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…
Category: Features
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…
Kayo Genesis: Breaking Traditions to Creativity
By Joey Perkins, Contributor [Photo via Spotify] Kalik Osborne has always taken an untraditional route in music. From his songwriting process to signing to 2020 Gold, his artistic pursuit has been driven predominantly by his creative outlets and inspirations that exist far beyond his rapping career. Now known under the name Kayo Genesis, the Palmdale,…
Band Profile: glass beach
The four-piece released their debut, the first glass beach album, on their own budget. Fusing everything from ’80s synthpop to emo, glass beach’s mastery in a range of genres is apparent from the beginning of the album, which gives the listener a snapshot of glass beach’s musical capabilities.
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….
Weatherday: Savor the Bittersweet ‘Mumami’ of Swedish Emo Noise-Pop
Three knocks on the door and you’re welcomed with a cacophonous premonition of sweltering melodrama just seconds into Come In—a demanding first encounter that’s equal-parts expressive and enigmatic as the mastermind behind the Swedish emo noise-pop project, Weatherday.
ACRN Celebrates: Stevie Wonder
By Max Semenczuk, Contributor [Photo via Spotify] Stevie Wonder still holds a surmountable name in the music industry at age 69. His name evokes feelings of nostalgia, hope and longing. Wonder began his professional career during his early teenage years—only going up from there. Read more: ACRN Celebrates: Richie Havens Wonder was born May 13,…
ACRN Celebrates: Richie Havens
By Lauren Patterson, Staff Writer [Photo via Spotify] Woodstock 1969—it’s Friday, Aug. 15 in Bethel, New York. Hundreds of thousands eagerly await the start of the festival, as everyone behind the scenes flusters over the fact that the show was already nearing three hours past its scheduled start time. The crowd was eager; they wanted…
ACRN Celebrates: Diana Ross
By Jessica Jones, Copy Editor [Photo via Spotify] Who did the Guinness Book of World Records declare as the most successful female artist in history? Who has their name on not one but two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Who did Billboard proclaim was the “Entertainer of The Century”? None other than the…
ACRN Celebrates: JPEGMAFIA
By Kiah Easton, Columns Editor [Photo via Spotify] JPEGMAFIA took the alternative rap scene by storm in 2018 with his breakout project Veteran. Elements of political activism, abstract production and shitpost-inspired lyrics brought Peggy critical acclaim within weeks of its release. Read more: ACRN Celebrates: Lizzo Born to Jamaican parents, Barrington DeVaughn Hendricks spent his childhood…
ACRN Celebrates: Lizzo
By Taylor Linzinmeir, Staff Writer [Photo via Spotify] Pop artist and body-positivity advocate Lizzo can do it all. She can twerk, rap, belt out a high note and write a hook that will be stuck in your head for the rest of your life. Oh, and she just so happens to be a classically trained…
ACRN Celebrates: Jackie Wilson
By Lauren McCain, Contributor [Photo via Spotify] “To a rough stone that I am polishing into a diamond,” reads a signed photograph that Billy Ward gave Jackie Wilson in the summer of 1952. Known for his impressive four-octave range, Wilson was a dynamic powerhouse performer, earning himself the title of “Mr. Excitement” in the 1950s and…
