T H E K E Y T O Y O U R E N T E R T A I N M E N T

MOVEMOVE03.16.13 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 22 +

CouNTDown toSPRING

BREAK

NAP CITYSNAG THESE BEST SPOTS ON CAMPUS TO PASS OUT BETWEEN MIDTERMS

KISS, TWEET, REPEATTHE DO'S AND DON'TS OF ENDING UP ON @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS

STUDY ABROAD AT HOMERECREATE THAT GETTING-LOST-BUT-THIS-IS-AWESOME CULTURAL EXPERIENCE HERE AND NOW.

2 MOV E • 03.15.13

Well, it’s official: C-SPAN is finally kind of cool. No longer is the political network just for people who can’t find their remote in the lint-collecting cushions of their couch or kenneled dogs whose owners don’t want them to feel alone. That channel, the one where those middle-aged men stand behind podiums, is relevant at last.

Surprisingly enough, it’s all because of the GOP. Even though the Republican party may have fewer cool points than a Flomax commercial, they were the unequivocal talk of the town last week. Last Thursday, Kentucky senator Rand Paul made C-SPAN a must-watch with his awe-inspiring filibuster of John Brennan’s nomination as C.I.A. director. Paul went for 13 entertaining, unpredictable, bathroom-free hours.

There really was a bit of everything. Allusions were made to urination. Paul sloppily indulged in a mid-rant candy bar. Senator Marco Rubio referenced Wiz Khalifa and somehow seemed more out of touch. I think Republican politicians could have performed the Harlem Shake in superhero costumes, and it wouldn’t have felt like a huge surprise.

It was every guilty pleasure reality program rolled into one beautiful, political, cringe-worthy package. Except this thing was actually real.

That’s what got lost in all the post-filibuster conversation. Yes, the nationally televised event had far-reaching implications in the world of politics and made libertarians everywhere squeal with excitement. But, more than anything else, it was the reality show we all wish existed. The never-ending event may as well have been called “Middle-aged Politicians Talk Themselves to Death” or, perhaps more fittingly, “So You Think You Can Avoid The Bathroom for 13 Hours?”

The filibuster could be enjoyed by any demographic. It wasn’t just for political junkies left with nothing to do after finishing “House of Cards” — every red-blooded American should have loved the coverage. In our culture of reality TV and silly viral videos, we worship embarrassed politicians and Tweet-worthy speeches. The instant classic on the Senate floor had everything.

And we have C-SPAN to thank for giving us the whole damn thing. Even though it may be the buzzkill of cable TV networks, the live-streamed filibuster was intoxicating. Kind of like behind-the-scenes extras on a DVD, the event was filled with an overwhelming sense of confidentiality. C-SPAN gave us a first-hand look at one of the coolest facets of our political process.

I have since had a prolific realization. The network I used to condemn may not be so bad after all. Viewers get to see politicians doing politics without any bias. I found out via YouTube that prank calling C-SPAN’s talk shows is all too common — not to mention entertaining. There’s a feeling on C-SPAN that anything can happen. It presents unfiltered, bullshit-free politics to the masses.

I’m not saying I intend on replacing “The Walking Dead” with C-SPAN original programming or binge-watching lectures with prominent authors. But it’s about time the most certifiably boring channel on everyone’s boob tube got a little credit.

The filibuster more than proved that. While I watched last Thursday night, I continued to check how C-SPAN’s cable news competitors were covering the historic event. Some stations had pundits talking about what it meant, while others overwhelmed the viewer with graphics about other marathon filibusters. In our society that’s overrun with a multitude of opinions and angles, it was nice to just see the news — I have to give C-SPAN its props.

Yes, the publicly funded cable network may still be the “Toby Flenderson” of TV. And it sadly may never compete with the likes of “American Idol” in the ratings battle. But C-SPAN gave us 13 streaming hours of pure political ecstasy. They gave us the undisputed best TV moment of 2013, and maybe one of the coolest of the past decade. That’s something that can’t be ignored.

Fifty cool points to you, C-SPAN.

