Just Another MCB Band Interview with Boudoir Noir

Boudoir Noir is a local band that has been around since last year but have recently stepped it up by releasing a couple songs and a video. Their songs are dreamy, lush soundscapes that transport the listener to a dark and sultry place begging to be explored further. They have only played a few shows but I managed to catch one last October as part of the Masquerade of  Red Death show. At the time I didn't catch their name so having them contact MCB was a more than pleasant surprise. What is even better is I get to catch them again and soon, Boudoir Noir have a show coming up on April 17 at PJs Lager House with Tart, Ancient language, and Detroit's first professional pole troupe Secret Sircus.

Boudoir Noir photo by Split Sugar

MCB: Who is in the band?

Maria Rose: I am the singer, and play guitar, synth, Graham Rockwood lays down that bass and Ben Schlatter is the drummer. If the stage at the venue has enough room we also,  at times bring along some hula-hoop dancers or pole dancers. We aim for our live shows to have an electro/cabaret feel to it.

MCB: When did you form and why?

Maria Rose: We started as Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks and performed as that for a few years.  We changed our name to Boudoir Noir this fall.  We also developed our sound more.  We wanted to create more chilled out, beat driven, sexy and smooth music with a theatrical live show.  Boudoir Noir felt like a better name for what we wanted to do.

MCB: Describe your sound in ten words or less and what band would not offend you to be compared to?

Maria Rose: Sensual, dreamy pop. Music for making love.   We would definitely not be offended to be compared to Oh Land or Banks.

MCB: What’s your latest release and how can people get it?

Maria Rose: We released two singles in January - Summer Skin and Change it up
They are available on
 iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/boudoir-noir/id934184537
Band camp - https://boudoirnoir.bandcamp.com/releases
and streaming on Spotify
We will be releasing a new EP in August called Endless Dawn!



MCB: Favorite local venue and why?

Maria Rose: The Crofoot ballroom is really nice!  The big stage gave us lots of room for our hula-hoop dancers.
We also really loved playing at the Magic stick, especially because of the pizza downstairs :)

MCB: What do you like most and least about Detroit?

Maria Rose: Love the DIY energy here; all of the creativity and ingenuity floating around.  We love that it feels like the wild west, in that there's a lot room to explore your ideas and passions.
Least favorite is lack of a good mass transit system.

MCB: What’s the furthest you have traveled for a gig?

Maria Rose: New York City!  We had a tour out east a couple of summers ago.

MCB: Most embarrassing moment so far…

Maria Rose:This isn't really embarrassing, just a little funny.  We showed up to a gig a couple of hours away,  only to find out the sound guy had just quit.  He offered us money to help move his speakers.  Apparently, he and the owner had gotten into an unresolvable argument right before we got there!

MCB: What makes being in a band worth it for you?

Maria Rose: We love the connections you make with music.  Seeing people move and sway, and connect with a deeper part of themselves and those around them at shows is magical.  It's amazing to see how music can bring people together on so many different levels.  Connecting with each other on stage is also really gratifying.  A group of people can almost always accomplish more than an individual, so it's pretty cool to throw ideas at each other, feed off each other, and see what comes of it.

MCB: You will know the band is successful when…..

Maria Rose: We can live from spending most of the year on tour!

MCB: Where’s the best place for people to go hear more from you? (FB, Youtube, Bandcamp, your own URL – whatever you think your best site is)

Maria Rose: We're on all of the social media sites, so whichever is your favorite!

Our website is www.BoudoirMusic.com

Facebook- facebook.com/BoudoirNoirBand

Twitter- @BoudoirMusic

Instagram- @BoudoirMusic

YouTube- youtube.com/BoudoirMusic

win win win - We can't wait for FREE VINYL FRIDAY! CATL. LIVE! IN DETROIT en route TO SXSW! Mar 12th 2015 @ Lo & Behold!

CATL. LIVE! IN DETROIT ON THURSDAY 3/12 en route TO SXSW!

And thanks to snare slamming SARAH we got a SWEET prize pack that includes a CATL. canvas tote bag filled to the rim with precious vinyl of HQPM!

(that's high quality party music people!)

email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your chance to win !!!

AND GET TO THIS SHOW!

