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Cover Photos by Chris Parent 145-08 • Oct. 19 - Oct. 25, 2012
VINYL THRIVES, PG. 12
FOR THE RECORD
FREE!
October 19 - October 25, 2012 •
staff
WEEKLY
DISPATCH
Katrina Pyne, Editor-in-Chief Chris Parent, Photo Editor
editor@dalgazette.com photo@dalgazette.com
Torey Ellis, Copy Editor Ethan Calof, Online Editor
copy@dalgazette.com Joelline Girouard, Asst. Online Editor
Daniel Boltinsky, News Editor online@dalgazette.com
Calum Agnew, Asst. News Editor Ben Gallagher, Other Editor
news@dalgazette.com theothergazette@dalgazette.com
Sam Elmsley, Opinions Editor Jonathan Rotsztain, Art Director
opinions@dalgazette.com design@dalgazette.com
Andrew Mills, Arts Editor Paul Balite, Financial Manager
Meagan Deuling, Asst. Arts Editor business@dalgazette.com
arts@dalgazette.com
Aaron Merchant, Business Manager
I’ll get right down to business for this week’s entry. Ian Froese, Sports Editor advertising@dalgazette.com
Here’s 10 of the key steps this year’s executive it Graeme Benjamin, Asst. Sports Editor
Isaac Green, Advertising Manager
taking to transform our Union for the better. sports@dalgazette.com
advertising@dalgazette.com
• Making the SUB into a real student space;
student-guided food service, music outside,
contact us advertising
foosball tables, book shares, outdoor movie
www.dalgazette.com Isaac Green
screenings, lots of free popcorn, and preparation The SUB, Room 312 Advertising Manager
for long-term renovations of our Student Union 6136 University Avenue 902 401 9666
Building. Halifax NS, B3H 4J2 advertising@dalgazette.com
• Reducing red tape for student groups;
streamlining society and grant policy to make
the fine print
The Gazette is the official written record of Dalhousie University since This publication is intended for readers 18 years of age or older. The
turnaround times quicker and processes easier for 1868. It is published weekly during the academic year by the Dalhouse
Gazette Publishing Society. The Gazette is a student-run publication.
views of our writers are not the explicit views of Dalhousie University. All
students of Dalhousie University, as well as any interested parties on or
booking space, getting ratified and getting grants. If Its primary purpose is to report fairly and objectively on issues of
importance and interest to the students of Dalhousie University, to
off-campus, are invited to contribute to any section of the newspaper.
Please contact the appropriate editor for submission guidelines, or
Council passes our proposal this will be completed provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of ideas,
and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would
drop by for our weekly volunteer meetings every Monday at 5:30 p.m.
in room 312 of the Dal SUB. The Gazette reserves the right to edit
by December 2012 otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general.
Views expressed in the letters to the editor, Overheard at Dal, and
and reprint all submissions, and will not publish material deemed by
its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or
opinions section are solely those of the contributing writers, and do libellous. Opinions expressed in submitted letters are solely those of
not necessarily represent the views of The Gazette or its staff. Views the authors. Editorials in The Gazette are signed and represent the
• Aligning Faculty Society Elections with DSU expressed in the Streeter feature are solely those of the person being
quoted, and not The Gazette’s writers or staff.
opinions of the writer(s), not necessarily those of The Gazette staff,
Editorial Board, publisher, or Dalhousie University.
General Elections; this Spring students will vote for
their faculty society executives at the same time as
their DSU executive to create a critical mass of engagement and awareness on campus.
• Facilitating meaningful student consultation through Soapbox and through events such 1) New Dal start-up will help you break up—Katherine McKenna, News
as Cheque it Out. This is already up and running. More to come! 2) Why it’s cool to be a poser—Katrina Pyne, Editorial
3) How to survive the NHL lockout—Benjamin Blum, Sports
• Real advocacy to the university; taking strong stances on key issues such as a bottle
water pledge, academic innovation, mental health issues, revitalization of University 4) The no-show powwow explained—Katherine MacNeill, Arts
Avenue, the Presidential search process, and more. 5) The importance of being outside—Vanessa Ratjen, Opinions
• Working with the Dal Investment Society, Students in Free Enterprise and the DSU’s
Sustainability Office to develop an ethical investment strategy for the Union. We will be
announcing more details in late November 2012
• Focusing on cultural integration and inclusion; reaching out regularly to build
relationships with all students and supporting diverse needs (eg. halal food, prayer space,
Dalfest and Grawood programming, etc)
• Reaching out to Sexton, Carleton, and Truro campuses; opened the T-room as a daytime
lounge; working for improved university services on all campuses; increasing signage
across campuses to foster greater awareness
• Getting beyond petty barriers; initiated formation of the Metro Students Coalition; a new
grassroots group that unites HFX’s Student Unions from both CFS and ANSSA schools for
advocacy on shared municipal issues. We made a big splash in the municipal elections
and that’s just the start.
• Improving DSU communications; revamped DSU Dispatch Format, weekly Gazette
Communications (like this one), increased social media presence, a new website launching
in January, and lots lots more!
Much Love,
JOIN US
CONTRIBUTORS’ MEETINGS
Jamie
MONDAYS 5:30PM
Stay connected with the DSU through Facebook & Twitter ROOM 312 the SUB
Facebook Page: Dalhousie Student Union
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dalstudentunion
news
news
news covers Dalhousie and
the greater Halifax community.
Contributions are welcome!
Email Daniel and Calum at
news@dalgazette.com
Daniel Boltinsky News Editor
ALMOST FAMOUS Jockeying for glory in Halifax
Clark Jang counterparts, Loeb has evolved from ness here. You can’t go into a bar and promo-
News Contributor making YouTube videos in his bed- throw down a resumé.”
room to playing alongside interna- To help guide their launch into the
On a typical Tuesday night, J.R. Loeb tional talent such as Kill Paris, Clock- music industry, Loeb and his room-
retreats to his bedroom, puts on his werk, Dvbbs, and Keys N’ Krates. mates set up their own promotions
headphones, and plugs his laptop company, EDMS Promotions, to
into his Numark NS6 controller, the BREAKING ONTO throw parties, deal first-hand with
nucleus of his DJ set. Until the wea- other artists, and to set up a solid net-
riness of a full day of classes begins
THE SCENE work of musicians, producers, and
to tug on his eyelids, the fourth-year Eric Casey, also known as DJ White agents.
management student works in front Rabbit, is another DJ bursting onto Their mantra: it’s all about net-
of his Macbook Pro isolating sounds, the EDM scene in Halifax. The fourth working.
setting up cue points, and learning year management student and music “It’s very important for any musi-
every note and nuance to songs he blogger worked for three years before cian,” he stresses. “Lots of running
will incorporate into his next show. getting his break, and he says the around, phone calls, meeting people,
Loeb—who also goes by the capi- hardest part is getting his name out but it’s part of the job.”
talized moniker LOEB—started spin- there. This was also what they were think-
ning just over a year ago. ing when they set up the Dalhousie
“I’m not the next Avicii,” he says
with a laugh, “but I’m very passionate
“YOU CAN’T EDM Society, bringing together a
web of DJs and producers from Dal
about electronic music and the scene
as a whole.” GO INTO and King’s.
