Audio Arts and Acoustics Commons^™

A Line In The Sand Album Review, Robert N. Moore

Backstage Pass

On July 3rd, 2020, American Arson released their first full-length album. A Line In The Sand has a tight and powerful sound while still feeling raw and untamed, thanks to the help of high production standards. The lyrics somehow find a balance between bold, catchy, and beautiful. Their message mainly revolves around the current American socio-political sphere, challenging their listeners to seek compassion and unity instead of giving into apathy and ignorance.

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Ishmael Album Review, Robert N. Moore

Backstage Pass

This is an extensive review of the metal album Ishmael, written, performed, mixed, mastered, and released all by Jared Smith. The album combines religion, intricate guitar riffs, and metal to create an avant-garde piece of art.

Copyright And Copywrong, Noah Granard

Backstage Pass

This paper attempts to offer a critique of the music industry and modern copyright law via analysis/individual case study in order to provide suggestions for possible reform. Topics include: background information and commentary on the status of the public domain, why the current laws/statures hamper creativity, and what steps should be taken next to remedy these issues. In order to both promote new music, while also respecting the intellectual property of artists and groups with existing content, there must be genuine reform at the highest levels; copyright and music industry laws must stem from the basis of supporting artists and …

Producer Interview: Teak Underdue, Kris Jones

Backstage Pass

This interview is with three-time Grammy-nominated music producer Teak Underdue of Hallway Productions. He discusses his background and the path he has taken to become a well respected music creator and producer. The interviewee offers advice for aspiring producers on how to build their reputation and credits in the music industry.

Industry Profile: Tour Manager, Lisa Policaro, Elizabeth Shearrow

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Lisa Policaro is a Tour Manager from Long Island, New York with over 20 years of experience in the music business. She has worked in all areas of the industry from Interning for Columbia Records to working her way up to being Tour Manager. In this interview, Lisa talks with Elizabeth Shearrow (‘23) about how she got her start in the industry, what qualities students need to have to become a Tour Manager, and how COVID-19 has impacted her career.

Letter From The Editor-In-Chief, Keith Hatschek

Backstage Pass

Outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Keith Hatschek, relates what accomplishments the editors of the journal have achieved, as well as previewing the content from this issue.

Signal To Noise: Harmonic Temperaments And Patterns Of Interference, Dylan A. Marcheschi

Theses and Dissertations

An audio/visual exploration of historical tuning systems. Most contemporary Western audiences will seldom if ever encounter harmony outside of post-Renaissance tuning conventions. This presentation highlights some of those pre-orthodox harmonic relationships which existed throughout most of history. The corresponding paper documents correlates in recent advances of acoustic ecology.

A Feminist History Of The Roland Mc-505, Cameron Davis

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

A Feminist History of the Roland MC-505

Abstract

Roland’s MC 505 is a small portable music production instrument also known as agroovebox that functions as a programmable sixty-four note polyphonic synthesizer and drummachine with twenty-six interchangeable drum kits to use in various combinations. (1) The groovebox is equipped for both audio recording and live performance, both of which are analyzed in this research. The machine has many innovative elements that have carried over into modern music technology as well as some limitations that have since been left behind. This study acts as a historical evaluation of the growth and improvements …

"When I Wore A Younger Man's Clothes": The Nostalgia Topic In The Music Of Billy Joel, Kendall Waters

James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ)

My father and I often listened to Billy Joel together as I grew up, and I eventually formed nostalgic connections to Joel’s music. While music is well known as a conductor of nostalgia, this paper explores the idea that the nostalgia I feel while listening to specific songs in Joel’s catalog is not simply a result of the indexical connections I have built with these tracks. Rather, it is a result of a “nostalgia topic” in Joel’s work. This paper compares the soundtrack and select works from Joel’s catalog to reveal that there is no one gesture, melody, or harmonic …

Sound In Color, Amber Rhodes

Honors Scholars Collaborative Projects

“Sound in Color” is an interactive audio-visual experience designed to explore the relationship between sound, color, and emotions. Taking place on the Massey Concert Hall stage, the project is inspired by synesthesia and incorporates research on color psychology. Participants are invited to select an emotion and color. As the user hums into a microphone, they hear their emotions expressed through sound in their headphones and watch as the lights on stage respond to their vocal cues.