​
"catl. can pull dancers to their feet, shake a sweaty room silly and convince you that maybe another tequila before last call isn't such a bad idea afterall."                                                                     
EXCLAIM! | Toronto ON | April, 2014

WHEN:    Thursday March 12^{th 2015}

WHERE: Lo & Behold! Records & Books10022 Joseph Campau HAMTRAMCK USA

PRICE:  $ 5 EVEN

Toronto based catl. are a high-energy rock n' roll duo featuring Sarah K. slammin' the stand-up drum-kit, and Jamie Fleming bashing away on the ol' Gretsch archtop. This year they are heading down to Austin TX for SXSW as an Official 2015 Showcasing Artist, but first they're stopping in Hamtramck's Lo & Behold! to tear it up! Let's do this Detroit!

catl. holds The Motor City dear to their hearts having recorded with Jim Diamond at Ghetto Recorders in downtown Detroit for 3 of their 4 full-length releases. In fact, they just finished recording a BRAND NEW 7-inch single with Diamond, which marks the last time the band will record in the legendary studio's original spot before it is forced to re-locate in late May of this year. The band has played Detroit numerous times at Pj's Lagerhouse and the Garden Bowl, often using the city as a launching pad for larger American tours.

CHECK OUT CATL. AT SXSW 2015!Tuesday March 17  - No Play Music Showcase - 2pm @ Cheer Up Charlies
Friday March 20 -  Atomic Music Group Showcase - 8pm @ Javelina Bar
Saturday March 21 -  Canada House Showcase - 1:00pm @ Friends Bar
Saturday March 21 - Mojo Nixon Pancake Breakfast - TBA @ the Continental Club

catl. have had a busy year touring Canada and the U.S. in support of their 4^th LP of 10 original rockers called This Shakin' House.  Recorded in Memphis TN at legendary Ardent Studios, and mixed in Detroit, MI at Ghetto Recorders with Jim Diamond, this brand new full-length album is OUT NOW and you can stream it HERE!

www.catltheband.com //  www.youtube.com/catltheband // www.facebook.com/catltheband //  www.twitter.com/c_a_t_l

attached photo credit: © Angel H Marchini, Jan 31 2015

catl.bandcamp.com
twitter.com/c_a_t_l
youtube.com/catltheband

ART OPENING: Glass, Cinder & Thorns III 20 March @ Inner State Gallery

Inner State Gallery Presents

Glass, Cinder & Thorns III

All-Female Artist Exhibition

Curated by April Armand

Opening Reception

Friday March 20, 7-10pm

Opening to the public on March 20th from 7-10pm and on view through April 30th.  

Inner State Gallery • 1410 Gratiot Ave • Detroit, MI 48207

Featured artists

Amy Earles

Audrey Pongracz

Bec Winnel

Bethany Shorb

Caitlinn Hackett

Camille LaMontagne

Celeste Byers

Christina Mrozik

DeEtta Harris

Edith LeBeau

Erin Yoshi

Heidi Taillefer

I Met Lucy

Indie184

Jana Brike

Kashink

Kelly McKernan

Kelly Vivanco

Kelsey Beckett

Klor

Kukula

Lacey Bryant

Lady Diva

Lady Orlando

Liza Corbett

Mab Graves

Mary Williams

Mimi Yoon

Misery

Miss Van

Rudy Fig

Sandi Calistro

Sasha Walker

Sheri Debow

Sheryo

Sienna Freeman

Stephanie Buer

Tatiana Suarez

Taylor White

Vexta

Wendy Ortiz

Yumiko Kayukawa

UPCOMING: ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL USA METRO DETROIT ANNOUNCES 2015 LINEUP OF AWARD-WINNING CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN FILMS & SCHEDULE

 

                            

ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL USA METRO DETROIT ANNOUNCES 

2015 LINEUP FEATURING LOCAL PREMIERES OF 14 AWARD-WINNING

CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN FILMS, APRIL 1 – 26

 

 

 

 

11th annual film festival offers FREE screenings of films in original language

with English subtitles and special appearances by Italian film directors!

 

DETROIT, March 2, 2015 –The 2015 Italian Film Festival USA Metro Detroit announces the complete schedule of its 11^th edition, which takes place April 1-26 at various locations across the metro area. In addition to the local premieres of 14 award-winning contemporary Italian films, a highlight of the festival features special appearances by directors Paolo Zucca (L'arbitro/The Referee) and Rolando Ravello (Ti ricordi di me?/Remember Me?) who will discuss their films with audiences after their screenings. Admission for all events is FREE and open to the public. Other festival cities include Boulder, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Memphis, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland and St. Louis. 

