Bob Dylan stays true to rebellious roots
Written By Amanda Myers
November 14, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Anyone showing up to Heinz Hall last Monday evening expecting Bob Dylan to roll out with a harmonica around his neck and happily put on a greatest hits show was surely mistaken. Dylan is as rebellious as he was in his folk days, but sheds that identity of his former self in both song and appearance. A...
Eminem in a fight to revive rap spotlight with new single
Written By Nick Horwat, Co-A&E Editor
November 14, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Many of today’s rap fans would consider Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. It’s easy to overlook these claims until you sit down and actually take a look at his body of work. With 15 Grammy Awards, 56 top 100 songs and an Academy Award it’s har...
Weezer Transition From White to Black with Pacific Daydream
Written By Nicholas Poprocky
November 7, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
After multiple flops in the mid-2000s, like 2005’s “Make Believe” and 2009’s “Raditude,” Weezer regained their fanbase’s passion with 2014’s “Everything Will Be Alright in the End,” which features arguably the band’s best guitar work on a full length album. “Weezer” (The White...
Comedian Iliza Shlesinger takes first step of a hectic 2018 with Pittsburgh show
Written By Josh McCann
November 7, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Comedian Iliza Shlesinger will bring her stand-up comedy act to the Carnegie Music Hall in Homestead on Nov. 10. Shlesinger is in town with a brand-new comedy hour while also promoting her new book, “Girl Logic,” which hits shelves Nov. 7. Over a phone interview, I talked with Iliza about the...
Bands Wage War Against Technical Difficulties to Deliver Sludgy Goodness
Written By Emily Bennett, Editor-Elect
November 7, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
It was a gutsy move on PromoWest’s part to book two guitar bands to fill Stage AE’s Halloween bill Tuesday. With the past two October 31st shows drawing mainstream crowds with acts like The 1975 and Icona Pop, it was a shot in the dark to bring in noisy Canadian duo Japandroids alongside Cleve...
REVIEW: Conservatory’s “Kiss Me Kate” a clean and polished production
Written By Meghan Halley
October 31, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Point Park University’s production of “Kiss Me Kate” kicked off The Conservatory Theatre Company’s final season at The Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland. The company will be moving to a new theater Downtown in the fall. The musical incorporates the work of Shakespeare and Cole Porter into one exciting...
Five years later, “good kid, m.A.A.d city” remains a singular achievement in hip-hop
Written By Mick Stinelli, Co-A&E Editor
October 31, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
In 2017, Kendrick Lamar released his double platinum album “DAMN.” This record was the culmination of years of bridging the gap between mainstream popularity and socially conscious lyricism. Lamar took his first substantial step down this path in October 2012 with his major label debut, “good ...
‘Super Mario Odyssey’ is the ultimate Mario experience
Written By Matt Petras, Co-Features Editor
October 31, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
There are more than a few delightful surprises in “Super Mario Odyssey,” but the game succeeds mostly because of its ability to be warmly familiar. “Odyssey” merges various styles of gameplay from across the series and adds a big twist all its own with the ability to “capture” enemies. The r...
Debut project from Lauv explores identity and heartbreak
Written By Kayla Snyder, Co-Copy Desk Chief
October 31, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
An upcoming singer-songwriter and producer dubbed Lauv used an unusual method of releasing music via the popular music streaming service Spotify. Lauv (born Ari Leff), originally from San Francisco, fell in love with the art of songwriting at the age of 14. He went to study musical production at one...
Local comic book artist begins working with Marvel
Written By Aidan Segal
October 24, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Picture two of cinema’s most distinguished films, arguably at the peak of their respected genres, clashing between panels of grotesque, yet genius illustration. Michael Mettlen was 25-years old, dropping his daughter off at school and making his way home to Elizabeth, Pa., when he made a life-...
Kamasi Washington continues hot streak on new EP
Written By Mick Stinelli, A&E Editor
October 10, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Kamasi Washington came to mainstream prominence in early 2015 as a massive contributor on Kendrick Lamar’s album, “To Pimp a Butterfly.” His saxophone played a massive role in the song “U,” and he also worked on the album’s string arrangements. That same year he released his LP, “The Epic...
Thrival Music Festival to showcase rock, hip-hop acts
Written By Josh McCann
September 26, 2017
Filed under ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Thrival Music Festival will be held for the second straight year at Carrie Furnace’s in Braddock on Sept. 29 and 30. This year’s headlining acts include Pittsburgh native rapper Wiz Khalifa, hip hop artist Logic and pop r+b singer/songwriter Kiiara. Khalifa heads to the festival promoting h...