November 25, 2015
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Fully Charged and Ready to Go
Musicians Respond to Attack at the Bataclan Theater
By GLENN ROHRBACKER
By STEPHANIE CONLON
MUSIC EDITOR GROHR1@NEWHAVEN.EDU
STAFF WRITER SCONL12@UNH.NEWHAVEN.EDU
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P
itch Perfect changed the world in many ways. It opened the public to the art of acappella music and its lifestyle at many colleges across the world. The movie also had an influence on Paul Taylor, a senior now at the University of New Haven, inspiring him to create the first acappella club at the university. The club is called Fully Charged, keeping up with the trend of titling the group after a pun, sexual innuendo, or school related theme. The group started officially in the fall of 2013, and is growing every semester. Fully Charged has performed for events like Hope n’ Mic Night, SCOPE Beanhouse, winter and spring concerts, caroling at the VA hospital in West Haven, and many more, including a competition last semester. The group hopes to expand its presence on campus, as well as hopefully competing in the ICCA’s in the future. Fully Charged is a mixed choir group that sings mainly popular music, both new and classic.
Fully Charged, with founder Paul Taylor center (Photo provided by Glenn Rohrbacker)
This year, their selection includes “Shut Up and Dance,” an Ed Sheeran medley, “Love on Top,” a mashup of “What Do You Mean,” “One Last Time,” “Latch,” and many more. They’ve also sung songs like “Royals,” “Ring of Fire,” “Elastic Heart,” and more. Having students from all classes, majors, and backgrounds makes for a really diverse and interesting group where everyone has something to offer. Being a member for over a year now, I can say that it’s a great environment where we can succeed and have fun. I asked some members of the group why the group was important to them. Senior and Fully Charged Alto Karina Irizarry responded, “Fully
Charged has brought me an awesome family that can have fun and make music together.” Freshman Emma Pendon said, “Fully Charged helped me to feel so loved and welcomed at UNH. At first, I was scared that I wouldn’t make a single friend. It turns out that I didn’t just make friends, I found a whole family. The music we perform together makes us stronger, and it personally makes me feel more confident.” The group not only makes great music, but fosters a supportive and encouraging environment where people can feel comfortable. As the group’s founder, Paul Taylor, says goodbye to UNH this December, he reflects back on why
he created the group in the first place. “I think the human voice is one of the most expressive instruments in existence, and when a group comes together musically in the right ways, it creates something astounding,” he said. “The importance of Fully Charged, to me, isn’t just what we have accomplished, but rather, who we have all become because of our time together.” Fully Charged is tearing up the acappella scene at the University of New Haven, and will continue as the group grows every year. You can find the group on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for their latest updates and posts.
Bryson Tiller Sells Out Toad’s Place Twice in Same Night
caught yourself singing along to his Billboardcharting single, “Don’t” –––––––––––––––––––– while listening to Hot 93.7 this month, just as a room full of fans did at Last Thursday, Nov. Tiller’s show last week. 19, New Haven’s hisTiller’s show was toric Toad’s Place had the originally intended for pleasure of hosting not one, but two performances 8:30 p.m. last Thursday, but due, in-part, by both a from Bryson Tiller after series of ticket giveaways the first sold out. The by the local hip-hop Louisville-born singer station (which I didn’t and rapper created buzz amongst hip hop channels win), and the singer/rapin 2011 with his Killer In- per’s growing popularity, Toad’s Place announced stinct Vol. 1 mixtape, but hadn’t achieved legitimate a second show at 10:30 p.m., which I barely manmainstream success until aged to acquire tickets for. the release of his debut Around midnight, a album TRAPSOUL, which backdrop of neon white hit shelves in early Octolines appeared, highlightber. You may have even By PAUL CARBONELLA
STAFF WRITER PCARB1@UNH.NEWHAVEN.EDU
@ChargerBulletin
ing the smoky clouds drifting across the stage. Bryson Tiller finally arrived onstage and immediately went into “Let ‘Em Know,” the first track off of TRAPSOUL. His stage presence was exceptional off the bat—one of those rare, spirited performances you only get from performers who are just breaking through. Throughout the night, Tiller was capable of delivering that same energy to a venue packed with fans who seemed to know every word of his record. He performed some of my favorite cuts from the album, including “Rambo,” “502 Come Up,” and
“Sorry/Not Sorry.” He also performed several singles, such as “Ease,” and other songs produced by the music-collective affiliates Soulection. It was an inspiring to watch Tiller perform at his very best on a night of two sold-out shows and immense mainstream buzz. He seemed to take it in with humility though, both celebrating and appreciating the recent success. He even seemed surprised at some moments; he would constantly thank the crowd for coming and for enjoying his music. Earlier that day, in an interview with See TILLER page 8
With the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, many people are taking it as their personal responsibility to voice their concerns and support. Musicians and artists are no exception to this and are even more vulnerable to the situation because of the attacks at the Bataclan Theatre. On Nov. 13, a well known concert venue in the eleventh district of Paris was attacked during an Eagles of Death Metal concert. Several shooters entered the building with nearly 1,500 music fans during the show, killing 129 of those in attendance and injuring hundreds more. The California based rock band was roughly half way through their European tour at the time and were unaware of any danger. Musicians and artists from around the world have begun to speak out with the utmost disgust for the attack and the slaughter of innocent peers enjoying a night in a city known for its arts and culture. While everyone has been affected by the attack in different ways, music has always had a power and unifying quality during times of tragedy like this. Many artists such as U2 and the Foo Fighters have cancelled shows and tours as a result of the ongoing state of emergency across France. A representative from the Foo Fighters has announced, “It is with profound sadness and heartfelt concern for everyone in Paris that we have been forced to announce the cancellation of the rest of our tour. In light of this senseless violence, the closing of borders, and international mourning, we can’t continue right now. There is no other way to say it. This is crazy and it sucks. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who
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was hurt or who lost a loved one.” Following this attack, Madonna made the decision to continue with the Stockholm show of her “Rebel Heart.” While on stage, she explained the reasoning behind playing the show, against the wishes of her management. “I was going to cancel my show tonight, but then I thought to myself, why should I give that to them? Why should I allow them to stop me, to stop us, from enjoying freedom? …These are freedoms that we take for granted, of course, and we must not. But they are freedoms that we deserve!” Other notable artists who have spoken out include the Killers’s front man Brandon Flowers, who in an interview with Loaded magazine, pleaded to fans not to be afraid of music as a result of the Bataclan attack. “Some of the greatest experiences in my life have been at concerts,” he said. “To think that people will be afraid to go to concerts now is a shame. I hope we don’t let what happened get the better of us… I’m not the ambassador for all musicians… My heart goes out to the people who died. But I feel it’s important to try not to be afraid.” While celebrities and pop stars are getting the most attention for their efforts to support those who lost loved ones in the attack, perhaps the most heartfelt comes from an anonymous piano player, who set up a concert grand piano outside of the Bataclan Theatre. Playing John Lennon’s “Imagine,” the unknown musician reminded all who pass by the theater that all of the bad will pass and that those lost will never be forgotten.