Tonic

TONIC the top ten albums of 2016 top songs today

feature stories: • Furnishing a Festival • Nota • Music Behind the Movie • Putting the Pieces Together

december 2016

how to start a music festival top movie film scores

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04

Editor’s Note

Letter from the Editor

Biographies

Letters from the Contributors

08

Nota

An Inside Story on the Memories of Music for Different People

Top Songs Today Music From the Top 100 on Billboard

14

06

12

Furnishing A Festival

A Behind the Scenes Point of View of Music Festivals with Interviews from Madeline Goulet, Autumn Rich and Ben Deterling

The Top 10 Albums of the Year A Quick Look at Ten of the Best Albums Released in 2016

20

18

Music Behind the Movie How the Music Affects the Film

Top Rated Movie’s Film Scores The Unique Characteristics of Soundtracks Behind Top Rated Movies

26

24

Putting the Pieces Together The Inside Information on How Bands are Chosen for Large Music Festivals and How They Come Together

How To Start Your Own Music Festival

A Flow Chart Showing the Steps Needed to Successfully Create Your Own Music Festival

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letter from the editor Dear Readers,

Welcome to the first edition of Tonic. The definition of tonic is something with an invigorating effect. Music can give people the most invigorating feelings. Music is all around the world, it’s part of billions of people’s lives everyday, including your’s. With the average human being spends more than 13 years around music and the average American spending around four hours a day listening to music, it’s no wonder music is such a big part of our lives. Tonic is here to give you a dip into the world of music that so many people are apart of. From the memories people have involving music to the setting up of music festivals, our magazine will provide you with interesting information about different parts of the music world. With this magazine we hope that you will be inspired to learn more about music or you might even begin to consider getting involved with music. Thank you for coming along with us on this journey through Tonic.

-Jordan Westenberg

TONIC 4

BIOGRAPHIES..

Jordan Westenberg Jordan Westenberg has always loved being involved with music. In 6th and 7th grade she was in choir and she still loves to sing. She’s gone to ACL ever since she was in 3rd grade and she’s loved it ever since.

She loves learning about the ways music has affected other people.

Megan Deterling Megan Deterling has always loved listening to music. She started going to ACL in 6th grade, and now, in 9th grade, looks forward to the beginning of October each year to listen to her favorite bands with her best friends. She enjoys playing beach volleyball in her freetime, and she uses her love for music to pump her up for her tournaments and practices.

TONIC 6

Letters from the Contributors Kylie Miller Kylie enjoys music, art, books and movies. She loves all genres of music and fell in love with movies and books at a young age. Classic films and action-adventure are her favorites, along with science fiction-fantasy. She had a great time writing her thoughts on top rated movie soundtracks and learning more about music in film.

Jack Goulet Jack Goulet often listens to rap music in his freetime. He enjoys playing soccer, watching football, and hanging out with friends at school. His favorite artists are Travis Scott, A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane and many more.He is a big fan of the Texas Longhorns and the Chicago Bears football teams and he is pretty cool.

TONIC 7

Nota

by: jordan westenberg

Erika Wennerstrom. Photo By: George L. Blosser

an inside story on the memories of music for different people in different careers and paths in their lives.

a sense I’m running a

that her music has on others

business,” Wennerstrom

and for her it’s like a

says, describing one of the

blessing.

difficulties, “I think that

“I think I’m able to put my thoughts into my songs”

people have this idea of Music is the one of

being a traveling musician

the many things that are

and that it’s being on

constant throughout people’s

vacation all the time but

lives. Music is always

it’s a lot of hard work.

there and it is one of the

I always wanna grow as a

biggest connectors between

writer and improve and I

people. Music helps us pave

wanna challenge myself and I

our own lives, even if it’s

find it to be a challenge to

to put my thoughts into my

unnoticeable. Everyone has

try to create something that

songs and think them out

stories that correlate with

as a listener I’d like to

and speak what I feel, I find

music. From musician, to

hear by somebody.”

that there are people who

“I think when I’m able

teacher, to a salesman,

relate to what I’m saying

music is the one thing we

and it makes me feel a

all have in common.

connection with my world,”

Wennerstrom says, “I’ve also

“I remember always

wanting to become a musician

had a lot of people tell me

ever since I was little,”

that my songs have helped

Erika Wennerstrom, the

them get through rough times

lead singer of Heartless

in their life. If anything

Bastards, says, “It was

I think that it’s something

always a thing I wanted to

that really inspires me to

do and becoming one was a

keep doing what I do.”

dream for me.”

