Things I’ve learned from horror movies include: Never say anyone’s name into a mirror more than twice. You’re in trouble if that charming old house you bought has an unfinished cellar or attic. Stripes never go out of style when your fingers are made out of knives. And like all respectful dinner party guests, vampires […]
From the moment he saw it, Virginia Film Festival director Jody Kielbasa had no qualms about opening this year’s fest with Big Stone Gap, a screen adaptation of the popular novel by Adriana Trigiani, who grew up in the movie’s Southwest Virginia town and now lives in Manhattan. “First and foremost, it’s a really good […]
Technology and music have a symbiotic relationship. Developments and inventions constantly change the way we write, perform, and listen to music of all styles and genres. Technosonics XV: Found Sound celebrates the latest innovations in music technology by showcasing digital music, electro-acoustic music, and the combination of high profile performers with UVA composers and faculty. […]
“I think that this film gains its emotional integrity from the fact that everybody is speaking the truth. It was very moving to watch it. The one thing I was hoping that they would get was for everyone to stop acting like Hollywood people, and just tell the truth—about the mistakes we’ve made, the struggle that […]
Kate Voegele was miscast—quite literally. Voegele’s career hit the fast track in 2005 when she gained a strong following on the social media site MySpace. That same year, MySpace and Interscope Records teamed up to create MySpace Records, and Voegele became one of the label’s earliest signees. She released her first major label-backed full-length record […]
In anticipation of the Virginia Film Festival this weekend, I’ve been considering geographical predispositions when it comes to movies. Predictably, as a student, French New Wave films were guaranteed pleasers. These types of geographical tastes exist for many. French films carry a different prestige than Hollywood movies. India’s Bollywood and Nigeria’s Nollywood each have their […]
Dum Dum Girls is a throwback band that’s a force to be reckoned with. Take spitfire riffs, increase the attitude, and spice generously with talent for an adrenaline rush coupled with a healthy dose of introspection. Moving beyond simplistic ballads, frontwoman Dee Dee Penny explores a wealth of emotion, defining rebellion in life, love, and […]
The collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, the two indispensable and bomb-throwing emcees who form the uncompromisingly raw and forward-thinking rap duo Run the Jewels, has been as perfect as it was unexpected. They seem, at first, like odd bedfellows: El-P’s a noise-loving Brooklyn firebrand with an independent streak as long as Bedford Avenue; Atlanta […]
The Rural Alberta Advantage Mended with Gold/Saddle Creek The Rural Alberta Advantage’s newest project will make you sweat. Between the perpetually chugging drum beats, driving guitars, and lead singer-songwriter Nils Edenloff’s singing, there’s no aspect of this album that doesn’t scream, “Dance, dance, dance!” Oddly enough, however, this is not a happy record, and much […]
To celebrate the first birthday of her online literary journal Full Grown People on October 4, editor Jennifer Niesslein published a book. “Full Grown People: The Greatest Hits, Volume 1 gives you a good idea of our breadth,” she said. “It covers a lot, from parenting issues, when you’re looking at maybe your kids leaving […]