Category: Arts & Life

Interview conducted by Jen Lassen and Elizabeth Bacharach

“Soul is about authenticity. Whatever your passion is, follow it.“

Q: As you are very well regarded for your music, how did you get your start in the industry?

A: Well, I started playing music when I was four years old. I took piano lessons at a music store in my neighborhood. I begged my parents to enroll me in classes.  That was the beginning. But even before that, my family is very musical. It was something I was immersed in, growing up in church and in my parents’ home, it was music everywhere.

Q: What advice would you give to college musicians aspiring to make it big?

A: You need to try to be the best at whatever your talent is. Try to be amazing at it and work on it and practice it. It’s not just about talent, but it’s also about savvy, connections, and about making the right choices for your career.

Q: Everyone here recognizes you as a major philanthropist. What motivated you to begin your contributions?

A: I think my parents always inspired me to want to give back. They made that a value that we were imbued with as kids, despite the fact that we didn’t have a lot of money; we were a working class family. Yet the little money that we did have, it was impressed on us that we were supposed to give and help other people in the community. That became part of our value system.

Q: Why the focus on and advocacy of education?

A: It has become harder to escape poverty in this country than it ever has been. The question is, what do we do about it? How about using tax money in a wise way to empower the people and give them a way to help themselves? To me, the most high-potential tool that society has to do that is through education. I wanted to be involved in the solution of fixing the problems in public schools because I know that we can do better.

Q: As a whole, what does it feel like to be interviewed by college students?

A: I love being on college campuses, speaking to college interviewers. I enjoy it because I know what it’s like to be here. Coming from a small town in western Ohio, you’re insulated from a lot of the rest of the world. Part of the excitement of going to college for me was meeting people from all over the world and opening my mind to all of the things that are out there.  It all helps you grow and evolve into a great leader, great communicator, great thinker, and a great contributor to society. These are great things that colleges are able to do.

Writer: Rob O’Donnell

Contributing Writer

To be clear, “Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down” by Noah & the Whale is not a new album by any stretch of the imagination. It’s almost four years old. But this is not a column that exclusively deals with new album releases; there is not always a new album worth writing about every week. This is a column that I hope will introduce you to good music. Essentially, it’s a recommendation column rather than a review column. So, with that out of the way, on to the album.

I’m starting to believe that Laura Marling is the epitome of a muse. I don’t normally pay attention to who musicians date, but in Marling’s case, I’m going to have to make an exception. Three of the people that she has dated are the lead singers of my favorite bands: Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons, Johnny Flynn of Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, and yes, you guessed it, Charlie Fink of Noah & the Whale. She’s collaborated with all of them on one of their albums, and without exception, it’s always their best albums.

On “Peaceful”, she has a small role, contributing only backing vocals, but her voice completes the album. Her harmonies with Fink are simply breathtaking; they became the new Joan Baez and Bob Dylan in my eyes. Another of Marling’s contributions was the inspiration for many of the lyrics, at least I assume.

This album is absolutely perfect if, like many University students, you often find yourself at registers on Friday nights contemplating the meaning of love in the context of an uncertain life with death around every corner. Or maybe you’re just going through a bad breakup, or you’re in love with an uninterested best friend. Either way, Fink’s lyrics packs a powerful emotional and philosophical punch. It’s not for the light of heart, as shown through songs like “Jocasta.” For those of you that don’t know Greek mythology, she’s the mother of Oedipus. For those of you that still don’t understand, ask a psychology major and get prepared for a really uncomfortable conversation.

To keep the album lighter than the lyrics suggest, the actual music is incredibly uplifting and remarkably structured. The song “5 Years Time” is a perfect example of this. It’s four minutes of pure musical joy. Ukulele and whistling result in a rare folk song that makes you want to jump up and dance. It’s not until the song ends that you realize that the singer is heartbroken. That’s how brilliant the music is. It allows Fink to delve into hardcore philosophy and emotional pain, without worrying that his music will be dismissed as too depressing or heavy-handed, like Elliott Smith’s later albums. Noah & the Whale are, in my opinion, the best folk musicians right now, rivaled only by Laura Marling. Fink has an unusual voice, but when mixed with Marling’s, it becomes genius.

If you’re looking for music that breaks with the mindless pop songs about partying and that has true substance and value, you should buy this album. For fans of Mumford & Sons, “Peaceful” is perfect for the countdown to their new album.

By Courtney Botazzi

Writer

On Jan. 15, stars were looking polished and glamorous at the 69th Golden Globes Awards.

Whether you tune in to the daily doses of celebrity gossip or are merely a bystander, there is something fascinating about seeing these stars step out from behind the lives of their characters and interact with one another. We are able to see Tina Fey photobomb Amy Poehler’s close-up as her name was read for a nomination, George Clooney tease Brad Pitt about his recent knee accident and, amazingly, Melissa McCarthy looking a little embarrassed from clips of the blockbuster hit Bridesmaids.

Host Ricky Gervais humored the audience and made himself laugh just as much, even poking fun at his fellow Brit Colin Firth (who he tried to deem imperfect).

