28 tribal entertainment
march 28, 2013 » EMILY CAPPLEMANN // editor
Song writer, pianist and vocalist John-Keith Culbreth (far left) jams with band members (on couch from left) lead vocalist Will Blackburn, bassist Coleman Sawyer, lead guitarist Louis Duffie and drummer Luke Withers. Band member Wyatt Garey, lead guitarist, was absent.
just in case . . .
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ballistic hard core: $50
Though this case is extremely fat and bulky, it offers some of the best protection, providing a screen protector, two shock absorbing layers, a polycarbonate frame, optional silicone on the outside and a water-resistant mesh to cover the speakers.
ivyskin iphone 4 reception case: $15
STOP LIGHT OBSERVATION alumnus changes goals in life to accommodate his love of music sarah yergin staff writer Will Blackburn is taking the road less traveled, as the story goes. At 20 years old, when the Wando alumnus is asked what his future holds, instead of using words like house, kids and salary, he instead talks of playing more music, finishing the record he’s working on and performing in an auditorium or amp theater. Though these goals are unique compared to that of the average high school graduate, for a lead singer in a local band, Stop Light Observation, they make complete sense. According to Blackburn, he has been drawn to music for as long as he can remember. “I’d always tap on things and make a rhythm. I think before I sang that’s what I was doing and that helped me have a better rhythm now,” he said. “So I definitely think that’s where it started but, probably as soon as I could hear music and understand what was going on, I was like, ‘I’m going to enjoy this.” Though he always had the music in him, while he was in high school his goals
were geared towards something a little different. “I think for me I probably wanted to be a lawyer or maybe a nutritionist or something. I think that’s probably where I would’ve ended up,” Blackburn said, “because I was never good at science and I was never good at math, but I was good at history and English so I was like, ‘Okay, I could probably do the law thing.” Changing his plan for the future to focus on his music was not always easy for him. “It’s funny, when you’re in high school everything’s there for you -- you wake up every day, you’ve got the same routine, you’re gonna see the same people, you know what’s going on, everything’s kind of tangible,” Blackburn said, “but once that’s all gone and once you’re on your own it’s like, ‘Wow, what am I going to do now, where am I going to go, and do I want to play music for the rest of my life? Is it worth it because if it works it’s great but if it doesn’t work then it sucks.’ But, I don’t know, I definitely think I made the right choice for the most part.” While it was not the easiest choice for him, it could also be difficult for his family at times. “I think it was hard on my mom a little bit. Not hard on her, but she was very go to college, get a degree, become part of the
working class and fill in your spot, and I kind of lived that way for a while and then I figure out that’s not what makes me happy,” he said. “I think I was just kind of like, ‘I have to do this right now or I would hate to look back and go, what if -- should have, could have, would have.’” Blackburn said that he also has to give a lot of credit to his teachers -- one in particular. “Mrs. [Diane] Gerideau [Krishon] is a teacher at Wando. She teaches wildlife biology... she was kind of one of those teachers that was like, ‘chase your dream, even if it’s not what you’re finding here in school,’” he said. “She was really into music too -I liked that -- and she was into the Avett Brothers at the same time and I was like, ‘[oh] yeah, this is my favorite teacher.’” Before becoming part of Stop Light Observation, Blackburn spent some time during high school singing in a music group along with Coleman Sawyer, who is currently bass player for SLO. “It’s funny, when you say you’re in a band in high school, you’re not really in a band... For a while it’s just you and your friends getting together and playing music, its just something you want to do,” he said. “I was just intrigued by it all that, I didn’t care how I did it, I played with whoever I could, and those were like the first guys that I met,” he added.
The IvySkin Reception Case is only 0.6mm on the back and 0.8mm at the sides, giving iPhone protection while maintaining lightness. This case is also supposed to improve reception. The IvySkin Reception Case protects the glass back and comes with a front screen guard and an anti-scratching coat.
hipstamatic hipstacase 100: $20
This case created by Hipstamatic will excite all avid iPhone photographers; it provides an adapter for an easy place to connect iPhones to any camera tripod. The case itself is black with the usual Hipstamtic design. To complete the camera look, this case comes with a removable nylon lanyard for your wrist.
grove bamboo iphone 4/4S case: $80
The Groove Bamboo Case may be one of the most unique iPhone cases; each is carved from a single piece of bamboo. A variety of designs are offered as well as the option to design a case with your own art work. These cases come in two pieces and slide easily onto your iPhone, but they offer much more in visual appeal than protection.
lifeproof case for the iphone 4/4S: $80
The LifeProof iPhone case only adds 1.5mm to each edge and provides your iPhone with full protection. These cases are completely waterproof, and it will protect your phone from dust, shock and extreme temperatures. This case provides extreme protection while still allowing your iPhone to keep its sleekness. -- annalise waters