It's "Let's not talk about college admission" day (or weekend)!
I've decided that we all need a break. The constant worrying about a process that isn't going to be complete for another month is unhealthy. I looked to my blogging colleagues at other schools to see if I could lift an off-topic of discussion for today's post. Dan at Hopkins wrote about The Oscars, but to be frank, I'm not a big fan of award shows. Libby at Chicago wrote about their last blanket of snow, but unfortunately for this northerner, the snow we got on Valentine's Day is long gone and it's around 60 degrees today. I thought about asking "What's your passion?", but while that question was fresh five years ago, it's a little predictable these days.
When I want to relax and think about something other than the task at hand, I turn to music. I imagine there are many of you out there who do the same. So, tell me what's on your playlist. What concerts are you looking forward to seeing this summer? What band's videos do you find yourself watching on Youtube? Is there a genre you don't "get"? Don't just stick to my questions. Let's see where this conversation goes.
I'm going to answer my own questions, but I'll let a few of you start.
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21 comments:
Well...there's a wide range, from many different genres! I do love show tunes, though. Les Miz, Wicked, Pirates of Penzance, Hairspray, Cats, Rent, and, OH, of course, All Shook Up! I like my broadway. :D
One of my friends recently burned me the new Regina Spektor album, "Begin to Hope" and it is absolutely amazing. It's not what you would expect from a "pop" artist (though I don't think you can even call her that). She even sings in Russian on one song... it's so different that it's interesting to listen to.
Besides her, I have an affinity for "alternative" music though I don't like to classify my music as such. Coldplay, Jack's Mannequin, The Killers, Dashboard... oh gosh there are so many. :)
I listen to lots of metal/screamo/hardcore. I like fast paced music thats very industrial sounding, but at the same time I like some pop stuff and foreign music. Its good to be well rounded.
"screamo"?!? That's a new one. I haven't heard of that genre!
I have recently been listening to some reggae, a group called John Brown's Body, its pretty relaxing and chill music for the pretty chilly weather we have been getting in northern VA. Enjoy it
The current rotation in my car is The Big Chill soundtrack (never fails), Kings of Leon latest album "Aha Shake Heartbreak," Pavement's re-issue of their 1995 album "Wowee Zowee" (for anyone who doesn't know, lead singer Stephen Malkmus and percussion/keyboard/harmonica guy Bob Nastanovich both attended UVa, and I swear, Pavement was the best band of the 90s...), and a mix CD with Matisyahu (Hasidic Jew...doing reggae), Peter Bjorn and John, Muse, Jay Z (glad he's back!) and some others. I'm looking for some new hip hop artists though, so anyone - bring on the suggestions!
Dean J, great idea for a post - I read this blog a lot, but I fear my comments on admission would just be epic venting sessions, so I refrain - music, I can do.
Also, do you happen to know if UVa/ Charlottesville hosts many concerts? STEPHEN MALKMUS in particular (I would hope he would return to his alma mater...). Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of Charlottesville's biggest musical export - Dave Matthews. Oh well!
I love jam bands. The Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, & Phish are all some of my favorite bands. I also just started listening to Dave Matthews a lot. But my first love will always be the blues.
Some good choices already!
My playlist spans a few decades and is heavy on classic rock and jambands (gold star for Sean).
The concert scene in Charlottesville is fantastic. I doubt many people expected The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton to play a town this small, especially when Washington, DC is just two hours away!
MusicToday and Red Light Management are headquartered here and that brings many artists to town. Coran Capshaw (UVA alum, DMB manager, and head of those companies) owns a few of our venues, which helps as well.
I like all kinds of music. I saw Coldplay in concert last April and they were AMAZING! When they played "Yellow" they dropped gigantic yellow balloons filled with gold glitter from the ceiling, and each song had its own special effects/laser light show.
I also enjoy bluegrass and Celtic music and I'm going to see Gaelic Storm on Thursday!
I bought tickets to see Clapton in D.C. last October and was upset when I later found out that he was playing in Charlottesville. I would have loved to have been able to visit UVA and see Clapton in the same weekend. I now plan on visiting some time in the spring.
I thought I’d write add a little info about some of the music traditions around here. Two days after classes end, seniors in the music department have a concert at the far end of The Lawn. You'll see all sorts of people from administration and faculty to families from the neighborhood sitting out on the grass throughout the day. It’s a really nice way to take a break from the end of the year frenzy and just enjoy the nice weather.
Charlottesville has something called Fridays After Five in the spring and summer. Every Friday, there's a free concert at the outdoor amphitheater on the Downtown Mall. The students don’t seem to go (plenty stick around during the summer), but you’re sure to see all sorts of people down at the Charlottesville Pavilion dancing and socializing on Friday afternoons.
