The music at Lawrence has changed a lot in my four years covering it, and at this point in time, most artists would benefit from a reminder and reflection of its stages in the past years. Although the scene has undoubtedly changed since before my arrival, I believe Lawrence is at a standstill where it…
Meditations on Music: Vijay Iyer Sextet
Vijay Iyer Sextet pictured on stage in the Chapel. Picture by Nidi Garcia. Sometimes concerts fail to live up to the hype, even when the hype is appropriately built by many great records and even a previously seen live show. That was my experience seeing Vijay Iyer and his sextet perform in Lawrence Memorial Chapel…
Meditations on Music: Recent album reviews
Jake Victor 5tet’s “Twisted Heads” “Twisted Heads” is the debut album from the Jake Victor 5tet, created while senior Victor was abroad studying at Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Despite being away from Lawrence, he was still able to work with senior guitarist Jack Kilkelly-Schmidt, a close collaborator who was also studying there. Rounding out the…
Meditations on Music: Ryan Keberle and Catharsis
Guest artist Ryan Keberle playing trombone on stage. Photo by Taylor Blackson. The group Catharsis is trombonist Ryan Keberle’s vehicle for his compositions and distinctly arranged covers that dip in and out of jazz roots to bring together other traditions, echoing the leader’s background of playing with musicians such as Sufjan Stevens and Maria Schneider.…
Meditations on Music: Hailstork
There is no sugar-coating the fact that it took all of the 144 years the Conservatory has existed for an oratorio by an African American composer to be performed. But this past Friday, the Lawrence University Choirs and Symphony Orchestra brought to the stage two works by Dr. Adolphus Hailstork—“I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes”…
Meditations on Music: Matt Blair
“Shadow Sets” I have never heard a solo piano record quite like Matt Blair’s. The alum, who graduated last year, began the process of creating this album while still an undergrad, composing the pieces and debuting selections at his senior recital last spring. Produced by Dave King of The Bad Plus, it stands out…
Meditations on Music: Mike Truesdell
Percussionist Mike Truesdell performs in Harper Hall. Photo by Marieke de Koker. Percussionist Mike Truesdell ’07 made a return to his alma mater this past Friday with a performance that was succinctly and sensitively programmed, while also displaying his broad ranges of technique, approach and artistry. While most of the audience was made up of…
Meditations on Music: Yo La Tengo
Live at Thalia Hall, March 30 This show further solidified Yo La Tengo as a sensitive band that makes late night music, but of course they don’t let that limit them. Their late night music is the stuff you can brood to, the stuff you can experience beauty to, the stuff you can dance…
Meditations on Music: Palm
“Rock Island” Palm’s fourth studio release has them in a beautiful state of molting, their older voices shedding a bit to make way for a MIDI palette and scrupulous production. This direction has been in the works for most of the Philly band’s career, the raw beginnings of “Ostrich Vacation” and their first full-length, “Trading…
Meditations on Music: Evan Williams
Performers in Evan Williams’ recital stand onstage in Harper Hall. Photo by Taylor Blackson. It is always a moving experience going to a concert with little to no idea about what it will be like beforehand and leaving fulfilled —ruminating on sounds, their inspirations and what they consequently inspire. This past Sunday, I had this…