Wennerstrom started

her band when she was around

Er i k a We n n e r s t r o m in a s t u dio a t G ood D e n n y ’ s . P h o t o by : S t e v a n Alcala

25 or 26 and throughout time

The memories she

has about her fans and about her music motivates Wennerstrom to work even

she has experienced some of

the more difficult memories

may harness some difficulties

keep going throughout the

with music.

but it also holds a very

difficult times. For others

rewarding feeling for her.

music holds much different

As a musician she is able

memories. Some have memories

“I know it’s a rock

band but I find that in

For Wennerstrom music

to see and hear the effect

harder on her music and to

9 TONIC

of music pushing them to do

time.”

Music played a part in who I

their job and others have

hung out with. It influenced

memories of changing their

memories of music doing

who I would never hang out

lives and their points of

good things for him. Music

with (which was dumb of me).

view on people. With almost

has helped move his ideas

It gave me some small sense

13 years of the average

in positive ways throughout

of social identity.”

person’s life being spent

time. He has memories of the

around music, it holds very

classes he took about music

many memories for very many

and the memories of what he

people. Some are good and

did with music when he was

some are bad and there are

little.

Bryan has many

“I learned to play the guitar because of music.”

some in between.

Jeffrey Bryan, a

career technology teacher at Covington Middle School in

Austin, Texas, grew up in

bed salesman/maker at Suite

a very conservative Mormon

Dreams Murphy Beds in San

community. He grew up with

Marcos, grew up constantly

ideas around him that rock

around music. Music, he

‘n roll was stuff you didn’t

describes, is like the

participate in even though

soundtrack to his own movie.

it wasn’t against scripture.

He has memories of being

around music for his whole

“Music always

John Thorton, a Murphy

represented my love on

entire life and even now he

being on the edge of social

is around it every day.

acceptance,” Bryan says,

J e f f r e y B r y a n g r e w u p in a c on se r v a t iv e M o r mo n c o mmu n it y .

P i c t ur e by : J e f f r e y B r y a n

separate myself from my

Friday,” Thorton says, “I’d

peers.”

“Music was always a way to

go in as a kid and get paid cash my check and go down

guitar because of music,”

to the tower record store.

rock and roll, particularly

Bryan says, “I learned

I’d buy 5,6, 7 albums and go

music,” Bryan says. But

clarinet, but that was

next door and buy a pair of

I loved anything hard

because I was forced to take

jeans and what I had I put

and edgy, anything that

band. I learned, taught

in my truck to go to work

expressed the pent up

myself even, guitar because

that next week. I’d do that

feeling I felt all of the

I wanted to learn guitar.

all the time and the music

“I listened to 90’s

“I learned to play

“You know I used to

10 TONIC

back then was completely

ya’. It means a lot and I’ll

with what he’s doing during

different.”

never forget that.”

his career.

Thorton has many links

to many different musicians.

“I do not work without think music.”

He has met many throughout his time around music and he remembers buying a very special guitar featuring his favorite band, Uncle Lucius.

“They had this guitar, which is ... a cover of their album.”

John Thort o n i n S ui te Dre a m s Mur p h y B e ds. P hoto by: J o h n Thor t on

Thorton’s first concert

was when he was a kid. “My mother dropped me and my girlfriend off in an old ford woody wagon to go see Grand Funk railroad and that was in June 1972, Seattle,” he says, “I can still see the boys up on stage and the Shell Centre Coliseum.

They had screens behind them when they came out and sang We’re an American Band. That was one of the hits coming out at the time. It was powerful, it was patriotic, it was rock ‘n roll. It was right there in front of

“I do not work without

think music,” Thorton says, “there’s a theory I call ‘listen while you work’ and I mean I got this place typed up for music. We have a sonar system in here, and

“They had this guitar,

if the music isn’t on then

which is basically a copy

nothing’s going on. We just

of the cover of their album

plug whatever we want and we

on it,” Thorton says, “it

play it loud.”

was a lot of money. I said,

‘these are friends of mine.’

lot of people’s memories

The merchandise lady at the

and lives. It’s played

table, an old southern girl,

everywhere and daily. Music

said, ‘listen these boys

can bring up nostalgic

have wives and girlfriends

memories and sad memories

and babies. It’s $450. You

and happy memories but

want it?’ I took it. I love

music is in everyone’s

it, it’s fun, but you know

memory. Music is one of the

that’s what I do to help

few things that connects

support the band.”

people’s memories. Music

Thorton also has memories

intertwines us.

