ON Now: The College Issue (Sept 14)

September 2014 one nation nowThe college issue

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR ATLANTA TRIP

MUSIC MIDTOWN!

HE’S COMING TO GIVE YOU THE UR EXPERIENCE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWUSHER

HOW TO MIX CONCERTS WITH CLASSES

THE COLLEGE ISSUE

PLUS: BUDWEISER MADE IN AMERICA

DRAKE VS. LIL WAYNE

BACKSTAGE WITH LADY GAGA

You ready to study up on Usher (Dance), Music Midtown (History), Atlanta’s hottest spots (Geography) and Miley Cyrus’ role in shaping culture (Sociology)?

There is much to learn and many music memories to be made this Fall.

Just because school is IN doesn’t mean concerts are OUT. In fact, it’s pretty important to maintain a balance between extracurricular activities and academia. Scientific studies have been done! Somewhere. We think.

Until next time, do like Iggy Azalea and stay on your grind.

Signed,

WELCOME TO OUR COLLEGE ISSUE!

© CATRINA MAXWELL

STAGE’DTOP COLLEGE

TOWNS FOR MUSICPG. 5

SPOTLIGHT ONUSHER PG. 7

FEST OBSESSEDMUSIC MIDTOWN

PG. 17

HOT SHOTS BUDWEISER

MADE IN AMERICAPG. 21

HOT SHOTSDRAKE VS LIL WAYNE

PG. 29

WHILE YOU’RE THERE...

ATLANTAPG. 39

THE LISTMUSIC

APPRECIATION PG. 47

GAME ONPOPOLOGY

PG. 49

© KAYLA MERRILL, ONE NATION

8 best college towns for concert-goers

School’s In, Rock Out!

LOS ANGELES With colleges like USC and UCLA sharing a hometown with the epicenter of the music industry, you can easily find a great show to go to any night of the week. UCLA’s campus is minutes from the historic Sunset Strip while USC is just down the block from the Staples Center. Plus, these colleges rock: UCLA’s music program developed the talents of Sara Bareilles, Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and two members of Maroon 5 while USC’s Concert Committee hosts annual events that brings in artists like Diplo, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Childish Gambino.

NASHVILLEWell of COURSE the nation’s capitol for country music made our list. Students can head to Music Row and step into the heart of the city’s entertainment industry, as its home to record labels, radio stations, recording studios and tons of other businesses that make the music world go round. Want to get involved yourself? Belmont University offers both undergrad and graduate programs specifically for Music Business. Plus, Vanderbilt University yearly Rites of Spring Music Festival hosts major artists like 2 Chainz and Steve Aoki.

BOSTONCounting Brighton Music Hall and Bank of America Pavilion amongst their top tier venues, Boston attracts a diverse roster of artists you can catch after class. For the musically inclined student, Boston is home to Berklee College of Music, whose notable alumni have collectively won over 200 Grammys and include members of Imagine Dragons, Aerosmith and the Dixie Chicks. Down the road at Northeastern University, the Council for University Programs brings musicians like X Ambassadors right to campus for their “Coffee & Conversation” series.

STAGE’D

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© ALISON WOTTON

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NEW YORKYou may not get the traditional college experience when your campus is in the middle of the Big Apple, but schools like NYU and FIT are neighbors with some of the best venues in the world. Students can take in a show at the often sold out Madison Square Garden or head to Irving Plaza to check out bands on the rise.

AUSTINA city that hosts South by SouthWest Music Conference every year and has a motto like “Keep Austin Weird” is bound to have a burgeoning music scene. When students aren’t spending spring break checking out panels and emerging artists at SXSW, they have Fun, Fun, Fun, Fest and Austin City Limits to keep things weird throughout the year.

CHARLOTTESVILLEHome to the University of Virginia, one of U.S. News’ top 25 colleges in the nation, Charlottesville also has a booming music scene. Not only is the city the birthplace of the Dave Mathews Band and Parachute but also home of Red Light Management (Luke Bryan, Interpol, Tim McGraw).

PHILADELPHIAFor students in Philly, back to school activities could include the usual: move in day, signing up for new classes, meeting your R.A. Or it could be dancing around to live music at Budweiser’s Made In America Festival. Need we say more? Along with a hip hop scene that produced artists like Asher Roth (who we hear loves college) and Meek Mill, Philly’s University of Pennsylvania hosts Spring Fling which has brought artists like Lupe Fiasco and David Guetta to campus.

CHICAGOBetween the UIC campus located in Chicago’s near-west side and Loyala’s campus location on the north-side, there’s plenty of sounds to hear and discover in the Windy City. You can cozy up at a local bar near a campus and watch an emerging singer/songwriter perform or you can head over to classic venues like The Aragon Ballroom and The Vic to see your favorite band take the stage.

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SPOTLIGHT ON

Want a night to remember? Usher plans to give it to you in our exclusive interview.

LIVE NATION: The tour title is The UR Experience World Tour. Can you describe what the experience will be like for fans?