“They’re totally unrelated,” says A passion for partying isn’t enough to succeed. • • • Logo via the Love Factory
Loeb estimates he spends up to
three hours a day on Ableton Live, A BAR AND Loeb of the EDM Society and EDMS
Promotions. “One’s a club and non- tional materials like flyers, booking a Promotions, money is the last thing
a software program used to pro-
duce music. On top of that, he has THROW DOWN profit, and the other is private and
for-profit.” He pauses. “Even though
venue, booking artists, and miscella-
neous office supplies, it’s hard to turn
on their minds.
At least for now.
spent countless hours reading prod-
uct manuals, watching instructional A RESUME.” we haven’t made any money yet.” a profit.
“It’s been successful, it hasn’t been
“It’s all about having fun. It’s all
about the music and the scene.” Says
YouTube videos, and contacting AND MAKING particularly lucrative,” says Colohan Loeb. “It’s not about the money, but
like-minded musicians for technical of Love Factory. “Some nights we it will come if you play your cards
pointers to hone his craft. He’s even “You need a Facebook page that is
MONEY ISN’T EASY walk away with a couple hundred right.”
planning on taking piano lessons to frequently updated, Facebook adver- Hugh Colohan is the creator of Hali dollars, and others we can lose out.”
assist with original production. tisements, posters on the street. It’s Love Factory, a promotions company A Love Factory event is typically in Correction
As a new DJ and producer, Loeb all about sharing information to have and music blog. He says depending the range of $200 to $300 to throw,
thinks Halifax is the ideal setting for the most people affected by each and on the size of the venue and the pop- and with tickets priced at $5, Colo- In the Oct. 5 article "School of busi-
an up-and-coming DJ. every post.” ularity of the artist, costs for an event han needs anywhere from 40 to 60 ness renamed in honour of Ken
“It’s good because it’s small,” says Most resident DJs’ schedules are can range from $200 to thousands. people to attend to break even. Rowe," student Thomas Li was
Loeb of the electronic dance music— set in stone at the clubs and bars Ticket sales are the main revenue “The future for small companies incorrectly identified as a first-
or EDM—scene. “If you do a lot downtown, he says, making it hard generator for promotions compa- like EDMS is to partner with other year business student. He is in fact
of networking, play a couple good for someone starting out. Which is all nies like EDMS and Love Factory. promo companies to share the cost of a second-year computer science
shows, people start to know your the more reason for self-promotion. If the event undersells, the promo- bringing in bigger talent. It’s a lot of student. The article has been cor-
name pretty quickly.” “People are not receptive to some- tions company can take a finan- work to do by yourself,” says Loeb. rected online. The Gazette regrets
With a resumé shorter than his one wanting to get into the busi- cial blow. Factoring in the cost of But for Loeb and the guys at EDMS this error.
4 news October 19 - October 25, 2012 •
Toy guns not to be toyed with
STUDENT HELD AT GUNPOINT FOR PLAYING WITH BB GUN
Megan Marnelli-Dill
News Contributor
Police held a Dalhousie student at brought to the officers’ police car.
gunpoint on Sept. 27 for pointing a “I was more terrified when the guns
BB gun at his friends. Nick Rotta- were being pointed at me than when
Loria says police showed up to a party they took me to the car. By the time I
he was attending on Oxford Street got to the car I thought I was going to
and immediately threw him to the get a ticket at least,” he says.
ground. “They told me that I was stupid
Rotta-Loria says he had been wav- and that I could have gotten shot.
ing the BB gun around and pretend- They said, ‘What does it look like to
ing to threaten his friends with it, but us, someone holding something that
never had any intention of firing it. looks like a gun?’”
“I was just messing around when Bourdages explains that often from
my friend grabbed my arm and I put a distance, BB guns can look identical
the gun in my back pocket,” he says. to the real thing.
“Then I turned around and saw two “When we get these calls that
cops, both with their guns pointed someone has a weapon that’s visible,
right at me.” you have to take caution to make sure
This incident follows two others people are safe.” He says. “Usually it
in September involving BB guns. A involves arresting someone.”
12-year-old is facing charges after Bourdages explains that if a BB gun
shooting a BB gun at a car in Cole is purposely being made to look like
Harbour, and three others are facing a real firearm—if its tucked into the
charges for shooting and injuring two waistband of someone’s pants, or if
pedestrians in Halifax’s North End. someone is pointing it at a person—
BB guns, which are supposed to be then weapons charges are likely to
used for bird hunting, can have seri- follow.
ous effects if they’re misused. Con- But officers released Rotta-Loria
stable Pierre Bourdages of the Hali- shortly after they realized his BB gun
fax Regional Police explains, “They was not a firearm.
can easily maim and injure someone “He took my name down, but then
seriously. The velocity isn’t as fast as let me go,” explains Rotta-Loria. “He
a bullet, but say someone gets shot in was really nice about it. I think they
the eye, or gets shot at close range.” acted more than fairly.”
After Rotta-Loria was thrown to Rotta-Loria says he will never bring
BB guns normally have orange tipped barrels to distinguish them from rifles. • • • Photo by Bryn Karcha the ground by police officers, he was his BB gun to a party again.
Pan-Haligonian student union weighs in during election season
Metro Student Community Coalition involved in election events
John James with information about the candi-
News Contributor dates. “I think being informed is
important before voting,” Yakamov-
With many students able to vote for ich says, “Sometimes I think a per-
the first time, Dalhousie has been son's voting decision could be kind
increasingly involved in Halifax pol- of narrow or careless, or based on a
itics, from candidate debates in the single predisposition.”