Music makes up a

of music being a part of his work life. To this day music helps him stay productive 11 TONIC

neck: “ride” by: twenty one pilots• ranked number 28

head: “side to side” by: ariana Grande• ranked number 7 • highest ‘side to side’ has been is ranked number 6

• highest ‘ride’ has been ranked is number 5 • ‘ride’ will make you want to move your neck with the regae beat • Genre is alternative

• ‘side to side’ will make you want to bop your head • genre is pop

chest: “yoncé” by: beyoncé• highest ‘yoncé’ ranked number 23 • ‘yoncé’ will make you wanna move your shoulders with it’s slow beat • genre is contemporary r&b

waist: “formation” by: beyoncé • ranked number 10 • highest ‘formation’ ranked is number 1 • ‘formation’ will make you want to move your waist to the beat

12 TONIC

• genre is pop

top songs today:

a list of some of the most popular songs on billboard top 100. these are songs you should definitely listen to if you’re a fan of the pop or hip-hop genre. these are some of the most listened to songs of today.

by: jordan westenberg

legs: “24k magic” by: bruno mars • ranked number 6 on billboard top 100

arms: “caroline” by: aminé • ranked number 18 on billboard top 100 • ‘caroline’ will make you want to wave your arms in the air • • genre is hip-hop/rap

• highest ‘24k magic’ ranked was number 1 • ‘24k magic’ will make you want to move your legs to its funky beat.

• genre is pop

13 TONIC

furnishing a festival

When everyone gathers to enjoy local

food and live music, there are countless things that are running through their minds before they think of the work that went Approximately 450,000 people attend Austin City Limits Music Festival each year, and only about 100 bands and artists perform and know what it’s like behind the scenes.

Autumn Rich & Company is the company that puts together the lounges for artists and VIP’s at ACL and Lollapalooza. Along with that, they handle and promote new restaurant openings and other events.

into making it all possible. Furnishing the VIP and artist lounges is just a microscopic part of the entire setup, however, it is still important and it’s a job that has to be done. That’s why Autumn Rich & Company has been doing it since 2006.

Madeline Goulet is a paid intern for

Autumn Rich and this year was her first year working as a furniture vendor at the festi-

val. “It takes about a month to figure out

fest, SXSW, and Gathering of the Vibes, but

the layout of each lounge, and it’s differ-

the biggest one of them all was last year

ent for each artist. We have to take into

when he and his band performed at ACL. “I

account any suggestions the artists may

just find it to be really cool when there are

have, come up with a good layout, and make

people listening to what we’re playing. I

sure we have the inventory to make it all

also really like the feeling of being back-

happen,” Goulet says. Madeline was in charge

stage because not very many people get to be

of the lounges for three of the six headlin-

back there as a performer,” Deterling

ers at this year’s festival. She also went as a regular fan of music, just like everybody else.

Ben Deterling has experienced the fes-

tival from a whole different point of view which also is one that most people haven’t.

Ben is a member of the group, School of Rock. He plays both acoustic and electric guitar. He’s had performances at University of Texas football games, Milwaukee Summer-

“I joined School of Rock because I was always wanting to playing in front of lot’s of people, especially at ACL.”

The VIP Lounge at ACL in 2016. said.

Photo Courtesy of Autumn Rich

even more money, there is the Platinum Autumn Rich is the founder and own-

Pass. This gives you all of the privileg-

er of Autumn Rich & Company. Along with

es that come with the VIP Pass along with

giving the artists a quality experience,

access to the Air-Conditioned Platinum

they handle the VIP and Platinum expe-

Lounge, Platinum Golf Cart and Shuttle

riences. If you’ve ever been to a music

Transportation, other things to be treat-

festival, you’ve most likely seen the

ed like royalty, and entry to the Plat-

section on the stage, back behind the

inum viewing areas at every concert at

performers. The people who pay extra for

every stage.

VIP Passes have access to many benefits.

