English Paper

So my 8 - 10 page paper that I am going to write in English is about the DIY concept versus the Music Industry.  I am going to cover all of the aspects of how DIY is separate from the Music Industry.  I will explain what the DIY concept is and how it is appealing.  And I will explain how the Music Industry is ruining music and making it all about the money.  I quote a few documentary’s that I have discovered that favor the DIY concept and explain what is put into the art and how much it takes to do it yourself.  They explain that the music industry is all about the image and putting yourself out there just for the money.  Producers, agents and managers are only looking to make money off of the artist.  And the artist is only looking to become a famous rockstar.  There are ways to play for people and become known without making money off of your art. The DIY concept is about putting forth effort and creating everything yourself. DIY is all about being creative.  I explain that there are DIY outputs all around us.  Even some can be seen in Bloomington-Normal.  There are a few DIY venues like the Fishbowl or Dawson’s Creek.  And they rarely charge money, unless there is a touring band.  But these venues are all about creating and sharing music.  No money involved.  The way music is supposed to be.          

I feel like I will be able to fill all of the pages with my knowledge.  I feel like I know a lot about the subject and can explain it.  I really enjoy the concept and hope that there still continues to be a DIY scene in the future. 

Word count 302 

Flier Review

Chris Whitacre

English 101

3/25/12

Review

I am reviewing a show flier that advertised a concert on October 2011 at Panchos. a DIY house.  This flier stands out from any other flier that I have seen.  The artwork is the most detailed and unique piece I’ve ever seen.  The artist of the flier is a bassist in a band called Spanyurd.  He makes his fliers for all of their shows.  The flier is very creative and includes all of the necessary information for any concert goer.  It includes the cost, age limit, address, date, time and all of the bands playing.  One thing that I would complain about is that the digital version I received has the bottom cut off.  The band names at the top of the flier confuse me,  it is not clear to me what exactly the band names are.  If one of the bands is called 400 Blows, or if its two bands 400 and Blows.  But other than that there was absolutely nothing else to complain about.  This flier is absolutely beautiful.

Out of any other DIY show flier I have seen doesn’t even compare to the detail and beauty of this flier.  DIY fliers usually show that there was thought and creativity put into making it.  And usually they are very random but eye-catching.  But this artist went straight to the top.  By looking at the detail of the flier you can tell that there has been a lot of work put into it. 

            I’m sure anyone that sees this flier would go to the show just on pure curiosity on what these bands are actually like.  From looking at the artists other works you can tell he has a theme.  Every flier I have looked at includes a image that represents the bands that are playing that event.  In the flier presented I have been able to pick out the band Eyes which is represented by the eyes in the jar, and I have picked out the Spanyurd which is a masked man that appears in all of the fliers.  To be honest I don’t even know what the other band names mean so they could be represented within the flier without my knowledge. 

            I have been in the DIY scene for a couple years now and I have never been blown away by any show fliers until the band Spanyurd started playing shows.  It has definitely increased my interest in listening and seeing the band. 

            Overall I would give this flier a 10 on my review scale of 10.  This flier introduced me to some great, unique and detailed art.  As well as a fast paced, technical and angry sounding band.  When I saw Spanyurd play at a show in town I was immediately a fan.  Now only is the band talented in music but they are also talented in art and graphic design.  The guys in Spanyurd are very nice and polite and I look forward to hearing more of their music as well as seeing more of their intense and interesting fliers.  

Word count 512

Amazon Customer Review 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AMZ15K/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

I am the only review - ChrisWhitacre

Sprang Brank

Over spring break I am going to do some once in a life time things.  For one, I am going to see Radiohead in St. Louis with my older brother and sister.  I haven’t seen either in them for a really long time.  Probably in over a month.  They both live in St. Louis, where they live their lives.  I am really excited to see Radiohead, they only tour in America about once in every four years.  So its not really a once in a life time experience.  But it was expensive.  And it better blow my mind.  One other thing I am going to do is sleep.  I have about 3 days where I will be alone at my house and I wont have to worry about anything.  I feel like that will be my time when I catch up on some much need sleep and relaxation.  The rest of my break will consist of working at my new job at the Bone Student Center.  I am trying to impress my employers, and to impress them I have been working my butt off.  The way I get a shift is by signing up for it in a binder, so I have signed up for every available time I have.  And some of their shifts are LONG!  I’m talking 12 hours!  After working a couple of those shifts, I have found that I have a bunch of down time. word count 314

            I am really looking forward to just relaxing, seeing my family and spending time with my cats.   I can foresee many hours of my in my boxers, on my couch playing a video game, or watching T.V.  This year spring break is going to rock!!!  And I am ready for it!  I wont have a single worry in the world!  Until I have to work L

word count 314

Experiences at the Movie Fan and The Normal Theater

Since I live ten minutes away from Bloomington-Normal, there is no doubt that I haven’t been to the Normal Theater or the Movie Fan.  The last time I went to the Normal Theater was about a month ago.  A couple friends invited me to go see Lars Von Trier’s new film called Melancholia.  It starred Kirsten Dunst and William Hurt.  I remember walking up to the both and finding out that the Normal Theater did not take debit cards.  So I had to ask my friend to pay for me.  I felt very guilty.  After we got into the movie theater I first noticed the nice vintage, leather seats.  My friends and I grab a row towards the top of the theater.  It was a very interesting movie.  I thought it was very artsy.  But apparently thats the usual thing for Lars Von Trier films.  

The last time I was at the Movie Fan I rented Paranormal Activity 3 and Munich.  While walking back to my dorm to watch them, I got a phone call.  It was the dude from The Movie Fan and apparently I had left my debit card there.  I turned around and went straight back and grabbed my card.  The dudes that work there are very nice.  Another reason I like that movie rental place is because the movies are good quality.  Sometimes when renting at family video or blockbuster I find that the dvd is scratched and in bad condition.  I can tell the Movie Fan employees have a deep passion for movies and the care of them.  

Every time I am in downtown Normal I always walk by the Normal Theater and look at the current months schedule and try to find a movie that I might make some time for.  I really enjoy the theater and always try to find time to go and see a movie there. 

Word count yo 316