Hey guys,
I participated in Dance Marathon once again and I have to say, it’s always fun and for a great cause! For those of you that don’t know what Dance marathon is. It is a fundraiser/education/awareness/celebration, all under one roof. All participants are required to raise $150. All the money raised goes to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to ultimately make a generation free of AIDS. All dancers are required to stand on their feet for 12 hours and dance the whole day. I participated last year and again this year. It’s a wonderful experience to work for something that is far greater than yourself.
I dance not for me, but for those who cannot dance

-David

So I’m about to take a page out of Sam LaGuardia’s book and talk about a musical artist I’m completely obsessed with right now.

The Dismemberment Plan (D-Plan, or The Plan) started in D.C. in 1993, taking their moniker from a random line in Groundhog Day. The members were Travis Morrison (Vocals, Guitar), Jason Caddell (Guitar), Eric Axelson (Bass), and Joe Easley (drums). It’s a little tricky to accurately pin down a genre for The Plan, since they borrow elements from a number of alternative and punk genres such as Post-Punk, Dance-punk, Mathcore, Indie, and Art Rock. Albums include: “!”, “The Dismemberment Plan Is Terrified”, “Emergency & I”, “Change”, and “A People’s History of the Dismemberment Plan.”

That’s it for that.

So, what’s good about The Dismemberment Plan? In a word, creativity. The D-Plan takes so many unconventional techniques and makes them work in their music, particularly in the album “Emergency & I”, which I find to be their most intriguing and varied album, and ideally constructed, but that discussion can come later. First, the elements that make The Dismemberment Plan so interesting.

1) Time Signatures. It’s difficult to find a group that can so seamlessly integrate spicy little time signatures like alternating 4/4-7/8, 5/4, or 7/4, or randomly slice beats out of individual measures.

2) Something I always always look for when investigating a new band is Lyrics. Good music is, I think, almost always secondary to insightful, interesting lyrics, and needs to support and not lead the text. D-Plan has got this goin’ on. Morrison writes with a very keen insight into the modern social setting, but also a sarcastic wit that sneaks into songs like “Do The Standing Still.” He writes conversationally, but rhythmically, and at the same time manages to capture moments of high poetic beauty. It’s difficult to put a finger on.

3) Versatility. They borrow from so many styles, again, most prevalently on “Emergency & I”. I admire any band that can swing from sparse, low, dark textures like “The Jitters,” fly straight into the frenzied and noisy Brit-punk-esque “I Love A Magician,” and then incorporate a minimalist Dance-punk number directly after (”You Are Invited”). And the fact that they know to include enough hooking, memorable 4/4 songs sprinkled throughout to keep the album accessible.

4) Ridiculously interesting melodic choices. The refrain part of “The Jitters” is a mess of unpredictable intervals and dissonant guitar strums, and they make a habit of changing keys suddenly in the middle of songs or altering scale degrees at will.

5) A balance is struck between discord and harmony. Nothing is more annoying than a band that ONLY screams at you and pounds their guitars, but at the same time, there is a part of the human psyche that can only be accessed through a little good ol’ screamin’ and slashin’. Luckily all this is done tastefully, effectively, and briefly enough that noise-haters won’t be banging their heads against a wall.

So, that’s my summary of the D-Plan as it comes off the top of my head. Sorry for the length and all the musical jargon (see: “screamin’” and “slashin’”), but I think they deserve the analysis. Plus this is a pared down version of what I had written.

Their next release, Siamese Dream, would go on to produce such hits as “Cherub Rock”, “Today”, “Disarm”, and “Rocket”. Corgan would go on to say that this album’s content was extremely personal to him. He also stated that the record was recorded amidst disorder amongst the band members. Jimmy Chamberlin (drummer) was suffering from heroine addiction, D’Arcy (bass) suffered from her own addictions, and Billy just simply did not feel inspired. The album was still very successful, rocketing the band into superstar status. The album was heavily drum influenced, with songs such as “Geek USA” and “Silverf***”. A very good album front, to back.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness proved to be the most commercially successful album for the Pumpkins. The double disk sold more than the Beatles’ White Album. SP decided to work with a new producer on this adventure. The man goes by the name of Flood, and has worked with such legendary bands as U2 and The Depeche Mode. If there is one album everyone should examine before they die, this would contend for number one. It’s concept qualities provide it’s audience with an experience. Billy remarks in an interview held before the production of the album, saying that the idea of Gish were extremely personal. Mellon Collie was his attempt to take those personal experiences and broaden their meanings. The album, for me, is something I listen too when I want to experience nostalgia. And, truly, Billy wanted this to be revealed. He explained, also, in the interview how he wanted to catch the spirit of the times when he wrote the music and lyrics for it.