These include passes to the VIP Grove,

this year. Obviously both of them would

catered lunch and dinner, mini spa treat-

take a Platinum Pass over General Ad-

ment, shaded seating, air conditioned

mission in a heartbeat if given the de-

restrooms and many more luxuries. “We

cision. However, if they had to choose

really want those who buy special pass-

between only watching concerts from the

es to get their money’s worth and I feel

backstage viewing area without other

like we’ve done a good job of that,” Rich

platinum benefits, or attending just like

says. If you’re feeling like spending

everybody else, they have different opin-

TONIC 16

Ben and Madeline both attended ACL

ions. In Madeline’s opinion, “It’s a much

it worth it for those who can afford to

better view and you don’t have to wait

pay extra. “If some people with a Plat-

for hours to get a good spot,” Goulet

inum Pass or VIP Pass they are never to

says. Ben would prefer being close

take advantage of all of the benefits pro-

in the crowd, not behind the stage. “I

vided. The Platinum Pass still grants you

always see the people backstage and they

access to everything that General Admis-

don’t look like they’re having a very

sion and VIP Passes offer,” Rich says.

good time. More memories can be made when

you’re in the crowd jumping around with

looza are events that don’t happen of-

friends and new people that you can meet

ten, which makes the memories of them so

that like the same type of music as you.

special. The opportunity for Ben and his

The only part that isn’t fun is waiting

band to perform at music festivals as big

to get good spots, but that’s just part

as ACL is one that doesn’t happen for

of the experience. It’s definitely worth

most people and therefore it should be

the wait in my opinion,” Deterling says.

cherished. Madeline is also lucky to be

able to work on something that is so ex-

Although some people prefer being in

Music fests like ACL and Lollapa-

the crowd at concerts, Autumn Rich & Com-

citing and effects some of the most popu-

pany still provide many things that make

lar artists and bands in the nation.

VIP Lounge from ACL inh 2016.

Photo Courtesy of Autumn Rich

TONIC 17

the t p 10 ALBUMS

OF 2016

Lil Uzi Vert has really made a statement in 2016. Lil Uzi Vert Vs. The World was released in April of 2016 and is his fourth mixtape and by far his most popular. Some of the hits from the album are “Money Longer” and “You Was Right.”

Blank Face LP was Schoolboy Q’s second album with Interscope Records and it was his way of making a statement as a major artist. His album included the popular single which was released earlier that was titled, “That Part.”

9

Vince Staples’ Prima Donna is a great album with some unique sounding tracks, but what makes it outstading is the story it tells. the songs tell a story in reverse chronilogical order of a rapper’s rise to fame and how he loses his mind after once he becomes famous.

TONIC 18

Chance the Rapper released his album in May and it featured artists such as Justin Bieber and Kanye West. “No Problem” was by far his most popular from the mixtape.

Gucci Mane suprised everybody when he released his hit album this year, just a few months after being released from jail for possesion of firearms.

Beyonce has been one of the most popular artists for some time now and she backed that up with Lemonade. It sold over 600,000 copies in the first week alone.

Drake is a rapper/pop singer that may be the most popular artist as of right now. As expected, his new album produced lots of hype. Views includes hit single, “One Dance.”

Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy make up the duo, Rae Sremmurd. Their album includes the hit song that blew up thanks to social media, “Black Beatles” featuring Gucci Mane.

Kanye west’s personality can draw attention away from his music, which has revolutionized the genre. Even the release of the album included tons of controversy, but it’s wide variety of new styles is what makes it so good.

Travis Scott’s follow up album from his first hit album, Rodeo, was a big success. With features such as Kid Cudi and The Weeknd, it produced lots of hype.

Writer Kylie Miller

MUSIC BEHIND THE MOVIE how the music affects the film

T

he lights dim and a hush falls over the crowd.

The aroma of fresh, buttered popcorn circulates throughout the dark room and mixes with the delicious smell of sweet and sour candies. An upbeat riff begins to play and the audience is thrown into a fit of laughter as they gaze upon the screen.

The music decrescendos and sends shivers up the spine while the screen grows dark.

A continuous long drawl of a song, until a large noise accompanies a horrid visual and the crowd jumps in surprise. The music dissolves

20 TONIC

into a sad melody as rain begins to pour and a wave of melancholy washes upon the viewers. The end credits roll, sending closure to the crowd. The outro will be the finale to the film; the last thing the viewer will remember.

A soundtrack can clearly take the audience on a series of twists and turns.

Music is one of the most important parts of any film production. No matter how breathtaking the visuals, music can add unmeasurable value to the film. The music can give the viewer a sense of connection with the

movie and allows the audience to follow the characters on screen.

“The role of music is just to really add to the mood of the scene,and to guide the audience into feeling a certain way,” says Christine Chen, founder of Moth to Flame Films, a production studio in Austin, Texas.

