NOTICE
Q&A// RECKLESS KELLY'S WILLY BRAUN
> Because we have questions, celebrities have answers.
Reckless Kelly is an Austin, Texas based country band with a rock vibe that sets them apart from other run of the mill country bands. Led by brothers, Cody and Willy Braun, the five-person band formed in 1996, and they have already put out nine albums. Their most recent album Good Luck and True Love came out this September.
All of the new songs are either written or co-written by lead singer Willy Braun. All of the new songs are about a range of subjects from being on the road ("Hit the Ground Running") to music in general ("New Moon Over Nashville") to heartbreak ("I Never liked St. Valentine"). The band strives to make each album better than the last, playing every instrument in each song to create the live sound of five musicians jamming to their music. Jayplay talked to frontman Willy Braun to get students excited about their upcoming concert at The Bottleneck on Nov. 1.
Q: How did you come up with the name of your band?
A: We named the band after an Australian outlaw back in the 1800s. He was really poor so he robbed banks. We just thought it was a really cool name.
Q: How would you describe your newest album Good Luck and True Love? How is it different from past albums?
A: It's a classic record with killer sound. It's kind of a combination of country and rock. Everything on the album is all played by the band
because we didn't have anyone else play on it. It's what we sound like live, and it is different from our last album. Our last one (Somewhere in Time) was a tribute to one of our heroes and a great songwriter, Pinto Bennet. This new album is all original songs.
Q: How long have you been singing?
1. How long have you been singing?
2. Pretty much my whole life. My dad is a musician and my brothers and I grew up playing in his band when we were kids. So pretty much for 30 years.
Q: Where is the strangest place you have ever written lyrics?
A: I don't know if this is strange, but one of the coolest places I have ever written is on this cliff in California overlooking the ocean. When I write, I like to take trips and just go somewhere for three or four days, turn my phone off, and go camping in the woods.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of being a musician?
A. Oh I think it's the traveling all over the place, and seeing a lot of stuff. You get to meet people, see a lot of cool places and do a lot of things that not very many other people get to do.
Q: What is the most challenging part of being a musician?
A: Keeping everyone on the road happy. Some of the guys have wives or girlfriends, and it is hard being away from home so much. That is definitely the most challenging part.
Q. What song would you say is the soundtrack to your life?
A: Probably the song on our newest album "Hit the Ground Running". It is about being on the road and if you listen to it, you can see that it is pretty autobiographical.
Q: If you were given a day to have any other career, what would it be?
A: I would be a carpenter. My grandpa was a carpenter, and I grew up helping him with projects. He taught me how to build so many things. It's probably one of the only other things I am qualified to do.
Q: Have you ever been to Lawrence?
A: Yeah, we have played at The Bottleneck a few times over the years. It is a nice little town with good bars and bookstores. We have a really good time.
Q: What advice do you have for college students aspiring to be musicians?
Do it for two weeks and then quit. That's a joke, but it is tough. There are so many ways to get into it, but the only good advice I have is practice, do your homework, and make sure you listen to the old stuff before you go out and start playing gigs. Listening to the old stuff is important.
NADIA IMAFIDON
Contributed Photo
Contributed Photo
Reckless Determination: The boys of Pretty Reckless will play the Bottleneck on Nov. 1. (From left to right: Willy Braun, Cody Braun, Chris Schelske, David Abeyta and Jay Nazz)
UAVID SCOTT
dmscott@kansan.com
The White House announced Tuesday that the administration will take steps to increase college affordability by making it easier to manage student loan debt.
Obama's proposal will allow more than 1.5 million students to take advantage of the cap and six million students the ability to consolidate their loans in 2012.
Through an executive order, President Obama will move forward with his "Pay as You Earn" proposal that will help reduce monthly student loan payments. By 2014, borrowers will be able cap their payments at 10 percent of their discretionary funds and consolidate their loans, which will reduce interest rates.
"It's unfortunate that financial setbacks can prevent students from pursuing their true dreams," Iler said. "They have to get a job that they know will help them pay back their loans."
Jill Jess, director for news and media at KU University Relations.
Molly Iler, a senior in English from Summit, N.J., is a bit skeptical about the feasibility of the idea. She wonders if the program can keep interest rates down while borrowers pay less. But she holds out hope that the president's proposal will help fellow students.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH AND PLANNING
said capping the monthly payment allows former students in repayment to better manage their finances if they are in low-income
positions. The consolidation of the Direct Loan program and
"In a global economy, putting a college education within reach for every American has never been more important," President Obama said at the plan's announcement in Denver. "But it's also never been more expensive."
necessarily.
SEE LOANS ON PAGE 3
"We are hopefully preventing missing classes," said Ken Sarber, public health educator for the University.
The flu shot also assists with students' education.
Students have the option of immunization through a shot or nasal mist, which cost $15 and $20, respectively. Jacque Bagwell, a nurse giving vaccines for the clinic, sees the benefit of her work.
"It's important for your health and the health of those around you." Bagwell said.
The vaccination via shot consists of three inactive, non-live flu viruses that are expected to be most common this flu season out of the 200 flu strains in circulation. The flus mist consists
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students, said Wenger. "I enjoy getting to interact with patients and becoming more comfortable with the process."
Wenger even considers opening his own flu clinic someday after he graduates. While there are concerns that immunizations might eventually be ineffective because of their widespread use, Wenger's confident that the vaccines will continue to help flu prevention without any long-term consequences.
As for Bissell's unexpected flu vaccination, she feels positive about her experience.
"I would highly suggest it. It's a really fast process," said Bissell. "I was in and out within five minutes between my classes."
CLASSIFIEDS 9
CROSSWORD 4
Edited by Sarah Champ
CRYPTOQUIPS 4
OPINION 5
SPORTS 10
SUDOKU 4
MI contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2011 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget
Have fun and stay safe over the Halloween weekend.
Today's Weather
HI: 60
LO: 29
42
Forcasts done by University students. For a more detailed forecast, see page 2A.
Sunny day and a chilly night
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