Tag: Julia Vaccarella ’20
New York’s Favorite Summer Concert Returns
by Kerry Torpey on April 19, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’21
A&E Staff
With Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicking off this year’s spring music festivals, the beginning of music festival season is upon us. Governors Ball, first launched in 2011, is returning yet again. This year it will be held June 1-3 at the same location as last year, Randall’s Island Park in New York City. The three-day event will feature a variety of artists and spotlight different musical genres.
Founders Entertainment is the company that handles the production for Governors Ball, which in past years has attracted well over 100,000 spectators. Single-day tickets are currently being sold online, as is entry for all three days of the festival. In addition to great music, there will be food trucks and exposure for many known New York restaurants. There is also a lineup of food vendors just as anticipated as the musical lineup.
Two of the headliners for 2018 include Eminem and Travis Scott. Although both artists are known for creating rap music, they will be performing on different days of the festival. Eminem, a classic name within the genre, will have plenty of songs to perform from his 2017 album, Revival, and his long list of past records. Travis Scott, who rose to popularity with his song “Goosebumps,” also has plenty of set list options to choose from—his new album was released this past Dec.
Other well-known rappers like 2 Chainz, Lil Uzi Vert, and Post Malone are all on the musical lineup, performing on different days. R&B newcomer Khalid, who was nominated for five Grammys earlier this year, is also slated to make an appearance on June 3. Not all of the acts chosen by Founders are rap artists. In fact, opening the show on the festival’s first day is Jack White, whose musical style leans towards rock and alternative music.
White is also part of the duo The White Stripes, which produced, “Seven Nation Army.” Electronic/EDM artists will also be in attendance, such as Diplo, who recently released a solo album. He has partnered with Mark Ronson, who appeared on Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” on a duo team that they have called Silk City. Diplo and Ronson are currently set to perform on Saturday, June 2. Additionally, another EDM duo will be performing on this day: Galantis.
It seems as though this year’s Governors Ball will feature a wide array of artists from big name singers to up-and-coming performers; it is this versatility that attracts so many people year after year. Forbes speculates that it will “include some of the city’s biggest comeback shows ever along with breakout acts you can’t miss.”
The Week(e)nd Has Only Just Begun…
by The Cowl Editor on April 12, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
To the happiness of fans all over the world, contemporary R&B singer The Weeknd recently released a new EP titled My Dear Melancholy,. Comprised of six songs, this production comes just under two years since his last album, Starboy, and just before that, 2015’s Beauty Behind the Madness. Both projects are considered to have accelerated The Weeknd’s mainstream notoriety that we see today.
Abel Tesfaye, who is more commonly known by his stage name, The Weeknd, has been praised for My Dear Melancholy, and the set’s similarity to his earlier work. Weeknd’s initial mixtape, House of Balloons, was released in 2011 and launched his personal brand as a prototype for dark R&B. Since then, The Weeknd and his songs have become synonymous with pop music.
According to Rolling Stone, The Weeknd “can lay claim to exerting a huge influence on the menacing tone that undergirds a large swath of contemporary R&B.” Earlier this year, for example, The Weeknd was featured on Black Panther: The Album – Music from and Inspired By; the song, “Pray for Me,” along with album curator Kendrick Lamar, is one of the many well-known works involving The Weeknd. Another example is his song “The Hills,” which is a track on Beauty Behind the Madness that remained on the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 charts for six straight weeks.
The EP is more conducive to The Weeknd’s earlier work that had been released anonymously. The album is absent of features from other popular musical figures, such as Lana Del Rey and Future, who were both present on Starboy. My Dear Melancholy, does include two songs with Gesaffelstein, who has been positively received by the British magazine New Musical Express.
This particular project by The Weeknd, however, is different from Starboy and Beauty Behind the Madness in terms of content and structure. One of the most obvious differences is the fact that My Dear Melancholy, only includes six songs, whereas Starboy contained 18 songs.
