+
KANSAN.COM
ARTS & CULTURE
A11
+
Former Paramore drummer's new band to play in KCMO
▶ SAVANNA SMITH
@SavSmith27
Zac Farro started his career at the age of 12, when he helped start the now-defunct band, Paramore. Two years later, he was touring around America with the band.
It wasn't until the Nashville, Tenn., native had spent the entirety of his teenage years on the road that he said he realized he needed to find himself. That revelation led him to spend a year in New Zealand.
"I was kind of growing up on the road," Farro said. "I needed a place to hit the restart button, if you will."
During his time in New Zealand, he said he realized he wanted to write his own
music, and continued to travel and write for himself. Now 26, he's returned with HalfNoise.
HalfNoise — Farro's new alternative indie pop project — will play at the Tank Room in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 2.
"For the most part [Half-Noise] – it’s kind of like my baby," Farro said.
While listed on iTunes as an alternative band, Farro described his music as "alternative indie pop music." He said HalfNoise's music is quite different from Paramore's. He grew up listening to indie pop, so that genre naturally came to him as inspiration as he started writing his own music.
Colleen Hand, a fan of the band and a freshman
from Wichita, said Half- Noise has a lot to offer.
"The music is kind of all about the beat, right?" Hand said. "For the everyday listener walking down the street needing something to listen to. That works. But if you're that person who really wants music to take you to another place and wants it to be thought-provoking and relaxing then he's a perfect artist to listen to."
Farro's most recent album, "Sudden Feeling," which was released in September, will be showcased at the show. He said the album has been heavily inspired by two legendary bands.
"The songwriting is inspired by the Beatles, and
the rhythms are inspired by the Talking Heads," Farro said.
Farro said his live show includes a lot of percussive and upbeat elements, making the show enjoyable for those who don't know the band.
"Also, even if you don't know HalfNoise's music,
I wrote this album to be upbeat so even if you can't sing along, even if they don't know the music, they can connect in some way," Farro said.
The concert will also feature Brother and Sleepwvlker. Tickets are $10 and available online at thetankroom.com.
- Edited by Christian Hardy
Contributed Photo Zac Farro, founder of HalfNoise. HalfNoise will play in Kansas City, Mo. on Nov. 2.
Contributed Photo
Hoedl: TV shows can encourage civic engagement
► ALYSSA HOEDL
@ahoedl
Politics don't usually get people excited about discussing their views; however, the television industry has seemingly tried to change that by producing more and more shows having to do with American politics.
Three TV shows that really delve into American politics are "The West Wing." "House of Cards" and "Scandal."
A still from "House of Cards," starring Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey.
Contributed Photo
knowledge people have about politics and get involved the better our political system works."
Now, not all of these shows are as factually accurate as others, but they all show the American people what theoretically could
happen within the confines of Washington, D.C., and they're a good way of driving political conversation.
"The West Wing" premiered in 1999 and ran until 2006. It followed fictional President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his two terms in the White House.
The show focused on the inner workings of the different staff members in the senior staff of the President and their struggles to get legislature to pass, and more.
While "The West Wing" tended to try to stay in the more realistic realm and
nave a lighter feel. "House of Cards" and "Scandal" both have a much darker tone.
The main focus of "House of Cards" is on power couple Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) and their quest to do whatever it takes to get ahead in Washington, D.C.
"Scandal," created by Shonda Rhimes, is very similar to "House of Cards" in the darker sense, however, its focus is on crisis management leader Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and her relationship with
the White House and other political leaders around Washington D.C.
The storylines in these shows may seem way too out-there, however, after watching this year's presidential election process play out, they seem a lot more realistic.
Political shows can help people who don't have much political knowledge get active and start to learn about what really is happening in our country. Even though politics usually don't feel as interesting or as exciting as what we see happen on screens, it's still important.
The more knowledge people have about politics and get involved, the better our political system works. If the best way to get people involved is to create fictional political shows that illustrate a crazy and intense Washington D.C., so be it.
- Edited by Christian Hardy
1