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WKNCâs FAKING NEWS
Category: Miscellaneous
Random sh*t we don’t know where else to put
On October 18th, a film many had been anticipating for months finally made its way into American cinemas: The Lighthouse, the sophomore feature from director Robert Eggers. Released by indie powerhouse A24 and starring acting titans Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, the film is a brilliant, terrifying and beautifully shot descent into madness thatâs a true must-see for any lover of cinema. The gorgeous, black and white cinematography and the furious, no-holds barred performances from the two leads ensure that the film is already one of the best of the year, but thereâs one element that does the most work to catapult The Lighthouse into the pantheon of great American horror: the score.
Across horror cinema history weâve seen all genres of music set the tone for the events that unfold on screen. John Carpenterâs high energy synth compositions for films such as Halloween and The Thing are perhaps the most memorable, serving as inspiration for his numerous successors, including Disasterpeaceâs It Follows and Sinoia Cavesâ Beyond the Black Rainbow. Others such as Candyman and The Shining have used classical pieces to great effect, while the 90s over the top masterpieces Army of Darkness and Dead Alive achieve a perfect balance of terror and comedy with completely overblown, almost slapstick-esque orchestration.
Over the past few years, weâve seen much more experimentation in this field than ever before, and it seems to be really coming to a head in 2019. Scores of films like Us and Midsommar demand to be paid attention to: Us with its soaring choirs and sinister flips of classic rap songs, Midsommar with its paralyzing, string-laden ambience. Perhaps most uniquely impressive was how director Gaspar Noe soundtracked his supremely disturbing Climax, making French house the soundtrack for an LSD-induced psychotic freak out, and effectively ruining future listens of most Daft Punk songs. Even in a year with this many great scores, The Lighthouse stands out as the best so far.
Composed by Mark Korven, the music serves as the perfect compliment to the barnacle-covered, brine-soaked psychological breakdown the filmâs audience bears witness to. Korven had previously scored Eggersâ first feature The Witch, and the Canadian cult hit Cube. Raised in Winnipeg, Korven studied jazz and orchestration in Edmonton, and ended up specializing in various genres of world music throughout his life. Heâs been composing since the 1980s, and had been nominated for several awards in Canada, but he seemed a relative unknown to American ears until he met Eggers.
What Korven has done here is remarkable: heâs taken all presumptions of structure and melody and thrown them out the window, in favor of putting ear-shattering, soul-shaking soundscapes at the forefront. The score effortlessly evokes the feeling of a terrible nightmare in an unknown place, and like every good horror score, itâs unpredictable. The blaring, ever-present, obnoxiously loud foghorn from the film that repeats enough to drive you insane is absent from the soundtrack; Korven manages to almost completely eschew motif here, partly because thereâs rarely a distinguishable pitch or key in any track. In other words, it would be very hard to traditionally notate or transcribe the noises present here. Accomplished and fully realized through an assortment of instruments alien to American ears, The Lighthouseâs music is more avant-garde than the majority of films are willing to get, and because of that it only serves to make the film scarier. Perhaps not surprising that Korven was a key player in the creation of the Apprehension Engine, an instrument whose sole purpose is to generate extremely unsettling sounds.
In a way, The Lighthouse seems like the ultimate culmination of this new wave of experimental horror music. Gone are the cheap jump scare accompaniments to The Conjuring and Sinister that defined the earlier part of the decade, and gone is any notion that music in horror should be relegated to the background.
Listen to The Lighthouse score here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2BhIDZrVtzZ5v9xY6KblYJ
The Apprehension Engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzk-l8Gm0MY
-Jacob StuttsÂ
Music genres are expanding every single day. New horizons and soundscapes are available in a very organized, visually pleasing and mind blowing way on Every Noise at Once. On their website their algorithm exhibits about 1000 different music genres and sub-genres. Itâs super easy to fall into a rabbit hole here and discover good music especially because they offer Spotify playlists for most genres. Hereâs a few of my favorite lesser known genres and some artists.
Scandinavian Pop – Little Dragon, Cloud, Boom Clap Bachelors
Math Rock – Chinese Football, tricot
Deep Funk House – Homero Espinosa, way too many artists to count
Chill Hop – The Deli, CoryaYo, Jinsang
From everynoise.com
-cellar door xxx
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What is âIndie?â
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Iâve been a Daytime DJ at WKNC for over a year now and I still have the hardest time answering when people ask me, âWhat exactly is indieâ. Recently one of my co-workers asked me this and my mind went completely blank. So I decided I should probably think about that question.Â
The reason itâs so hard to define âindieâ is because it has so many subgenres and those subgenres can be ambiguous and sound a lot like other kinds of music. Whatâs the difference between indie rock and rock? What about folk indie and folk music? Is there a difference or is it just a title? Is there some stylistic differences between the two? How does something qualify as âindieâ? I mean I really donât know but I do play/ listen to a lot of indie music so I guess in some indescribable and undefinable way I do know what âindieâ music is.Â
As far as what I like to call âindieâ music I sometimes say that if it doesnât fit somewhere else it probably fits into indie and if the band is smaller itâs even more indie. But that doesnât apply to all cases so thatâs not even close to a good definition. Maybe indie is a style? I definitely see indie as a bit of a style, the album artwork and the way people in indie tend to dress can really be described as just weird enough and a little effortless looking.Â
Indie is one of those things that you can spend ages explaining and not making sense (much like this article) or you could just listen and look to identify it. Basically, what Iâm saying is the only real way to know what indie is to listen to the music and look at the style. So Iâve linked my ultimate indie playlist (itâs something Iâve been working on for ages and still work on regularly) so if youâre curious about this âindieâ thing be sure to check it out.Â
Playlist // https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4uhiwdTwdvRDzIgo6EXmWf?si=9hm6LUSvTOCr7o7UY4oN5g
– DJ Psych
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How Metal has Influenced Fashion
I have seen a lot of E-boys and goth girls on TikTok recently and I canât help but realize that they look so metal. But, some of them donât even listen to metal. This got me thinking, how has metal influenced fashion?
