-year-old Thile first picking up the mandolin is now the stuff of…
Live Review: An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, Oct. 19
By Lauren Patterson, Contributor [Photo by Lauren Patterson] The scene is set, lit with candles and garnished by a multicolored oriental rug. Instruments are propped on stands that surround the stage, welcoming concert-goers as they enter the auditorium. Graham Nash, best known for his work with the legendary band Crosby, Stills & Nash, takes the…
Premiere: Camp Edwards unveil exclusive performance at American Football house
By Marvin Dotiyal, Features Editor [Photo by Tony Sherifi] Up-and-coming Chicago emo/indie-rock quartet Camp Edwards recently rocked the basement at the American Football house (yes, the American Football house) and are sharing their performance of “Beloit” from their forthcoming debut EP of the same name. Read more: Album Review: American Football – American Football (LP3) Employing…
Q&A: Hope Davis
By Anna Birk, Contributor [Photo by Noel Davis] Q&A with Hope Davis following a performance at Donkey Coffee in Athens, Ohio. You grew up in Athens, Ohio—what made you leave? Hope: Well, I was suffering from an eating disorder in high school, and I was extremely depressed. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, so during the…
