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January 23, 2004
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NEWS FROM THE TUBE
Courtesy of Atlantic
Not the
Strokes.
STILL
THE ONE
SUCCESS, THE SOPHOMORE SLUMP AND BROTHERLY LOVE
By Alex Wolsky
Daily Arts Writer
CONCER TPREVIEW
After finding themselves situated in front of
bands such as Echo and the Bunnymen and NY
hipsters Interpol, the Stills, Montreal's most pop-
ular export in 2003, have finally severed the ties
that bind and broken out on .
their own. As they cope with The Stills
ever-increasing hype from Tonight at6 p.m.
their first album, Logic Will At the Shelter
Break Your Heart, they find Clear Channel
themselves surprisingly hum-
bled and ready to progress despite the fact that
they're still being overshadowed by their contem-
poraries.
Dave Hamelin, drummer and songwriter for the
band, is quick to clarify, however, that they're
nothing like the bands they've drawn comparisons
to in the past. "People have said we're like the
Strokes but more Joy Division and that's simply
not true," he says. "It's ridiculous what people
will say."
The Stills formed in Montreal during the sum-
mer of 2002 under the leadership of Hamelin and
guitarist Tim Fletcher. Together they had written a
handful of songs on a four-track recorder but felt
they would develop better through agency. "I've
known him since I was 13. Our songs were grow-
ing similarly and (Tim) brought up the idea of
starting a band," Hamelin notes.
In fact, the entire group is tightly knit. "It's very
brotherly," Hamelin admits. Both Fletcher and he
played together in various bands since meeting, and
bassist Olivier Crow has known Hamelin since they
were four years old. The intimate relationship has a
sweeping impact on how the band functions today.
"Because we've known each other for so long, all
of our conflicts tend to be very psychological. A lot
of arguments boil down to our childhood and at
times they tend to be more vicious than one would
expect. Diplomacy goes out the window when
you're with friends."
Now, as the Stills embark on their first headlin-
ing tour, a whole new set of questions remain to be
answered. "Since the beginning we've been con-
stantly trying to prove ourselves. You tend to put a
lot of pressure on yourself, both as a musician and
as a friend to your fellow band members, and at
times it can become devastating; we're ready to
have our own tour and I feel we can deliver."
Success on the road, the ability to grow as artists
and the dreaded sophomore slump all loom large
for the band, and when asked if the hype has affect-
ed the band at all, Hamelin insists that they've yet
to let it get under their skin. "If we're confident
musically, then we'll be able to pull through the
next year unscathed - the only time hype scares
you is when you're unsure. There have been times
when we've doubted ourselves, but we're proud of
what we've done and we've said what we had to
say with the first record. It's time to move on."
After a brief tour, the Stills are preparing to
seclude themselves in a recording studio and begin
work on their sophomore album. Hamelin was
careful to note that the band intends to model their
next album in the creative mold of their influences,
the Beatles and Radiohead. "We admire how bands
like them can grow on every record and each one
sounds completely different. Our new songs don't
sound anything like what we've done before,"
Hamelin states. "The new songs actually sound like
Bob Dylan meets the Flaming Lips."
NEXT 'C.S.T IN THE BIG
APPLE
In a "Law & Order" type move,
CBS has announced plans for a third
edition of "C.S.I." There should be
no shortage of murders this go-
round, as Manhattan will play host to
the forensics fun, edging out other
potential candidate New Orleans.
With both the Las Vegas and Miami
versions perennially ranking at the
top of the ratings, CBS seems to be
banking on a sure thing.
CBS RENEWS FAVES
With BestComedy Emmy winner
"Everybody Loves Raymond" on the.
fence about returning for a ninth sea-
son, CBS has penciled in most of its
schedule for the fall. Surprise fresh-
man sensation "Joan of Arcadia" is
set to return next season, along with
the new sitcom "Two and a Half
Men." CBS has also renewed "Sur-
vivor" for two more installments,
joining solid performers "J.A.G.,"
"Judging Amy" and "The King of
Queens" as established programs that.
will be back next year.
SEASONS ARE CHANGING
FOX announced that it will do
away with traditional network TV
season scheduling. According to the
Associated Press, while most net-
works premiere shows only in the
fall and winter, FOX will offer new
seasons in the summer months as
well. This new business strategy is a
result of less than enthusiastic view-
ers for last fall's premiere schedule.
I
Tvtome.com reports that in March,
FOX will begin three new shows;
"Cracking Up," a dysfunctional
family sitcom, "Wonderfalls," a
dramedy about a Niagara Falls sou-
venir shop worker who talks to toys
and "Forever Eden," a reality pro-
gram showcasing 25 sexy singles at
a luxury resort.