SUB, to voting information sessions. The MSCC hopes the legacy of this
The Metro Student Commu- election will be political as well as
nity Coalition (MSCC), an advocacy social. One initiative they hope will
group representing the Dal, Univer- promote good relations between the
sity of King’s College, Saint Mary’s student community and the wider
University, Nova Scotia College of Art HRM is block parties, open house
and Design and Mount Saint Vin- events at which students, professors
cent University student unions, is and their neighbours share food, lis-
one of the organizations behind these ten to music and discuss what they
events. would like to see change in their com-
Matt Glynn, the coordinator of the munity. The first set of block parties
MSCC, emphasizes the importance of took place between Oct. 8 and 14 and
the student community in the wider there will likely be more to follow
political arena. He highlighted how, later in the year. Another event orga-
in the last municipal elections, just nized by the committee in Septem-
over 36 per cent of eligible voters ber was Spokes Out, a massive com-
voted, and the 30,000 Halifax stu- munity bike ride aimed at promoting
dents eligible to vote this year can alternative forms of transit in the city.
have a lot of influence. “Opportunities for student engage-
“Students could have their voice ment in the community are through
heard,” he says. “We shouldn’t be a word of mouth, meeting the right
marginalized community”. people at the right time, having the
In reflecting on the debates held in right conversation.” says Yakamovich.
the Dalhousie Student Union Build- “Conversations are important.”
ing (SUB) on Oct. 1 and 2 Glynn felt One problem facing the MSCC is
that although the turnout was good, the transitory nature of the student
many of the student issues were population. Of Dal’s 17,000 students,
pushed to the sideline. Although the only half of them are permanent resi-
MSCC had a say in setting the agenda dents in Nova Scotia, and this num-
for the debates, much of the focus ber looks set to decline even further
was on tax reform and urban sprawl. over the next few years. Glynn accepts
Such sentiments were shared by stu- the problem.
dents. “We have great educational insti-
“I feel like last week's debate could tutions, but government and local
have been more pertinent to the stu- community need to work to maintain
dent body,” says Jennifer Yakamovich, that. It’s being lost to economic pow-
a second-year international develop- erhouses abroad and in places like
ment studies major at Dal. “I’d like to Alberta,” he says.
have seen more time given to ques- However, Glynn feels that the
tions, like from students and the opportunity for political engagement
audience.” now being given to students from
The MSCC also organized the outside of the province could help to
booths in the SUB that gave report create more permanent ties between
Matt Glynn, seen here outside the Killam, has been campaigning all across Halifax. • • • Photo by Chris Parent cards to students, providing them them and their community.
• October 19 - October 25, 2012 news 5
DSU goes directly to students
New webpage connects students with council
Calum Agnew
Assistant News Editor
Should Dalhousie close University
Avenue to vehicle traffic during class
hours?
Do you want arcade machines in
the Student Union Building?
Do you think these are bad ideas?
The Dal Student Union (DSU)
wants to hear from you on Soapbox.
Developed at Ryerson University,
Soapbox is a website used by a num-
ber of large Canadian companies
and organization, such as Indigo, to
solicit ideas from their customers or
members. Users can suggest ideas
and ‘thumbs up’ those they like, and
‘thumbs down’ those they don’t.
The DSU council reviews popu-
lar ideas, and marks them as ‘Com-
pleted,’ ‘Rejected,’ or ‘In consider-
ation.’
The ideas range from straightfor-
ward to whimsical. A real, live tiger
mascot for the Dal Tigers, suggests
one. Another recommends “a bon-
fire!” More realistically, “Change the
hinges of the doors in the SUB so they
make sense!”
The Soapbox page is one way
the DSU hopes to get more people
involved in the running of the union.
The page was set up by Jamie Arron,
DSU president, and Becky Rich-
ter, who ran for VP (internal) in last
year’s DSU elections.
“How do we meaningfully commu-
nicate with 17,000 students?” says
Arron. “We can’t.” The DSU hopes
that the Soapbox page will provide
an ongoing forum through which
students can communicate with the
executive.
“Instead of it being something
where, like, ‘Oh, you happen to know
the executives,’ and that’s where
you’re getting your feedback from,
we’re putting it into the public forum.”
But two months into the school
year, many students don’t know about
the website.
Brett Macpherson and Greg D’Eon
are both first-year engineering stu-
dents. They’ve never heard of Soap-
box, and they rarely go into the SUB.
Like the majority of Dal students,
they haven’t looked at the page. But
Macpherson says he thinks the pro- Becky Richter and Jamie Arron are giving students a soap-box. • • • Photo by Chris Parent
gram has merit.
“It sounds like a good idea,” says alence towards the running of the idea has less than 150 participants, a The decision to ban bottled water Patrol, that are so simple and so small
Macpherson. union is a problem. fraction of the DSU’s constituency. was not brought about by the Soap- and so significant to people’s lives.
Stephanie Legere is a second-year “This is the issue. It’s the number One suggestion was to ban plas- box request, says Arron, but helped We’d never have thought of it.”
student studying science. She says one thing we’re trying to do this year: tic water bottles. The DSU signed a confirm that this was the right policy A request to have Tiger Patrol’s
that she heard of Soapbox during give students the realization that this pledge to stop using and selling bot- to adopt. hours tied to the Killam’s hours cur-
O-Week preparations, but hasn’t vis- is their ability to affect your campus tled water at the next council meet- “It tells us if we’re on track,” says rently has 145 ‘thumbs up’ and has
ited the page since. life, academic life, whatever. This is ing, just four days later. The DSU Arron. “A lot of the ideas that came been marked as ‘In Consideration’ by
“Now that I’m off campus, I have your forum.” has also designated room 306 of the up were things we were already work- the DSU. They’re currently working
no idea what’s going on,” says Legere. The Soapbox page has been quite SUB as a “quiet space” as a result of a ing on. Which is cool. And then there out the details with Dal Security.