JACK HOWLANDon the implications of last week's epic filibuster

Couch Potato

/coverPHOTO/SARAH BELL

design/Brendan Wray & HEATHER FINN

EDITOR/DELIA CAI

Photo editor/Lauren Kastner

SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE

So you want to be featured on

@MizzouMakeouts...

david freyermuth | reporter@MizzouMakeouts | guest editor

MU Student Center - Leadership LoungeGo to the second floor past the Center for Student Involvement. There are lots of long couches and chairs to use.

Noise Level: Snoozable. Way better than the first floor where you can hear everyone’s conversations. The main annoyance is the occasional sound of Infusion’s blender.

Privacy Level: Not private, but many people are napping at the same time, so no one will tell you to move.

Proximity to Food: Sunshine Sushi, Kate & Emma’s, Pomodoro and Mort’s galore downstairs.

Comfiness of Couches: Comfy, but don’t try to use the armrests as a pillow — you’ll wake up with a headache. Try a bunched-up hoodie on top of a backpack.

Place to Stash Your Stuff: No, but there are people around to raise a fuss if they see someone take your stuff. Or, be sneaky and cover everything with a jacket as a pillow.

MU Student Center - BasementTake the stairs to the basement level, and you’ll find tons of couches to nap on and two backless couches the size of a bed. This spot isn’t as busy as the Leadership Lounge, which makes it a great choice if you can’t find a spot upstairs.

Noise Level: Slightly above library level.Privacy Level: Very little privacy as you will be napping out in the

open with people walking past you constantly.Proximity to Food: Restaurants are located upstairs. If you don’t want

to go that far, vending machines are located just outside the basement.Comfiness of Couches: Arguably the comfiest on campus.Place to Stash Your Stuff: None at all. Stick with the DIY pillow

option, or loop any/all straps around your ankle to make snatching impossible.

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CAIT CAMPBELL | GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

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Nap here, not there

Here are the best places

at MU to catch up on your sleep

during the midterm cram.

It might be time to watch C-SPAN

Cornell HallGo downstairs to the first floor and basement to find two lounges filled with couches and chairs. On the first floor, there’s another lounge just around the corner near the bathrooms.

Noise Level: At times a louder-than-necessary conversation might wake you up.Privacy Level: Not private. But if you’re in need of a few Z’s before class starts, no one will give you any grief.Proximity to Food: Vending machines are located on the basement level near the restrooms.Comfiness of Couches: Pretty darn wonderful. They have high backs, so you have something to guard your back if you’re a side-sleeper.Place to Stash Your Stuff: Nope. Use your backpack as a foot rest or stick it in a nearby chair.

MizzouRecSwipe your I.D. and head immediately to the right side of the study table. Hidden in the corner are two window seats with a view of Tiger Grotto.

Noise Level: There’s no noise restriction so people are allowed to be as loud as they want.

Privacy Level: Somewhat private. The couches are just barely out of view of the help desk, so be smart and make it look like you fell asleep studying.

Proximity to Food: Go across the street to Vida, a cute coffee shop that also sells smoothies and pastries.

Comfiness of Couches: Fairly comfy. You might catch the faint whiff of chlorine on them, but you get to stretch, so it’s a trade-off.

Place to Stash Your Stuff: Lockers are a few feet away, so you can store your stuff easily if you have a quarter. Don’t worry, you’ll get your money back when you return the key.

Memorial UnionHead up the South elevator to the second floor, and you’ll find a lounge with three couches and a window seat long enough for you and a buddy to share.

Noise Level: Very quiet with occasional noise from the nearby stairwell.

Privacy Level: Private. It’s an unknown location but nearby foot traffic on the stairwell will discourage any creepers.

Proximity to Food: Starbucks and Wheatstone Bistro are just downstairs.

Comfiness of Couches: Very comfy. Bring your own pillow or bunched-up hoodie and stay for a while.

Place to Stash Your Stuff: No, but the private location makes it unlikely that anyone will try anything.

The do's and don'ts of ending up on the notorious Twitter this spring break:

Keep the lights on.Play tonsil hockey in a well-lit area. “It has

gotten to the point where there are enough submissions that if a picture is blurry or the person didn’t use the flash, it’s just not worth posting,” the @MizzouMakeouts Twitter moderator says in an email.

