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Turn It Up Maryland is devoted to the life expectancy of music. This site reports on Maryland music lovers from a younger generation that has the power to keep music alive. Rock on!

Nonlinear Story

For my nonlinear story, I will be showcasing my beat. I will have links to my audio story, feature story, slideshow, and two new stories. One new story will be about the first band I reported on called Vespertine Movement and the other will be about an audio production instructor at Towson University. The overall feeling of the homepage will be the importance of music, and its place in Baltimore.

Slideshow Ideas

I've drawn a blank on slideshow ideas. If anyone has any suggestions let me know.

My current idea most likely wouldn't work because it would be interviewing my dad. My dad wrote a song for Relay for Life. It is something very close to his heart since his wife's passing from cancer. He sent it to an artist from the band Crack the Sky and he put music to it. The song is now trying to make it to be used to benefit the Relay for Life nationally. It was inspired by a women he saw at the Relay last year.

It would make for a very sweet story. I am still looking for another idea. I would like to do more than just a band profile. If that was the case I would like a band with a story.

Ideas are most welcome :)

American Idol winner rocks TU

On April 3rd, the Towerlight published the article Cook heats up Paws. The American Idol from last season, David Cook hit the stage in Paws. He played to a packed house of all ages but mostly college students. He has increasing fame and yet played the small venue. It was the biggest show Paws has seen. The venue is allowed to hold 558 people and every single spot was used. According to the article, the show sold out in a week. Cook showed his gratitude before and after the show when he signed autographs and posed for pictures. The opening act was the artist Ryan Star. The crowd enjoyed his set. When Cook hit the stage the audience really got into it and when he finished they yelled for an encore. Rachel Del Balzo was one of his fans at the show. “My roommates and I all watched that season of ‘American Idol’ and we were all rooting for him from the start. I was excited that I got to see him in person," Del Balzo said. It was a night not to miss.

I did not see this concert, although I am a huge American Idol fan. He was one of my favorites in his season and I'm glad he won instead of David Archuleta. I agree that it says a lot about Cook to play a small and intimate venue. I think he really cares about his fans. The reporter did a great job getting audience reactions, however quotes from Cook himself would really add to the story. I would like to hear what he thought of his Towson experience. All and all it was a fun article to read.

Rock for the ages

The Paul Green School of Rock Music is breeding a younger generation of talented musicians. Students ages 8-18 can join and no experience is necessary. With individual lessons and supervised band rehearsals, the musicians are ready to perform real rock concerts at music venues in front of large audiences.

The Baltimore branch has performed music from bands such as Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles just to name a few. The students have hit the stage at the 8x10, Cancun Cantina, and soon will be seen at Lucky's Tavern at Power Plant Live.

To learn more about the nation's premier performance - based rock music program click here to listen to the School of Rock audio story.

Band of brothers

The Lake Effect hits the music scene

Elliot Glotfelty drinks tea from his Sheetz mug and meets his twin brother Darryl in a room to sing together before hitting the stage. Then, the band plays its set and when it comes to an end the crowd shouts, “One more! One more!” It doesn’t get any better than this for local musicians.

"I like seeing people have a good time when we're playing," Elliot said.

The band's excitement and energy created an atmosphere where everyone wanted to be on a Saturday night.

"I was surprised. Usually I'll go to a show and be less than impressed, but they were really good," Matt Webster, 21, said. "I'd like to see them again."

Elliot, lead vocalist and guitarist and Darryl, lead guitarist and vocalist, join older brother and bass guitarist Rob Glotfelty and drummer, David Valenta, creating The Lake Effect (TLE).

READ MORE

Audio Story

I have two ideas for the upcoming audio story.

1.) My first idea is an interview with a thirteen-year old musician in the Baltimore School of Rock. Much like the movie the members of S.O.R. range in age 8-17 and learn to play music and sing. They perform in real music venues. I could also interview an adult involved in running the school and record natural sounds as they practice.

2.) I interviewed an audio production teacher before and really liked what he had to say about music. I thought it would make for a great audio story. I could also interview his students and the listener could learn more about sound and the audio track in EMF.

Friday Night Live with Matt Nathanson

In the Towerlight article, 'Getting Higher' in Paws, Lauren Slavin reported on musican Matt Nathanson's performance in Paws on a Friday night.

The venue was packed with 500 fans, who might otherwise have fit better in the Towson Center. However, it wasn't available due to basketball season. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) sponsored the event and CAB programming chairs Medallada and Ryan Grasso worked together to book the more well known artist for Friday Night Live.

Danni Rosner was the last minute opener replacement for Erin McCarley, who was unable to make it. She received positive responses from the audience although she was lesser known.

Nathanson reflected on the college aged audience and was unsure of why he was so popular. The concert atmosphere in Paws was unlike that of most venues.

"I feel like college-aged kids are so wide open, that's when music is really effective, no matter if it's me or whomever [singing], you're wide open and ready to receive a soundtrack to your life," Slavin quoted Nathanson.

The student body showed great enthusiam for the Matt Nathanson concert.

My Opinion

I agree with this article. My two roommates attended the concert and one of them was quoted in the story. They described it just like Slavin reported. The concert generated big buzz around campus and provided a inexpensive and fun thing to do on a Friday night. Nathanson was the clutch source in this article and added important depth to the story. The only thing I can think that should have been included is any upcoming events that CAB will be organizing. It would serve good advertising for the group.

PHOTO BY: BLAKE SAVADOW IN THE TOWERLIGHT

Human Interest Story

My feature story centers around Chelsea Genser, 20. She is a true music lover. She grew up with her dad in a band, and has since worked on finding new artists, going to concerts, buying a guitar and is learning how to play. She is majoring in Electronic Media and Film with an audio track. The story will explain how much music can mean to someone and how it can effect your mood and impact your life.

My sources will be:
Chelsea Genser
Someone who knows Chelsea personally
Dominic Delauney, audio production instructor and band member

Multimedia feature story idea

For my next feature story, I would like to write a profile on the band The Lake Effect. The band was started by three brothers from a previous band called White Noise. They now have a new drummer and are working to make a name for themselves in the local scene. They are in the process of creating their first full length album and their next show is March 7 at College Park. After that they are set to play March 28 at Towson's Relay for Life.

All members are local. Two of the three brothers attend Towson University. I hope to report on their struggles so far, as well as, their successes and what they hope to accomplish in the future. I bet these boys from Accident, Maryland have a story.

PHOTO BY: BRIAN PRICE

Introducing Vespertine Movement

In this photo (from left to right)

John Kennelly-lead guitar and vocals, Owen McCusker-bass, Zach Wilson-drums, and Mike "Guzzi" Guzman-rhythm guitar and vocals

(Photography by: Patrick Smith)

The Baltimore bred, Vespertine Movement (VM) gains an even larger fan base playing at local venues.

Their loyal fan base began following them when they came together in 2007. The band is described in a variety of genres. From rock to blues to jazz to reggae, VM draws inspiration from classic jam bands and got their start doing just that.

"We went to St. Mary's and won a battle of the bands competition, and from there we started playing open mic nights at the 8x10," drummer Zach Wilson said.

All of the members attend college and still manage to practice, book shows, and make contacts. John Kennelly, lead guitarist and vocalist, and Zach Wilson, drummer, both attend Towson University. Owen, bassist, attends UMBC and Mike "Guzzi" Guzman, rhythm guitarist and vocalist, attends the University of Maryland.

VM will be playing with the New Age Outlaws, Brian Stewart, and Fiction 20 Down at the Recher Theater on March 13. Be sure to check it out!