Jamie Arron says students’ ambiv- lively, although the most voted upon request on Soapbox. are some things, like extending Tiger
Garden robbed Over $200 worth of plants stolen
Calum Agnew
Assistant News Editor
On the weekend of Oct. 4, the Dal- to the garden four or five days later, of plant thefts, presumably stolen
housie community garden was much of their hard work was gone. so they can be planted in the thief ’s
robbed. “Someone had come and dug up own garden. But this is the first time
Ten large plants were uprooted, all the stuff we had planted, and had something has been stolen from a
including a pair of grapevines taken some of the stuff that was still community garden.
donated by Jöst Vineyards. in the pots just lying around.” “Usually community gardens get
Rob MacNeish is a staff member MacNeish estimates that nearly vandalized,” says Rob. “This is some-
at the DSU Sustainability Office in $200 worth of plants were stolen— thing completely different. And it’s
charge of policy and internal commu- but not everything is lost. someone who gardens, which is the
nications. “We’re definitely expecting to other thing. You’d think that someone
“After green week, which was two replace these. That was the one thing: who gardens would know how much
weeks ago now, we planted a bunch as bad as it was, they didn’t take all work it is to get a garden going.”
of stuff at a garden party. We’d got- the plants. They weren’t the food “To be stealing from a student proj-
ten delivery, earlier in the summer, bearing plants, they were more the ect is pretty ridiculous.”
of close to $400 worth of different ornamental ones,” says MacNeish. The garden opened in 2011 and is
berry bushes—blueberries, cranber- “We’re planning on doing a replant in located on Henry Street, behind the
ries, gooseberries, stuff like that,” says the spring.” computer science building.
The community garden, in happier days. • • • Photo via SeeMoreGreen.wordpress.com MacNeish. But when he came back The South End has had a spate
opinions
opinions
gazette opinions welcomes any
opinion backed up with facts, but we
don’t publish rants. Email Sam at
opinions@dalgazette.com to contribute
Sam Elmsley Opinions Editor
Your neighbourhood stroll just got a little more contentious. • • • Photo by Adele van Wyk
New health service available
for all Dal students! Streetscaping the abortion debate
Right to choose challenged (again) by sidewalk vigil
Carlie Connolly
Opinions Contributor
The anti-abortion movement is alive in Moncton and Fredericton, among the voices for reproductive rights are
and well in Halifax as pro-life sup- other Canadian cities. not heard loud and clear, politicians
porters take part in the ‘40 Days for The abortion issue has also been in waiting may seize upon any apathy
Life’ campaign. The organization’s injected into the current United to the detriment of all women.
website makes the claim that it is the States presidential race. While much So where are the supporters of
“largest and longest internationally of the conversation has focused on women’s rights? Where are the voices
coordinated pro-life mobilization in the economy and jobs as the key on the other side of the debate?
history.” issues, Republicans maintain that With the ‘40 Days for Life’ cam-
Noticeably absent from the peace- the majority of American citizens are paign now active in 316 locations
ful demonstrations are the advocates pro-life supporters, while Democrats worldwide, including seven provinces
of the opposite side of the issue. see the issue as a ‘war on women.’ in Canada, should we not defend
Here in Canada a backbench Con- what we achieved in 1988 when the
Feel better & get treated like a VIP “THE servative, Stephen Woodworth,
recently introduced a motion to study
Supreme Court of Canada ruled
in favour of the rights of Canadian
OFFICIAL DAL ACUPUNCTURE HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER (certified with RWAM)
Extended Health Benefits entitles each student up to $500.00/year fully covered
ABORTION the definition of 'human being'. It was
struck down 203 to 91 on Sept. 26.
women? Using our Charter of Rights
and Freedoms the Supreme Court
10% discount applied for all the treatments DEBATE IS FAR This attempt to re-open an aspect of
the abortion debate in Canada could
declared that the old laws infringed
upon a woman's right to life, liberty,
Direct payment is available have led to changes in the criminal and security of the person. The right
ACUPUNCTURE HELPS: STRESS MANAGEMENT INCLUDING DEPRESSION,
FROM OVER.” code depending on the conclusion of of Canadian women to execute their
the re-definition. While the motion own decisions regarding reproduc-
ANXIETY, INSOMNIA, LOW ENERGY, ACCUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENT: was soundly defeated, it was surpris- tion are being challenged yet again,
HEADACHE AND MIGRAINE, NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN, BACK PAIN, ing that eight Conservative cabinet with little opposition so far. If we
SPORT AND ACCIDENT INJURY AND MUCH MORE Taking place now through Nov. ministers supported the motion— must continue the debate, let’s hear
4, on the public sidewalk beside the including the minister for the Status from all sides.
Call 902-444-3111 entrance of Victoria General Hospi- of Women. In Halifax, a public sidewalk is
tal, a group of sign-carrying pro-life The abortion issue is far from over, currently overwhelmed by pro-life
for appointments/inquiries supporters are holding a vigil week- as evidenced by the ease with which it groups seeking to repeal the laws
www.istoppain.ca days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to
rises to the surface of political debate.
If the long-fought battle for a wom-
supporting women’s rights. They
should not represent the only voices
5 p.m. Similar vigils are taking place an’s right to choose is not protected, if on this issue.
• October 19 - October 25, 2012 opinions 7
A CURIOUS LOVE
Weighing the
professor/student relationship
Luke Orrell
Opinions Contributor
When I first think about student-pro- little voice in your head, nagging you,
fessor relationships, my mind imme- saying, “This is wrong. What are you
diately calls up a porno and for some doing?” But there would probably be
reason Evan Stone is in it. I don’t another, more persuasive voice that
know why my mind does that, and would put the first voice in a headlock
I am not sure what it says about the and scream “DO IT.”
subject, but my thoughts are usually We will always be scrutinized, no
sexual. Of course, these thoughts are matter the social situation. If a stu-
not always true to reality, and their dent were to become involved in
probability depends on the nature of a relationship with their profes-
the relationship in question. sor, they would have to undergo the
Most of us want strong profes- uncomfortable stares of their class-
sional relationships with professors mates, who would likely all assume
and that is completely fine. We want that student was getting preferential
to show them that we stand out. We treatment. They would have to live
want to get up on a desk and scream with themselves as a violator of a very
“captain my captain!” to demonstrate basic ethical no-no in the university
our interest in the class. We hope system. Could the benefit really out-
that some will remember us, and if weigh the cost in this scenario? But if
needed, write us recommendation a student was in a relationship with a
letters for jobs or graduate schools. professor whose class they were most
But what about romantic rela- pointedly not taking, maybe those
tionships between students and pro- stares would just be of an envious
fessors? Most people would proba- nature.
bly agree that such a relationship is It’s tough to say whether all roman-
wrong and maybe even gross. But I tic professor-student relationships
think a lot of the time this is because are wrong. It would be easy to cru-
people believe professors look like cify any student that was involved
Gandalf or Judge Judy. I think opin- in one, but who knows for sure what
ions could change if the professor is they would do if the opportunity
considered attractive. presented itself? People are usually
For instance, what if the profes- critical in nature, but hypocritical in
sor looked like Ryan Gosling or action. Everyone thinks they’re Dud-
Blake Lively? Well, that may be too ley-Do-Right, but all it takes is one
extreme, so just picture their stunt Gosling-esque professor to send that
doubles. There would probably be a out the window.