USHER: Hopefully each night will offer a one-of-a-kind

experience that will never be repeated and hopefully remain in

their minds until the next city, if they decide to come and then

see the difference—or at least for that moment until I tour again in

that country, town, city or state.

LN: How do you feel you’ve evolved as a live performer—from Evolution 8701 and Truth Tour to OMG Tour to now?

U: Musically expanding based off of different genres while

growing more comfortable in this space. I feel more comfortable

on stage than I do anywhere. But now, being able to pick up

instruments and show a different texture. It does come as a

result of going to more festivals where it’s not as much about

production, but more about the live experience. The spontaneity

is obviously something that’ll be different in this tour.

There may be songs that may seem familiar because you

know the melody, but with an opportunity to change

things up—speed things up, give ‘em a different texture,

slow things down—so that you’re slowly introduced to a

record as opposed to just playing your hit.

LN: Do you have a pre-stage routine?

U: Sure. I warm up, I work out a little bit. I’m still extremely

active on stage, I won’t just be sitting on stage playing

instruments because there are many sides to who I am as an

artist. It’s going to be different.

People never get a chance to see me relax. You always see

me perform, in performing mode, dancing and singing. But

a lot of these songs, there’s something deeper to them and

it’s not just the perception. It’s the emotion behind it, the

vocal ability. You know, I have to warm my voice up well

before I go out on stage to do what I need to do. So that

will probably be one of my most common rituals, warming

up and being prepared to go wherever I need to go.

LN: What’s your secret for connecting with fans during a live performance? Is there anything fans can do to really pump you up?

U: Yeah, be part of the show, sing, dance, feel the music and

enjoy yourself... sometimes it’s good to put the phone down,

You always see me perform, in performing mode, dancing and singing. But a lot of these songs, there’s something deeper to them...“ ”

”

be in the moment and enjoy

the show! [Laughs]

LN: What songs do you most look forward to performing live on this tour?

U: All of them. Because it’ll be

a new experience, as I said.

Sometimes I may be on an

instrument. Sometimes you

may get the song through

dance, you may get the song

through lighting, you may get

the song through a capella.

You never know what you’re

gonna get.

LN: You’ve become such an inspiration and mentor for younger aritsts. What advice do you have for new artists hitting the road for the first time?

U: Be your best. Live in the

moment. Be connected to the

audience because they’ll lead

you. And the one thing I tell

all artists: If you stay ready,

you ain’t gotta get ready.

That’s something that James

Brown told me that stuck with

me throughout my entire

career. So, practice does

make perfect.

LN: What has to happen before you can walk off the stage and think, “That was truly a killer show?”

U: That I know that I’ve given

my all and on that night I have

nothing left to give.

LN: You’ve said that traveling and experiencing different cultures are a source of inspiration. Are there any specific places that influenced the new album and the UR Experience Tour?

U: Every bit of where I’ve

been and every bit of who I

am is what you’re getting in

this experience.

I’d say from the beginning of

my career I’ve been evolving

musically because I wanted

to try different things and just

wanted to be mindful of all

the different cultures that I

respect. And as a result, it has

become the inspiration for the

integrity of people who have

set the precedence of what a

performer is.

That’s why I’m doing this.

That’s why I continue to stay

connected to it because

without a live experience,

music dies. Otherwise, it’s just

the flavor of the month, the

new hit record, whatever’s

relevant at the time. The thing

that makes the difference is

your live performance. That

makes the difference in who

you are as a performer and

how long you last in music.

Be connected to the audience because they’ll lead you.“ ”

FEST OBSESSED

MUSICMIDTOWN

Think: The live music scene,1969−what comes to mind?

We’re going to bet our flower crowns you thought of Woodstock. While the famed

counterculture festival got all the publicity (madness!), the ultra-efficient Atlanta

International Pop Festival actually took place a month earlier, featuring future

legends like Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Led Zeppelin. Flash

forward to 1994, when music promoters Peter Conlon and Alex Cooley founded

Music Midtown, keeping Atlanta’s rich festival history alive.

Music Midtown went on strong for 12 years until a hiatus 2006–2010, and returned

with a bang in 2011 with Coldplay and The Black Keys leading the charge. Since

then, the festival’s hosted acts ranging from Girl Talk to Jane’s Addiction and

Ludacris to the Red Hot Chili Peppers—Conlon’s personal favorite from last year.

Built on Atlanta’s music legacy

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Not as much as you might think. “Just $125 for two days to see this whole range of artists is a deal. Plus, it’s at Piedmont Park and it’s a lot fun,” Conlon said. The founder isn’t shy about how valuable his festival is. Perhaps a trip to Atlanta is in your near-future?

For the full lineup, tickets, VIP packages and more visit

Who’s on everyone’s mind for 2014 though?

“Eminem’s garnered a lot of excitement,” said Conlon, current President of Live Nation Atlanta. “He brings the festival to a whole different level and playing field.”

