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(12/05/18 11:38pm)
Behind the quaint but chaotic cafe Coat Yard Coffee, through the mini drag show and stand-up comedy show held out in a tent to hide from the rain, was Playground Productions. The studio housed a small flock of individuals ready for new author Kaylin Boyd’s to launch her first novel, “Tell City.”
A duo performed a compilation of music numbers for the audience, including an acoustic cover of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.” Even a tarot card reading was being conducted in the corner of the room for those seeking their fates. After the time reached 7:30 p.m., Boyd took a seat in front of the audience, and after reading passages from her work, took the time to answer questions regarding the book, writing and the feeling of a newly-published book.
When did you start writing “Tell City"?
I started writing "Tell City" back in 2012, and I was leaving for college, from Louisiana, for the last time. It would take me four years to finish writing it, and it would take another two years for its publication.
What inspired you to write “Tell City"?
On the way to college, there was a man walking on the interstate, at night. He wasn’t trying to hitch-hike, and didn’t have a backpack. And I thought to myself, ‘I could write about this one day.’
What was your favorite part about writing it?
It would definitely be editing the story. The first draft of anything you write always sucks, no matter what. So all the editing was an adventure in itself, and it was a group effort to get it all edited. I can’t thank the people involved in the process for the help. It takes a community to write a book.
What about your least favorite part?
All the times I wasn’t able to write, for sure. At the time, I was in college and working, but I knew this was what I wanted to do. It was just tough managing to have time to write. I’m usually an impatient person, so this book is a miracle to behold.
What was your thought process when it came to writing “Tell City”?
I just decided I was gonna stick with this one. I’ve started many stories, but this one made me realize I wanted to finish this. It just kinda happened. I plowed through the writing with only a general sense of direction, and it made it better without any deadline.
What did it feel like to finish writing the story?
It was terrifying, because I felt the ending coming closer. I would often hide in my room and start cramming words until it was finally done. I felt like I was breaking up with my characters, or they were moving away, but the two years of editing quickly reversed that to them being obnoxious.
Are you self-published, or did you have it professionally published?
I spent about a year looking for someone to get it professionally published, but at that point, my friends pointed out I already had it paid to get published, and I knew someone that is a book designer, so they asked ‘Why not have it published yourself?’ So in March of this year, it finally was able to be completed. Despite that, it was more expensive because you had no literary agent and middlemen. I was paying for the book design, the editing, the marketing, and everything. It evens out, but it depends if you’re good at the marketing.
What would be your advice to other people who want to become authors?
Just got for it, and procrastination is the fertilization for creativity. There’s a lot of pressure for writers out there, but keep writing all the time to produce ideas. But that also includes going out and doing other things, like going to an art show, a concert, live to have something to write about.
Anything else you would like to say?
I plan on creating a new story soon, but it’ll be done in a more organized style of writing rather than how I created “Tell City”, and I hope to do more soon.
Kaylin Boyd made her way to the table nestled in a corner by the entrance of the studio for autographs, thanking each and every person who attended the launch party that evening. Even a few stragglers from the cafe Coat Yard Coffee decided to make their way in, donating a few dollars for the good of Playground Production studio through the “karma jar” at the front by the admissions area. With the band wrapping up, the night ended with pleasant conversations of other artistic individuals, hot or cold refreshments, and the non-distorted opening of Slayer’s “Raining Blood.”
(11/14/18 9:14pm)
On Saturday, Nov. 10, Square Cat Vinyl hosted the second annual Song-a-Thon on Virginia Avenue. The evening chill in the air rushed patrons inside, but not before they could possibly buy a Cajun sausage and an order of barbecue macaroni and cheese that was “cheaper than snake oil,” as Square Cat owner Mike Angel announced.
Patrons were greeted with the line of varied artists waiting for their turn on the stage next to the bar. The congregation that had arrived earlier gathered in a cluster around the bar, reveling in their Schlitz or coffee to keep the chilled November air out.
The rows of musicians seemed never-ending, being constantly refilled as each stepped off the stage after finishing their one song. They were the freaks, geeks and in-betweens of Indianapolis: a few choosing to sport neon-green lipstick, men with clouded eyes, or the one-man band with the Pacers snapback and black leather jacket. At one point, even a patron entered with a corgi by the name of Boots.
