Entertainment: Multimedia Belt

September 11, 2009 - 7:14am
Review: Syracuse's indie rocker plays an intimate and energetic show at Castaways in Ithaca.

It felt like they never left, but no one was complaining about musical deja vu.

Lead singer Wes Miles called it their, "first show of their last tour of the first album" throughout the night, and Ra Ra Riot reminded fans and friends why they became nearly instant campus heroes at SU not long ago. 

By mlisson
June 16, 2009 - 4:07pm
Chuck’s Cafe is like an old sneaker—comfortable, familiar and a little smelly.

Grimy, crowded, sweaty, and loud…what is it about Chuck’s that keeps students coming back for more? It might be the cheap Friday night pitchers. It could be the opportunity to write your name in Sharpie on every surface in sight. Or, maybe, it’s just that Cheers-esqe feeling of togetherness you get after a night of drinking with your closest pals. And here, almost everybody does know your name.

By mlisson
June 5, 2009 - 1:49pm
Al's, a hip chilled out lounge with an indie music selection to match. Now there’s something that goes down easy.

Picture this: your dad’s favorite armchair meets funky New York swank.  It’s that unique hybrid that puts Al’s Wine & Whiskey at the top of our list.  If you’re not feeling up for the crowded Beerfest at Chuck’s or the underage dance party at Maggie’s, Al’s offers a refreshing change from the norm.  A hip chilled out lounge with an indie music selection to match.  Now there’s something that goes down easy.

May 1, 2009 - 10:34am
Student stand-up comedians struggle and succeed with an isolating art.

Syracuse University senior Matt Harris knows his roots as a stand-up comedian.

“I’m a big fan of George Carlin,” Harris said.  “I wish I could write like him, and I try, but nobody writes like Carlin.”

Harris is a leader of the Woo-Hoo Comedy Club at SU, and he’s been performing stand-up comedy since his sophomore year.  He said he got into stand up after a girl told him he was funny at a party.

“I was pretty bombed, and she was like, ‘You should try stand-up,'” Harris said.  “I thought, ‘Hey, why not?’”

Sophomore...

April 28, 2009 - 3:59pm
The Icon and The Axe bring some "Propaganda" to Aux Records

Aux Records' fifth anniversary show was more than just a party - it was a release show for  the debut album for local band The Icon and The Axe. "Propaganda" is the result of more than a year of hard work for the band, and the show is a sort of homecoming. 

The album has been in the works for 14 months, and both Ulf Oesterle, manager and owner of Aux Records, and the band members said they were excited to see the release.

April 23, 2009 - 3:23pm
Syracuse band Sophistafunk is creating a new sound by combining funk and hip-hop.

Adam Gold learned as a Syracuse University student that the city has historically been a test-market for musicians.  If a band could make it in this wintry town, then it could make it in any city. 

“It’s interesting that we happen to be in a specific market that was literally a test market for the past 40 years,” said Gold, 25.

Keyboardist Gold, lyricist Jack Brown, 23, and drummer Emanuel Washington, 25, make up the local Syracuse band Sophistafunk. The local band has grown in popularity throughout the Central New York region the past few years.

April 17, 2009 - 12:12pm
One of Washington, D.C.'s, best sommeliers is a hard-core metal enthusiast

As a sommelier at one of Washington, D.C.'s, top restaurants and a drummer in the instrumental metal band, Tone, Andy Myers is a study in contrasts.

During the day, Andy covers up his copious "metal" tattoos with a suit to serve Riesling and sauvignon blanc to D.C.'s upper echelon at City Zen restaurant.

At night, Andy sheds the suit and picks up the drumsticks when he joins his longstanding metal band. While the band is not a commercial success, Andy brings the same passion to his pastime as he does to his job.