How am I supposed to react when my professor looks like Blake Lively? • • • Photo by Chris Parent
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order for delivery. Delivery and Debit at Your Door charges may apply. Prices do not
Menu Option #2 include tax or deposits. Limited time offers. Not valid with any other offers.
8 opinions October 19 - October 25, 2012 •
Short trips to volunteer in different countries are non-committal and ineffective. • • • Photo by Adele van Wyk
Will the well-intentioned
volunteer please stand up?
Volun-tourism detrimental to our motives and methods
Kathleen Reid
Opinions Contributor
Earlier this week I found myself look- ing has become closely associated and money can be wasted on flimsy,
ing at yet another Facebook pro- with taking a vacation. This observa- short-term projects.
file picture. It depicted one of my tion is pertinent, as many volunteer Ultimately, these trips benefit the
friends holding a small Costa Rican programs demonstrate characteris- volunteers more than the community.
child piggyback-style, paint brushes tics strikingly similar to vacations. The main motivator for taking these
in hand, smiling energetically at the Both tend to be short trips, which trips is typically the (worthy) desire to
camera. The picture had gained 63 incorporate light work and multi- make a difference, closely followed by
likes and 27 comments within two ple expeditions. On a retreat offered the desire for personal gain.
hours of original posting. by Live Different, for example, vol- As an international development
Everyone wants to save the world. unteers can expect to “take part in studies student, I understand the
It is human nature to crave congrat- a building project, get involved in importance of getting involved in
ulations and to want to feel accom- community outreach, and take some global issues. However, it is impor-
Carleigh Sanderson plished. This sentiment can, however, time with the children on site spe- tant to transfer that passion for
Master’s candidate, Child and result in a selfish attitude, in which cific expeditions.” Live Different has change into things that will benefit
Youth Studies. even the things that should be done named this package ‘Hero Holiday’. these communities in the long run.
Goals: Focus on developmental for others are done to make ourselves Go on holiday to feel like a hero. We need to realize that change begins
neuroscience. Enhance learning look better. When questions like The idea of taking a week off to help at the root of the problem; throw-
experiences for children and youth. “what will I gain from this?” or “how out a village in need is very attractive, ing money at these communities and
will this benefit me?” become the pri- but what are participants really con- hoping for the best cannot solve it.
ority, I find myself asking: are there tributing? Volunteers are not usu- With a little bit of education and a
any selfless acts left in the world? ally required to have the specific skill lot of change we can re-establish the
For both sides of the brain. The term ‘volun-tourism’ describes
the phenomenon in which volunteer-
set necessary for building a school
or installing a well. This means time
true directive of the volunteer.
At Brock University, our exceptional people and facilities
help to shape well-rounded graduate students.
Just ask Carleigh Sanderson, who collects data from youth
to explore how attention and memory help us process FOLLOW US ON
information. When she’s not conducting research, she’s
reading and gardening. Brock is a place that celebrates
both sides of the brain, where people become better versions
of themselves.
@dalgazette @gazette_arts
For more information about our
42 graduate programs, check us
out at brocku.ca @gazetteopinions @dalgazettesport
opinions 9
JK Rowling’s career should have been dead long before
the publication of her new novel. • • • Photo by Alice Hebb
Avada kedavra
Rowling’s new novel kills her
(over-exaggerated) reputation
Justin Hartling able and convoluted at the same time
Opinions Contributor (again).
I have always hated the Harry Potter
Why did Rowling do this? Why
did she publish a novel that involves
CYCLING
series.
I could not get through any of
the books. My girlfriend basically
copious sex and drug use, and that
faced a potential ban in India due to
perceived slurs against the Sikh
BETTER TRANSIT
strapped me into a chair and forced
me to watch all the movies. I have
community?
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
been pestered since I was young to
love it. And yet, I still hate it. “THE HARRY
Personally, I find her writing dull
and shallow. The Harry Potter series POTTER CRAZE
could never hold my interest because
the writing just isn’t that great. Her WAS MASSIVE.”
plots are overly complicated, draw-
ing the story out longer than required
while still managing to leave a lot of In this modern world, why does
questions unanswered. And the end- anybody do anything? She was add-
ing was terrible. ing to her wealth.
Despite this, I respect what J.K. Rowling sold her name. She took a
Rowling achieved through that mishmash of mediocre ideas, threw
series. Rowling managed to create a them into one book, slapped her
global phenomenon and introduce an name on the cover and hit the mar-
entire generation to reading. She cap- keting trail. The Casual Vacancy is
tivated almost everyone in existence among the top selling novels on Ama-
(aside from me), from the five-year- zon and is the fastest selling novel in
old reading their first chapter book the United Kingdom since 2009.
to the 85-year-old grandmother who On Amazon, the physical book lists
needed to know what happened next. at roughly $20. Multiply that by the
The Harry Potter craze was massive roughly 375,000 copies sold in the
because of Rowling’s idea, not her United States...within the first week.
writing. To her credit, Rowling cre- That’s an extra $7.5 million worth in
ated a magical universe that had lim- sales alone.
itless possibilities. However, an idea Money doesn’t mean anything in
can only take you so far. the long run. Novels like The Casual
Rowling recently published her
first adult novel, The Casual Vacancy,
Vacancy ruin the reputation of
authors. J.K. Rowling made litera- ON OCTOBER 20TH
to mediocre reviews. Like any author
who gets their work published, Rowl-
ture cool to an entire generation. The
Harry Potter books will live on book-
VOTE MASON FOR COUNCIL
ing did some things right, but it is a shelves next to Green Eggs and Ham
passable read to say the least. After
reading some of this book, I felt no
and The DaVinci Code for the rest of
time.
wayemason.ca/students
authorized by Waye Mason
connection to the massive ensemble The Casual Vacancy will be in bar-
of characters, dull stereotypes and gain bins by Christmas.
a plot that manages to be predict-
other
other other other. are you
talented and hilarious? submit:
theothergazette@dalgazette.com
Ben Gallagher Other Editor
Jonathan Rotsztain Other Other Editor
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS WORDS FOR THE WORSER
Tanya Davis The first date
HRM poet laureate Dear Craig,
My friend set me up for a date
and musician with this amazing girl next week.