"We are thrilled with the selection of award-winning films the 11^th edition of the Italian Film Festival USA will present to Detroit audiences as they participate in this national Italian film event," said Pietro Sarcina, Festival Organizer. "With comedies, dramas and biographies, the variety of genres provides something for all tastes."

 

Opening night of the 2015 Italian Film Festival USA Metro Detroit is Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at the Detroit Institute of Arts' Detroit Film Theatre with multiple award-winner Il capitale umano (Human Capital). Weekend screenings will then continue throughout the month at various locations. Closing night is April 26 at Detroit Film Theatre with La mafia uccide solo d'estate (The Mafia Kills Only in the Summer). A full schedule is below.

 

Opening Night, Wednesday, April 1 (Detroit Institute of Arts' Detroit Film Theatre, Detroit)

 

Wednesday, April 1

 

7:00 p.m.                     Il capitale umano (Human Capital).

                        2013 - Director, Paolo Virzì, Drama, 109 min.

                                   

A winter night, on a suburban road, a cyclist is hit by a SUV. What exactly happened? The only sure thing is that this accident will change the destiny of two families.

 

Friday, April 3 and Saturday April 4 (Wayne State University, Community Arts Auditorium, Detroit)

 

Friday, April 3

 

7:00 p.m.                     Come il vento (Like The Wind)

                                    2013 - Director, Marco Simon Puccioni, Drama, 100 min.

 

                                    The true story of one of the first women prison wardens who is called to direct the most dangerous prisons in Italy.

 

Saturday, April 4

 

5:00 p.m.                     Che strano chiamarsi Federico (How Strange to Be Named Federico)                                                

2013 - Director, Ettore Scola, Biographic Drama, 93 min.

 

                                    The film is a tribute to Federico Fellini, told by friend Ettore Scola, on the twentieth  anniversary of the great director's death.

 

7:30 p.m.                     Song'e Napule

                                    2013 - Directors, Antonio Manetti and Marco Manetti, Comedy, 114 min.

 

Thanks to his mom, Paco, a classically trained pianist, lands a safe job at the police department's warehouse, but he is called upon to use his musical talents to catch one the most notorious and elusive organized crime leaders.

 

Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 (Henry Ford College, Forfa Auditorium, Dearborn)

           

Friday, April 10

 

7:00 p.m.                     Anime nere (Black Souls)

                                    2014 - Director, Francesco Munzi, Drama, 103 min.

 

                                    The story of three brothers – the sons of shepherds with ties to the 'ndrangheta – and their divided souls.

 

Saturday, April 11

 

5:00 p.m.                     La sedia della felecità (The Chair of Happiness)

                                    2014 - Director, Carlo Mazzacurati, Comedy, 94 min.

 

A cosmetologist, a tattoo artist and a priest are rivals at first, then allies, in a hilarious adventure through Northern Italy to find a treasure hidden in a chair.

 

 

7:30 p.m.                     L'arbitro (The Referee)

                                    2013 - Director, Paolo Zucca, Comedy, 90 min.

                                    Special appearance by the director following the film

 

The parallel stories of Atletico Pabarile, the worst soccer team in the Sardinian bush league, and Cruciani, a professional referee whose ambition is to rise to the international level.

 

 

9:00 p.m.                     Q & A with Paolo Zucca, director of L'arbitro (The Referee)

 

Friday, April 17 and Saturday April 18 (University of Michigan, Askwith Auditorium, Ann Arbor)

 

Friday, April 17

 

7:30 p.m.                     Il giovane favoloso (Leopardi)

                                    2014 - Director, Mario Martone, Biographic Drama, 137 min.

 

                                    The story of Giacomo Leopardi, one of Italy's greatest 19th century poets.

 

Saturday, April 18

 

5:00 p.m.                     I nostri ragazzi (The Dinner)   

                                    2014 - Director, Ivano De Matteo, Drama, 92 min.

           

Two brothers and their wives meet once a month in a fashionable restaurant. Their tradition has continued for years until, one evening, security cameras in a remote part of town record a foolish act committed by their children.

 

7:30 p.m.                     Ti ricordi di me? (Remember Me?)