Bands and solo artists such as Red Eye Jedi, 1923, Midwest Contraband, Lady and the Tramps were taking their turns on the stage, getting their few minutes of fame with each of their original songs. All the while, Angel heckled both the audience and the band equally, leaving none safe from his commentary, but he managed to keep the show alive energetic.
It was a night that, despite being only the second annual Song-a-Thon for Square Cat Vinyl, had the energy of a crowd that didn’t need a warm-up for the main show, each act being treated with a roar of applause and whistles from the audience.
By the end of the night, after 100 original songs had been finished at the strike of 10 p.m., it felt as if everyone was saying goodbye from a family reunion, rather than strangers that had just met at the bar. It didn’t matter if you were a lone singer with an acoustic guitar, or a group of rappers handing out demos for your first album; in Square Cat, you’re part of the family of musicians.
(11/02/18 3:49pm)
If one ever goes to IUPUI during autumn, they may notice clusters of students gathered around a man or woman billowing the Gospel at the top of their lungs. These people, known as “hate preachers,” are highly conservative Christians that could be classified as extremists, ranting about matters such as premarital intercourse causing AIDS and demons being “body-snatchers.”
In the midst of all of this, however, there is always the same undertone: anyone who isn't a straight Christian is doomed to eternal damnation unless converted to the same ideology as the preachers.
Recently, beginning as far back as 2016, groups of students have been creating counter-protests against these “hate preachers,” with peaceful and often comedic methods.
An example would be when, in 2016, the Westboro Baptist Church were on campus, causing immediate disgust. As time though, there began a small band of students who countered the church's negativity through a rather odd method: a giant dance party directly across from the preachers.
The protest, directing attention away from Westboro's representatives, caused them to leave campus early. This movement alone, according to Operation Ruby Gloom’s founder Allison McClain, would spark an idea to create an organized movement of counter protesters against “hate preachers.”
This movement, established on Oct. 4, would become known as Operation Ruby Gloom.
When asked how the group counters the preachers, McClain said they either peacefully debate or use more comedic measures.
"We're combating fear with fun," McClain said.
As an example, McClain said that the group uses "preacher bingo" based on key terms the preachers use.
In another case, "A prominent member of the group showed up with his trumpet and began playing the Mii Channel theme."
When asked if the group has been supported by the campus and communities of IUPUI, McClain responded, “The vast majority of group members are people I have met at the LGBTQ+ Center, the straight, cis group members are mostly Christians who feel that the preachers inaccurately and badly portray Christianity.”
McClain continued, “I think it comes down to the individual more than anything and the factors surrounding the individual.”
McClain noted the lack of "hate preachers" visiting campus recently, but concluded, “We're keeping a lookout for the odd winter preacher, and bouncing ideas back and to each other.”
(10/05/18 4:35pm)
The streets of Broad Ripple were live with the afternoon rush hour with people clamoring to go either to their homes or to their night out, though it was likely the latter since it was a Wednesday. Rocky Rodriguez, the drummer and co-founder of the rock duo Hot Maude, had decided to have a sit-down at a nearby coffee shop to discuss the band and what’s in store for her and Jessie, the lead guitarist and vocalist. She had just arrived from her second job and was ready to either grab one of the the borderline-robbery coffees on the menu that are over-priced, head straight home or both. Despite this, she sat down at the table and kept a positive attitude.
Could you give a brief summary of Hot Maude?
Hot Maude is a duo of two girls. The band’s name itself is a play on words; we just loved Maude from her show so much that inspired us to create the name. She’s just a badass, and we loved how they put it all out front, so why not name it Hot Maude?
What about other names? Could you name a few you went through?
Jessie and I went through so many names before we had settled on Hot Maude, just horrible names. There was Bad Blanche, because of the Golden Girls. We had The Beatdowns, and The Other Boyfriends also, but it was Hot Maude that just stuck for us.
What is the sound of Hot Maude?
We definitely have a grunge influence, but we also have more groovy sets where I’m doing more intricate grooves while Jessie’s playing something different. Also, if I had to compare it to another band, we have songs that have the style of Breaking Benjamin.
Where do you get your musical inspiration from?
We got our influence from Dave Grohl, without a doubt. Jessie and I are huge fans of Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters, so we like to draw from some of his musicality. However, we do also have melodies and other vocals that we have inspired by Gwen Stefani.
What roles do you and your lead singer/guitarist, Jessie Phelps, have in the band?