Morgan Freeman joined legends such as Alfred Hitchcock, Lucille Ball and Walt Disney when he received the incredible Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other major winners of the night included members of the productions of “The Descendants” and “The Artist.” “The Descendants” won Best Motion Picture in Drama and Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama, which went to George Clooney. “The Artist,” a silent French film, won three awards: Best Motion Picture for Comedy or Musical, Best Original Score in a Motion Picture and Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy or Musical, won by Jean Dujardin, who gave thanks to his independent eyebrows which allowed him to have such an animated performance.

A moment that made many fellow celebrities tear up was when Octavia Spencer, who looked gorgeous in a lavender Tadashi Shoji gown, won Best Supporting Actress for “The Help.” 

Stars such as Angelina Jolie, Shailene Woodley and Zooey Deschanel sported similarly gorgeous ensembles and dazzled the red carpet.

Other dresses tended to be more questionable. Supermodel and presenter Elle Macpherson’s dress raised mixed feelings; as did Sarah Michelle Gellar’s somewhat blue tie-dyed affair.

Regardless of the best- and worst-dressed lists, the event supported a very worthwhile cause. The awards and the eye candy, both dapper and glam, were brought together to raise money for the non-profit Hollywood Foreign Press Association. This organization has donated over $12 million to arts-related charities and scholarships.

Even though the Oscars are a month away, we can still start to form guesses as to which movies will receive the most awards, who will be wearing the best and worst gown of the night and ultimately what infamous mishap or remembered moment will make a splash that evening. Make sure to tune in on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. for this star-studded event.

By Heather Hennigan

Writer

Believe it or not, February will be here before we know it. Things that resonate with this month include candy hearts, red roses and, more importantly, Black History Month.

This year’s celebration of Black History Month on campus includes an absolutely packed schedule with events galore. The theme this year is “Break the 28,” a fitting title for such an extensive celebration that intertwines various campus happenings.

From the John Legend concert to the Black History Month of Service to the Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson three-month series (bucknell.edu/SallyHemings), this celebration transcends the boundaries of a single month.

“Break the 28” also focuses on personalizing the University’s celebration of the month, kicking off with what is called “The Great 28 + 1.” Each day in February, a fact about the University’s black history and a Great Black Song (background information and YouTube video included) will be posted in the Message Center.

The spirit of the Black History Month celebration has been present for weeks now, especially during “An Evening with Bill T. Jones,” where the campus community had the opportunity to hear Jones share his experiences about his life as an African-American artist, choreographer, dancer, theater director and writer.

If you missed this lecture, no need to worry: there is still a chance to experience the remaining three events of the series, including a performance by the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

Another huge part of the University’s celebration of Black History Month, and a major focus on campus, is community service. The Black History Month of Service kicks off this Saturday, when students can offer assistance at the HandUp Foundation’s thrift store and the Sunbury YMCA. This focus on service continues throughout the month with opportunities in aiding the community’s youth through educational workshops, craft-making and snacks. The Month of Service ends on Feb. 28 with a no-sew blanket-making event to benefit victims of the August 2011 flood.

There are a few more events to mention, including a Joshua Rothman lecture, a Vance Gilbert concert, a Soul Food Panel, a poetry slam and even a sound installation made with genetic code (that’s right, with DNA). Please visit bucknell.edu/BlackHistoryMonth for an overview of the entire month.

By Michelle Joline

Writer

The holidays are perfect for catching up with family and friends from home, but also for updating your wardrobe. Even though December and January are intended for mittens, scarves and sweaters, our favorite stores still change their inventory from ski chic to resort wear. So, while it is too cold to not wear a puffy coat, we can peruse the Internet for the perfect pair of strappy sandals and pastel nail polish.

Here are some of the trends on the rise in 2012, just in time for you to decide what your next wardrobe staple will be.

Like many of the past warm weather seasons, the spring 2012 runways are stocked with various pastels. This color trend can be spotted on everything from dresses and skirts to coats, bags, nails and jeans. These splashes of color are perfect for the warm weather I’m sure we all are pining for.

Pastel colors can also be seen on one of spring’s other trends, the wedge. Girls are daring to go sky-high in platforms and wedges that are currently making a comeback. In addition to pastels, warm brown leather hues continue to be a perfect and flexible choice.

Color blocks are also a big trend on the spring runways. This revisited look makes for a great addition to an updated wardrobe. If you are only looking to be slightly adventurous with the new trends, try a color block handbag. It is a great way to enhance your entire outfit. Tangerine is a very popular color for the color block look. There is a pop of tangerine everywhere this spring, adding a hint of life to cream colors and muted tones.

Another statement can be found in polka dots and geometric patterns. This new look brings “mod” back to this season’s fashion trends. Celebrities like Emma Stone have been spotted wearing this look, so don’t hesitate to try it out before the warm weather finally hits Lewisburg. Go with a little frock, mod or drop-waist dress, and you’ll encompass more than one of this season’s best looks all in one outfit.

So, while the cold weather may be bringing you down, look forward to the sunny weather and start thinking about how you are going to make your statement this spring on campus. 

