Headline 13
December 18, 2009
The Merionite
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Almost famous: Britain’s indie music vs. our own Magali Roman
Class of 2010
The U.K. produced some of the best rock music back in the day. And let’s be honest, they’ve been earning a substantial amount of spots in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past couple of decades. However, America is climbing up the steep slopes of indie-rock with awesome tracks, so we thought we’d let you in on a little secret: our Rock and Roll is getting better than ever. But does it stand a fair chance against the Liverpool’s polished fedora-topped frontmen? The Merionite will take you on a tour of the best-kept secrets from across the ocean, as well as through some of our nation’s own unknown gems.
The Libertines What makes them awesome: Listening to The Libertines is like walking straight through London in the 80s: their sound is clever British punk at its best. Also, guessing from their multiple reports of drug addiction and the fact that they’ve broken up about 50 times, we’re going to bet the band members have an interesting story. For fans of: Sex Pistols, the Clash Listen to: “Arbeit Macht Frei”
One Night Only What makes them awesome: They are London’s best-kept secret, but they won’t remain so for long. With their vibrant instrumentals and superb lyrics, these boys have songwriting down to a tee. Fill up your iPod with their catchy, fun songs - the perfect soundtrack for a night of mischief in the city. For fans of: Kaiser Chiefs, JET Listen to: “You and Me”
The Pigeon Detectives What makes them awesome: Without a doubt, these guys have the coolest band name in the world. And everyone knows that to have a great name, you had better have the music talent to back it up. These guys do, and their music talent comes in barrels of fun, and catchy choruses that could be the soundtrack to the daily dramas of a British prep school.
The Fratellis What makes them awesome: It’s easy to imagine venturing inside an English pub at midnight, witnessing hordes of drunkards singing the lyrics to a song by the Fratellis, and dancing in a chorus line with their beers held up high. These Glasgow lads will have you stomping your feet with your sparkling cider on hand faster than you can say “Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night.”
For fans of: The Wombats Listen to: “I’m Always Right”
For fans of: Kaiser Chiefs, The Kooks Listen to: “Chelsea Dagger”
Locksley What makes them awesome: The Beatles are back from the dead! Oh, wait, it’s just their American reincarnation. This quartet has a very young, nostalgic sixties rockpop sound that makes you want to prank-phone call your mom and convince her that John, George, Paul, and Ringo are back in business. For fans of: Rooney Listen to: “Darling It’s True”
The Virgins What makes them awesome: If Los Angeles had a soundtrack, The Virgins would be heavily featured in it. They topped the chartswith their hit 2008 song, “Rich Girls.” We dare you to listen to their fun, electric pop and not pretend like you’re in an old 90210 episode. Seriously. For fans of: The Teenagers, Phantom Planet Listen to: “Hey, Hey Girl”
The Republic Tigers What makes them awesome: You might remember them from the amazing iTunes free single of the week “Buildings and Mountains,” but the truth is that these trippy Missouri gentlemen have come a long way since their first LP. With a sound that mixes folk, indie, pop, and a little techno, these Tigers have a unique sound that blends the best of both worlds. For fans of: The Shins, The Temper Trap Listen to: “Golden Sand”, “Fight Song
Cage the Elephant What makes them awesome: If the members of Arctic M o n k e y s , t h e l o c a l s h e r i ff , Jason Mraz, and a banjo got in a fight, they would sound like Cage the Elephant. And that’s awesome. These Kentucky boys are experts in greased guitars and gritty storytelling, and it shows. Check out their interactive website for a taste of their music For fans of: Beck, Arctic Monkeys Listen to: “Ain’t No Rest for The Wicked”
Gabe Siegal is back with The Senior Experience Emily Shephard
Class of 2011