The tracks are less focused on the pop sound that The Weeknd’s first established with Beauty Behind the Madness. The newer tracks revert back to lesser known songs from The Weeknd’s anonymously released works, such as “Wicked Games” and “Kiss Land.” Since the EP’s release, The Weeknd’s, “Call Out My Name” has become the most notable of the six songs. On its first day, the song received the highest stream count of the year 2018 thus far on Spotify. “Call Out My Name,” along with the other songs paired on the EP, My Dear Melancholy, has been cast as a breakup album. Many have gathered this conclusion from the fact that The Weeknd’s highly publicized relationships with model Bella Hadid and singer/actress Selena Gomez, both of which have presumed to be nonexistent at the moment.
A Vulture critic says, “The new surprise Weeknd project My Dear Melancholy, is the Toronto singer’s slight return to the guts and grit that built him.” It will be interesting to see where The Weeknd goes from here and whether he will again revert back to pop production styles or continue to turn back to his earlier sound.
Bobby Tarantino is Back and Better than Ever: Logic Releases New Mixtape Bobby Tarantino II
by Kerry Torpey on March 15, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
Michigan native Sir Robert Bryson Hall, who is more commonly known as Logic, released a mixtape entitled Bobby Tarantino II on March 9. The set comes shortly after the release of singles “44 More” and “Everyday” which includes a feature with Marshmello. The mixtape is also a follow-up to Logic’s 2016 mixtape Bobby Tarantino, and the cover art on the two mixtapes is blatantly similar in its projected message.
A large part of Logic’s recent success can visibly be attributed to his popular song “1-800-273-8255,” which has become an anthem for suicide awareness and mental health. Logic performed the song at both the MTV Video Music Awards and the Grammys. His mixtape was preceded by the album Everybody, which also includes “1-800-273-8255.”
The release of Bobby Tarantino II has been apparent for some time, and Logic himself even debuted a video hinting at it. Even more so, many fans were unexpectedly surprised at the tape’s quick release, especially so soon after releasing several singles. In addition to production by Marshmello, the mixtape also includes features from Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, and Elton John.
Bobby Tarantino is not an actual person, but rather Logic’s alter ego. Fans have said that the name Bobby is a combination of Logic and his real name, Robert. This identity bridge is fitting because the type of music that Logic produces on mixtapes like Bobby Tarantino II is much different than his studio albums, such as Everybody.
Everybody is undoubtedly more emotional in terms of both the lyrics that Logic raps to and equally in message. In addition to advocating for suicide awareness and stigmatization of mental illness, Logic also emphasized racial issues on this album. Bobby Tarantino and Bobby Tarantino II take on a completely different tone and message, however, which speaks to Logic’s versatility in his lyrics and as an artist. The fact that Logic sings and raps on this mixtape is a further testament to this.
In addition to the overall message of his songs, Logic has also done some experimentation with production. Many of the songs on Bobby Tarantino II have electronic, trap undertones, and it is highly likely that this is due to the influence and work of Marshmello. This is particularly noticeable on the song “Boomtrap Protocol.” At the same time, Logic does not stray away too far from what he is best known for: hip-hop. On one of the most well-received song of the mixtape, “Wassup,” Logic and Detroit rapper Big Sean go back and forth.
Logic has consistently talked about the gratitude that he has for his fans and supporters. He recently tweeted, “Growing with you has been amazing. And you’re why I do this. To create any kind of music I want, from boom bap to the turn up to the radio has been such a blessing! Thanks for letting me be me and supporting me always.”
Newest Marvel Movie Receives Positive Responses: Black Panther Stays No.1 for the Second Week on Billboard’s Top 200
by Kerry Torpey on March 2, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
Marvel Cinematic Universe fans around the globe are raving at the theatrical release of the newest addition to the franchise, Black Panther.
According to the Huffington Post, the movie grossed $242 million in the box office over the course of its opening during President’s Day Weekend. Black Panther is the 18th film to be released by Marvel, which is now owned by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created the Black Panther comic back in 1966. The first issue appeared in Fantastic Four #52 and there have been others released since then. According to an article from a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, this film brings together the work of three Black Panther comic writers: Don McGregor, Reginald Hudlin, and Christopher Priest.