This last one isn’t a formal tradition, just one I’ve decided is routine enough to be included. One of our music faculty members, John D’earth, is a fairly well known jazz trumpet player. I’ve lost count of the number of times he’s walked on stage with bands, from big name acts like DMB to little known, local acts. You never know when he’ll pop up at a show.
I LOVE LED ZEPPELIN!
The reason is that they blend so many genres together. They truly revolutionized the sound of rock; adding a fresh, blues rhythm to it.
I heard that they were thinking about getting back together: John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham's SON.
If this materializes, I'll be spending my summer cash on a ticket. :-)
I'm going to see Clapton on March 5th in Okla. City. I'm excited.
I thought I'd pass along a little rumor for those of you in the area (or who will be in the fall). There a certain band that is embarking on a reunion tour this summer. I won't say their name, but their bass player went on to have a successful solo career after the band broke up in the 80s.
Well, there are people in town who say they might be headed to our very own John Paul Jones Arena. That would be the third "once in a lifetime" concert at UVa in a year!
Anyway, I hope readers won't see the end of the weekend as the end of this thread of conversation. Let's keep this one going! I like hearing about your interests and as my last two comments have shown, they make me think of interesting tidbits about Charlottesville and UVa to share outside of the usual topics.
I know this post is supposed to be about things other than college admissions, but could you post any information for the transfer students silently suffering until "May 1st"? Is it really May 1st? What about last year, didn't they find out in April? Obviously I'd be very happy if you could give me some insight into Transfer Admissions at UVA.
PS- I'm trying to transfer from Virginia Tech. Any information about Tech to UVA transfers?
Prior to the March 1st transfer deadline, I can't make any predictions about when notification will be. Check back in a few weeks!
I've definitely been listening to a lot more British rock lately. My play list is dominated by the works of Oasis, Coldplay and Muse. Really great sound that each band has. I'm also a big fan of The Roots and Common, two incredible rap artists who are underrated by any standard.
I did hear that Common was visiting Charlottesville in April sometime, and I was thinking about seeing him.
My TV watching, on the other hand, has been taken up by 24 and Lost, possibly two of the most intriguing shows ever created. The two shows really are great complements for each other during the week.
Re: The recent blog on the news related (first) blog
You should not put a link up on this blog that has offensive language and obscene materials. (I am talking about "Say Everything" of Nassbaum. It is ironic tht we are preventing kids from access of obscenity yet we are posting a link on a College Blog that has these materials.
A Concerned Parent
Parent, I don't fully understand your comment ("ironic that we are preventing kids from access of obscenity yet we are posting a link on a College Blog that has these materials"). Who is "preventing kids from access of obscenity" and how are they doing it?
Let's address the post on the other blog, though. Students are posting intimate information about themselves on the internet. I have written about that time and again on my higher ed issues blog. New York Magazine's article is a wake up call to us adults: our students don't have the same understanding that we do of privacy and boundaries.
Do we ignore what they're doing? Refuse to address the situation? Or, do we try to understand why they do this? The New York Magazine article is the first I've seen to try to articulate what is in our students' heads (most just lament "kids these days"). When we understand our students' point of view, we can have better conversations about the issues that affect them.
Now, I'm not going to address this further on the application blog and I'll delete any further comments made here. This blog is for the application process and the other blog is about higher ed issues. I'd be happy to have a good conversation there about this topic.
Dean J, just read your post about certain rumors--that's awesome if it's true. Around what time is this band allegedly playing in JPJ? JPJ is a nice arena; I was impressed when I was there this past Saturday seeing the game against GT. I wouldn't be surprised to see more big-name and hard-to-get acts performing there as well. It's already hosted Billy Joel, and if I'm not mistaken, isn't it rated as one of the best new venues in the country or something?
Out of curiosity, what does John Paul Jones have to do with the University of Virginia? My Dad asked me and I responded "that's a good question!" (Usually he uses that response on me. :-))
I'll have to keep abreast of news regarding this rumor. Now I have to get the song "Roxanne" out of my head...
JPJ is UVa's new arena. So far, we've had Eric Clapton, DMB, James Taylor, Billy Joel and some country stars with whom I'm not very familiar.
It was voted Best New Venue in 2006 at the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. I've heard it's currently the largest or 2nd largest indoor venue in Virginia, which helps bring great acts to campus.
The rumor is just a rumor at this time. The band has already announced a few months of tour dates, so if it's happening here, it's not happening this summer.
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