Every once in a while, I find myself getting frustrated. This is one of those whiles. It’s the beginning of a new semester and, like clockwork, I am a ball of stress. Multiple calls to the Financial Aid office and many instances of screaming at the...

Music is supposed to reflect creativity. Music—or art in general—is supposed to be a means of expression, a means of marking time. What could be the only thing that ruins the spirit of music? A snob. Now, I understand snobbery could be a byproduct...

Finals week is approaching. Bring on the stress. I would hit the gym to get those endorphins going but quite honestly, sleep seems more appealing. One thing that has always relaxed and motivated me in times of stress is music. However, it can’t be just...

I can’t listen to the Rolling Stones without thinking of my father. In fact, I can’t listen to Queen, The Beatles, The Eagles, Peter Frampton, Creedence Clearwater Revival or Sade without thinking of my father. And you know what? These memories, at...

On Thanksgiving, I will be curled up on my sofa, watching Elf and The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (me plus Ken Burns equals homies for life). I’ll be reading for fun and drinking coffee spiked with Bailey’s. I’ll be eating the leftovers...

Saturday afternoon, I loaded my car with weekend road trip essentials: blankets, my trombone and a case of beer (a gift for friends hosting me over the weekend). My first stop was The Metro, a venue near Wrigleyville in Chicago. About a week before, I...

Well-written autobiographies can be quite the intellectual journey. Readers gain knowledge and wisdom when the authors share personal experiences from different points in their lives. Autobiographies written by musicians have their own unique beauty....

Get down with your bad self, and get freaky in DeKalb this weekend. The third annual Freakalb festival will take start at 7 p.m. Thursday and continued at 7 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday at The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway. Tickets are $12 at...

Country artist Phil Vassar will perform at the Convocation Center Nov. 17, according to NIU Today. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m. DJ Waldo and DeKalb’s own Back Country Roads will be the opening acts. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m....

It was just another day of hanging out with my friend and her family, and her father—knowing I’m a music enthusiast—asked me, “Have you heard of this blog called The Greatest Song Parts of All Time?” Nope, not entire songs. Parts of songs. I...