If the band Beli were a car, they’d be a 1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Not a lowrider, but a nice vintage ride with the potential to be converted into one. The body of the car is painted orange copper candy pearl, but the roof’s exterior is a seamless white. On the dashboard is a laminated image of the virgin Santa Maria. Hanging from the rear view mirror are two Royal Pine car fresheners. A purple LED mood light lines the inner rim of the car’s roof. When this car drives by during the day, one would expect it to serenade a quiet suburb with the classic trumpets emblematic of musica ranchera. But at night, when the LED lights are turned on, this car looks like the wheels could invert and turn into jet engines. You’re more likely to find this car parked on a cul-de-sac, windows up, with the faint sound of Lil Peep playing.
Tag: Features
Finding Comfort in a Hopeless Place, a Guide To Xiu Xiu
By Venus Rittenburg, Contributor
Editorial content warning: sexual abuse, self-harm, suicide, depression
Xiu Xiu (pronounced shoo-shoo) is my favorite band. I’m drawn to them for many reasons, but some of those are the same reasons that people find Xiu Xiu polarizing and challenging to listen to. In the wake of their recently announced 15th album, OH NO, I’m here to provide a guide to Xiu Xiu, what I find appealing about them and how to get into them, because with a discography this diverse and wondrous, there’s something for everybody.
Learning to Listen: ACRN sits down with George and Gary Schwindt, formerly of Flogging Molly
Learning to Listen: ACRN sits down with George and Gary Schwindt, formerly of Flogging Molly
By Taylor Linzinmeir, Staff Writer
It’s 7 a.m. in George Schwindt’s Los Angeles home at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. He’s already awake. The former drummer of Celtic-punk band Flogging Molly no longer abides by a touring schedule, seeing a different city and culture every day. Instead, he is beholden to the schedule of his 8 and 6-year-old kids. If they’re awake, he’s awake. If they’re hungry, he’s making breakfast.
Group Feature: ACRN’s Top 15 Albums of 2020
15. Rico Nasty – Nightmare Vacation, [Sugar Trap; 2020]By Kwase Lane, Features Editor It’s kind of weird how long Rico Nasty’s been around without dropping a debut album. I mean, I’m not complaining; if anything, this is a bonus. Nightmare Vacation encapsulates all of Rico’s growth as an artist and is a pleasure to listen…
Group Feature: ACRN’s Top 10 Movies of 2020
10. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm [Amazon; 2020]By Kwase Lane, Features Editor Reprising his role as everybody’s favorite bumbling Kazakhstani reporter, Sacha Baron Cohen took a second go at a Borat film, and he stuck the landing even more flawlessly than he did in its predecessor. The first Borat movie does what it sets out to well,…
Covers: An Overview of Approaches for Reimagining Pop Music
By Jonah Krueger, News Editor So, you want to cover a song? Wonderful! Let us start by congratulating you for making this tremendous decision and reinforce how excited we are that you chose us™ to help you along this rewarding journey. Legally, we are required to inform you of the potential risks involved with covering…
Vaporwave and Punk Rock: Opposite Aesthetics, Similar Goals
By Ethan Bloomfield, Contributor
Anarchy is a complicated idea. Generally, when one thinks of anarchy, they think of burning buildings, burly men with mohawks and motorcycles and a lawlessness only seen on the silver screen. While this is anarchy, the real definition of the word according to Merriam-Webster is simply “an absence of government.” Why does any of this matter? Why am I telling you any of this?
Group Feature: ACRN’s Favorite Quarantine Tracks
2020 has had its fair share of twists and turns, but at least we still had music to keep us sane. Here are ACRN’s favorite tracks that we listened to while locked inside.
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…
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.
