Volume 124 Issue 78
kansan.com
Thursday, January 19, 2012
TAYLOR BLASTS FANS ON TWITTER
PAGE 7
COMMENTARY
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ENTERTAINMENT
Q&A with Kansas' own Chris Allen
//Rachel Schultz
Chris Allen is a KU alumnus from Shawnee Mission, Kansas. He entered KU as a theatre and film major, thinking he wanted to act but soon realized that that wasn't his true passion. Chris graduated in 2006 as a history major and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his love of music shortly after graduation. His album "Candour" came out in June 2011 and is available on iTunes, which include songs "Lawrence Night" and "Set Me Free KC."
What do you love or miss about Lawrence? Oh my gosh. Literally everything. I was just there for the last KU home game and just driving through the campus—there's nothing like it anywhere else. From the Midwest to the west coast, anywhere. The students, people, the whole look and excitement of the town, having a sports team that's doing well, it's an oasis in the Midwest.
What was the craziest or the most fun thing?
you did in college?
I think my 21st birthday was probably one of the crazier nights—that or I was in a band and each year played the Luau party at Phi Delt. We played a party at Sig Ep once, that was pretty crazy. And always going to the Wheel. One night when it was raining, we went to the Wheel and had a mud fight in front of the Hawk, and tried to hug everyone who worked there that night as they came out. Or the microburst no power, no pants party at the house where we lived. Ah Hell, they were equal.
When did you know you wanted to be a musician?
I think it's something I always liked. I don't think I ever knew until senior year—after Rock Chalk Revue and writing some of the songs. Winning the best original song might have been the reason I moved here but I've been singing and writing forever. I think it was gradual, knowing when I wanted to be a musician. The bug hit me early when I saw [a friend] play, but I think I made a concerted effort to try at it while at KU, especially senior year, when "Lawrence Night" came about. I did what I had to do to pursue it.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Oh man, you could name a letter of the
alphabet and I could name one. I say there's three: Pink Floyd, especially David Gilmore, Jeff Buckley was my big, huge '90s influence, and Led Zepplin. But everything I've heard has influenced my writing, classical, country, really anything.
What's your favorite song right now?
My brother and I were just talking about this.
The Shins have a new song called "Simple Song" that can't stop playing. Their album is being released around March Madness. I usually don't play songs over and over and this one I just can't stop.
What's your favorite song of all time? Comfortably Numb. NO wait, it's actually Ramble On—by Led Zeppelin. For sure.
How did you get your start in LA?
Man, it was tripping into it, I think. I wanted to be in the industry but I didn't know if I wanted to be on the label side or into writing and producing. I found out I didn't want to do business and took class in Pro Tools engineering, the software they use in the studio. I met guy who ran a studio and needed a kid who knew computers to run in the studio. It was really lucky. He brought me in and I ended up taking over and now, I run the place with another guy. I don't know if it's fate or what, but it works out. It's a struggle but you do what you have to do.
How would you describe your music and your album Candour?
A new, classic rock sound. It's all over the map; it has alternative feel, singer-songwriter from the '70s with a little blues and rock. So, a new classic rock. I try to make it as true and believable as I can. I don't want to go do American Idol or anything like that. It's natural, I write what comes out. It's real.
What do you love about your career?
Oh man. Exploring myself and finding out this creative side that I never understood. It's always growing. I never know the next song or studio project that comes in. In producing other bands I've developed leadership that I never knew was there. The self discovery and grow is continuous.
Any other hobbies outside of playing music?
Basketball. Definitely, it's funny, I moved out here and didn't know anybody. Then I finally met, like, 20 KU people. Everybody out here from KU is in film, but I'm the only one in music. We started a basketball league, but we were awful. All the other teams had bigger guys. But last year went got to the championship; I was starting point guard. It's starting up again in a few weeks, actually.
What advice do you have for college students?
I'd say trust your instincts. And the one thing I've always lacked is assertiveness and putting yourself out there—don't be afraid to do that. Be willing to not be afraid of the word "no." I could take that advice a little more. Be confident.
Anything else you'd like to say?
Let's get Tyshawn to be confident with the ball.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
ONE OF THE JAYHAWKS: CHRIS ALLEN MOVED TO L.A. TO PURSUE HIS MUSIC CAREER AFTER FIRST COMPLETING HIS DEGREE AT KU
Seasoned coach to coordinate Jayhawk defense
NFL and learning pro-style scheme in college makes the transition easier.
College football teams filled with highly talented and skilled players with pro prospects usually make frequent trips to bowl games. Kansas has never had that consistency because it has lacked players with pro prospects. Football recruits are eager to play for schools that pride themselves in football because they don't want to be in the shadow of basketball players.
However, with Weis at the helm, Kansas football is now on the radar. The program may not have immediate success, but recruits and transfers will now consider Kansas because Weis knows how to develop players into NFL prospects.
A new vibe is surrounding Kansas football. This has arguably been the biggest offseason in Kansas football history, and fans are excited for the Weis era to commence. The college football community can now pay heed to Kansas Jayhaws football.
Edited by Pat Strathman
ETHAN PADWAY
epadway@kansan.com
twitter.com/UDK_B12Fbail
It took Kansas football coach Charlie Weis over a month, but after hiring Dave Campo, he now has the coach in charge of turning around the unit that finished last in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total yards allowed and scoring defense.
"I was looking for a concept and once I saw somebody I knew and that I could trust, that fit that concept." Weis said. "I knew it would be right."
Campo comes to the Jayhawks after spending the previous 23 seasons at the professional level, including the last four as the secondary coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Weis convinced Campo
4
to return to the college ranks instead of taking an upper level organizational role under Cowboys' owner and General Manager lerry lones.
him to be involved in the organization in some capacity, which he had the opportunity to do that," Weis said. "So I said, 'Dave, you don't want to do that.' You
"I knew that Jerry would want
Campo
to do that. Your
not ready to do that.' He said,
'You're right, I'm not ready to be done coaching yet."
This is the second time Campo has left the Cowboys organization. The first time came after he was fired after three seasons as
Campo initially joined the Cowboys as the secondary coach in 1989, following Jimmy Johnson from the Miami Hurricanes, where they were the 1987 National Champions.
coach following in 2002.
In his time with the Cowboys, Campo won three Super Bowls and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1995 before his unsuccessful tenure as head coach. Campo spent stints on the coaching staffs of the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars before returning to the Cowboys in 2008.
NOTABLE PLAYERS UNDER CAMPO
DEION SANDERS: 4-time pro-bowl selection under Campo. 4-time all-pro selection under Campo.
BENNIE BLADES: 1987 Jim Thorpe award winner as nation's top defensive back under Campo. College Football Hall of Fame member.
DARREN WOODSON: 4-time all-pro selection, 5-time pro-bowl selection under Campo. Campo converted Woodson from linebacker to safety in the NFL.
TERENCE NEWMAN: 2009 pro-bowl selection under Campo. Recorded his best statistical season in 2010 with 77 tackles and 5 interceptions in 2010, both career highs.
RASHEAN MATRIS: Had his best season under Campo in 2006 when he was named to the all-pro team, selected to the pro-bowl, tied for third in the NFL with eight interceptions.
"I wanted somebody that speaks the same language as me," Weis said. "He certainly speaks the same language as me. He's significantly older than me, obviously. We speak the same language, we've known each other
for a long time, we have a mutual respect."
In addition to his duties as defensive coordinator, Campo will also be in charge of the defensive secondary, where he
will try and improve a unit that finished the season ranked 110th in the nation in pass defense.
Edited by Amanda Gage