                                    2014 - Director, Rolando Ravello, Comedy, 91 min

                                    Special appearance by the director following the film

                                   

Roberto, a kleptomaniac, and Bea, who suffers from narcolepsy and unpredictable memory losses, meet in front of their therapist's office. A determined and comic courtship begins between the two. Can Roberta win over Bea?

 

9:00 p.m.                     Q & A with Rolando Ravello, director of Ti Ricordi di Me? (Remember Me?)

 

Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 (Oakland University, Dodge Hall, Rochester)

 

Friday, April 24

 

7:00 p.m                      In grazia di Dio (Quiet Bliss)

                                    2014 - Director, Edoardo Winspeare, Drama, 127 min.

           

                                    The story of four women - a grandmother, her two daughters and granddaughter-in a small town in Salento during the economic crisis.

 

Saturday, April 25

 

5:00 p.m.                     Un ragazzo d'oro (A Golden Boy)

                                    2014 - Director, Pupi Avati, Drama, 102 min.

 

Davide is a copywriter whose dream is to pen something beautiful, truly wonderful, but he suffers from anxiety and lack of satisfaction. Will he overcome his insecurities and fulfill his dream?

 

7:30 p.m.                     Allacciate le cinture (Fasten Your Seatbelt)  

                                    2014 - Director, Ferzan Ozpetek, Drama, 110 min.

 

                                    Elena and Antonio are not made for each other; they are total opposites, yet they are overwhelmed by a mutual physical attraction.

 

Closing Night, Sunday, April 26 (Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Film Theatre, Detroit)

 

4:30 p.m.                     La mafia uccide solo d'estate (The Mafia Kills Only in the Summer)                                                    

2013 - Director, Pierfrancesco Diliberto (PIF), Comedy, 90 min.

 

                                    A tender and amusing love story unfolds between Arturo and Flora in Palermo, while Sicily's most tragic events from the 70s to the 90s take place.

 

 

All films will be shown in original language with English subtitles. 

 

Founded in 2005, the Italian Film Festival USA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that brings, for free, premieres of contemporary award-winning Italian films. With 10 other major metropolitan cities and more than 10,000 viewers, the festival is one of a kind in all the United States.

 

The Italian Film Festival USA Metro Detroit thanks its generous sponsors, including:

Multi-City Festival Gold Sponsor: National Italian American Foundation

Multi-City Festival Sponsor: Italian Cultural Institute

City Festival Sponsors: Antonio's Cucina Italiana, National Endowment for the Arts, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Anton Art Center

Film Sponsors: IACL Charitable Foundation, Dante Alighieri Society-Michigan Chapter, Accettura & Hurwitz, Butzel Long, Federazione Abruzzese del Michigan, Italian American Bar Association of Michigan, San Marino Social Club and Ladies Auxiliary, Cantoro Italian Markets & Trattoria, U of M Romance Languages and Literatures.

 

For further information, please visit the festival's website www.italianfilmfests.org or call 248-930-6017.

 

Italian Film Festival USA is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Italian-Film-Festival-USA and Twitter at twitter.com/ItalianFilmFest

 

 

 

My Music: Motown 25 Music Special - Airs Saturday Night on PBS

Just beyond the 30-year mark of its original air date in 1983, the historical Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever special will be back on PBS on Feb. 28 as part of TJ Lubinsky’s "My Music” series.  In an age before hashtags and viral video, the televised special brought unforgettable moments like Michael’s first Moonwalk and one of Marvin Gaye’s final television appearances into the hearts and homes of tens of thousands. 

Mary Wilson (The Supremes) and Martha Reeves (Martha and the Vandellas) were in-studio at Detroit Public TV this month with a small live audience of Motown die-hards and personalities.  For these women, the special rebroadcast is an important part of the Motown legacy that they personally helped shape with careers spanning over 50 years as music legends and fashion icons.  

Wilson reminisced about key moments of the Motown special and how memorable of an event it truly was.  Smokey Robinson's reunion with the Miracles and the Four Tops/Temptations battle were highlights of the Emmy-winning program.  

On how she keeps motivated in her career, the Supremes founder noted "I don’t think just because you work hard you’re gonna make it, no I don’t believe that.  It’s more about what you are going to dedicate your life to doing. I enjoy doing what I do and to me that’s the key.  Find something you enjoy, that you still want to dedicate yourself to, and do well.”  

With a smirk she details that her days are often “actually 30 hour days”, and asserted that "The bottom line is to try to achieve happiness in your life. Life is about a journey to enlighten. I don’t know if there is a definition to success. I mean it’s like love. Can you explain love?"