I could write for WEEKS on the Pumpkins.

Being an English major, I have to write my fair share of papers during my time at BW. Just recently, I finished up and turned in a pretty hefty essay of eight pages, and then today had a conference with my professor about it–looking at both strengths and weaknesses. Now, I’ve hit this time in my life recently where I think that I’m really making strides in improving my writing. First, on the paper for the World Lit class I did a while back, I really learned how to focus on who my audience is and to really hit home with a lot of the points I was making. Personally, I thought it was the best essay I’d ever written. Then today during my conference, I really had some light shed on my writing abilities. I honed in on some things that have held me back before, as well as got some new insight as to how I can get better. I know it sounds cliche, but sometimes I really feel the fact that I’m learning here at college, and classes like this Workshop one are some of the ones that help most. I think the most helpful classes are ones where you can revise and learn how to improve yourself. In this Workshop class, we write up a rough draft, do peer editing, turn in the final product and have a conference about it, and even after that we do a final edit for our own benefit. I think all classes should endorse that level of revision, since I learn better from my own mistakes than from anything else. Granted, it would be pretty time-consuming in a lot of classes and impossible to do. Also granted that I learn differently from other people. Still, I’ve come a long way, and of course only look to improve. Anxious is a strong word, but I am a little anxious to be able to revise this paper and see how to get better. There’s not too many better feelings (to me) than truly writing a great, insightful, deep paper. It really inspires a higher level of thinking, and you feel so smart to do well at it (again, Mr. Cliche). I dunno. But at least I can blog stress-free without having to worry about anyone editting mie paypers.

So there’s this amazing and fierce girl in my Music Theatre class named Ciara Harper, and this very moment she is on her way to New York to audition to replace Nala in Lion King on Broadway. Amazing.

Last Wednesday in class, Victoria Bussert (Broadway goddess, casting director, and main musical director here at BW) came in and said to all of us “Because we’re Baldwin-Wallace College, and because we are working professionals here, we have an opportunity. Ciara has been called in to audition for the role of Nala on Broadway next Wednesday.” It turns out one of the agents who had come through and seen us all sing had heard about the audition and sent her in for the role. So all this week she’s been learning her sides (the scene and song she has to audition on) and we’ve heard her all along the way, and she’s incredible. She puts so much heart and character into her songs. Regardless of the outcome, it’s going to be a great first NYC audition.

So, the weather has been several degrees above freezing. And we all know what that means for Brooke Hamilton….GOLF!!! Well…considering there is still about a foot of snow on the ground, DRIVING RANGE!!!

Thank goodness for heating driving ranges. Because I was itching to get out there and swing a club again. So, I did. Since I live close by, I had my mom pick me up and take me to the driving range by our house that has heated stalls. It’s not even really very necessary, because once I started swinging, I got hot.

Quick side note: when I was practicing on Friday, there was a guy there who was 6 foot 8. Talk about feeling short.

But the spring season begins with our spring break trip to Tampa, FL, which is only two more weeks away. Which means midterms are next week. Which means that Brooke is feeling slightly unprepared for midterms because they snuck up on her because she’s been to busy watching anime. (But anime is awesome, so it’s been worth it)

But I’m trying to enjoy the weather while I can and practice, practice, practice. I have three months of missed playing that I have to make up for and be ready for the tournament. Wish me luck!

Hey all,
So I’m chilling in Carmel Living and learning Residence Hall. Just doing my homework, getting laundry done, and ultimately being productive. It’s been a great weekend, a really relaxing one too. Something I haven’t had in quite a while.