Make it public.“Odds are if you are making out in public

for more than a few seconds, someone in Columbia will be inclined to snap a picture of it (mostly thanks to this account). If someone is just straight photo-bombing the hell out of the makeout, it gets a positive response,” the moderator says. And photo-bombing does wonders for favorites.

Drink.If you’re of age, of course, this tends to help

you get into @MizzouMakeouts-worthy situations. “Alcohol to the point of blacking out = sweaty pictures of two people on a floor with a crowd of people around them and someone usually photo-bombing it,” the moderator says.

Commit.Don’t cop out and make out with an

inanimate object. That’s not even funny.Attempt to keep it classy.

Keep your clothes on to keep yourself from looking like a desperate mess.

DO:lizzie tontz | reporter

3 03.15.13• MOV E

Studying abroad is a wonderful experience, and I highly sug-gest everyone with the opportunity to go to a foreign country for a semester or a month seize it. You get to be a part of a city, not just a tourist. You get to stay long enough in one place that people might even ask you for directions — usually when you’re wearing workout clothes because that signifies you’re a local.

You get to live in another city without the added stress of work-ing a real job, and most of the time you can even take classes in English rather than a foreign language. That being said, some stu-dents can’t afford the time or the money it takes to study abroad. But don’t let all the cool Instagram pictures your study abroad friends are posting get you down in the dumps. There are some ways you can get a taste of studying abroad without leaving MU.

1. Go on a lot of day trips. Find some friends and head to a nearby Missouri town you might have heard of but have never actu-ally set foot in. You can also take the Megabus to Kansas City or St. Louis if you don’t have a car.

Find an obscure museum or make a list of cool thrift shops to hit up. If you have already been to KC or STL, pick a state park you haven’t been to and go geocaching. That way you will be forced to use maps and get lost, just as if you were in a foreign country.

2. Ask a lot of questions. Don’t be afraid to look stupid. I ask stupid questions in Italian every day that are probably equivalent to someone asking what color the sky is. If you have always wanted to know where that girl in your class got her cool shoes, ask her. If you have always wondered if that guy who sits behind you in class would want to hang out with you, ask him. You might be surprised with their answer, and I guarantee you will learn something new.

3. Make a big change in your life, and learn how to deal with it. Dye your hair. Delete your Facebook. Donate your Xbox to charity. Cope with it. Realize that your life will still be great, even though it is different. Moving to a different country forces you to make a huge change in your life, but there are other ways to change besides your geographical location or school.

4. Hang out with people you wouldn’t normally hang out with. Even if you aren’t a freshman, pretend you are again. Befriend some-one you don’t know and invite them for a coffee or to that cool thrift shop party you are going to this weekend.

Studying abroad is about learning from new people just as much as new places. Get involved with the international students and clubs at MU. Language sharing through the Women’s Center is a great way to learn from people from different cultures.

5. Explore Columbia like you’ll only be there for another month. Still a senior and never made it to the cliffs at Capen Park? Go after class on a nice day. Go for a bike ride on MKT Trail. Go to a show at Roxy’s or Mojo’s. Eat at a restaurant you haven’t been to before. Explore every last hidden treasure of Columbia like it’s your last semester.

6.) Be independent. Go to a coffee shop alone — walk even a little further from your usual coffee stomping grounds and go to Lakota or Coffee Zone instead of going to Starbucks like you do every day. Check out one of Columbia’s museums alone, such as the Museum of Anthropology right on campus. Don’t be afraid to go out alone.

No matter where you’re studying in college, you have the chance to experience new things and learn from them. That’s what studying abroad is all about. Ciao for now!

Making Columbia your study abroad destination

SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE SNOG TONSIL HOCKEY LICK-A-LICKIN' @MIZZOUMAKEOUTS FIRST BASE

MOLLIE BARNESon how to fake a study abroad at home

ciao for now

Follow us on

Instagram + twitter:

@ManeaterMOVE

I don’t want to see you leeching on to someone’s face. Practice makes perfect.