A soundtrack should explain the director’s vision and give a unique movie experi-

Photo Provided by Zac Traeger This is a photo of Zac Traeger playing music on his DJ set up.

ence to every onlooker.

Each film score adds to the movie, but not each soundtrack affects the film in the same way. It’s about whether the music fits with the subject on the screen.

Music works cooperatively with the pictures on the screen. The mood of the scene should be reflected in the music accompaniment. It allows the audience to feel the emotions of the character and better their understanding of the film.

Pairing the emotions of the film with the music is the most common strategy when producing a film, but there are more modern ways to enhance the movie.

“There used to be that almost always the music would amplify the emotional arc that was apparent on screen,” says Graham Reynolds, a composer and musician, specializing in movie soundtracks. “But, then a very different approach of juxtaposition came

along; and, if a character was sad or something horrible was happening, instead of playing horrifying music they would play happy music.”

This dramatic change can drastically affect the intensity of the movie.

with all other parts of the production.

Though, music is usually subtle, it’s importance is often taken for granted.

In some productions the movie comes first and the music trickles into places where it’s necessary, but not all films are alike.

“It’s never an afterthought at all,” says Chen. “I think, to make the music work with the film it has to be from the start.” In a partnership as strong as a soundtrack and film, there is no way to start one without the other. Background music sets up the expectations for what’s coming on the screen; but, is it possible to take away from the visuals? “[It’s] providing the inner dialog and tone without overstating it on screen, ” Traeger says.

Everybody likes a little mystery, so no one wants a song to spoil the next

“All of a sudden, in certain films, the creepiness, the horrifying ness of it actually felt worse because of the happy music,” says Reynolds.

Regardless the type of film, a good song should find its right place in a movie.

“The best scores coexist in such a harmonious way,” says Zac Traeger, a musician in the band, Zorch. “It ’s only when the composer wants you to be taken out of the moment that you will be.”

In any movie, the music needs to be a good partner

21 TONIC

scene.

It’s important to balance between the film and soundtrack, but the most crucial part is making sure the director’s vision is fulfilled to the last minute detail.

Each director will have a different idea for their film, making it imperative to find a composer who will make their dream a reality.

“The person that’s really in charge of the film is the director,” says Reynolds, “so you’re trying to figure out what it is the director’s looking for in all the collaborators and how you can fit in that puzzle.”

Every production has actors, writers, visual artists, sound supervisors and endless other collaborators to create one film. It’s important each member is a good partner with one another; just like it’s important the soundtrack is a good partner with all other aspects of the film. Most times the director has a distinct idea for their movie, and it’s almost certain, the way the director wants the audience to feel is the way they’ll interpret it.

The director’s vision clearly sets up the entire production, but without the help of a composer their

ideas would be open ended.

When deciding where music should go throughout the film, it’s up to all collaborators to do what’s best for the movie. The last thing a dramatic scene needs is an out of place song. When deciding the appropriate time and place for a piece, there are some key aspects to think about.

“Does it help it [the scene] or does it hurt it?” says Reynolds.“Does it augment, or somehow deepen, the scene; or does it just distract from what ’s already a strong performance; or somehow comment when you don’t need to comment on the scene?”

Each song should be there to help the movie become clearer for the audience. The music conveys the film’s subject and purpose, but that purpose could be anything from enlightenment and tranquility to warning and chaos.

The soundtracks are as diverse as the movies, each one will affect the audience in different ways.

A gradual crescendo can create suspicion; while, an upbeat chorus can cheer up the onlooker. When watching a film the viewer puts their movie experience in the film maker’s hands; they trust the director will provide a stimulating production to entertain in all ways. But, sometimes it’s not about entertaining at all, it’s about providing affiliation with a brand.

22 TONIC

Photo Provided by Graham Reynolds and David Lobel This is a photo of Graham Reynolds posing in front of a classic, black background.

Photo Provided by Christine Chen This is a photo of Christine Chen holding a camera in front of a graphittied, urban style gray wall.

“If you have a very strong theme it can live beyond the movie itself; be almost a symbol of representation of the movie,” says Chen, “ In that aspect you’re not necessarily invoking an emotion, per se, but more of an association with the film.”

Pop culture and media shape everyone’s lives more everyday; when a theme song begins to play it takes less than a second to recognize the film it’s from. These songs have silently wormed their way into the hearts of each viewer and onto social media.