In regards to Detroit’s influence on Motown, and vice versa, Mary Wilson is still extremely fond of her upbringing and confirmed that Detroit is always home.  From a young child growing up in Southwest Detroit to a chart-topping superstar, she expressed not wanted to have lived anywhere else.  "We had a great education system, we had great communities, even though in the days it was segregated,” she recalled. "I remember I grew up in Southwest Detroit and we would shop sometimes in Dearborn where we weren’t even able to live.  So it was never really perfect but it was the time we were living in and it was a great city.  I would love to be a part of helping bring the city back.  People in Detroit are really go-getters, and I am a part of that.  I would like to see the inner city nourish people back to where they should be.  Education is very important.  I’d love to see a performing arts center here that I’d love to be a part of.  We need to look at work and education.  Give the people jobs.  Educate them.  We are moving into a more technical age and we need to put your eyesight on that.  It’s something that we as a community of human beings need to look at.” 

Celebrate the milestone in American popular music 
with the return of 
Motown 25

8 p.m. 

Saturday, February 28, 2015 

Detroit Public Television, WTVS-TV (Channel 56).

A pledge to PBS will get you “Motown: Big Hits and More”, the new, 7-CD, most comprehensive Motown boxed set, that includes never before heard mixes and versions.  Also included is the"Motown 25" DVD.  

Chat all things Motown this Saturday night on TJ Lubinsky’s Facebook page after the public tv broadcasts at 10:30pm EST and again at 11:30pm and 12:30pm.   

And, as always... free stuff! Email motorcityblog@earthlink.net with SUPREMES in the subject to win a couple of free Supremes vinyls leftover from the photoshoot with Mary Wilson!   

FREE VINYL FRIDAY! Shilpa Ray plays at PJ's Lager House on Tuesday, March 3!

Former backup singer for Nick Cave, Shilpa Ray, is playing a gig at PJ's Lager House on March 3. Nick Cave has said that she's "One of the most phenomenal things I've seen in a long time. She's going to be huge." Shilpa Ray just released a two song covers EP tribute to her childhood hero Lou Reed Ep on Northern Spy Records. 

Check out "Nocternal Emissions"

This week for Free Vinyl Friday were giving away some some Shilpa Ray music. Send an email to motorcityblog@earthlink.net telling us why you need some Shilpa Ray Vinyl!

Shilpa Ray tour dates

2/27 Brooklyn, NY — Union Pool w/ Johanna Samuels, LIPS (fb)
3/01 Buffalo, NY — Nietzsche’s w/ Pine Fever

3/02 Columbus, OH — Rumba Cafe w/ Dana

3/03 

Detroit, MI — PJ’s LagerHouse

3/04 Chicago, IL — Burlington

3/05-3/08 Columbia, MO — True/False Film Festival

3/10 Louisville, KY — Zanzabar

3/12 Tuscaloosa, AL — Egan’s w/ Cherch

3/13 New Orleans, NO — The Circle Bar w/ Slothrust

3/15 Houston, TX — Walters w/ Rosette and Giant Kitty

3/17-3/19 Austin, TX —SXSW

3/20 Hot Springs, AK — VOV Festival

3/21 Athens, OH — TBD

Interview: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Photo by Tyler Zoller

So much has happened since my interview with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band.  The Indiana trio released another music video, started tour, and today was announced to perform at Cincinnati's Bunbury Festival in June. I spoke with bearded frontman, Reverend Peyton, about his band's strenuous tour schedule and "real" music.

Motor City Blog: Let's talk about "Raise a Little Hell" and the music video. The music video was shot in Bloomington, who are the people that were involved in the shoot?

Reverend Peyton: They are all volunteers, fans, and friends. There are so many different groups represented.  It is amazing.  We had to close streets, raise up cameras in cherry pickers, and organize it all in one day.  There are cameos from people in all of our other music videos, too. The whole town came together to make this happen, and all in the name of good music and good times. 

MCB: I read that the band tours the majority of the year. How do you keep the energy up during your exhausting schedule and playing the same songs?

RP: First thing, and most important thing... We love it, we live for it.  I have a relentless desire to top myself too.  Also, good songs just never seem to get old, and we rotate some songs in an out of the set too.  That helps keep it fresh.  