By Carolyn Williams

Writer

David Fincher’s new adaptation of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” quickly became a major hit this holiday season. “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” is the first book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy that completely captured the attention of its worldwide audience. One of its taglines, “the feel-bad movie of Christmas,” sums it up well. This film is not for the faint of heart.

Rooney Mara (“The Social Network”) steals the show as the film’s eponymous heroine, Lisbeth Salander, while Daniel Craig (“Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace”) takes a break from espionage to back her up as mild-mannered journalist Mikael Blomkvist. The two spend the first hour of the movie living independent of one another, but when their paths inevitably intersect, the result is explosive.

Lisbeth, a taciturn, computer-hacking genius with a bad attitude, negligible social skills and a slightly shady job as a private researcher, is, among other things, a ward of the state. Her old, beloved guardian suffers a heart attack and she abruptly finds herself placed under the eye of Nils Bjurman, who proceeds to curb her independence and ultimately rape her. Lisbeth is no wilting flower, however, and she strikes back with calculated vengeance, brutally exacting her revenge in the manner her unique moral code dictates.

Meanwhile, Blomkvist finds himself financially insoluble after trying to take down mobster Hans-Erik Wennerström, and is coerced into taking on a private investigation from aged business mogul Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer “The Last Station,” “Beginners”). For months, Blomkvist is entertained on the desolately beautiful island belonging to the sprawling Vanger clan. Most notable among this pool of suspects is Martin Vanger (Stellan Skarsgård, “Mama Mia,” “Good Will Hunting”), who succeeded Henrik as CEO of the family business and successfully personifies Larsson’s character’s chillingly cool composure.

Blomkvist and Salander’s paths coincide when he finds a lead in the long-cold investigation and needs the help of a research assistant. This is where things become interesting; Fincher capitalizes on every one of Larsson’s nerve-wracking plot twists and suspenseful moments, making the three-hour movie seem much shorter.

Filmgoers should not take this R rating lightly, as scenes of graphic violence play heavily throughout. Yet despite its violence, “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” is a genuinely powerful film, with Mara already nominated for a Golden Globe.

While it seems as if half the world has already read the book, Fincher’s film manages to scare us all over again, and in the best possible way. “‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ was a great, action-packed, unpredictable movie. I definitely recommend it,” Lauren DelloStritto ’14 said. Whether you know what’s going to happen between Mara and the irreproachable Craig or not, this heart-stopping and well-executed thriller is not to be missed.

By Carolyn Williams

Staff Writer

Nicole Krauss impressed critics with the joyful energy she brought to the tragedy of her first novel, “The History of Love,” and now, with her latest book “Great House” she has achieved another triumph with an even sadder story.

The narration takes place in parts, the connections between them unraveling beautifully as the novel progresses. Quickly apparent, their most concrete tie becomes symbolized through a monstrous writing desk, possessed of nineteen drawers in total, one of them permanently locked.

We first meet Nadia, an introverted, New York-based writer who was custodian of the desk from her mid-twenties until her late-forties. Her narration is addressed to “Your honor,” although who that could be remains unknown. Given to her for temporary safekeeping by a friend of a friend, a Chilean poet named Daniel Varsky, the desk remains with Nadia through the intervening years after Varsky’s death at the hands of Pinochet’s police. Though she knows the desk is not permanently hers, Nadia writes each of her novels at the desk. When a young woman arrives, claiming it as her inheritance from her late father, Nadia’s life as she knows it is derailed.

The story then gains the interest of an Israeli man named Aaron devastated by the recent loss of his wife. He addresses his younger son, Dov, whom he has never been able to understand. The boy aspired to be a writer once, but abandoned the idea after it was shot down by his father. He instead decided to move to London, detaching from his family and only returning in time for his mother’s funeral. Aaron’s simultaneous rage and love, so powerful and so deeply felt in Krauss’s writing, bewilder him as he recalls his son’s whole life, retracing his steps, trying to figure out what he did wrong.

A refined professor of Romantic literature at Oxford relates the story of his wife, a writer named Lotte Berg, who for many years worked at a desk that terrified and disturbed him. A refugee from Nazi Germany, Lotte escaped but lost her entire family in the camps. Her husband always assumed it was this survivor’s guilt which underscored the secrecy between them throughout their married life. An envelope found at her writing desk reveals that nightmares of the Holocaust were not the only secret Lotte had kept.

A young American named Izzy, also studying at Oxford, tells of how, after encountering writer’s block in her graduate studies, she meets a pair of Israeli siblings, Yoav and Leah. They live in a house full of furniture belonging to their father, a renowned antiques dealer. The strange pair accept her into their lives, and though she falls in love with the brother, the lovers are ultimately separated by the sibling’s relationship to their controlling father, whose life goal has been to perfectly restore his own father’s office, ruthlessly tracking down each article looted from his childhood home during the Holocaust.

Though perhaps a slow start, “Great House” quickly becomes hard to put down. As the connections between the stories grow less opaque, the more Krauss’s characters and their individual (and shared) plights endear themselves to their readers, and the more we don’t want it to end. “Great House” is an elegantly crafted, serious novel and an exposing, thought-provoking read.