Sunday, the Indie pop angst-babies of the band Cults will be playing at Pearl Street. Band members Brian Oblivion (guitar, vocals, percussion) and Madeline Follin (vocals) began making music together while at The New School in Manhattan in 2010. Only two years later they’ve since completed a live five-piece band and released their self-titled album.

Their top hit “Go Outside”  is plucky and fun, while still maintaining the muted and gritty feel of Indie music. It’s perfect for listening to in the car on a sunny day or helping you muscle through the final pages of your thesis. It doesn’t sound like much at first, but in the stealthy, sneaky way that only good music can, reveals itself to be a well-crafted and carefully produced album that should wind up on any Indie-lover’s summer playlist. Let songs like “Most Wanted” and “Abducted” perk you up with its pop-py xylophone, Follin’s sweet voice and bouncy but intriguing beats.

On the other hand, let songs like “You Know What I Mean” and “Never Saw the Point” assist you in nursing your most recent romantic wound with a kind of swanky 50s achey-breaky-heart feel. Judging by the rampant tender rawness and Follin’s vocal current of energy that runs throughout the album, I think we’re in for a great show tonight.

The shows opening acts are Spectrals and Mrs. Magician. Doors will open Sunday at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $12.50 from the Northampton Box Office and $15 at the door.

Related posts:

1. Passion Pit set to perform at Pearl Street
2. Rubblebucket Orchestra at Pearl Street Night Club
3. The Shins Might Not Change Your Life

This Sunday alternative rockers, The All American Rejects (AAR) will perform in Northampton, MA at the Pearl Street Night Club. Together since 1999 the group has spawned tons of hit singles like ”Swing, Swing” (2003), “Dirty Little Secret” (2005) and “Gives You Hell” (2008).

The band just released their fourth album, Kids in the Street, this past March and is currently promoting it across the globe.

“The title track is reflecting upon the time when you were the most pure — right before you graduated, or before you got a real job. And you actually had to start caring. When you’re just another kid, a speck, and it doesn’t feel that way. You feel, I don’t know… alive. Just those small, pure moments. We named the record after it. It was just that special,” explained lead singer Tyson Ritter recently spoke with ESPN.

The album was written by Ritter and lead guitarist Nick Wheeler, along with the held of Greg Wells, a Grammy-nominated producer.Recording and mixing was completed over five months from April through Sept. 2011. So far two singles have been released: “Beekeeper’s Daughter” and “Kids in the Street.”

Together since 1999, the Oklahoma-based band has sold over 10 million albums internationally, and won Best Group Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for “Move Along.”

The show starts at 7 p.m. and opening for AAR will be A Rocket To The Moon and Astoria. Tickets are $27.50 at the Northampton Box Office and $30 at the door.

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2. When Matt and Kim brought Daylight to Northampton
3. Northampton shoppers venture into vintage

American electropop band Passion Pit will be performing April 16 at the Pearl Street Nightclub in Northampton, MA. The Cambridge-based group was formed in 2007 and is best known for their 2008 EP “Sleepyhead”, which was used in several media campaigns and advertisements. Their current tour is in anticipation of their upcoming album anticipation of their newest album, due to be released this June, according to an interview with lead vocalist Michael Angelakos in UK music publication New Musical Express.

Much of what later constituted the band’s first album Chunk of Change was written and performed by Angelakos as a belated Valentine’s Day present for his then-girlfriend. The songs soon became popular throughout Emerson College, where Angelakos had been taking classes. All of the band’s members, with the exception of Angelakos, are alumni of the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Passion Pit has opened for several bands including Death Cab for Cutie and Girl Talk. The once college-dorm, single project has now earned itself a name as a headliner in just a few years, selling out for three nights at New York’s Terminal 5 in January 2010. The band has performed at several international festivals including UK’s Glastonbury Festival, Bonnaroo and Coachella. The band has also just announced that it will be playing at this year’s Lollapalooza in Chicago.

In addition to working on the due album these past couple of years, the band has remixed several hits by popular artists, including Phoenix’s “1901,” Bruno Mars’s “Grenade” and Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.” They also toured with Muse as their opening act for several of their U.S. shows in September 2010.