Action, comedy, drama, romance movies and many others have made their debut on the big screen since the beginning of film. Those movies are made to entertain the crowd and provide a relaxing, heartwarming and overall pleasurable experience.

Most well-known movies use popular and fairly new music to keep the audience connected with the characters and visuals. It’s meant to meet the viewer’s expectations while maintaining in-depth entertainment.“If you’re going for more on the entertainment side of the spectrum then you’re trying to create the same experience for each person, more or less,” says Reynolds, “And, then you want the song, or music, choices to be more straightforward so that they’re satisfying.”

But, making a movie to entertain isn’t the only way to produce a film.

Today, modern films have become much more abstract and thinking oriented. Mysteries and science fiction fantasies can make the view-

er think, guess and solve; providing a more interactive movie experience.

“The more deeply concerned with art it is,” says Reynolds, “ rather than leave you with answers it ’s trying to leave you with questions, and that ’s when the music can be the most complex, the most confusing, [and] the most contradictory.”

Art films will take the viewer on a mindful journey and provide music that evokes thought and awareness

with the rest of the film.

“On the art side, you’re more creating expectations and then thwarting those expectations,” says Reynolds.

As movies begin to evolve with higher-definition visuals and thoughtful themes, so will the movie soundtracks. The film score’s importance will never waver, and the director’s vision will always be heard in the songs that play throughout the scenes. It’s affect on the audience will change from movie to movie, but how will the soundtrack add to the film? “However the composer and filmmaker desired,” says Traeger.

23 TONIC

TOP RATED MOVIE’S the unique characteristics of soundtracks behind top rated movies Science Fiction: Wizard

of Oz

“The Wizard of Oz” is absolutely one of a kind. The soundtrack is remarkably original and unlike any science fiction movie ever produced. The musical has incredibly unique songs and never before heard melodies. Throughout the piece the same rhythm is recycled, casting a connection between the songs of the score. The soundtrack includes loud brass instruments that play during the musical numbers at a constant tempo, but when scenes become more action packed or dramatic, short notes will be played rapidly by string instruments. The general tone of the “The Wizard of Oz” soundtrack is very upbeat and warm-hearted, which can be heard in every beat of the composition.

The photo is a “Wizard of Oz” poster. There is a rough drawing of the frequency of a song from the “Wizard of Oz” film score.

Action:

Mad Max: Fury Road

“Mad Max: Fury Road” is action packed from start to finish, and with a strong performance comes an incredibly strong film score. As characters race across the scenes, strings will play at impossibly rapid tempos and shrill pitches.

When the scene is overflowing with action, loud percussion will play accompanied by guitar solos. During the painfully suspenseful scenes, loud, menacing strings will sound or low toned brass. And, when the movie is bustling with movement, drums will play at ear splitting tones, with guitar, brass and occasional string in the background. “Mad Max: Fury Road” has never ending action and so does the music.

The photo is a “Mad Max: Fury Road” picture with a quote from the movie. There is a rough drawing of the frequency of a song from the “Mad Max: Fury Road” film score.

Horror: The

Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” is one of the top rated horror movies, but it doesn’t seem to get much attention. Most of the soundtrack is played with a melancholy tone, much like other horror movies, but there are bits and pieces of the film that contain melodies with a light-hearted mood.

Since the movie is silent, the music plays very dramatically throughout the entire film. The strong film score keeps the attention of the viewers and draws them into the film by using contrasting music compositions and instruments. Loud brass will sound during moments of thought or playfulness, while shrill strings and woodwind solos begin playing when a scene becomes suspenseful or surprising.

The photo is a “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” film cover. There is a rough drawing of the frequency of a song from “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” film score.

24 TONIC

FILM SCORES...

Drama: Citizen

Writer Kylie Miller

Kane

“Citizen Kane” takes the viewer on a roller coaster of emotions and rhythms.“Citizen Kane” has varied and distinct compositions in its film score. During the first seconds of the film, a very strong film score begins to play, setting up expectations. At times the music will be subtle, hidden behind the visuals, and at others it will be extremely loud. During parts of subtlety, high pitched strings and slight percussion are played. When scenes become dramatic or action packed the music will play an unlikely pair of strings, percussion and woodwinds, with brass in the background. The film score of “Citizen Kane” adds equal amounts of silent, soft and surprisingly loud music accompaniment.

The photo is a picture from the film “Citizen Kane.” There is a rough drawing of the frequency of a song form the “Citizen Kane” film score.

