Festivals, Festivals, Festivals

Love music but don't want to pay to see all your favorite artists separately? Music Festivals are the perfect answer to this question.
Typically, most music festivals are held during the summer months and showcase a variety of bands that spans the entire music spectrum.
Zac Holly, who has frequented many music festivals, including South by Southwest (abbreviated SXSW) says that they are definitely a rewarding experience
"I really liked the environment because the shows were in really different places...one show i went to was in the back of a barbershop and another was in a park."


The locations of festivals can vary greatly. For example, SXSW is held in downtown Austin, Texas whereas, the super festival known as Bonnaroo is held in rural Tennessee on a five hundred acre farm. The main venue has 3 large stages and several smaller stages scattered throughout. It also boasts a large marketplace area where festival goers can purchase an array of items including the music of the artists playing the show. Guests are assigned camping spaces that are their home for the 3-day span of the festival.
It's a great experience for anyone who loves music and doesn't mind getting a little dirty.
Some people however, aren't exactly into sharing space with huge amounts of people.



Adam Saylor attended Wakarusa in Kansas and wasn't too keen on the environment.

"I went to Wakarusa and i loved seeing all the bands but i didn't necessarily like the idea of so many people in such a small space"


Going to festivals is definitely an acquired taste. It definitely takes alot of planning an preparation. Most festivals offer helpful hints and tips on how to get ready. Bonnaroo does a great job providing their guests with every possible item they could possibly need. There is a section on their website that lists all the necessary supplies to "survive" the experience.

So no matter what type of music you prefer there is definitely a Festival out there for you to attend. Dont let the price deter you(on average, tickets can cost upwards of 200 dollars) going to a festival is the best way to get all your favorite music in one place.

If you want to find a festival near you but don't know where to start, take a look at www.festivalfinder.com

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Indie Music Defined

What is independent music? For many music lovers, the term independent or “indie” music refers to a specific sound or aesthetic that a band possesses. In actuality, the real meaning behind the term refers to the way the music is produced and distributed.
Many upcoming bands start out by essentially being their own agents, promoting shows, selling merchandise and distributing music.
Now, with the explosion of media outlets like myspace, twitter, and facebook, groups are able to get their name out to the public and do relatively well although they aren’t necessarily enjoying the monetary success that major label groups may gain.
For a large percentage of independent artists, the simple fact that they are making music that people enjoy is enough to satisfy them and inspire the drive to continue producing music.
However, the line that defines independents music is starting to blur at an increasing rate. Heavy hitters on the indie scene like Deathcab for Cutie and Modest mouse have crossed over into the mainstream and taken it by storm. And while they are enjoying massive success and making way more than they did as true independent artists, to many, they have drifted away from the original ideals and goals of independent musicians.
So, as the barrier between mainstream and indie continues to break, the definition of independent music will inevitably change and many people will lose sight of independent music’s true origins. Many hope the transition is much later than sooner.

Music and our Emotions

Music can have a powerful effect on our emotions. Whether we are listening to music to change our mood or just listening for pleasure, it can affect the way we think and the way we feel.
Music can change peoples' emotions in a variety of different ways. For example, if one were to listen to music from the heavy metal group, Slipknot, feelings of high energy and possibly contempt for something or someone may come about. But if one were to listen to the happy tones and lyrics of The Beatles, a much different set of feelings arises. According to studies conducted by the Psychology Press, music is a complex acoustic and temporal structure which posses the ability to induce emotional responses in the listeners. Music with emphasis on heavy bass, percussion and brass instruments is known to affect emotions more rapidly than others.

Singer/Songwriter Jon Haverfield says that music definitely has an effect on his mood.

"If I'm in a down mood, i just turn on a song from the nineties. It reminds me of the good times"

Haverfield has been singing and writing songs for over 10 years and he says it definitely has the power to provoke certain emotions and thoughts.

"Music makes you think and gives you a better outlook on life."

So whether you are listening to the soundtrack to a Disney Movie, or rocking out to techno before a party, Music is, whether you think about it or not, changing your emotional state. We all have that one song that puts us in that place where everything is good.

The Righs

Celtic punk ensemble, The Righs, will be invading OU's campus to perform on the student-run program, "The Set".
The Edmond-Based band had a bit of a rough start as rhythm guitarist and back-up vocalist, Nate Williams recalls, "My first band, Ruthless Nate and the Crazy 8's was a complete failure." But that didn't stop him from trying.
In the Summer of 2005, soon-to-be bandmate, Jack Smith approached him with a song and the two just ran with their ideas. Within the year, the duo had become a full band complete with an accordion player and even a mandolin player whom they acquired with an ad that read "Hey guitarists, do you want to learn mandolin and play in a band?"
At the time, the group was known as The Rivers, but issues involving an English band with the same name prompted them to choose a different moniker. After many outrageous names, which included The Dirty Mercenaries, they finally settled on The Righs which is Gaelic for king.
For those confused about what exactly Celtic Punk is, here's a brief description: Celtic punk combines all the elements of traditional Celtic songs with the high energy guitar riffs and gruffness of punk rock. Think bands like the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly and you'll have a general idea.
So with a new name, and a few new members, The Righs (pronounced "rigs") began writing songs and playing shows. Now, almost three years later, the Righs are in the process of cutting their sophomore effort, entitled "Roses" which is dedicated to a friend who passed away.
If you find yourself wanting to find out more about The Righs, be sure to check out their site at: www.myspace.com/therighs

In this photo: Nate Williams
Taken by: Justin Goff

El Ten Eleven

This week i am showcasing a band I just recently discovered called El Ten Eleven, another instrumental group out of Los Angeles.
The group consists of Tim Fogarty on electric drums and synthesizer, and Kristian Dunn on the bass guitar. Founded in 2003 after the duo played in a four piece ensemble together Dunn and Fogarty began perfecting their ambient, hypnotic, and sometimes poppy sound. They released a self titled album in 2004 and have since followed up with Every Direction is North and their latest effort, These Promises are Being Videotaped.
While listening to the self titled album for the first time, I found myself pleasantly surprised by each track. Not knowing what to expect, there was no place for me to set the bar, which I feel is a good thing, especially when listening to new music since no two bands are going to sound the same( except for the occasional boy-band). The opening track entitled, My Only Swerving, which sounds like the opening to a movie. I then skipped to the more upbeat Central Nervous Piston, which has almost a techno-esque sound. I definitely enjoyed the diversity of this record.
Combining spacey guitar riffs with the sharpness of an electronic drum kit, El Ten Eleven creates great background for just about anything. The group is extremely dynamic and is able to establish a very distinct and unique sound, unlike anything else i have heard in awhile. I would most definitely recommend this group to anyone with a sweet spot for instrumental bands.

Explosions in the sky.

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This week i will be showcasing one of my favorite bands of the past five years. Explosions in the sky is a completely instrumental post-rock group based out of Austin Texas. Originally formed in 1999 the group was originally called "Breaker Morant" but later changed their name after one of their members made a reference to fireworks.
Since their inception, the band has recorded six albums, including the soundtrack for the 2004 football film Friday Night Lights.
Their music, to me, has the ability to bring out every human emotion at once. As impossible as it may seem, i can attest to laughing, crying, and wanting to punch a hole in the wall all at the same time.
Most recently, the band has gone back into the studio after taking time with their families and is expected to release an album in the near future.