The film has been applauded for its predominantly black cast and crew, including director Ryan Coolger, Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett, and Lupita Nyong’o are among others featured in the movie. The film takes place in Wakanda, a fictional nation in Africa, and due to a meteorite that hit the city many years before, the capital is secretly more technologically advanced than the rest of the world.
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes say, “Black Panther elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights while telling one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most absorbing stories—and introducing some of its most fully realized characters.” and gave Black Panther a rating of 97 percent.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar worked with Coogler and Top Dog Entertainment CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith as well to curated the album entitled Black Panther: The Album Music From and Inspired By. This album highlights artists of color from R&B singer SZA, to Khalid, ScHoolboy Q, and The Weeknd, among many others.
The film comes at a time where race relations are tense in the U.S., but Black Panther has nonetheless illustrated that a motion picture with a Black cast has the capability to reach a large audience and thus making a big hit at the box office.
Black Panther has also incorporated strong female characters. The Washington Post says that it is “a post-gender film for depicting the women of Wakanda as savvy warriors who are conscious of their power and know how to use it.” The ideology that women are dependent upon men is absent in Black Panther.
Black Panther is currently being show in theaters in over sixty countries. As of Feb. 25, the movie has grossed over $700 billion dollars globally. Movie critics have speculated that the movie will reach $1 billion in the coming weeks. Many viewers have also appreciated the release of Black Panther in alignment with Black History Month and has inspired individuals all over the United States.
It’s Me…Mario!
by Kerry Torpey on February 15, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
Ninetendo announced in late January that they are currently in the process of making their well-know well-known video game, Mario Kart, into an app for iOS users. It has been speculated that the game will be accessible on the iPhone and other devices including iPads, as well as Android phones and tablets. The game’s parent company, Nintendo and web company DeNA, will be the main developers for the smartphone version of the popular game.
Nintendo’s first version of Mario Kart was released in 1992; in the 26 years since then, several variations have been released for six different game consoles. The most notable versions are Mario Kart 64, DS, and Wii. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the version for the more recent console known as the Nintendo Switch, has also become popular.
Gamers join go-kart style races, choosing to play as famous characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi, among others. There are also powerups within each set of courses that players can use to move closer towards first place and potentially slow down opponents. Particularly for the Wii, Mario Kart has been available for both single player and multiplayer options.
It was announced that the mobile version of the game will be called Mario Kart Tour. An article from The Wall Street Journal has also explained that the game will be “free to start,” implying that users will eventually have to pay in order to access all of the features included on Mario Kart Tour. It is possible that Nintendo will release a game that is free to play, with in-app purchases that help with certain tasks. Nintendo has utilized this strategy in the past and continues to do so today.
The mobile version of the popular game Animal Crossing, called Pocket Camp, was released as “free to start” and is offered on iOS devices. Similarly, according to the website for Super Mario Run, interested customers “can download and enjoy a portion of Super Mario Run for free.”
Techradar suggests that the free version of the game will include a limited number of courses and characters. Customers could then purchase a separate version that will include access to the full game. As for the logistics behind the game, Nintendo has not revealed how Mario Kart Tour will operate, but it is possible that players will be able to race against real opponents just as they can with the Wii console version.
Many people within a varied age range have reacted positively to Nintendo’s announcement of a Mario Kart app. For many college students and young adults, this game will ignite the nostalgia of playing on a Wii or Nintendo DS console. With the rise of iPhones, Android devices, and other smartphones, this feature will certainly make the game more easily accessible.
Ninetendo confirmed that the app is still in develpoment and will be released sometime before March 2019.
“I know where you been, where you are, where you’re going”: Logic Uses Grammy Spotlight to Acknowledge Suicide Prevention
by Kerry Torpey on February 8, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
The 60th annual Grammy Awards aired on the evening of Sunday, January 28, with popular singers like Bruno Mars celebrating a year of music at Madison Square Garden. With several awards presented and performances from Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga, rapper Logic stole the show with his performance highlighting suicide awarness.
Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, a Maryland native, who produces rap music under the name Logic, was nominated for two Grammys: Song of the Year and Best Music Video. Both nominations are for the song “1-800-273-8255,” a popular track from the album Everybody.
“1-800-273-8255” is appropriately named after the phone number that corresponds with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which provides free, around-the-clock support to at-risk individuals. NSPL Dr. John Draper has said that calls to the hotline have increased by over thirty percent since the song was released in late April of last year. This upward trend has been attributed to both the mainstream success of the song, and its music video, which has been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube.
Logic has discussed his inspiration for the song and his music in general during several interviews. He has been vocal in explaining his desire to create a platform that will help others and expose current issues like mental health on a grand scale. He said to Newsweek with regards to “1-800-273-8255,” “I think it was one of those things where I’ve just been blessed enough to have an undeniable song that people needed and wanted, and [they] wanted to spread awareness so much that it became hopefully what it’s still becoming.”
In addition to Logic, the song also features R&B artist Khalid and the Grammy award-winner for Best New Artist, Alessia Cara; the trio had previously performed “1-800-273-8255” at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also saw a large spike in the number of calls received after that awards show.
During the recent Grammy performance, however, Logic, Alessia Cara, and Khalid were also accompanied on stage by dozens of suicide survivors and the families of past victims. The group wore T-shirts printed with the phone number as well as the phrase “You Are Not Alone.” Cara also appeared wearing a shirt with the words “Give Us Hope.”
The song explores Logic’s personal struggles with depression and mental health. At the same time, it is also general enough to apply to individuals that may be listening on their own. Many critics characterize the song as depressing and sad, but Logic has been praised for his willingness to support suicide prevention.
According to CNN, calls to the lifeline tripled in the two hours following Logic’s performance. He has recognized the fact that this is an issue pervading our society and wants to do something about it.
Portlandia, A Good Night of Comedy
by Kerry Torpey on February 1, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
Portlandia fans everywhere are bracing themselves for heartbreak with the premiere of the final season of IFC’s popular sketch comedy show. The show, which premiered its first season in 2011, will feature one final installment with 10 episodes.
Creators, Saturday Night Live star Fred Armisen, writer Jonathan Krisel, and Sleater-Kinney band member Carrie Brownstein, work behind the scenes as well as play a variety of characters. All three are listed as writer, director, and executive producer. Portlandia is a fitting name, given that the show takes place in Portland, Oregon and features the diversity of people that reside there.
IFC, formerly known as the Independent Film Network, is available on streaming services like Netflix. It has generated positive reviews, from fans and celebrities alike. In a 2014 interview with Vulture, Jerry Seinfeld said, “I think that’s the best comedy on TV right now, and it’s easily one of the best comedies of all time.”
Portlandia has managed to continue airing new episodes for seven years, despite its somewhat small audience. Social media and streaming services have increased the show’s popularity, but the cast’s relationship has also played an important role. Armisen said, “We have such a close, great relationship. It’s the best thing in my life.”
Taking an SNL-style of approach, each episode features several different skits with recurring characters, a blended combination of sketch comedy and improvisation. Although two of the show’s lead characters are played by Armisen and Brownstein, there have been additional minor roles and guest stars like Andy Samberg and Zoë Kravitz.
Viewers over the years have consistently characterized the essence of the show with one simple word: weird. The show first gained popularity with the debut of the “Dream of the 90s” music video on YouTube in late 2010. The running slogan “Keep Portland Weird” has stayed with the show since its inception.
While it does take place in and satirize Portland, the creators have taken it upon themselves to generalize hipster culture while also incorporating current events and issues. Brownstein has said that she hopes ”that the show would appeal far beyond Portland’s city limits and that anyone anywhere could connect with its absurdity.”