The 2009-2010 school year has been, if nothing else, dynamic. New policies have been instated, a so-called “honor code” has been put in place, the grading system will be reformed, and a generally different atmosphere has settled over the building. The students have not failed to notice and remark upon said changes. Senior Gabe Siegal, however, has devoted his efforts to capturing a fixed experience, one of the few here at Lower Merion. It is an experience that is alternatively coveted and mocked, an experience that is enduringly inevitable— The Senior Experience. Colored by the perhaps dim, though certainly ever-present awareness of one’s imminent entrance into the “real world,” coupled with the anxiety of securing ones self a suitable place in this world, and the vicious competition that fuels the whole ordeal, senior year is an experience that is certainly worth capturing in more than an endless stream of tweets and Facebook statuses. Perhaps you saw Siegal around the halls of Lower Merion with a sign attached to his backpack that read “Attention Actors: I need you for a film!” Now, the sign is gone; the script is written; the film has been cast; the filming process has begun. And so I sat down with Siegal to inquire about what compelled him to devote his time to this particular project, what exactly he sought to capture, and how it feels to be an aspiring young filmmaker at LM. What is the film about? “It’s about the typical senior experience. Everybody is worrying about college applications while simultaneously exchanging dirty glances with anybody who dares to bring them up. Applying to a college is an experience that we all hate, yet have trouble describing, especially to our parents who never had to go through such an intense process. It also touches on fickle teenage relationships, “bro-
dom,” terrible fast food, and a certain teacher that will remain nameless for his/her sake. It is also just a big excuse to film a zombie scene: zombies beat vampires any day.” Did you write the film? What prompted you to explore this topic? “Yeah I did; it was originally an English assignment of four loosely connected
backpack with an email address. In the end, due to time constraints, I ended up using my group of friends for the main roles. It helps when they’re also actors and filmmakers. I also take an acting role myself. While casting I was looking for a group of guys that could work well together. The film is centered on three guys: Matt (Me), Steven (LM graduate Wes Gunter), and Tyler
Photo by Madeline Berger/Staff
Gabe Siegal draws in actors with his advertising prowess vignettes. I put them together into a script. As for inspiration, I just wanted to make a film. I guess you could say I wanted to show adults what typical high school senior life is like in 2009. It is much different than, say, Dazed and Confused. I kind of wish it was Dazed and Confused, that would be a lot more fun.” Were you satisfied with the number of students who obliged your casting call? What did you look for when casting? “I kind of wish I ran posters throughout the school. I had only a sign attached to my
(graduate James Irving), who are best friends, so they had to act the part and play off each other. That’s why it was easier to use people already used to being jerks to each other on a daily basis.” What films/ filmmakers have influenced you? “Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and the Coen Brothers. I love how their movies all have their directors’ trademark style and wit. These are all filmmakers that write and direct their own movies, something I have always wanted to do. I’ve always preferred the small,
quirky, art house film to the big Michael Bay production. Except Juno…screw Juno.” Do you want to go into film? “Yes, very much so. I’m applying to many communications schools or liberal arts schools with good film programs.” What do you think is the power and importance of contemporary film, and what do you think about the state of the film industry currently? “I love the smaller character-study films where you really get to empathize with a complete stranger. In less than two hours you are feeling all these emotions for somebody you would normally never know or care for. It’s a chance to experience new things outside the dull, mundane life of LM suburbia. The industry? The mainstream film industry sucks, probably always will suck, and another high school kid complaining about it will do nothing whatsoever. I love the independent scene, but I wish I lived in Philadelphia so I could go to Ritz movies more often. It is great that cable providers like Comcast and Verizon now offer independent films through their on-demand service, but there’s always room for improvement.“ -What would you suggest to anyone who wants to get into film? Practice, practice, practice. With every film I make I learn something new or unexpected. Like with any other activity, the amount of time you put in really pays off. The three biggest problems with student films are bad camera angles, offfocus camera, and shoddy sound quality. Read up on a book of cinematography before you dive in. Always make sure the camera is focused before every take. Use a quality mic with a boom pole: the sound directly off of your camera sucks, even if you don’t think so.