I really don't want to mess this up;
Learn to cook (great for health
this girl’s one in a million. How can
AND dating!); don't bother I impress her?
with mediocre sex (i.e. sketchy
strangers) but explore lots; be My first question to you is do you
conscious and kind in shared have wheels? If not, get some! No
spaces (no drunk sidewalk self respectin’ woman is gonna
shouting); and cultivate a want to lolly-gag around town
riskin’ getting’ an STI offa bus seat
relationship with this great city while ur there tryn to figure out the
(beyond university walls). bus map. Look yourself up on that
Kijiji and you buy yourself the first thing in ur price range.
AWWW! Secondly, ur gonna wanna have some refreshments and food
for the end of the night. Now, a lotta people go out and buy fancy
A kitten wine and cheese. I’ll tell you what, you buy yourself some lemon
gin and a 12-pack of grease burgers from Sobeys and you’ll be
golden.
Now to be on ur game ur gonna wanna be loose and to be loose
you need get a good buzz goin’. To save money I suggest ya skip
on lunch and pile three Moose Dry down ur gob—it’ll get ya there
real quick.
Now clothing attire, wear somethin’ comfortable that’s not
sweatpants. I suggest wool pants and suspenders if ur goin’ for
—Kathryn Johnson
the ‘ya s’pose I give a shit’ look.
HELLO You’re gonna wanna skip on the cologne otherwise you’ll smell
FROM AWAY like a whore house, which is 90 per cent of the guys in Halifax.
Just stick to the deodorant. I’d recommend Old Spice. A few dabs
EAST COAST
Greek Vacay in the pits and a stripe along the inside collar of ur shirt.
Shave that unibrow, put a smile on ur face and call her darlin’.
Stanfield’s
Works like a charm. Stanfield's is garment maker and one of the last honest-to-
Today, Angela Merkel comes
Remember for every mile of river there’s two miles of bank. goodness manufactures left in Nova Scotia. The Stanfield
to Greece to talk austerity
—CS family wool concern dates back until at least 1856 and aside
measures. There will be
from producing socks and long underwear, they can also claim
massive protests in the city
• • • Photo by cheeseroc via flickr former Nova Scotia premier and leader of the federal Progressive
square and the metro is shut
Conservative Official Opposition Robert Stanfield, for whom our
down. We will see how it goes.
THEOTHERGAZETTE international airport is named for. Winter's coming, so the Other
—Ella Tetrault Gazette went to Truro and the Stanfield's Factory Outlet to make
@DALGAZETTE.COM
sure we're nice and warm when the cold hits.
— JR
REACTIONS
HPX by likeliness
MAKING OUT WITH THE BLACK LIPS
SMOKING A DOOBIE WITH EL-P
DAN MANGAN FOOT MASSAGE
WEARING UNCOMFORTABLY
TIGHT PANTS
LATE NIGHT DONAIR SHITS
WE WANT YOUR
MYSTERY
SCAN—IF YOU DARE!
QR CODE
MONSTER Drawings!
DEADLINE EXTENDED: ENTER BY OCT. 21
submit YOUR
CREATURE TO
theothergazette
@dalgazette.com
TO win!!
WINNERS JUDGED BY
LIKES ON FaceBook
Great prizes from
WAY TO SURVIVE
POP EXPLOSION
—Bethany Riordan-Butterworth is to drink waterWhat was the last physical piece
of music you bought?
By Ian Froese and Calum Agnew
“The soundtrack to Ghostbusters” “Bedouin Soundclash” “Katy Perry” “Nicki Minaj” “BLACKstreet”
Oje Hart
3rd-year political science Kathryne Fontaine Samuel Xu Jonathan Hoeg Margo Miller
and history major 1st-year masters in French 1st-year commerce 1st-year arts 1st-year psychology
“Florence + the Machine” “Adele – 21” “Mumford & Sons – “Death Cab for Cutie – “An old Elton John
Sigh No More” Codes and Key” record from Sweden”
Danica Rice Emily Ferguson Jaimee Carter Ryan Reid Maya Seneviratne
2nd-year environmental science 1st-year science 1st-year science 3rd-year history 1st-year artsartsculture
arts & culture
arts covers cultural happenings in Halifax.
Email Andrew and Meagan at
arts@dalgazette.com
to contribute.
Andrew Mills Arts Editor
Taz customers seek out the funky. • • • Photo by Chris Parent
A BRIEF HISTORY OF RECORDS IN HALIFAX
A LOVE STORY
Rana Encol “I ended up having an address His friend Digby D, a hip hop DJ, ple who have the attention span of an sales are up for the first time since
Arts Contributor book that I just filled with titles, and couldn't believe the Beastie Boys had iPod.” 2004. Steven Baur, a musicologist at
myself and Rich [Terfry] would go to sampled Brown and not the other The musical ADD goes both ways: Dalhousie University, believes that
Taz religiously once a week and look way around. when people see a laptop, they think smaller independently owned record
A SIDE: BACK TO BASICS for everything we heard in the music Bombay's family moved to the you're carrying the universe, and stores can survive on a niche market.
library and that's when we both North End of Halifax from the Azores when you've got all your material in Tiny boutiques like Lost and Found
It's 1990 or 1991 and Run DMC is became more serious collectors,” he Islands in 1977, two years before Rap- front of you, you get lost in scrolling on Agricola Street in the North End
playing Halifax. DJ Jorun Bombay says. per's Delight, widely considered the titles. curate underground art and stock
opens for them with his rap group Taz Records, now located on the first rap record, came out. His family There's a difference between being independent, local labels like Divorce
Mod'rn World Thang. He plays a Bea- corner of Market and Sackville, was listening to post-Brazilian music a human jukebox and being a disc Records.
tles song off Sergeant Pepper to close started in 1983, which makes it one influenced by the Beatles after they jockey: the spirit and physics of the Darcy Spidle started Divorce
the show, and when he steps off stage, month older than co-owner and broke up—stuff like Tom Ze—while game. Bombay laughs about how he Records in 1999 to release his own
Jam Master Jay bolts out of his dress- manager James Donnelly. For him, his neighbours played Rick James, would soak the labels off his records stuff with his band The Deadroads on
ing room. records have always been a more than Kool and the Gang, and the Jacksons. in a childish gesture to preserve his cassette, and modelled it after Black
“ 'What the hell record was that?' ” a hobby. In a roller skating rink in Dart- trade secrets. “It'd say Columbia, Flag's DIY label SST.