Comedy: All

About Eve

“All About eve” replaces their film score with suspenseful silence. The film focuses on visuals and very strong dialogue. In “All About Eve” the music is almost always subtle. Throughout the film most of the scenes don’t have any music, only dialogue. The majority of the other scenes have soft classical strings playing in the background with occasional piano accompaniment. During parts without dialogue or moments of transition, brass, percussion and woodwind will play at a rapid tempo. The films score adds smooth and suspenseful tones at dramatic parts and charming, cheerful tones during comedic scenes.

The photo is a modernized poster of “All About Eve.” There is a rough drawing of the frequency of a song from the “All About Eve” soundtrack.

Romance: It

Happened One Night

“It Happened One Night” is a well rounded comedic, romantic and dramatic movie experience. There is little to no film score, which was an interesting and artistic style choice. Most of the scenes are calm, quiet and filled with dialogue. The lack of film score focuses the viewer on following the characters and their dialogue. During transition periods of the film, there may be slight orchestral and band music. Throughout other scenes main characters or side characters will sing. The characters usually sing soft, rhythmic melodies that the whole crowd could join into. The singing gives off a sense of wholesomeness and relatability. “It Happened One Night” is a family film and includes pure, campfire-like tunes.

All film ratings used from “Rotten Tomatoes”

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Putting the Pieces

Together the inside information on how bands are chosen for large music festivals and how they come to together. by megan deterling

T

Festival. he first two week ends of October in Austin are

greet -

ed with anticipation and excitement.

Temperatures

begin to cool, the leaves begin to turn orange, red and brown, and, more im portantly, Austin hosts two consecutive weekends of the Austin City Limits

available as well.

This

tin City Limits Festi -

all occurs in

val, more commonly known

Park located along Lady

as ACL, offers 100-150

Bird Lake near downtown

artists specializing in

Austin.

a variety of genres from

around 400,000 festi -

hip hop

val goers from across

to folk music.

There is also rock, in -

the nation

die,

weekends.

rap, jazz, and

electronic.

Varieties

Zilker

ACL attracts

over the two

Behind the scenes, in -

of food and entertain -

tense planning is re -

ment for children are

quired to pull off a

Ian Mccord singing at a School of Rock Preformance 26 TONIC

The Aus -

successful festival.

In-

house creative teams, sponsorship teams, mar keting teams and produc tion teams must

be coor -

dinated leaving no detail unattended.

No one

knows this better from a planning and management perspective than Shel ley Phillips and Margaret Galton.

They work for

C3 Presents.

C3 Pres -

ents touts itself as be ing in the “business of putting smiles on peo ple’s faces”.

They cre -

ate, market, and produce live events around the country.

Phillips is the

Director Specialist and has worked at C3 for 13 years.

She handles all

events and works with her counterparts in the C3 DC and Chicago branch es.

She says that while

music festivals like ACL and Lollapalooza in Chi cago are their primary focus, they also plan for the Austin Wine and Food Festival and non-musi cal events like the White House Easter Egg Roll.

Phillips said that

her

all time favorite event was the 2008 election night event at Grant Park in Chicago.

“It was an

Shelley Philips in her C3 Presents office

exciting night and the crowd’s enthusiasm was overwhelming. forget it.”

I’ll never said Phil -

lips.

Phillips says the amount of planning that goes into each event

depends

on the type of event.

The Austin Wine and Food Festival starts lining up chefs in September for the event in April.

Phillips points out that, often with the big annual events like ACL, “we are starting to plan for the next year’s event at the same time we are wrapping up the current year’s event.

It just kin -

da depends on the scale and how big it is and how much involvement we have.

Sometimes we just

do little things and then that’s not bad at all.”

Margaret Galton is a

talent buyer at C3 Pres ents and shares the re sponsibility

of lining

the artists up for ACL each year. She says that part of the process in creating the line-ups is they look at who has new albums out, who might be doing some reunion shows, or anything exciting that will please the crowds.

“You’ve got to have all genres, all types of mu sic, all music for all different types of peo ple.

For example for the

2016 ACL Festival,

we

had to consider the peo ple that just had one day Saturday passes.

We had

booked Kendrick Lamar and the Chainsmokers. Those groups are going to steer to a pretty young crowd, 27 TONIC

Maragret Galton in her C3 Presents office so you want to sprinkle some other stuff in there so it’s not just super hip hop heavy for those people attending on Sat urday only.”

She says the majority of the bands submit requests to participate. dition to

In ad -

big name art -

ists, they get requests, often local, from band managers wanting their bands to participate.