Get sloppy.

“It’s obvious which pictures will have some-one immediately emailing me requesting that I take it down," the moderator says. "So, I will usually avoid that trouble by not posting them in the first place (i.e. nudity, blatant visibility of fraternity/sorority letters, etc.).”

Don’t go all the way.

“I loved the magic of ‘Life of Pi.’ It was such a beautiful movie and I really loved the feel of it."

Stage it. DON'T: You’ve got to own it. If your friends are

taking pictures of your hook-up, you own it. Show them the best damn @MizzouMakeout photo ever.

Open your eyes.

“Alcohol in moderation = fewer embar-rassing makeout photos. You decide which picture you would rather be in,” the modera-tor says.

Drink... too much.

Recipes to beat thebooze bluesAll packed for spring break? Pick up these ingredients to remedy the inevitable post-PCB symptoms.

colette rector | reporter

Dozens of TV shows and movies have convinced us that spring break is only awesome if spent drinking a lethal amount of alcohol on a sunny beach. Throughout the week, if you find yourself cowering over a toilet and massaging your head whispering, "never again," you should try some of these recipes to ease the symptoms of the dreaded hangover.

Of course, the best way to prevent a hangover is to remain sober or limit your alcohol consumption. Please stay safe wherever you end up, and try to have a spring break you can remember.

CITRUS ASPARAGUS

YOU'LL NEED1 bunch fresh asparagus

6 cups water2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil1 tsp. orange or lemon zest

1/2 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS1. Rinse the asparagus and cut off the ends. Slice at a diagonal into 2-3 inch pieces.2. Boil water in medium saucepan and add asparagus.3. Reduce to simmer and cook until tender.4. Drain water from pan and place the asparagus in a bowl.5. Add olive oil, orange or lemon zest and salt to asparagus. Toss until completely incorporated.

A study done by the Institute of Food Technologists in the Journal of Food Science, found that asparagus has natural minerals that can reduce the symptoms of a hangover. If the thought of asparagus makes you want to vomit when you're not hungover, it probably sounds even worse when you are, but you might be pleasantly surprised by this simple recipe.

BANANA SANDWICH

YOU'LL NEED1 ripe banana

1/4 cup honey2 pieces of wheat bread

DIRECTIONS1. Slice bananas into half-inch thick pieces.2. Spread honey over bread and add bananas.

Bananas have an excellent source of potassium, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy liver. Alcohol consumption deprives the liver of this mineral, and a banana can help restore a healthy level of potassium while restoring your jovial spirit. Honey is also soothing.

BAGEL WITH CREAM CHEESE AND AVOCADO

YOU'LL NEED1 bagel

1/4 cup plain cream cheese1/3 cup avocado

DIRECTIONS1. Slice avocado into centimeter thick pieces.2. Spread cream cheese over bagel and add avocado.

If you've been living in a world where bagels are actually good for you, you have been sadly misinformed. Fortunately, the 40 to 60 grams of carbs found in a typical plain bagel can reduce the rate that alcohol enters your blood stream. This snack will work best if eaten before you start drinking.

GINGER HOT CHOCOLATE

YOU'LL NEED5-6 slices fresh ginger root

1 packet hot chocolate

DIRECTIONS1. Boil water in medium saucepan and add ginger.2. Reduce heat and let sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.3. Strain liquid and mix with hot chocolate. Drink warm.

Ginger eases nausea and is used to soothe most stomach sicknesses. If you don't like the taste of ginger, add more hot chocolate mixture to mask the flavor.

STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

YOU'LL NEED1/2 cup cranberry juice1/2 cup orange juice1 cup pineapple juice

4 cups ice8 strawberries

DIRECTIONS1. Finely chop strawberries.2. Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

This will not be as creamy as your typical smoothie. The juice is the healing and soothing element of this recipe. The more natural your juice, the better it is for you and the better you will feel.

4 MOV E • 03.15.13

JOYCE PENGon the problems of family ties among movie stars

Hollywood NepotismSo I had no idea Angelina Jolie was the daughter of Jon Voight

until I was looking up their Wikipedia pages. This is not to say that Wikipedia is 100 percent right all the time, but in this case, it was.