The characters are vague enough to remind fans of people that they know in real life. Toni and Candance, for example, own a feminist bookstore throughout the series, and symbolize the embodiment of modern feminism. Such characters, like those of many other skits, come with a balance of satire and relatability.
It has been publicly said that the show is ending, but this could change at any time. When asked at the Television Critics Association winter press tour why the creators had decided to end the show, the answer to the question was left up in the air. Krisel responded with, “We’re not getting to a stage where we’re not bored with it. We still love it…it seems scary to say it’s over.”
Fans Are Falling for Fall Out Boy’s New Album, M A N I A
by Kerry Torpey on January 25, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
Last week the popular American band Fall Out Boy released their seventh studio album, M A N I A. The album, which was expected to debut in mid September, was delayed and pushed back to Jan. 19.
Aligning with the trend set by other music groups, it is safe to say that M A N I A is Fall Out Boy’s least rock production yet, an ironic statement to make, considering that one of their previous albums is entitled Save Rock and Roll.
Panic! At the Disco, Coldplay, and Maroon 5 are among many other bands that have integrated electronic styles into their former rock sound in the past year. Fall Out Boy’s own experimentation with pop dates back to the mainstream success of the song “Centuries,” which was featured on their previous album American Beauty/American Psycho. It is possible that the mainstream success of this single has led Fall Out Boy to explore the pop genre further in their music.
“Young and Menace,” which was released early on as a single, is arguably the most electronic song on the record. The track confused many long-time fans who were hoping for Fall Out Boy to return to their roots. This is also a major reason why the album was delayed in the first place as lead songwriters Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump were not content with the album as it was at the time.
Several of the songs on M A N I A contain multiple pop culture references, such as the allusion to the film Castaway, starring Tom Hanks, with the song “Wilson (Expensive Mistakes).” The album also references Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding and The Addams Family character, Wednesday Addams.
Despite this change, the Fall Out Boy of the early-2000s is not completely absent from M A N I A. Keeping this in mind, it is clear that Fall Out Boy’s shift in sound does not equate a transfer in the band’s messages regarding mental health. In fact, M A N I A explores Pete Wentz’s well-known battle with bipolar disorder.
Stump’s strong vocals still balance well, even in the songs that have also incorporated some elements of pop. “The Last of the Real Ones” highlights Stump’s voice while also significantly limiting the electronic beats present on tracks like “Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea.”
Fall Out Boy has received mixed reviews on M A N I A. Those who have been listening to the band since they were just beginning to emerge as a rock group have expressed disinterest and frustration with the album and the group’s decision to tour with both blackbear and Jaden Smith, because both artists produce rap/hip hop. Others, though, have been much less critical and have even chosen to embrace the emphasis on pop and electronic music.
Considering that the band has been around for over 15 years, some variety in sound is justified. Their previous work did attract a much different fanbase, and the group was a brand synonymous with the punk genre.
Regarding the new album, though, band member Wentz has stated in an interview with Rolling Stone, “It feels like every once in a while, you’ve gotta do a hard restart that clears the cache and erases the hard drive…”
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Will Technology Destroy Us All?
by Kerry Torpey on January 19, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
Netflix marked the start of a new year with the fourth installment of their series, Black Mirror. Referred to by some as a modern version of The Twilight Zone, the British series is set in futuristic societies that have implemented various technologies from child trackers to memory implants. Originally airing on the British network Channel 4, Netflix picked up the series in 2015 beginning with season three.
Much of the success of Black Mirror can be attributed to the show’s organization. Creator Charlie Brooker revealed that “one-off idea based stories weren’t really being told on television” before production of the show had begun. Each episode follows a unique plot with a varied cast of characters and the episodes, therefore, can be watched in any order.
The anthology structure fits well, allowing for more content and conflict. One of the six episodes is displayed entirely in black and white, a fitting technique for the minimalistic production that focuses mainly on one character and a less chaotic plot.
