Arts & Life
April 30, 2019
11
“High Crimes” leaves listeners energized TIMOTHY COFFMAN Columnist
Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight
Inspired by their own experiences, BMore Art members thought it necessary for more direction to be offered to art graduates. Connecting to senior artists is important for newly emerging artists.
Orientation for life, art edition Art degree, what now? Under 30 panel GRACE COUGHLAN Contributing Writer
On April 25, the Division of Academic Affairs hosted its first ever, “Art, Degree, Now What? Under 30 Panel” in the Center for the Arts. The panel consisted of five different artists, under the age of 30, working jobs in various fields pertaining to, and revolving around, art. After the artists introduced themselves, the panel opened the floor to students with questions. The artists helped navigate every scenario, from what to do when facing constant rejection, to how to pursue a career in painting. Kelsey Bryner, the donation coordinator for the Baltimore Office of Promotions & the Arts, and a 2017 Towson alum, moderated the event. “I’ve gone to a lot of events, a lot of artists talks, [and had] a lot of conversations where I can’t relate to anything that the people in front of me are saying” Bryner said. “Everything they’re saying has nothing to do with what I am.” Bryner believes that it is important for students to recognize that coming out of college without your plans being in motion is a norm for new grads. While it might suck, not landing your glamorous, money-making dream job as soon as you graduate, it’s okay. While the panel was geared
towards content creation, there was talk about mental health, and the purpose of pursuing the work that you create. Multiple panelists spoke freely about their fight with depression after graduating, and struggling with finding jobs or carving a path to their passions and career. “Where was the orientation for after college?” said Symone Audain, special events coordinator at Baltimore Office of Promotions & the Arts. Audain offered that the idea of being the best, and happiest version of yourself comes with finding your “why.” “Why this field? Why this career? What about what you want to do makes you want to keep doing it with a full force of passion?” Audain said. The consensus on how to figure out your “why,” was to participate in informational interviews, which are conversations with a professional of a company or organization that you are interested in working for. These conversations can give you insight as to what the company’s goals are, as well as what you would be doing within specific job positions. One student asked what to do when dealing with no responses after sending in job applications. The answer was, don’t take it personally, and keep applying! The panelists discussed how it’s important to reach out to people, establish relationships and break
out of your shell. Always look for opportunities to gain new skills whether they bring you to your dream job or not. They also suggested that a solid cover letter, including the name of the hiring manager, is a critical factor when applying to jobs. Knowing more information will help you stand out. De’Andre Brown, a senior at Towson, and a graphic design major, found the panel to be an eye-opening experience. “It was a good way for me to see things in a different perspective, get a different perspective,” Brown said. “Them having this panel was a good way to understand the things that I need to do better to help myself get further in life, and to have my dreams and aspirations that I’ve always wanted.” The prominent message that rang throughout the event, was always be true to who you are and what you want in your life. Checking out event calendars, looking into organizations like Baltimore Office of Professions & the Arts as well as Maryland Art Place can help you get a sense of direction. “Talk to your professors! People don’t realize that professors are artists, and that they have resources, and they can help you,” Bryner said. She left the students by adding, “go to openings, go to talks, get yourself out there and meet people.”
The Damned Things is a supergroup composed of band members from famous punk and metal acts. Comprised of members of Anthrax, Every Time I Die, and Fall Out Boy, this act is a brilliant melding of those bands’ classic styles. Their last album Ironiclast was a pleasant outing when it was released in 2010, but how does this album stack after the band has reunited? From the opening track “Cells,” you know that you’re in for a high-energy great time. When the group reassembled, they lost members Rob Caggiano and Josh Newton. But they came back with a vengeance by hiring Alkaline Trio bassist Dan Andriano to fill out the sound. His bass tone is the glue that really makes this album jump out at you. But the star of the show is vocalist Keith Buckley, who can go from a heavy growl to a vocal belt at a moment’s notice. What most impressed me about this band is the contributions from Fall Out Boy members Andy Hurley and Joe Trohman. Even though I enjoy some Fall Out Boy, I was concerned about how their pop-centric direction would impact this album’s momentum. My apprehension quickly faded with each track as Trohman rips leads with Anthrax guitarist Scott
Ian and drummer Hurley switching from heavy metal thunder to a feel that has more of a swing to it. The album is not without its drawbacks though. The loss of Caggiano on guitar does show in places. The solos on these tracks suit the songs well, but it leaves you to wonder what the songs could have been if Caggiano had been at the helm. Also, the songwriting on this album is great but it isn’t as to-the-point as on their previous outing. Even those critiques feel like nitpicks though. This album’s style is more suited to the band’s metal-boogie aesthetic. The only way I could describe it is that this is a metal band that borrows a lot of the tendencies from bands like Guns N’ Roses. There are definite whiffs of the metal bands of old, but this band has that certain bluesy street punk swagger that Guns N’ Roses possessed in their greatest incarnations. Since Guns N’ Roses burned out in the mid-90s, so many bands have been trying to capture that same attitude, and many of them don’t succeed. So when bands like this do this hard rock swagger right, it is a sight to behold and amazing to listen to. Overall, this album is stellar, but if you’re not into a hard rocking style, it might not necessarily be your thing. This is an album for a niche market and is not necessarily for everyone. But for what it is, this album does this style extremely well. Definitely pick it up if you’re even mildly curious about some heavier rock.
Courtesy of consequenceofsound.net
On April 26, supergroup The Damned Things released their second album. This album features new member Dan Andriano.