Jessie writes the lyrics and the guitar, but I’m more involved with the “texture” of the song. It’s more of a catch-and-response for us when creating the music. Usually, it’s Jessie that comes in with a new song, and I make changes that she and I agree with.
Did you know Jessie before creating Hot Maude?
Jessie was actually the drummer for Carrie and the Clams, and I had seen them around town. It wasn’t until I had watched her perform at the Vogue with Ghost of Kin, along with my band No Pit Cherries, that we had seen each other play. Finally, in 2015, we had managed to form our own band, but it came down to just the two of us after two of the original lineup members left.
Is Hot Maude independent, or signed to a record label?
We’re still doing most of our own promotion, and we’re completely independent. Our three-song EP was even recorded in my house, so we’re still working on making ourselves known.
Have you ever played at the Black Circle Brewery before?
It’s the first time Hot Maude will be there, but I’ve played there a few times with my psychedelic jam band Kilgore Trout. It’s a fun place to play, and a fun place to go. We’re definitely excited to perform there. We’re also gonna try to schedule more shows throughout next year and diving in to more cover shows.
What makes Hot Maude?
It’s two badass bitches that know what they’re doing, and doing it well. Just strong, fierce ladies that know what they’re doing.
Anything else you would like to announce?
We plan on recording our first LP this December. Jessie and I are still in the writing process, and we’re trying a different approach to recording the album.
Hot Maude will be performing at the Black Circle Brewing Company along with the bands Manners, Please and the Orchard Keepers on Oct. 5, 2018
(09/07/18 3:59pm)
The muggy air was filled with the typical blaring of downtown Indianapolis. Greeted by a blast of cold air and smells of spice, sanitizer and the bustle of an after-lunch crowd of nursing students, the waitress, whipped by the lunch rush, continued her job sluggishly, serving drinks to the patrons.
After only five minutes, in walked Chris Banta.. He was an average-built man, a dark stubble forming from constant touring, curly hair sitting unkempt on his head. He’s the lead singer of a rock band Brother O’ Brother, but seemed like any other guy you meet in your neighborhood.
He took a seat on the couch on the opposite side of the shop, and remained on his phone for a few minutes, taking a business call. He was working on another deal with his label, Romanus Records. After the call, Chris got up, and made his way over to a table by the window to have a seat and share his story with The Campus Citizen.
Do you run your own record label?
I run a label called Romanus Records, and we make our own custom vinyl. We even had a new EP come out with Nerds in the record. Also, we created the world’s first LED record, remote-controlled and plays like a normal record.
How did the band start up? Was it the band and the label at the same time, or just the band at first?
The band started four, five years ago. I had been writing for the band before that, but it wasn’t until I met the drummer, Warner, at Lowe’s after going to get some stretching rope. It wasn’t until our second album that we were able to put our music on wax through Fonoflo Records, though. It was around that time that we also started experimenting with pressing our own records.
Where did the name come from?
We were just trying to come up with something related to brotherhood. The band helped form strong friendships for us, and I kept thinking of all kinds of names. We just didn’t want to be stuck with something stupid. It was the drummer, Warner, who mentioned the name “Brother O’ Brother.”
How would you describe the band’s music to someone who’s never heard it?
It’s like fuzzy garage rock, with blues roots. We try to influence a lot of gospel, mostly through a preacher dynamic way of vocals.
What inspires the music?
A lot of it comes from bands like Black Keys, but also JEFF the Brotherhood, and Diary of Atlanta. But a lot of them didn’t really have a show or “gimmick” to them, and I just wanted our show to reflect the music. We don’t want to be a gimmick band, but there’s enough t-shirt-wearing bands out there. We both love professional wrestling, and that’s where we coined the idea of having our own thing.
What makes Brother O’ Brother?
We usually try to be the epitome of fashion on stage. We even bought the biggest possible smoke machine we could. And we’ve been doing this new thing for about a month or two where I come out in this silk entrance robe that’s thirty yards of fabric. Usually I’ll come in and say “Brothers and sisters, welcome to the Church of Fuzz. Are there any members with us?” It helps get the room loose and hyped by the time it starts. Like wrestling, it’s the entrance music that gets you hyped for the show.
Brother O’ Brother will be performing on September 10, at the White Rabbit Cabaret with Canadian rock duo The Pack AD at 8:30 pm.