They will send her data to their music to con vince us that they will be crowd pleasers.

“T he y pr o v i d e th in gs l i k e Y o u tu be o r S p o t i f y , nu mb er o f v i e w s , or w ho t h e i r f a n ba se i n A u s t i n is ” sa ys G a l t o n .

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Kiddie Limits area, much “They provide things like Youtube or Spotify, num ber of views, or who their fan base in Austin is” says Galton.

He plays

drums, keyboards, and

artists back out at the last minute but Phillips said “fortunately, we tionships with bands and

The School of

Rock has had a standing gig at ACL, playing and working a booth in the Kiddie Limits area of the McCord ex -

plained that, while they play many different gigs, they work to perfect their various set lists cause they play in the

Galton get festivals

usually have enough rela -

sometimes performs vo -

throughout the year.

and

the unexpected. Sometimes

mance band, the “B” team

festival.

While McCord, Phillips

people, the downside is

School of Rock perfor -

cals.

ents’ musical interests.

passes and meeting famous

He has

played at ACL with the

for five years.

geared toward the par -

perks like free food, VIP

Ian Mc Cord is one of these artists.

of the music they play is

Be -

artists that we are able to fill it”.

Galton re -

layed the story about the 2013 ACL Sunday rainout.

“The first year we went to two weekends was 2013 and the second weekend, the Sunday,

got rained

out and it was a huge bummer for us because we were trying to like

amongst other things, trying to kick this thing off with two week ends, like the perfect two weekends right? So Saturday night, Kings of Leon are playing and it starts raining, right at the end of their set.”

The concert has a hard curfew of 10:00 p.m. and that is when the down pour started..

“We

thought no problem and were like ‘We’ll stick it out’ and so every body leaves and we kinda get held under the stage because the band needs to leave front of stage and have a private walk way.

Well, 10:00 p.m.

hits and they aren’t done.

They keep going.”

Galton and the other C3

one that was allowed in.

Presents staff members

It is dirty. a complete

ran to their trailer to wait it out and

mess, so dirty so gross.

then

And we like start com -

headed home.

puting and it is su -

“We wake up the next

per stressful because we

morning and Amy Corbin

weren’t expecting this

who is another talent

and they aren’t allowing

buyer at the festival

anyone in.”

called and said “ this things is cancelled”. was like “what?!”.

I

“She

sent me a couple pic tures of the park.

It

is completely flooded.

But we have to notify all the bands.”

Marga -

ret and Amy had to get a special vehicle to pick them up and take them to Zilker, where their com puters were still in the trailer there.

“It

is completely shut down and this one car we were in

was like the only

Margaret

and Shelley explained that not only did they have to call all the bands to tell them it was cancelled, but they also worked on getting the bands other gigs in Austin.

“No matter how many planning

meetings we

have or phones calls we make, there is no plan ning for the weath er” sighed Phillips.

Weather aside, it is evident that Shelley Phillips, Margaret Gal ton and the C3 team, through experience, contacts and plan ning, are

able to

pull off successful events,

like ACL,

one after another.

Ian Mccord singing at a School of Rock preformance 29 TONIC

location Find a location large enough to host millions of people (depending on how big you ant your festival to be), while keeping in mind the areas and communities surrounding this location.

Start

money Money is very important if you’re trying to start a music festival.

When planning everything, take into account the amount of money needed for everything, because it is not going to be cheap.

how

MUSIC think it through

By Megan Deterling

Planning your own music festival an take a lot of work. You need to think about all the details and give yourself enough time to complete everything to prevent last minute panics and changes.

medical Safety is an important factor when starting a music festival.

You need to make sure outsiders can not sneak in without paying. Provide medical assistance at the festival, along with maps so people know where to go.

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A flow chart showing the steps needed to successfully create your own music festival.

done!

to

Once your festival is done, you can take time to feel relieved that you have successfully created your own music festival. Soon after, you will need to start panning for next year, you now know what you need to fix and keep for next year.

a

music festival day The day of the festival is going to be crazy. You need to keep everything moving correctly but you also want to go experience the festival and see how your work has paid off

FESTIVAL Scheduling When putting together your schedule for the festival, your want to spread out different music genres evenly. Do not have the two most popular performers of the same music genre play at the same time.

Choosing Varieties of bands are important in a music festival.

You want different types and ages of people to attend your festival. When choosing bands, pick different genres to draw all kinds of people.

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