Bombay recalls him asking. “I got through university selling mouth just under the second bridge the artist would be 'nice try' and the “At the time, I was sort of getting
And then: “ 'The Beatles? The Bea- records,” he says. (now a car lot), Bombay realized he name of the song is 'do your home- involved with the business side of the
tles!? The Beatles got beats!??'” He's sitting in front of stacks of wanted to jockey. work'.” local music industry, and it was rub-
That's the kind of fervent knowl- vinyl people have brought into the “That was the only place you could He's more than happy to share his bing me the wrong way. DIVORCE
edge-trade that characterized the store, a daunting mine of easy listen- hear black music anywhere because secrets now. was a way to separate myself from the
advent of hip hop as tapes trickled in ing 78s that might contain the rough the radio was playing Bruce Spring- elements that I disliked,” he wrote in
from New York during the black bas- diamond that could make someone's steen and Steve Miller. I watched DJ Jorun Bombay will be spinning at an email. “SST formed the blueprint
ketball tournaments in Nova Scotia. day. There's a turntable in the 99 cent them and noticed that every time the Halifax Record Fair at Maritime for the truly independent record
In exchange for the Beatles revela- room in the back where you can spin they threw on something that wasn't Hall Halifax Forum this Saturday, label.”
tion, Jam Master Jay answered every- your loot. In that respect, not much being played on the radio, people Oct. 20. Predictably, there are no con-
thing Bombay had to ask about sam- has changed since Bombay headed would react immediately.” tracts at Divorce. “Everything is sort
ples, including what they sampled on there in 1988. Bombay's first DJ gig was at Club B SIDE: DO IT YOURSELF of a handshake deal, and we usu-
Peter Piper. “When I went to Taz, they got 55 on Gottingen Street. Bombay is ally do one record at a time.” They've
“He said, 'Bob James, Two, Take everything that people got rid of so bringing it back to basics by playing Death and renewal are natural facts since become a major force in bring-
Me to the Mardi Gras.” I didn't know what the hell to look again on Gottingen—this time, Alter of life – and of business in an industry ing together artists and locals at the
Look it up. It's one of the most for,” he remembers. “The big joke at Ego's cafe right across from another perennially described as “dying.” annual Obey conventions.
quoted beats in hip hop. the time was “if you don't know what vintage collector's goldmine, Plan B Taz has outlived Sam the Record Spidle uses at least three plants
After the show Bombay met up with to look for, look for anybody with the Merchant's Co-op—and restricting Man and other big box shops in the to do covers, lacquers, and press the
DJ Critical (a.k.a. Buck 65) at CKDU big afro in the front or anything that himself to 45s. Barrington Street area. It will likely vinyl.
radio for an interview. The meet- says 'funky' in it.' So I went through He hasn't used the industry-stan- be the sole music retailer in down-
ing kicked off three years of rooting the 45s and there were two records dard Serato vinyl emulation software, town Halifax if HMV closes its Spring Check out Obsolete Records on Agri-
through the hundreds of thousands that had the word funky in it: James which plays back mp3s-like records, Garden Road location this January. cola Street and Plan B on Gottingen
of records stored in the CKDU vinyl Brown's “Ain't it Funky Now” and since January. He says it's refreshing But it's not all doom and gloom: Street.
archives. “Funky Drummer.” to take a break from DJing “for peo- Nielsen reports that physical album• October 19 - October 25, 2012 artsculture 13
Fall is the right season to see Wintersleep live. • • • Photo supplied by Wintersleep
Heavy hum
Wintersleep come home
Andrew Mills
Arts Editor
Wintersleep isn't Halifax's secret any- track has mystic eloquence, odd and like “Sigh” are held back by overpro- album: “If I come home bloody, will there, to not find at least one person
more. After “Weighty Ghost,” a hit familiar. Tim D'eon, guitarist for the duction, partly because the band had you still want me?” Murphy special- from the east coast at a show,” he says.
song that made depression seem fun, group, has an explanation. two talented producers for Hum. izes in irresolvable love, but there's a D'eon says they got the call to
the world woke up to the sleep. And “Dave Fridmann (the Flaming sea change on this record. Tortured play Letterman a week before, but
indie kids squinted, as if the spectral
whales conjured on their first record “WE STEER Lips) is really amazing at mixing, he's
really creative in that part of it. Tony
questions don't just hang, they're
grounded by twinges of resolve.
couldn't get their Visas processed in
time, so they headed toward the bor-
just evaporated like fog under bright
lights. IT OFF THE Doogan (Belle and Sebastien) was
doing most of the engineering,” D’eon
“I won't hide away my life/I won't
run/I'm by your side” like a man set
der with fingers crossed. “We went
and told the border guard what we
Will they ever return to cult status,
or take over radio? Probably neither. SEATS OF says.
What punctures the studio veneer
before the wonder and horror of the
untameable heart.
were doing, and he was really cool.
He just said, “Wow, that’s awesome!
The new record Hello Hum shows a
band in between, as liminal as Octo- OUR PANTS.” is tour-earned tightness. The dizzy-
ing arrangements on “In Came the
“Nothing is Anything (Without
You)” veers close to adoration, but
Go ahead!”
Daring pays off for the band. When
ber's decaying parentheses between Flood” and “Resuscitate” will blister Murphy's flat delivery seems to mask asked his favourite song to perform
summer and encroaching darkness. to life live. D'eon talks collaboration a primal need for warmth. “Rapture” D'eon says, “‘Nerves Normal,’ because
It's the right season to see these guys “It was actually part of an old demo during writing: is the catchiest song about feeling old it's different every night. It has this
live. we did for Welcome To The Night “When we're working on demos in and cold and taking “photographs of improvisational section, it could last
On the song “Hum,” a spacey drone Sky—it's kind of in a stranger tuning, our rehearsal space, (drummer) Loel second thoughts” you'll ever hear. from two minutes to who knows—we
recedes to the occult intimacy of the with totally different vocals, drums, writes a lot of riffs. We're always in Wintersleep have exposure rare steer it off the seats of our pants.”
lyrics. “I can only find you if you are only the same riff.” working on ideas. For the most part to Canadian rock bands, especially
looking for me,” Paul Murphy sings The multiple perspectives in “Per- it's Paul's ideas for the lyrics, he'll bands of such weird calibre. After Wintersleep play Olympic Hall with
over tachycardic drums like Captain manent Sigh” blend suicide note with consult us like, ‘What do you guys several world tours D'eon mentions Elliot Brood, Rain Over St. Ambrose
Ahab chasing his killer whale—or an involved witness- unifying on a spare think about this?’” the pleasure of impromptu east coast and Kestrels on Oct. 18.
estranged lover with a psychic hunch melody: “All jokes aside/I'll start over “Saving Song,” a startling acoustic reunions in places like Scandinavia.
about his girl. For all its chaos, the again,” But no one's laughing. Tracks number, hangs an epitaph over the “It's actually kind of rare even over14 artsculture October 19 - October 25, 2012 •
POP EXPLOSION
MIXTAPE
Nick Laugher fect marriage of unicorns and Sailor
Staff Contributor Moon fanfiction. But funny.