Throw in Jack White, Zac Brown Band, John Mayer, Lana Del Rey, Lorde and Iggy Azaleat, and this lineup stands out amongst its peers—which is exactly why 85,000 fans are expected for the two-day festival this September 19–20.

But with so many heavy-hitters it probably costs a fortune, right?

© KEVIN WINTER, GETTY IMAGES

MUSICMIDTOWN.COM

HOT SHOTS

BudweiserMade in America

BudweiserMade in America



© JEDD LOPEZ, ONE NATION









HOT SHOTS

© ROB GRABOWSKI, GETTY IMAGES

vs.drake

lil wayneIt’s student vs. teacher. The battle is on.

See pics from the showdown!


© ROB GRABOWSKI© ROB GRABOWSKI, GETTY IMAGES



© ROB GRABOWSK, GETTY IMAGES

Drake

© ROB GRABOWSK, GETTY IMAGES

Lil Wayne


© JEFF DALY, PICTUREGROUP© ROB GRABOWSKI, GETTY IMAGES

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WHILE YOU’RE THERE...ATLANTA

Welcome to

Atlanta

Your guide to getting

down in A-Town.

Welcome to

Atlanta

Food: FLIP BurgerWho doesn’t like a good burger joint? FLIP Burger takes

your ordinary and makes it extraordinary by creating a

modern, imaginative, chef-driven dining experience. Visit

FLIP your next time in town to chow down on some unique

burgers, sweet potato tots and mouth-watering milkshakes.

The Nutella + Burnt Marshmallow shake is what dreams are

Drink: SweetWater Brewing Co.If you want some literal local flavor, SweetWater Brewing

Co. is a unique offering that comes highly recommended

by the community. $10 will get you in the door with six

drink tickets and a souvenir pint glass. To reiterate: SIX

tastings for TEN bucks. And some brews are exclusive! So,

stay awhile. Hang on the outdoor deck or chat it up with the

super-knowledgeable bartenders.

Culture: ATL Starlight Drive-In TheaterIn some places, drive-ins are a mere entertainment relic. Not

so at the ATL Starlight Drive-In Theater in Atlanta! They have

the films you want when you want them, a concession stand,

great ticket prices ($8 for a double feature) and good vibes all

around. Hop in your car, cruise on over and spend your night

Shop: Criminal RecordsIf you’re in the ‘hood for Music Midtown, we gather you covet

priceless pieces for your music collection. If vinyl is your game,

you gotta get to this shop. They have a massive selection of

both used and new records, graphic novels, DVDs and toys. But

what their customers really rave about are the free in-store mini

concerts and meet & greets. More live music? Yes, please.

Nature: Georgia AquariumJellies! Otters! Whale sharks! Manta rays! And that’s just

a drop in the ocean of exhibits, tours and features to

explore at the Georgia Aquarium. You can get hands-on

with stingrays, sea urchins and lobsters. You can arrange

a behind-the-scenes facilities tour, barrage the staff with

questions about unicorn fish (they exist) or station yourself

Music wal l artAn alternative to the favorite band poster. Still makes a strong statement.

THE LIST

Music Appreciation

Bluetooth droplet speakerPerfect for reducing the awkwardness

of communal showers.

BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING? WE DID SOME HOMEWORK FOR YOU.

Tupac ringBring some old school to your new school.

W ho Shot Rock and Rol l phot o bo okSoak up some rock ’n’ roll

history on your study breaks.Beatles Abbey Road framed artHang it where all your friends ‘Come Together.’

Volcom “Rock ’N’ Rol l Stole My Soul ” f leeceDistressed jeans and canvas high-tops not included.

Mix tapes teeKeep it classic in

this printed tee.

Hola! Soprano ukuleleUnwind from test stress by strumming tunes on the uke. We suggest some Ingrid Michaelson or Jason Mraz.

“Team Knowles” Pop Ic on teeSchool spirit is cool and all, but this

jersey shows where your true loyalty

lies. Also comes in “Team Spears.”

Mobi le musical keyboardSave some room for your roomie and

leave all 88 keys at home.

© GETTY IMAGES

GAME ON

POPOLOGY

Sociology of Miley Cyrus The Music of Celine Dion

Math for Musicians PHysics for beatboxers

The textual appeal of tupac shakur The evolution of eminem

10 OF THESE POP STAR-INSPIRED COURSE TITLES ARE CLASSES YOU COULD ACTUALLY REGISTER FOR AT A COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Bob Dylan: The Lyrics in their literary cultural, and musical contexts

Kanye West: Addressing ego in popular music

The Music of John Lennon

Sociology of Hip Hop

Spirituality & Politics of U2 illuminati: Pop Music & The Occult

Trucks & Beers: Breaking Down Country Music

Movement & Kinesiology for guitarists

The Phenomenologyof Performance: DAvid Bowie

Politicizing Beyoncé Lady GAga & the sociology of fame

Swag: The Popularization of Language Through Icons


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ON Now: The College Issue (Sept 14)