MCB: There seems to be a resurgence of what I like to call, as a general term, Americana music. What're your thoughts on why it's again coming towards the forefront.

RP: I hope that from the heart, real, handmade music will never go out of style.  I really believe there is a movement around the world happening that goes beyond music. Everyone is tired of plastic food, plastic music, and fake imitations of everything.  I think there really is a real movement toward "real." I personally love it.  In this margarine world, we are butter. 

MCB: What inspired the name of the album, "So Delicious"?

RP: It is inspired by lyrics from the song "Pot Roast and Kisses." The song is fun and we have an amazing music video for it. It just felt right for this album. This album just is tastier and meatier than our other records, and I think it is just a fun title.  There are some heavy songs on the record, but I also believe some of the most fun songs we have ever laid down are on this record.   

MCB: Another stand out track on So Delicious is "Music and Friends", I took it as a fantastic of way of describing why you guys do the things you do, and just why the band has such long tours. Can you expand on that?

RP: Absolutely thank you, that song is a celebration of who we are and what we are all about for sure, but it also has some of the saddest verses on the record for me.  The verses are very personal.  All I ever wanted to be was a musician and an artist, but there is a lot of ugly stuff that goes along with the music business.  From mean spirited hipster critics to crooked promoters. The song for me is a reminder of why we put in the time, and why we work so hard.  And like the song says... Since I was 12 years old.  

MCB: As a person who has never had the pleasure of seeing the band live, what can we expect from the live show? Or should we just expect the unexpected?

RP: So many live bands simply phone it in.  They stare at their shoes, and they pretend the crowd isn't even there.  I refuse to do our show that way.  We want our live shows to be just that... a show. We want people leaving full of adrenaline and covered in sweat.  That's the way I leave the stage, and I believe a live music show is a community event.  It isn't just us regurgitating songs at the crowd.  It is a shared experience.  


The (mighty) Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band performs tomorrow night in Flint at The Machine Shop and this Friday at The Magic Bag in Ferndale.Tickets are $18 day of show and are available at the door or online, here or here. Thank me later.

THIS SAT: Schoolhouse Rock Live! @ Music Hall

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Music Hall

350 Madison • Detroit

February 28th @ 2 PM 

TIX HERE

Families will soon be rocking out at MUSIC HALL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS as Childsplay brings the hit cartoon series Schoolhouse Rock to life on stage. The TV show, which presented academic subjects through megahits like “Conjunction Junction” and “Just a Bill,” has received a bit of a makeover as Childsplay premieres an updated sound to the popular hits.  

“One of the things I really wanted to do was put a little more "rock" into Schoolhouse Rock,” said Director Anthony Runfola. “While this production will still feature a wide cross section of musical styles and the original melodies are all still there, we have given the music a fresh perspective.”

  

Critics raved about Childsplay’s production during its premiere in April/May 2014, calling it “imaginative,” “creative” and “energetic.”

"Director Anthony Runfola should be commended for this delightful production,” said Randy Cordova of The Arizona Republic. “It's fast-moving, energetic and, at an hour, the perfect length. Adults won't check their watches and kids won't grow restless in their seats. Quite simply, it's pure fun.”

Also getting a fresh perspective is the design of the show. The Holly Windingstad set was designed to reflect the digital age, influenced by both the ‘80’s video game Tetris and the current game sweeping the nation Minecraft. The multimedia elements will also be used in a “fun and complex way,” said Josh Kasselman with Limitrophe Films. Video is integrated with the choreography and even projected onto prop and set pieces.

“Even though Schoolhouse Rock may not be on TV anymore, the show is still used in classrooms by the teachers that grew up with it,” said Runfola. “The show will bring back great memories for the adults. But for the children, it's going to connect directly with their lives right now. I can only hope the music stays with them as it did with me and my generation!”

THIS WKEND: WSU 2015 Graduate Student Exhibition Opening

Wayne State University

2015 Graduate Student Exhibition

James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History Art Department Gallery 

150 Art Building
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202

February 27–March 20

Gallery Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10AM‐6PM, Fridays, 10AM‐7PM

Opening Reception February 27, 5–8pm

Wayne State University’s James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History is pleased to announce the 2015 Graduate Student Exhibition at the Art Department Gallery, February 27th through March 20th.  An opening reception will be held on February 27th from 5-­‐8PM.

