Macey Rose - The Daily Lobo

Cutline clockwise from upper left album art from: James Blake’s “Assume Form,” Toro y Moi’s “Outer Peace,” Ariana Grande’s “7 rings” and Future’s “The Wizrd.”

Music

Big music releases set to drop this weekend

Shayla Cunico and Macey Rose | January 17

With a new year comes new music. Starting off a series of releases dropping this Friday, January 18, are projects put together by Toro y Moi, Future and James Blake. Ariana Grande also made her newest release Instagram official a week ago, with “7 Rings” album art that was very on brand for the artist. These new projects will lead us into a year of anticipated music and surprising releases to entertain the masses. Let’s take a closer look on what 2019 has to offer in the beginning of the new year.

Culture

The historic rise of Asian representation in 2018

Macey Rose | January 6

2018 proved to be a historic year for Asian representation in several different industries. For years the minimal representation portrayed on film for Asian-Americans capitalized on racial stereotypes for entertainment. However, the actors, directors and musicians signified the representation that many Asian-Americans have not seen much of, broke down those stereotypes by showcasing different Asian identities and cultures.

Culture

Grad Issue: Guinean student finds success at UNM

Macey Rose | December 10

One of the University of New Mexico’s fall 2018 graduates represents the non-traditional route to achieving a degree that many students take. Mamadou Sidibe moved to the United States when she was 20 years old from Guinea, a country in West Africa. After almost 10 years going after a bachelor’s degree, she has reached her goal of earning a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution. After graduating high school in Guinea in 2009, Sidibe attended a local university for two and a half years. In May of 2011, Sidibe made her way over to the U.S. Sidibe said that's when her whole life changed.

Culture

Navajo artist blends indigenous and queer identities

Macey Rose | December 5

This past Friday, the University of New Mexico Arts Research Technology Science (ARTS) Lab hosted an artist talk and performance event featuring Ryan Dennison. Guests were invited to complementary dishes as a piece of Dennison’s Navajo culture. They were seated in a dimly lit ambient atmosphere noted with subtle hues peeking through the ceiling. The Diné transdisciplinary artist hails from Tohatchi, New Mexico, and began his talk by introducing himself to the audience in Navajo. “Diné,” meaning “person” in Navajo, reviving the indigenous, Navajo way of life as a means to connect one back to their indigenous roots to keep the culture alive. Although admittedly not fluent in the language, Dennison explained through archives of pictures from his community work, artwork and even childhood memories, that he manages to keep in touch with his roots through a variety of artforms.

Poster courtesy of ASUNM Southwest Film Center.

Culture

SWFC to host Cherry Reel Film Festival

Macey Rose | November 30

This Saturday, the Southwest Film Center (SWFC) will host the 2018 Cherry Reel Film Festival in the Student Union Building. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests are welcomed to gather and enjoy "a film festival for student filmmakers, by student filmmakers.” The event is sponsored by Canon, and has a $5 entry fee which is cash only. Students presenting their work this year have the opportunity to win a new DSLR and lens that value over $2,500.

Collage includes international artists like BTS, Ibibio Sound Machine, J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

Music

The rising popularity of international music

Macey Rose | November 17

Within the past year, there has been a significant rise in music coming into America from a across the globe.. Similar to the well-known, “British Invasion” phenomenon in the 60s, music from different parts of Asia, Africa and Spanish speaking countries have showed themselves as a force to be reckoned with in terms of popularity among American listeners. In an age of globalization, media coming from all over the world is at our fingertips. As for music, streaming services like Spotify offer curated playlists such as, “Viva Latino,” “Afropop” and “Essential K-Pop,” to satisfy audiences with the popularity of global music. Spotify is available in over 60 countries, leaving listeners with a vast selection of music from around the world in the palm of our hand.

Music

Album Review: Joji discusses vulnerability on latest record

Macey Rose | October 28

What R&B singer Joji revealed in his first track, “Attention,” is incredibly telling of who he is as an artist — he pours out vulnerability through these lyrics acknowledging his more subtle emotions. “I thought I'd vocalize my troubles, but nobody will listen — I know I'm cryptic and I'm weird, that s*** comes off as indifferent.”

Culture

Artists panel discusses crossover of art and activism

Macey Rose | October 23

The power of art as a form of activism was discussed at the University of New Mexico’s Art Museum this past Thursday among a panel of three artists and guest presenters who came to give insight on the matter. The crowd of people took their seats in the upper base room of UNM’s Art Museum, with the essence of freedom pride in the midst. A glimpse of the “For Freedoms” interactive art exhibit acted as a backdrop for the three panelists, reflecting the discussion about to ensue that evening. Sheri Crider, a visual artist and owner of Sanitary Tortilla Factory was present, along with Daryl Lucero, an Isleta artist, educator, facilitator and food grower. Gabrielle Uballez was another panelist as well, and currently serves as the Minister of Collaboration and Activation for the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture.

Music

Album Review: Young the Giant blur genre lines on latest album

Macey Rose | October 15

Young the Giant, an indie-rock band based out of Irvine, C.A., released their fourth studio album, “Mirror Master,” on Oct. 12, 2018. The quintet has been egging on eager fans who have been tuned into the band’s instagram page for the album’s release since early June. Several tracks have been released since then, leading up to the official release of their new 12-track album. Starting up in 2004, the five bandmates Sameer Gadhia, Jacob Tilley, Eric Cannata, Payam Doostzadeh and Francois Comtois have come a long way from their former days as “The Jakes.” Although there are different members of the current band, the present quintet has been together for 10 years. It has been two years since the band’s last album, “Home of the Strange,” and eight years since their self-titled debut album back in 2010, which included three chart-topping singles of the alternative genre.

A lantern phoenix on display during the Dragon Lights Festival on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Culture

Chinese culture celebrated at Dragon Lights Festival

Macey Rose | October 7

Beginning Oct. 5, the Dragon Lights Festival, previously called the Chinese Lantern Festival, made its return to Expo New Mexico. Vibrant lantern displays were powered by more than 15,000 LED lights, accompanied with captivating performances and vendors. The festival was able to offer a piece of a China to our city. New Mexicans from all over the state gathered for opening night. As the sun was beginning to set the curtains of the main stage drew back, revealing the performances for a night of cultural radiance. Plate spinners, China jar juggling, contortion, face changing and other performances were all presented to the public to enlighten the community on the elements of Chinese culture. “We have a small, but vibrant and very important part of our city that is Chinese,” said Tim Keller, mayor of Albuquerque. “What a wonderful bridge to the Chinese people of Albuquerque that is the Dragon Lights Festival, which we are so happy to have in our city.”