Angelakos described the 2012 due album to NME, “It’s gonna be a really fantastic, exciting, beautiful, gorgeous record.” Their live recordings and other Youtube videos promise an equally exciting performance. For any electro or indie music fans, this concert will make for a perfect Monday night. EMEFE, an afrobeat/funk band which stands for Music Frees All, will perform the opening act. The band was created by Miles Arntzen in 2009 inspired by afrobeat music pioneers from the 1970′s and 80′s, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

They will open the show at 8 pm. Tickets are $33 through the NBO Box Office or at the door.

Related posts:

1. Cults come to Pearl Street
2. Rubblebucket Orchestra at Pearl Street Night Club
3. Backstage pass: Passion Pit

The awesome night began with the sumptuous dinner, which was catered by Millicent Takyi for the African dishes and West Indian Taste for the Caribbean food. There was jollof rice (a West African staple) and chicken, with a side of tasty goat-meat sauce. Mount Holyoke students made the desserts – samosas, fruit platters and pastries.

After the dinner came the show.

This year’s theme was “Celebrating the Missing Links: Breaking the Conspiracies of Silence.” The aim was to celebrate African heroes: people who have fought for social justice whether through writing, music, political involvement or other media. In the second half of the show,  students came out to give individual speeches on famed Africans like the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie and the Jamaican musician and activist Bob Marley.

Though not every act stuck strictly to the theme,  nonetheless there were awesome dance performances by groups like Afrik Chic, and the South End Bantu group whose hilarious play/dance earned them a standing ovation. Thankfully it wasn’t all dance: there was a rousing  spoken word piece about Africa and African roots, by Maya the Poet, and an a capella performance by the gospel group Sacred Symphonies.

All in all, it was a great night, with electrifying performances. Each act brought the audience to loads of enthusiasm and at the end, it was announced that MHACASA had sold out tickets for the show.

At the end of the night, the consensus was that MHACASA only does it bigger and better each year.

Related posts:

1. Forging African and Caribbean identities
2. Behind the scenes: students rehearse for AC Day
3. Marsha Allen merges Caribbean culture and fashion

early risers outside Talcott Greenhouse

Although this winter hasn’t been especially treacherous– I think we are all ready for some serious spring fashion. Break out the lighter coats and cheerful colors, ladies, because black and gray are so last month. “But,” you will inevitably retort, “It was 26 degrees yesterday.”  Yes, but it’s 40 today!  We can dress with spring-like freshness without risking that pesky end-of-winter cold – it’s all about transition wear.

Layers are essential to being dually fashion and elements-savvy, and the thinner the layers the better. I am currently obsessed with a long navy cashmere cardigan that I scooped up at a Nordstrom Rack for a quarter of its original price (thank you after-Christmas sales). Cashmere is perfect because it’s warm and layers well, so you don’t look too bulky under your new faux-leather bomber jacket.

I like to pepper some fresh spring trends into my current winter wardrobe once this time of year hits, and an easy wardrobe update item for spring is a new scarf.  For less than $15, Forever 21 and H&M have a plethora of scarves ranging from floral to geometric to just plain colorful. It’s an inexpensive way to lighten up your look effortlessly. I spotted a table of brightly hued beauties for just $8 each at FXXI a couple of weeks ago.

The major spring trends have everything to do with COLOR, and they are super fun and easy to execute. Color blocking is a simple way to update your look; Target currently has a selection of clutches and bags dedicated to this hot trend of bold sections of color…

Or DIY! Colored jeans and pants are very in right now. Throw on some mint cropped skinnies with a bright yellow tee, and you’ve got homemade color blocking!

Another bright idea that has blown up is mixing prints.  Gone are the days of matching (so outdated) – let your wild side show by pairing graphic floral print tees with leopard print scarves. If animal prints are too daring for your look, try mixing stripes with other patterns for a more subdued style.

Try neons! Invest in a few pieces of an irresistible shade from 80’s glory days: electric pink, neon yellow, or flourescent tangerine. I love wearing these summery shades paired with a neutral sweater to ground the outfit perfectly between winter and spring.

