Unfinished political peice.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me, so goes the famous song by Aretha Franklin. We the American people are a nation built upon the ideals of freedom and respect. Did we not break away from England when they looked upon us a colony far lower than the homeland whom they could tax with no just cause? Had we not a civil war over the unfair slavery and dehumanization going on in the south? We have had civil marches to bring a stop to segregation and we have protested wars. We have equality acts and freedom of religion for a reason.

This is supposed to be the land of the free and equal right?

Well what of our chosen representatives?

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Kveikur by Sigur Ros Under the Sea

I’m listening to Kveikur by Sigur Ros and there couldn’t be a better thing to be playing right now. Keep in mind this is my first time listening to this particular album. I’m drawn in initially by the pulsating bloodstream beat. The digital cords wash over and crash against the rocks as the vocals sail overhead in the open air above it all. The vocals swoop down then ride gracefully just above the waters glittery but stormy surface. It sinks and slowly dissolves into a fragment of a tune.

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Writing opportunties and advice from yours truly

For any writer you may feel at times like you are standing alone on a rock off the coast of a jagged shore. The water is turbulent and it is constantly crashing at the limestone under your feet with the fury of raging bull. You may wonder how much longer this weak stone can continue to hold you up. And what are you doing here anyway? You are standing here making things on paper forming and shaping these creations that you feel are art. You spend hours and hours creating this thing which is to you a magical wonderful world, it is a glimpse of something more from inside you. This art, this magnificent creation, you set it upon the water and it sinks slowly before you. It disappears below the surface like it never was at all. You realize what you did wrong. You know you can do better so you start all a new. Sometimes it is reworking the same idea and sometimes it is an all new creation. Whatever this may be the result is always the same.

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Sound Rabbit

This article originally appeared Dayton City Paper

In a world of Music that seems to fit everything into cookie cutter genres Sound Rabbit isn’t afraid to think outside the box. Not only do they step outside that rock box, Sound Rabbit proceeds to dabble around with jazz, folk, and pop as well as a wide variety of other musical classifications. Synth meets steady guitar reminiscent of early Weezer on tracks like “Diminished Returns”. The very next track on Tree Trunk Airplanes, “Years Ago”, features a smooth strumming a tune more akin to Elliot Smith, while the track after that bubbles a bit like pop. All of this leads to some well varied albums which won’t wear out even after a dozen listens. Amongst my group of friends we have a term for bands who lack variety; same-y, and Sound Rabbit is anything but same-y.

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Animal Collective one: interview with Geologist

A voice says to you; this is the new. Suddenly warping effects reduce that into an echoed sound. You may be able to catch the word centipede but more likely it flies past you too fast to register. And this is only three seconds in. There is a quick count-down from seven then the beat starts. It’s a pounding rhythm that demands your attention. After a moment the percussion is joined by more instruments then finally the vocals. The chorus holds a layered voice stretching it out as the rhythm keeps pushing forward. This is followed by a scream into the next transition. The effects and vocals combine into a quieter moment then build up then explode with the ending half of the song. It’s layered intricate intriguing and exciting. What more would you expect from the first track on Animal Collective’s new CD Centipede HZ?

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Kate E Lore on July 4th and some other American Holidays

I don’t want to come off as an asshole when I say I’ve never given a shit about the fourth of July but that’s basically what I’m saying here.

I like BBQ’s and sparklers and seeing my friends. I like smores, bonfires and beer. I cannot say however that I have ever truly associated any of these activities as a celebration of America. I realize that is supposed to be the purpose however it has never been heavily present in my mind. If anything my favorite part of Fourth of July is getting fireworks illegally from out of state. My favorite part of this holiday celebrating my country is breaking the law?

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Starving in the Belley of the Whale

This article originally appeared in Dayton City Paper

If you were to think about it, quite literally, Starving in the Belly of the Whale implies being eaten whole. It implies that you are trapped inside a cage of bone and blubber. There you are dying of need while another creature will slowly absorb your body into its own. You’re hungry while he eats. This fits well to the word irony as people use it now-a-days.

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Gay Pride in Dayton Ohio

This article originally appeared in Dayton City Paper

Rainbow, sparkles, and all things fabulous this is what you might typically think of when you hear “Pride Weekend” and “Gay Pride Parade”. How about love, support, equality and acceptance? This Pride weekend is about more than showing off, and it’s more than just a celebration limited to the gay people of Dayton. In fact the more heterosexuals who support these events the more their purpose is achieved. This is about embracing the people who have been ignored, looked over and sometimes hated in our society that caters to opposite sex couples 365 days out of the year. They’re not asking you to convert or change your fashion choices (Even if you really should). They gay people of Dayton are simply throwing a weekend to celebrate their culture which often gets hidden and overlooked in the far corners of our city. These individuals are brave enough to throw a massive public party and forgiving enough to invite everyone despite all the years of being excluded themselves.

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Dream Girls tour

This article original appeared in Dayton City Paper

Spotlight center stage where a young woman is fighting for her right to the platform, her deserved moment in the warm heat of stage lighting. This is a musical about performers and oh does it perform. Dreamgirls tells the story of the Dreamettes a trio of girls trying to break into the music scene of 1962. The girls encounter much personal drama and many struggles in the cut throat entertainment business. Although successful they encounter many ups and downs as this story follows the girls for over a decade.

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