4 Frday January 23, 2004 arts.michigandaily.com artseditor@michigandaily.com RTS 8 4 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