My favorite thing about fashion lately is the total accessibility of it.  Big name brands are no longer necessary to look your best – thanks to the arrival of stores with huge selections of the latest trends at low prices (ahem, H&M and Forever 21).  And with fashion bloggers snapping street style photos and posting do-it-yourself ideas, we no longer need to dream and drool over the impervious runway photos in Vogue.

spring ideas: Old Navy pants, L.L. Bean top, J.Crew sweater, Dorothy Perkins boots, Sete di Jaipur scarf, Michael Kors watch, Asos bangle, H&M cuff.

Related posts:

1. Step into Spring
2. Fall Fashion 2010
3. Spring break training trips scheduled

Mount Holyoke declared the year 2011-2012 The Year of Wendy Wasserstein, and throughout it the College will celebrate her life and legacy through a series of events. This Thursday night’s talk featured a panel of speakers including Christopher Durang, Marsha Norman and Suzan-Lori Parks ’85. Each playwright knew Wasserstein and together they shed more light on her widely acclaimed plays, the influence she had on the play writing industry and the writing industry itself.

After graduating from Mount Holyoke, Wasserstein went on to the Yale School of Drama; it was while she was here working on her play Uncommon Women and Others that she met Durang. In comparing his relationship with Wasserstein with other friends he said, “We exchanged family traumas [rather than stories,]” which speaks to the kind of friendship they had.

Opening up to people seemed to be a common trait Wasserstein possessed. While discussing ways she differed from other writers Norman said, “There was a part of Wendy that was in her to share with you whatever she could, and that’s what most writers are not willing to do.”

Norman and Wasserstein met at the Dramatists Guild and really contributed to the talk by revealing a lesser known detail of alum’s life. The story goes that theaters were essentially paying the writers whatever amount they pleased, so the Guild proposed a plan to make the theaters pay uniformly. The agreement was not unanimous, so it was up to writers to individually stand up to theaters-  Wasserstein did and lost nine productions that year.

“It’s Wendy who’s responsible for the fair treatment of young writers,” Norman said, to which the crowd (at least a third of which consisted of proud Mount Holyoke women) responded with echoing applause. She describes that act as a piece of activism, generosity and courage.

Parks also expressed that although she feels that Wasserstein’s Mount Holyoke (as seen in Uncommon Women) was different from the Mount Holyoke of her time, she enjoyed the common thread between the two classes. She admires that Wasserstein could, “write so brilliantly about what we who don’t know her would take as her personal experience.”

On a more personal note, Wasserstein’s life also had its low moments which included pressure form her mother to get married and lose weight. “In her twenties I really feel that she was charming and funny…but I also felt she was incredibly vulnerable,” said Durang. He quoted her as saying, “I feel like I’m a car in a bumper ride, but I don’t have any bumpers.” However, Durang is under the impression that she got better at “protecting herself” as she grew older.

At this point, Norman stressed the importance for new writers to have a group of friends who support them. She also states that it would benefit writers to have a champion, preferably a director who will recommend your work at shows and try to push you to the front.

In all, it was a very enlightening night; a great opportunity to hear of and be inspired by the true story of one more MoHo who has gone out there and shown us that it can be done, no matter the obstacles.

So here’s to Wendy Wasserstein, an uncommon woman.

Related posts:

1. Uncommon Women returns to Mount Holyoke
2. Staged Reading of “Uncommon Women” Celebrates Wendy Wasserstein’s Life
3. Acclaimed Alumna Passes Away

Yes, I was excited about the enriching classroom experience with stellar professors, and the staggering architectural and environmental beauty Mount Holyoke has to offer. I was teeming with joy over the anticipated intellectual conversations to be had, and the crisp smell of new textbooks.

But mostly (sadly), I had fashion on the brain.

I relished the idea of shedding of my daily slacks, flats and cotton sweaters in favor of ripped jeans, badass boots and slouchy sweatshirts. Gone would be the days of dressing business casual – come September, I could wear what I wanted.

And here is where my inspiration for fashion blogging lies: in the eclectic, fashionable and always interesting apparel of the Mount Holyoke student body. Inspired by a wide variety of preppy, punk, classic, sporty and international attire. Whether you’re wearing Tory Burch flats and a Longchamp, or Mount Holyoke sweats and duck boots, your style makes a statement and adds to the diversity of our school.

Part of me felt sheepish jotting down that I wanted to write about fashion for The Mount Holyoke News; shouldn’t I be musing over conflicts in the Middle East, or the statistics of the current presidential campaign? Princeton University English professor Elaine Showalter felt similarly when she said in a 1997 issue of Vogue, “My passion for fashion can sometimes seem a shameful secret life.”