Sure, the Halifax Pop Explosion has Atlas Sound | Walkabout featuring
drawn in some huge acts over the Noah Lennox
years, but what about the little guys? Absurdist, abstract and mindblow-
The best thing about Pop Explo- ingly dreamy pop tunes. Bradford
sion is the complete randomness Cox is a mad musician. Like, liter-
and universally beautiful dumb luck ally, the guy's bat-shit crazy. But he's
of seeing a band you'd never heard, a genius—whether he’s crafting beau-
or just "heard of," or a local act that tiful, unsettling melodies or doing a
blows you away. So, you can wait in bizarre hour-long surrealist cover of
line for two hours with your bracelet, My Sharona.
only to get turned away from Timber
Timbre, or you can catch one of these Billie Dre and the Poor Boys | Wino
great acts. Rhino
They're a loveable troupe of whis-
Jon Mckiel | Tropical Depression key drinking, surf-country-rockin',
Sludge-pop indie: a brooding melodic down-home bearded boys. Tales of a
melange of grimy, gritty tones and wine-drunk rhinocerous and groovy,
searing, soaring choruses. One of the sunshine-laced songs about hitting
best secrets on the East Coast. Quiet, waves - and all that other psyche-
creaking croons or explosive, cynical delically tinged imagery. A barrel of
breakdowns—the gamut of sharp- laughs and brews.
edged sincerity.
Dark for Dark | How Or Why?
Cousins | Secret Weapon Kind of like an autumnal, moon-
Acid-tinged dancehall punks. A lit night: this female indie-folk trio
maniacal mix of uptempo 50s rock churns out beautiful, sparkly siren-
and 60s surf with jagged, driving songs and glisteningly chimy melo-
rhythms. A percussive powerhouse, dies. Like a psychogenic fugue in the
they'll keep your shoes dancing all fall leaves, but with, like, a lot more
night. harmonies.
Cheryl Hann Owen Dacombe Steel | Snow Squall
Well, it's not music. And she won't A rough and tumble east-coast man
sing to you (well, she might), but with some sincere songs, a wander-
she will literally split your sides with ing spirit and no plan. Intense, bari-
laughter. Seriously, I've seen her do tone folk tones and salt-tinged vocals.
it. Scalpel and all. Clean cuts. You There's never a banjo or a fiddle far
thought her stuff in Picnicface was off. Or whiskey. That's pretty close
off-the-wall bizarre? Her act is a per- too.
Keeping song alive inside the house. • • • Supplied photo by Chip Simple
HIGH TENSION
At home with song
Owen Steel they didn’t. But things turned differ-
Arts Contributor ent. It became quieter.
As necessary as it was for things to
“WHAT I DO
My father lives alone in a house that cool down, there is something dis- IS SIT AT THE MIXTAPE
is much too large for him. concerting to me when I go home
Fortunately, he has visitors from
all over the world, many of whom are
now. I sense what I can only liken to
death. And so, what I do is sit at the
PIANO, FORM
traveling musicians. At the peak of
its existence the house became more
piano, form a chord, put my foot on
the sustain pedal, and let the sound
A CHORD, PUT
of a public abode than a private one,
garnering a reputation for being a
fill the downstairs. In a way I feel it is
my onus to keep song alive inside the MY FOOT ON Natasha Hunt
Arts Contributor
Au Palais | Pathos
It’s the peripatetic’s walking song and
twisted sex, booze, music and bar-
beque-fueled establishment.
house. I’ve also considered burning
it down and letting my father collect THE SUSTAIN Anna Calvi | Baby, It’s You
the thinking person’s dance track.
With decadent electro-goth flair, Au
It was awesome.
Someone once described it as “Tim-
the insurance money to pay his debts.
Whatever the case, I owe a lot to PEDAL, I’ve always had a thing for cov-
ers. Even bad ones. At best, a cover
Palais’ “Pathos” descends down, deep
down into the stylized art worlds
othy Leary meets the Adams Family”
in a modern day, East Coast, version
that house. It had an influence on
which path I took—that of a song- AND LET exposes something about a song that
the original missed. At worst? Carbon
of Miami Vice, Xavier Dolan mov-
ies, and cool-kid parties held in the
of the Chelsea Hotel. But, as is only smith (or, at least, an aspiring one). copy. In this case, Anna Calvi’s rendi- bombed out hollows of former S&M
natural in our world, the peak hit its And it’s through song that I, and I THE SOUND tion of The Shirelles’ “Baby, It’s You” dungeons. Simply put, “Pathos” is
point and began to fall down to earth. think a lot of other people, can find adds flamenco-tinged bravado that much cooler than you could ever
The roof started caving in, the pipes
would not stop bursting, and my
solace. FILL THE counterpoints the original’s vulnera-
bility. Twisting candy-coated longing
hope to be, but it still invites you out
for the adventure. And the adventure
father bid adieu to his youth- trading
late nights for early ones. That is not
Owen Steel performs at the Bus Stop
Theatre on Oct. 20
DOWNSTAIRS.” into icy hot yearning, Calvi rips off
the veneer of Luther Dixon’s produc-
is pleasingly alienating. It’s good to be
alone amongst the throngs of people.
to say the musicians stopped coming- tion, leaving only tautness and tears. "Pathos" oozes that very of-the-
A fraught yearning for the beloved moment beat-heavy, synth-driven
JOIN US!
hides underneath the luscious jangle sound, even though by Internet time,
of the 60s girl group. Calvi’s rendition it’s hundred years out of date. You
highlights a single-minded obses- get lost in the song’s syrupy urban
sion more totalizing than the slick- sprawl, clambering desperately to
ness of pop could ever allow. And find a friend, a fake friend—anyone,
what makes her cover of “Baby, It’s really—to relieve you of the loneli-
You” so satisfying? How Calvi draws ness. Worst comes to worst, it sim-
CONTRIBUTORS’ MEETINGS out the high tension of a love affair, ply inspires you to do. Even if doing
highlighting the melodrama of the means dancing like you’re bored.
MONDAYS, 5:30PM, ROOM 312, The SUB wait and the sincerity of a lover’s con-
viction.You can also read
