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Burlap Circus’s Album ‘Avenue’ Succeeds Where Many Indie Contemporaries Fail 

Piper Summey  Some would say the indie music scene becomes less “indie” with every passing day. As many artists from this genre break into the mainstream, each one sends their own wave of copycats through the underground who—in attempt to reach the heights of the artist they admire—end up reducing themselves to mere tribute bands due to their over-devotion to their idol’s signature sounds, immortalized only in the form of “Mitski type beat” playlists. However, at a time when it’s so easy to fall into the over-saturated sphere of bands attempting recreate the … Continue reading Burlap Circus’s Album ‘Avenue’ Succeeds Where Many Indie Contemporaries Fail 

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Silas Carpenter’s The Big Idea: A Case Study in Marketing Music on TikTok  

Piper Summey  On September 5th, Silas Carpenter released one of my favorite albums of the year: a thirty-seven-minute record packed with thirteen witty yet profound lyrical explorations of love and heartbreak, dreams and nightmares, ego and insecurity, all set over instrumentals that range from moody and melancholic indie tunes to breezy-but-sometimes-gritty rock ‘n’ roll jams, pulling inspiration from pop prodigies like The Beatles and acclaimed songwriters like … Continue reading Silas Carpenter’s The Big Idea: A Case Study in Marketing Music on TikTok  

Adam Sandler’s You’re My Best Friend Tour: A Night of Music and Comedy 

By Bronwen K. Bradshaw  (Image from Climateplegearena.com)  This past Thursday, I went with my boyfriend to see Adam Sandler’s You’re My Best Friend Tour. The comedy show was held at Raleigh’s Lenovo Center, home of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State Basketball team.   I grew up watching Adam Sandler movies. My dad and I bonded watching Sandler films like Happy Gilmore and Mr. Deeds. … Continue reading Adam Sandler’s You’re My Best Friend Tour: A Night of Music and Comedy 

The forgotten history of the vibe shift 

Virginia Weaver, Senior Staff Writer Microwaved Beef is a column by Virginia Weaver that reflects on flashpoints from the last few years in the culture wars. The rapid pace of contemporary discourse makes it easy to forget critical moments that have defined our social and academic lives for the last few years. Microwaved Beef brings those moments back into the spotlight. In the days after … Continue reading The forgotten history of the vibe shift 

Maria: The Diva’s Final Days  

Bronwen K. Bradshaw, Arts & Entertainment Editor   (Image From, Does Angelina Jolie Actually Sing In Maria?)  Director Pablo Larrain takes us on another journey of aesthetically beautiful filmmaking with Netflix’s “Maria,” written by Steven Knight and starring Angelina Jolie.   This film follows Maria La Callas, the most famous opera singer of the twentieth century and today, embarking on a journey of the singer’s final … Continue reading Maria: The Diva’s Final Days  

Two Events Honoring Ella Baker: Spotlight on Larry ‘Syid’ Wright, Part Two 

Crystal Thompson, Features Editor   (Image courtesy of Jackie Sanders) To say that the Black History celebratory events of this past Saturday and Sunday were nothing short of amazing would do a disservice to the writers, actors, producers, crew, and others responsible for organizing one of the most educational film premieres. As mentioned in last week’s feature, Wright’s goal was to tell the story of … Continue reading Two Events Honoring Ella Baker: Spotlight on Larry ‘Syid’ Wright, Part Two 

Setting the Civil Rights Record Straight: Spotlight on Larry ‘Syid’ Wright, Part One 

Crystal Thompson, Features Editor  (Image courtesy of Larry ‘Syid’ Wright) Many celebrate Black History Month by honoring notable heroes who fought for freedom and equity, but what is known is not always shown. That is, stories are often left untold or mis-told. While numerous figures and events are showcased repeatedly across music, literature, apparel, and film as a reminder, filmmaker and author of Three Shots … Continue reading Setting the Civil Rights Record Straight: Spotlight on Larry ‘Syid’ Wright, Part One 

Is it Helpless Romantic or Hopeless Romantic? 

By Any Moreno  Undergraduate Student   I love watching romantic comedies, especially the ones that offer unrealistic expectations about love and life. Sometimes, fantasy is simply better than reality. If you are also feeling hopelessly romantic, here are my top 5 romantic movie recommendations:   5. The Proposal (2009)  The Proposal is one of many movies that use the fake marriage trope, one that is common to … Continue reading Is it Helpless Romantic or Hopeless Romantic? 

Breaking the Fourth Wall: The New Era of Reality Television and the Performance of the ‘Housewife’  

By Mackenzie N. Wofford  (Image From, ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ Sets Cast and Season 5 Return Date)  The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is Bravo’s newest addition to the beloved Housewives franchise. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the series explores Mormonism, social control, and the performative nature of reality television. Since the series debuted in 2020, The Real Housewives of … Continue reading Breaking the Fourth Wall: The New Era of Reality Television and the Performance of the ‘Housewife’  

Unmasking Chromakopia: An Analysis of Tyler’s Lyrics  

By Christopher Flores-Rivera   (Image From, Tyler, the Creator Announces ‘Chromakopia’ Album Release Date & Reveals Cover Art)  Tyler Okonma, better known as Tyler, The Creator, released his latest album, Chromakopia, on Monday, Oct. 26, unveiling some of his most raw and unrelenting lyrics. This album captures Tyler’s journey through themes of maturity, the fear of fatherhood, and the struggle of masking one’s true self. Like … Continue reading Unmasking Chromakopia: An Analysis of Tyler’s Lyrics