I say: shame is for the birds. A stylish woman once told me that dressing yourself is not about vanity, but about self-acceptance. This rings true for the women of Mount Holyoke – proud to wear what they like – and they wear it well!

What to expect…

Ogling the best dressed: As a self-proclaimed professional people-watcher, I intend to continue what I’ve always done; only this time, I’ll be donning a camera and posting on The Mount Holyoke News website.  Stay tuned for glimpses of your fellow Moho’s wearing their weekly best.

Trends:  Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re always lurking…what’s hot now – on our campus and everywhere else.

Tricks of the trade: the best shopping deals found on this side of the Connecticut River (and beyond) – How being both chic and a poor college student are not mutually exclusive.

Next week:  Spring Transitions – what we wear when the weather wavers.

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2. Your all-access boots guide
3. Recession chic: Finding the fashion in the financial crisis

geek-news.mtv.com

Ahhhha. Get it? Because he’s rescheduled so many times, it’s a joke now. (Chuckle chuckle) Oh Chris, you slay me! But if he had been serious, I would have aped out on him. Good thing he wasn’t.

The night began with stand-ups by Matt Mira, Jonah Ray, and Christ Hardwick, all of whom are hosts on the Nerdist. Unfortunately, I could not stay for the whole show, which would have included a round table chat with all three of them, but from what I saw, I was thoroughly pleased with. (Meanwhile for those of you who are 21 and over, adding alcohol to the mix makes everything better, just ask Jonah. He was swigging whiskey).

The stand ups were full of nerdy allusions to Iron Chef, cruel jokes about unloved girlfriends, puns like inseminary school, and general tomfoolery. How could I not be satisfied?

Also, all of them are pretty easy on the eyes. Especially you, Matt- Greta doesn’t deserve you.

Anyway, good job Nerdist, you have inspired fandom. I am now a subscriber to your podcast, and a follower on Twitter. I will also be looking to attend your future live shows… but from your track record, I won’t expect a timely commitment.

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Robyn Von Swank

Apparently, he’s pretty famous…at least famous enough to be listed under the Staff Favorites at the iTunes Store. I’ve always been more of a HowStuffWorks.com-Stuff-Mom-Never-Told-You-kind-of listener, but unfortunately, MomStuff isn’t on this fall’s line-up. In any case, I thoroughly enjoy podcasts, and if the iTunes Staff recommends him, I gotta check him out.

Chris Hardwick is the host of The Nerdist Podcast, a somewhat explicit weekly interview show about “nerd-ness.” The Nerdist has interviewed guests ranging from Adam Savage to Zooey Deschanel to the Muppets. From the podcasts I have listened to, this dude’s very capable of tickling your funny bone. The opening music sounds like a throwback Mario Brothers video game, and the general meat of the show is sprinkled with witty vulgarities that will surely endear you; it certainly did for me.

The live show was originally set for Sep. 22, but was rescheduled to Nov. 8. Then, it was rescheduled again to Nov. 30. Third time better be the charm. In the Nerdist Podcast #138: Fire Pit, Hardwick apologizes profusely for this and expresses his deepest remorse. Well Chris, apology not accepted. How could you keep your fans waiting? Don’t think you can woo me with your quirky remarks. This Nov. 30 live show at the Iron Horse better knock my socks off or this relationship is over.

For a review  on The Nerdist’s Northampton performance click here.

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2. Podcasts get geeky:
3. South American Steaks in The Valley

Inside the bakery:

FS’s purchased goodies (the trifecta of tea, chocolate mousse cake, and taro bun):

Chocolate Mousse Cake:
The mousse cake has a thin cake wrap-around (the spotted portion). Inside the top half is chocolate mousse, and the bottom half is chocolate cake.

The top is actually flecked with small pieces of the same dough as the bun, but since the pieces are small, when baked they become crispy. So the top part is nicely crunchy, which is common in most of Taipan’s buns.

The taro inside is lightly sweet and very obviously mashed taro instead of a sugary taro paste, which might have less taro.

FS can’t wait to go back to New York and sample more food.

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2. Cookies on Campus
3. Five College Food: Karma