So it all starts Thursday night I went to Midnight Madness. This week’s midnight madness consisted of going to the Local Movie theater which was rented out to the organization. Any student could see any movie they want. Who would pass on a deal like this? I know I wouldn’t. My girlfriend and I decided to go and see Valentine’s day. It was quite a fabulous movie. I really liked it, so if you’re in the mood for a good light hearted comedy.. Valentine’s day is that movie… I also made a new friend at the Movie theater as well. Her name is Rachel Marinucci. She is a proud sister of Alpha Gamma Delta and she shared her popcorn with me… Yay!

Friday, I had class followed by doing homework. That’s really about it

Saturday, a few of my Fraternity brothers and their friends ended up going to downtown Cleveland for some Dim Sum. Dim sum is an Asian cuisine that consists of several small meals. Think of it like a pot luck brunch. I invited one of my professors, Dr. Lia Wang, and she joined us for lunch as well. We all went to the Asian market afterwards. All in all, I call it a sucess and everybody got to try new food and get some random items.

Sunday - Work, work, work.
That’s all it has been today, just getting work done. Midterms are coming up soon, so I better be prepared for them.

-David

So these last few weeks have been pretty rough, and I only feel like I’m catching up with all my work just now. I’m working on several new pieces of violin rep, including Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, Khachaturian’s violin concerto in D minor, and several fun, shorter pieces, such as Kroll’s Banjo and Fiddle and Sarasate’s Malaguena. They’re all really enjoyable works, but since I need to grind out a lot of rep to flesh out my junior recital for next year, sometimes it feels like more like work than usual.

Additionally, tomorrow are several concerts of interest. One is the contemporary music concert, and the other is the composition symposium. They’re pretty much what you’d expect from the title. The contemporary concert features all contemporary (20th and later century) music, while the composition symposium show cases all the works of the composition majors, with their peers performing their music.

This Friday are two concerts, one of which I’m performing in. There’s the Concert Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra performing, with Symphony Orchestra being conducted by a guest conductor, an alumni of BW. Both should be great concerts, so if you have the time, check it out.

Let me tell you this week has taken FOREVER!

I am beyond excited to sleep in tomorrow. Rule number one for college students: Never, EVER, schedule an 8 am on Friday’s. It’s horrible, especially if you already are not a morning person.
School its self is alright, I’m trying to buckle down and focus which is much harder than I thought!

For LENT, I’m giving up Late night eating..SOO HARD! I might have to reevaluate my decision. I just like food way too much!

Volleyball is actually going much better. Our team has finally gotten off of their high horses and I truly believe we are a starting to work as a team. Being on a college team is much more different and harder because you meet kids from various areas, who all think they are the best. With 10 or more guys on one team with that mentality= bound for disasters! But we head to Indiana University next week, and I’m hoping we really show the other teams what BW Volleyball is about.

The arm is feeling MUCH BETTER!! (Maybe a little RnR is all it needed?) But when one injury leaves, another will arise. Something is wrong with my hamstring (I think its my hamstring) but I’m kind of hoping that the pain will go away with this weekend off!

I”ll be sure to blog again soon guys!!

With Love,

Jehu

ps watch this video below…it is truly AMAZING!

To start off, I don’t know if I’ve made any mention of my spring break plans in all my blogging… But for the record, in a few weeks I’ll be embarking on my first vacation trip with a group of friends ever. We’ll be going down to Panama City (where there’s apparently a load of BW students going) and staying in a hotel-thing by the beach. There’s six of us total, and the room fits us all. We booked everything a while ago, paid deposits, blah, blah, and we’ll be driving (yeah, driving) all the way down there come break. BUT today, a funny little thing happened: the agency that got us booked apparently messed up our whole thing, saying they’d booked us when they were actually full, so weeks after we set this all up they decide to tell us that there was no room in the hotel. Plan canceled. Honestly, I laughed a bunch at the situation, with the whole “just our luck” thing. Literally, of all the people reserved for spring break by this entire agency, we were the only group that got screwed over with the whole booking process. We started looking at other places (I mean, we were gonna go regardless of where we stayed), but a few phone calls and some ripped out hair later, the entire situation got worked out. Another room apparently canceled their stay, so we get their room. So we’re back to the same deal, same situation after what was just a short-lived scare. Actually, I’m disappointed now–after all the hubbub I figured we’d end up getting some compensation… like, a free $1000 check or something. Hey, a guy can hope. But everything is back to the original plans, so lets just hope it stays that way and our luck doesn’t bite us again.