This exhibition features works by current WSU graduate students pursuing degrees in Art, Art History, and Design.  Graduate students from various disciplines in the Department of Art and Art History showcase their works for audiences ranging from students to instructors, visiting artists to curators, and local collectors and community supporters.

The James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History is a division of Wayne State’s College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, educating the next generation of visual artists, designers and art historians. Wayne State University, located in the heart of Detroit’s midtown cultural center, is a premier urban research university offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 28,000 students.

An Interview with Paper Diamond “Work Harder, Play Harder”

Last Saturday night Paper Diamond played the Crofoot and blew the lid off the stage. Besides bringing a couple of banging openers, like Buku and Gladiator, Paper Diamond created a visual and sonic feast that left the crowd more than satisfied. Before the show I got to spend a few minutes with Paper Diamond talking about the tour, his thoughts on music and his indisputable work ethic.

MCB: I actually interviewed you here around 4 years ago just down the road at a little basement club.
PD: I remember that.
MCB: How have things changed since then?
PD: It’s hard for me to think back like that. It’s all just forward motion for me.
MCB: Your latest ep Rain Drops is coming out soon, right?
PD:  Yes. We’re just working out some last minute label detail stuff. I wanted to put it out this week, but it might be the week after.
With this one it’s interesting, when I started my career as Paper Diamond 4 years ago I was writing all the time. Then I went into others things,  managing bands like Cherub, I had a record label, a clothing brand, and more. But having all this kept me away from writing. So, in 2014 I stepped back from all that and really just focused on writing and travelling. I want to put out as much good music as I can this year.
MCB: How would you say your music has changed since your last release “Levitate”?
PD: It’s just a different process. I like to keep things fresh and experiment, try new things out. I don’t like to re-use the same sounds for more than one song. I’ve been working with singers and rappers, writing for them. I don’t like the sound of my own voice, so I’ll write and tell them what to sing. It’s this whole new creative process I’ve been doing.  I’ve been writing differently and it’s super fun.

MCB: Sitting here with you under the crowd, you can hear the people on the dance floor moving and shaking.
PD: Yeah, we brought our own custom sound system in for the tour with more subs to make it just sound crazy. I want the show to be an experience for people. I’ve been getting back into some trippy stuff lately and I want to give people some of that. I remember being younger, going to shows and getting my mind blown. I want to take people out and give them something different.
MCB:What percentage of a year do you spend touring?
PD: Last year was a lot. And this year right after I finish this part of the tour,  I am going to Europe and we haven’t announced it yet but I am going to Australia and New Zealand after that around May. Then, there are some festivals coming this summer.  Later in the year I want to take some time off to write, shut everything else off in the outside world and create something new.
MCB:  I have been through periods, like the rave scene, where electronic music kind of came and went. But, this latest scene of EDM, that started around five years ago, it’s being incorporated into pop music and seems here to stay…
PD: I think that pop music is always looking for crazy shit to put into it. At least the good stuff does. That’s what people want. Electronic music is so diverse, Detroit’s got a great music background with people like J. Dilla. That is what’s so great about electronic music is anyone can create their own style. I’m a musician at heart. I love EDM, and I love everything else. I just love music. The thing about electronic music is it has the ability to do something that has never been done before. Like with Hendrix, he made a whole new style of music. It wasn’t about surf music anymore. I feel like as technology develops there’s always this new thing, more possibilities of pushing music into new places. I want to figure out what the new, new, brand new shit is.

MCB: You use to manage Cherub and now they are playing here at the Crofoot tomorrow. Is that gratifying for you?
PD: Well my contributions to Cherub were helpful in the beginning but those dudes already had it. It’s like I was in alley oop and they were already driving down the lane, you know what I’m saying? I just jump started it and I learned a lot from the process. I want to do it again someday.
MCB: I don’t think people understand how much work you put into your art…
PD: I’m working the entire time I’m on tour. I wake up and I start working on art and visuals. I mix new songs on speakers so I know what they are going to sound like on stage. It’s an everyday thing of trying to make things, bigger, doper, more fun. I want things to be next level, so when people leave they know they got something special.
MCB: What advice would you give to EDM artists just starting to create music?
PD: Well things are different now, technology is moving so fast. They can catch up very quickly, but I’m a musician, I can play a few different instruments and I can create a mood very quickly with music. So, maybe learn an instrument along with the technology.  Also, keep finding ways to be inspired, being inspired is what it’s all about.

Interview and photos by Mikel O.D. of MPAD Media