Season four features an impressive cast. Most notably, Jodie Foster directed the episode “Arkangel,” which also stars Mad Men actress Rosemarie DeWitt. Jesse Plemons, who is known for his role in Breaking Bad, adopts a chilling persona in “USS Callister,” the first episode listed on Netflix. While some people view progressive movements in technology as positive, Black Mirror generally rejects this idea.
The unfortunate ends faced by many of the characters in the series blatantly reveal the negative consequences of the human pursuit or new advancements. At the same time, this also plays into how one individual’s use of technology can ultimately have a detrimental effect on others.
Although the episodes of Black Mirror do, in fact, take place in the future, the exact decade or year is unclear, which certainly adds to the show’s appeal. Even with its classification as a science fiction series, the unexpected plot twists are exactly what has drawn such large audiences to Black Mirror.
Regarding season four inparticular, Brooker says, “I genuinely thought, I don’t know what state the world’s going to be in by the time these [episodes] appear.” The creator alludes to the very real possibility that humanity could be heading in a similar direction that has drawn larger audiences to watch the show.
For example, “Arkangel” explores the idea of extreme over-parenting. In the episode, a single mother implants a chip into her young daughter that can display her location at any moment in time. The device can even limit what a child sees by blocking out stimuli that causes an increase in anxiety and fear.
Black Mirror has also incorporated many other relevant topics, such as the power of technology in the context of relationships and crime. No matter what direction our society is heading, Black Mirror reveals that technology has a paradoxical kind of power; it can make things easier for us and propel us towards happiness, but can also do just the opposite.
Marvel Productions: The New Powerhouse of Cinema
by The Cowl Editor on December 9, 2017
Arts & Entertainment
by Julia Vaccarella ’20
A&E Staff
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, a franchise now owned by The Walt Disney Company, has successfully captivated a widespread audience. As we close out the 2017 year, it is evident that the media powerhouse will continue to generate new content. With unique characters and overlapping storylines, the fanbase has spread immensely. The Nov. 17 release of The Punisher on Netflix has further contributed to this upward trend.
The Punisher follows ex-Marine Frank Castle, played by Jon Bernthal, who decides to take matters into his own hands after his wife and children are killed. Castle becomes a vigilante with the intent to kill anyone connected to the death of his family.
The Netflix series has also adopted its own plot which follows the aftermath of Castle’s actions. Bernthal’s character had been introduced as the antagonist in season two of Marvel’s Daredevil, which underscores the franchise’s effective ability to blur the lines between good and evil, and challenges viewers to sympathize with Castle despite the violence that his character creates.
Like many other movies and television shows, The Punisher reinforces the idea that the characters within Marvel productions are all connected. This enables producers to create deeper characters and work from many different perspectives. Most notably in this adaptation of The Punisher is the presence of Daredevil’s Karen Page. The Defenders, which was also released on Netflix earlier this year, utilizes this technique as well, blending together Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage.
In addition to the inclusion of Page’s character in the series, fans have also been receptive to the fact that The Punisher is very different from other Marvel productions. One subplot within the show includes the struggle that war veterans face in attempting to return to their daily lives after being in battle. Castle’s story in the show also extends far beyond what is portrayed in typical Marvel comics and strays away from the typical notion of a superhero.
With Disney’s acquisition of Marvel, the media outlet for the franchise may likely change. The Wall Street Journal states that Disney is in the process of creating its own streaming service, where subscribers would gain access to Marvel films and other content. It is unclear whether this would extend to shows currently running on Netflix, such as The Punisher, or if it will be specifically geared towards movies like The Avengers.
Despite the possibility of Marvel being pulled from Netflix, Disney is not expected to enact this change before its streaming service which is expected to debut in 2019. In the coming year, Marvel is projected to release additional content.
Season two of Jessica Jones and Iron Fist as well as season three of Daredevil are tentatively scheduled to air in 2018. Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War are set for release in theaters Feb. 2018 and May 2018, respectively.
Although the mechanics behind the accessibility of Marvel productions may be changing soon, it is clear that fans will still be eager to watch.