The heavy metal fashion derived from the biker, rocker, and leather subcultures. Heavy metal fashion includes elements such as leather jackets; combat boots, studded belts, hi-top shoes, blue or black jeans, camouflage pants, and denim jackets that are sometimes decorated with pins and patches. Various bands have also helped contribute to the metal fashion, primarily Judas Priest. The lead singer, Rob Halford wears leather costumes on stage, and the rest of the band followed suit. Bands such as Iron Maiden soon followed, also. The use of modern military clothing was put to use in the Thrash metal scene with bands such as Metallica, Destruction, and Megadeth. This style was also used in the punk-metal and anti-fashion as well.
Here recently, I have noticed that the metal fashion has been used in modern-day fashion. Now, I am not saying that the metal scene owns this fashion, but I will argue that it has influenced what we see, today. For example, I have seen individuals wearing chokers, chains, fishnets, studs, leather, and heavier, darker makeup around. I do appreciate the style and versatility people have put on these outfits to make it their own.
There have been some debates as to whether or not individuals should wear band shirts of a band that they donât know. As we can see in Pop Culture, celebrities have been spotted wearing band shirts (AC/DC, Slayer, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Nirvana, etc). Primarily the âbig nameâ bands. I have seen some artists (like Kanye West and Travis Scott) wear heavier band shirts such as Cattle Decapitation. For me, I do not mind if someone wears a band shirt that they donât know. I am not going to gatekeep and ask them to name off songs from the band. To me, it is publicity for the band.
What trips me up is how some people will look completely âmetal afâ but have no idea about the metal culture and where there style has derived from. How can someone look like a badass goth girl and listen to Taylor Swift? I donât know, but I love the fit!! Keep the âfits looking fresh!! I love it!!!
What has been your favorite fashion trend? For me, I love a good hoodie and denim jacket combo with a chain lock necklace. Total hardcore.
Stay Metal,
THE SAW
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Before I start this discussion I want to make it clear that Iâm not biased and have both headphones and earbuds, three of each actually, and Iâm not much of an audiophile either, just someone who likes talking music. The argument I have today is simple, both have pros and cons, but which one is better?
Letâs talk headphones. Headphones (like the ones above) are good for a more immersive experience and tend to drown out background noise better. I mean thereâs definitely no shortage of noise canceling headphones. For making music and DJing they are definitely preferred because they tend to have a more full sounds and are more comfortable for long periods of use. Cons? Well they tend to be more expensive, I mean the price range is all over for both but, when you really get into things, headphones are more worth spending the extra buck. But they also are less portable. If youâre not planning to wear them the whole time youâre out they do take up more space in bags and they arenât the best for hot weather because sweat really builds up, especially with larger headphones.Â
What about earbuds? Well⌠they definitely are preferred for working out and being portable. It is easier to find less expensive more quality ones too, they are good for hot weather and take up very little space in bags. But they also have a couple drawbacks. They donât have the same immersive experience and itâs harder to drown out background noise. And they also can get pretty uncomfortable after a while of wearing.
So where does this leave my point? Well, I use both for different things and I would have to say that headphones win with DJing, making music, studying in a loud place and sound experience. Earphones are my go to in the gym, on hot days, in quieter places, and when I need to travel with a lot of things. Which wins for you?
– DJ Psyched
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WKNCâs FAKING NEWS
Theme songs/anthems are important when identifying horror movie villains. Who can forget Michael Myers theme song, or the Jawsâ anthem? These songs place a crucial role in creeping out the viewer and notifying us that our favorite villain is about to hit the scene.
What if their theme songs were metal tracks? How cool would that be? Below is a list of slashers and what I think their theme songs would be if you were to change them to metal.
Freddy Krueger: Hypocrisy â Let The Knife Do The Talking
Freddyâs glove is a bunch of knives, and it is his tool of choice for killing. So, it is only reasonable that we let his knives do the talking (get it?). I can already imagine Freddy dancing to this song while killing his victims.
Leatherface: Cannibal Corpse â Kill or Become
This song fits Leatherface because the chorus goes, âFire up the chainsaw. Hack all their heads off.â Leatherface loves him some chainsaw, can you imagine seeing people screaming in terror with Leatherface running after them while this song plays? I think it is perfect.