SCHOOL'S OUT
"Boston Public" will be on hiatus
starting Feb. 6. According to thefu-
toncritic.com, the low-rated FOX
drama will be missing from sweeps
this winter, as reality TV will fill its
Friday night time slot. Among the
replacement programs will be
"That's Just Wrong," a variety show
featuring unbelievable behavior, and
"Man vs. Beast 2," where humans
and animals compete i bizarre con-
tests to prove who's really the king of
the jungle.
SUPER BOWL GETS SOME
FAB COMPETITION
The Super Bowl will have some
competition this year. Unlike in the
past, when the major networks have
mostly decided to air repeats t4 avoid
going against the Big Game, NBC
will counter on February 1st by offer-
ing three episodes of "Queer Eye for
the Straight Guy," the wildly popular
Bravo program. According to NBC,
they hope to capitalize on the non-
football viewing audience and grab a
piece of the ratings pie. Good luck.
- Compiled by the Daily TV Staff
4
4
Jazz summit
celebrates MLK
By Archana Ravi
Daily Arts Writer
FINE ARTS REVIEW
The "Jazz Divas Summit" was an evening of jazz, female
talent and most prominently, celebration. It honored the birth-
day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the reopening of Hill Audi-
torium and the 125th anniversary of the University Musical
Society. Perhaps the most celebrated event of the evening was
the meeting of instrumentation and voice with three promi-
nent jazz artists, Diane Reeves, Regina
Carter and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Each
artist's style and distinct approach to jazz Jazz Divas
kept the three-hour concert entertaining Summit
to the last note. Monday, Jan.19
The first performer, Diane Reeves, At the Mendelssohn
made her way to the center of her instru- Theater
mental trio, gently singing, "Hold me
close, I'll love you till the blue bells forget to bloom." Reeves'
voice was mellow but it steadily gained power while smooth
jazz emanated from the band behind her. She demonstrated
great musical strength and versatility in her songs. Her trio
harmonized creatively and flawlessly while maintaining their
distinctive roles within the group.
Next to hit the stage was the innovative and world-
renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter. Her career has been
described as a "crescendo of success," and her talent was
obvious on stage. Carter and her group began their segment
of the show with nature calls. An African drumbeat emerged
from upstage while chimes created the effect of squealing
birds. Amid the chaos, she strung high-pitched chords on her
I
Courtesy of UMS
Jazz vocalist Diane Reeves.
violin, and to the audience all other sounds were seemingly
drowned out. When the mayhem stopped, she began a steady
jazz song.
Throughout Carter's performance, there was a consistent
backdrop of jazz, even while classical music was at the fore-
front. At times she played classical violin music and then soft-
ly and smoothly switched to a staccato jazz. The result was a
creative fusion of culture and sound.
The last performer of the night was the pre-eminent vocal-
ist and so called "ambassador for jazz," Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Her first note personified her character as an artist - big,
playful and captivating. Bridgewater stunned the audience
with her brilliant scat, while the interplay between group
members in her trio was balanced and effective.
The concert offered a wonderful culmination to the event
that proved significant not only to the University but the
nation as a whole. Not only did it bring together legendary
jazz artists, it also brought together a very diverse and positive
audience. It was an evening of music and celebration and a
treat for all who attended.
I
I
OP
'lny. ,Jan 25 & Feb 1
Th3 am-1:30 pm
razy Wisdom Bookstore
Free of charge
For Information/Registration
calli 994-7114
:IliN 161 r
at
'U' Collage returns to Hill
By Sravya Chirumamilla
Daily Arts Writer
The honor of performing at Hill Audi-
torium extends to the best musicians the
School of Music can offer tonight at the
annual Collage Concert. Students audi-
and bands;' explains music student and
tenor Sean Panikkar, who will sing
"Torna A Surriento," during the opening
numbers.
Doctoral student Brian Sacawa notes,
"What's interesting is that the music
flows seamlessly." Sacawa, who will
perform Piet Swerts's "Klonos" on the
saxophone, recognizes the collaboration
for this concert. "What's special about it
is that so many people involved with the
School of Music are involved at the
same time."
Panikkar, who also performed at the
ribbon-cutting ceremony at Hill, notes
many changes at the theater, "It is
tioned last semester<
qualified were cho-
sen to play at the
newly renovated
theater.
Part of the
Michigan Music
and only the most
Collage
Concert
Tonight
at 8:15 p.m.
Free