Here you will find reviews, previews, artist profiles, and opinions about music in 2023. This publication will highlight musical activities in Oberlin and Greater Cleveland, as well as regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Typical of Me EP: Laufey
By April Lee Laufey’s music may have seemed to go viral overnight, yet that comes with a story. From a young age, she learned the cello, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, a violinist, to whom she attributes her love for music. A modern twist is her combined interest in jazz and classical music,… Continue reading Typical of Me EP: Laufey
Singing Violas from the “Docter’s office”
By April Lee It has been traditional in the “Docter’s office” to include singing in student recitals. Kirsten Docter, viola professor at Oberlin Conservatory, and her students joined forces to put together a lovely ad-hoc concert — Viola Choruses — on May 6 at 4:30 PM in Stull Recital Hall. The program began with four… Continue reading Singing Violas from the “Docter’s office”
A Versatile Musician: Jasper de Boor
By April Lee Jasper de Boor (far left) with Poiesis Quartet It is not everyday that we encounter someone who is a modern and baroque violinist, violist, and pianist. Jasper de Boor epitomizes what it means to make music one’s lifestyle. A double major in violin and viola at the Oberlin Conservatory, de Boor will… Continue reading A Versatile Musician: Jasper de Boor
Why Sampling In Music Is Dead (Or Not)
By Max Newman In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, esteemed artist DJ Shadow discussed the current state of sampling in music. Defined by the Abbey Road Institute as “including an element of a pre-existing recording by someone else in a composition”, sampling is something that Shadow is no stranger to. The veteran DJ (real… Continue reading Why Sampling In Music Is Dead (Or Not)
Album Review: Natalia Lafourcade, ‘De Todas Las Flores’
By Max Newman Natalia Lafourcade is an intriguing artist. Born in Mexico City, she started off her career in the early 2000s with a distinctly poppy sound. Towards the end of the decade, she began to move towards more indie sonic themes, and then to straight-up folk. It was a lengthy musical journey for the… Continue reading Album Review: Natalia Lafourcade, ‘De Todas Las Flores’
“Un Vistazo a Quien es Bad Bunny” – Un Verano Sin Ti Album Review
By Ariana Cervantes Bad Bunny — need I say more? He’s a showstopper; a Vogue model; a voice uniting the Latinx community. Being a year from its first release in May 2022, Un Verano Sin Ti is his most streamed album, and for a reason. In this, Bad Bunny gives us a glance of what… Continue reading “Un Vistazo a Quien es Bad Bunny” – Un Verano Sin Ti Album Review
“Representation Matters: The Rise in Latinx Artists in Mainstream Media” Op-ed
By Ariana Cervantes Images: Grupo Firme's Instagram, GRAMMY's Website, and Becky G's Instagram “Mom, when I grow up I want to be a cantante.” “Mom, when I grow up, I want to be a ranchero.” “Mom, when I grow up I want to be a reggaetonero.” As children, we are told to follow our dreams.… Continue reading “Representation Matters: The Rise in Latinx Artists in Mainstream Media” Op-ed
A New Era of Basketball
By: Bry Woodard There is no denying it. A new era of basketball has arrived. With increased coverage and a plethora of stars to choose from, the 2022-2023 women’s collegiate basketball season has been one that will go down in history. Basketball has been around since the 1890s and the National Basketball Association was established… Continue reading A New Era of Basketball
Yaoyuan Pu and Qi Qi’s Junior Recital Concert Review
By Ariana Cervantes On Thursday, March 2nd, Yaoyuan Pu and Qi Qi played their Junior Recital in Warner Concert Hall, showcasing their piano skills on a beautiful Thursday night. They presented different pieces, yet both demonstrated precision and intricacy. The night was full of suspense, leaving the audience at the edge of their seats. Pu… Continue reading Yaoyuan Pu and Qi Qi’s Junior Recital Concert Review
Metro Boomin, Hip-Hop’s Truest Superhero: Heroes and Villains Album Review
Photo of Metro Boomin taken by Vanni Bassetti/Getty Images for Dior Homme By Reggie Goudeau On December 2nd, 2022, Leland Tyler Wayne, best known as Metro Boomin, blessed listeners with an early Christmas present in the form of his long-anticipated Heroes and Villains album. With a long list of top-notch features from artists like Don… Continue reading Metro Boomin, Hip-Hop’s Truest Superhero: Heroes and Villains Album Review