Pennywise: Slipknot â The Heretic Anthem
This song has a lot going on in it and is very in your face and aggressive. Itâs a lot like IT right here. Pennywise is always in the face of his victims and is always trying to terrify them. Slipknot gives me the same feeling sometimes when I see them live, but that is okay. I can see Pennywise doing his little dance to this song now.
Michael Myers: Cannibal Corpse â F***ed with a Knife
Like Freddy, Michael loves him a good butcher knife and that is always his choice of killing. So, it is only reasonable to have a Cannibal Corpse song that involves a knife to be Michaelâs song. Just like Michaelâs killings, the song is short, simple, and sweet. (:
Jason Voorhees: Spite â Kill or be Killed
The story of Jason Voorhees is pretty sad, not gonna lie. Jason got bullied at Crystal Lake and ended up drowning in the lake. His mother killed the counselors who she thought were responsible for her sonâs death since they werenât looking after the kids. So, in essence, Jasonâs motherâs theme was kill or be killed, and she did both. Since Jason takes orders from his mom, in is only reasonable that this is also his theme song.
Ghostface: Capture â You Call That A Knife? This Is A Knife!
The list wouldnât be complete if I didnât have a stereotypical slasher movie on the list. And the list wouldnât be complete if I didnât have a stereotypical early 00âs metalcore on this list. Each very fitting.
Hannibal Lecter: Left Behind â Focus on the Flesh
Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal, so it is only fitting to have a song that focuses on the flesh (I love puns). I can already see Hannibal cooking up his victims while blasting this song in the background. I imagine the scene where is he cooking homeboyâs brain while TALKING TO HIM. Creepy right?
Pinhead: Behemoth â O Father! O Satan! O Sun!
Okay, Pinhead is my favorite because he has some GREAT one-liners: âI am pain,â âno tears, please. Itâs a waste of good suffering,â and one of my all-time favorites âBurn? Oh, such a limited imagination!â I feel like Pinhead would love some black metal, I can see his quotes being lines of a black metal song. When Pinhead first met Kirsty Cotton, he was asked who he was. His response was, âexplorers in the further region of experience. Demons to some, angels to others.â Hearing this line made me think of Behemoth and this song. I can already see Pinhead surrounded by chains with this song in the background. Itâs beautiful.
Jigsaw: Whitechapel â The Saw Is The Law
Do I really need to explain this one?
What are some of your favorite slashers? What would their theme song be? Do you have a theme song?
Stay Metal,
THE SAW
BONUS!!!! Here is a fun video that I found that has all of our favorite slashes as a boy band. Itâs hilarious and you should totally check it out.
I have been to a lot of shows and even though I mosh, I mainly dance. My friends have described my dancing at a show as âclub dancingâ (shout out to Kevin), and itâs honestly straight facts. How I dance at any metal show is how I dance when Iâm out with my friends. I have been asked why I dance the way I do at shows and my only answer is because âitâs funâ and I am a firm believer that some types of metal could be club music.
When listening to metal, if it has a good, catchy beat to it that anyone could dance to (primarily death metal and hardcore), it should be played at the club! The choppiness of the riffs and beat of the drums really emphasize this notion. The heaviness and the power of the band doesnât take away from the aspect that the music is catchy as hell.
And Iâm going to be honest, I 100% believe that people could throw their asses back to some death metal, I mean have you listened to Redneck Stomp by Obituary? I can see a grind train right now. The club would be lit as hell. I grew up having dance parties with my mom, and she would play Korn, Pantera and Rob Zombie, etc.; but she would also play TLC, Usher, Lil Jon, and Snoop Dogg. So I grew up dancing to both genres of music even though they are at opposite ends of the spectrum. My mom dances the same way I do at shows, so maybe its genetic? Was I born with it? Maybe its Maybelline, who knows.
Here are a lists of songs that I believe should be played in a club that people could âget downâ to:
¡    Obituary â Redneck Stomp
¡    Debauchery â Murder Squad
¡    Six Feet Under â The Poison Hand
¡    Jungle Rot â Paralyzed Prey
¡    Torture Killer â A Funeral For The Masses
¡    Dying Fetus â Fixated on Devastation
¡    Debauchery â Death Metal Warmachine
¡    Six Feet Under â My Hatred
¡    Cannibal Corpse â Evisceration Plague
¡    Bent Life â Thanks For Nothing
¡    Bent Life â Cheat Death
¡    Boundaries â No Other Way
¡    Boundaries â Seizinâ the Demon
¡    Boundaries â Sour Mouth
¡    Left Behind â Focus on the Flesh
¡    Gideon â Cursed
¡    Gideon â No Love/No One
¡    Kublai Khan â The Hammer
¡    Kublai Khan â Self-Destruct
¡    Kublai Khan â High Hopes
¡    Korn â Word Up
¡    Korn â Yâall Want a Single
¡    Gatecreeper â From the Ashes
Want to listen to this playlist? Click here!!Â
What songs would you add to this metal club playlist?
Stay Metal,
THE SAW Â
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WKNCâs FAKING NEWS