Fostering Music Performers In The 21st Century: A Contemporary Professional Perspective Toward A New Curricular Agenda For Graduate Study In Music, Andre Januario

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

What if the core curriculum for graduate students in music performance were designed to prepare students to succeed in the world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

This dissertation offers a hypothetical answer: a structured and systematic academic curricular framework for music graduate students of performance of concert music (especially those in terminal degrees, such as doctoral students), along with music instructors, professional music performers, school administrators, and college professors, seeking to prepare such students for achieving and maintaining a music career more in keeping with the current work environment, especially those skills demanded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the …

Devine Affliction : The Intersection Of Gender & Music Production, Louise Thompson

Postgraduate

There is a severe and persistent lack of female representation and participation in the field of popular music production. In the 61-year history of the Grammy awards no woman has ever been awarded Producer of the Year, and female nominees are rare. Until Linda Perry’s nomination in 2019, a female had not received a nomination in 15 years.

As a woman, a mother of daughters, a feminist, a songwriter, and a music producer, I feel compelled to provide an alternative inroad for women to be able to participate within the field of music production. As such, my graduate project work …

Quincy: A Documentary Review, Analy Cruz

Backstage Pass

This is a film review of the 2018 documentary film on the life and music of legendary producer, Quincy Jones.

Amy: A Film Review, Lucas Dehner

Backstage Pass

A review of the 2015 documentary film, Amy.

Tearing Down The Wall: An Analysis Of Pink Floyd’S 1979 Rock Opera, Darla Testino

Backstage Pass

No abstract provided.

Bohemian Rhapsody: A Film Review, Ailey Butler

Backstage Pass

This is a review of the 2018 Queen bio-pic, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster Film Review, Ceara J. Costa

Backstage Pass

This is a film review of the 2004 documentary, Some Kind of Monster, which provides an in-depth portrait of the heavy metal band, Metallica, during the making of their St. Anger album. It addresses issues of mental health, depression, group dynamics and the pressures that successful artists face in maintaining their internal and external relationships while still trying to create new music.

A 70'S Dream Queen: Carole King's Tapestry, Kortney Burton

Backstage Pass

The essay critiques the 1971 best-selling album, Tapestry, written and performed by Carole King.

Rock Of Ages Film Review, Sarah Werth

Backstage Pass

This is a critique of the 2012 musical film, Rock of Ages.

Re-Born On The Bayou: Creedence Clearwater Revival's Sophomore Album, Mike Camfield

Backstage Pass

This is a critique of the 1969 sophomore album, Bayou Country, by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Emmylou Harris’S Bold And Broken Pieces Of Sky, Jennifer Morrow

Backstage Pass

This article critically examines the 1975 album, "Pieces of Sky," from country artist Emmylou Harris, whose unique blend of strength and vulnerability shine through in an imperfect yet promising work of art. The piece explores how Pieces of Sky succeeded in reaching a mainstream audience through innovative musical stylings and emotionally authentic lyricism.

Me Too: The Effects Of Sexual Harassment And Assault In The Entertainment Industry, Cassandra M. Gaal

Backstage Pass

This paper gives insight to the growing issue of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry. The paper provides information on the impact technology and social media have on sexual harassment and how women in particular are viewed in the entertainment industry. The paper also discusses how different genres of music and other forms of entertainment had oversexualized women, and how movies and TV shows have created this idea that someone being romantic is someone who is aggressive and forceful towards their partner.

The Big Payback Book Analysis, Isaiah Smith

Backstage Pass

This paper is an analysis of the book, The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop.

The Next Frontier: Blockchain In The Music Industry, Manuel J. Manriquez Jr

Backstage Pass

This Research Paper takes a look at how Blockchain technology can potentially change the music industry as we know it!

Streaming Services Insist On Buying Out Composers’ Music Rights, Kendra Sananikone

Backstage Pass

No abstract provided.

From Penny Lane To Stranger Things: Technology’S Influence On Music Production, Sami Fong

Backstage Pass

No abstract provided.

Spotify Vs. Apple Music, Lexi Gerbino

Backstage Pass

A quick look at the differences of the two biggest music streaming services, Spotify and Apple Music.

Female Representation In U.S. Music Festivals, Kortney Burton

Backstage Pass

No abstract provided.

A Guide To 30 Northern California Venues: Excerpts, Nicole Wasnock

Backstage Pass

This is a sample of six venues from my senior project, A Guide to 30 Northern California Venues.

Interview With Sarah Jones, Music Industry Media Specialist, Jennifer Morrow

Backstage Pass

No abstract provided.