I was surprised, but, then again, I wasn’t shocked. Hollywood show business is family business, and for me to list all of the family ties that movie stars have would probably take up an entire issue of MOVE.

OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a little. But if you think about it, most of the actors and actresses today have at least one family member in show business or affiliated with the media and arts in some way.

There are many examples. Jaden and Willow Smith are the kids of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Zooey and Emily Deschanel are the daughters of director Caleb Deschanel and actress Mary Jo Deschanel. Gwyneth Paltrow is the daughter of director Bruce Paltrow and actress Blyth Danner. And the list goes on.

With so many family ties, the term “nepotism” seems to come into play. One begins to wonder, did these stars really break into Hollywood because of hard work and talent, or did they get cast into roles because of their parents and connections?

Take Bryce Dallas Howard, for example. As the daughter of director Ron Howard, Bryce got her first acting role in her father’s movie “Parenthood." After that, she was an extra in her dad’s film “Apollo 13” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas." She then rocketed to fame as a movie star.

Sure, Bryce is a pretty good actress, but she had it easy with her entrance Hollywood. All she had to do was stand in front of a camera and her father’s directing chair and voila! A star was born.

Imagine yourself as a director trying to cast someone for the lead role. Your final two choices are an unknown, talented actor, and an actor whose parents are big-time movie stars. Who would you pick? Who has the “acting” genes? Who will bring you big bucks at the box office because of a famous name? The answer is obvious.

It seems unfair that children star in roles for which they might lack the talent but have spectacular family ties (cough cough, Tori Spelling), while the average Joe must kick and scream and fight to get a foot in the door. Yet, it is natural for kids to follow their parent’s footsteps and for those parents to encourage their kids to take the Hollywood route to success.

Ideally, nepotism shouldn’t really be in any business. Merit, talent and hard work should be rewarded first. Those who are talented enough to play big roles and work hard to present themselves at auditions should get the job. Yet those talented people fail to get the phone call from the producer just because their dads aren’t freaking Tom Hanks (looking at you, Colin Hanks).

And it’s not really the fact that these kids of Hollywood personnel can’t act, sing, etc. It’s just that, when compared to some unknown actor who has the same level of talent, these kids will most likely gain the upper hand.

On the other hand, those Hollywood kids did not choose to be born into families that have open doors for them already. It’s what they make of it once they get an opportunity. But if they place too much importance on their red carpet lineage and slack off, they shouldn’t deserve those opportunities.

And it’s not only show business. Nepotism is everywhere, from professional sports to high-end business corporations. It’s all about connections, connections, connections. Employers naturally like it when they have background knowledge of a potential employee, and they feel more comfortable working with someone they know and trust.

So the lesson to learn is this: if you’re an aspiring actor, singer, musician, etc., without famous parents, network a lot. Get to know the right people and how the system works. There’s still hope for the unfamiliar, yet talented and dedicated, actor.

POP TRACK

Mother Mother: When weird and catchy collide

heather finn | staff writerEven if you don’t know much about touring the country with

a rock band, you have to admit the idea of sharing a marquee with AWOLNATION sounds pretty exciting. (Or ridiculously intimidating, but whatever.) Yet somehow, Canadian five-piece indie group, Mother Mother, is keeping its cool as it does just that.

Guitarist and lead vocalist Ryan Guldemond talks with MOVE about touring with AWOL and walking the fine line between indie and mainstream.

[MOVE]: You guys just recently started a huge U.S. tour. How does it feel to be opening for AWOLNATION?

[Ryan Guldemond]: It’s great. It’s the first of its kind for us. We’ve always kind of slopped it out on our own reputation down here (in the States). To be in front of a built-in audience — AWOL’s crowd — is the greatest gift a band can receive.

[M]: Before the start of this tour, you headlined shows in L.A. and Phoenix. What’s it like making that quick switch between being a headliner and being a supporting act?

[RG]: Oh, it’s easy. We’ve been doing it for a long time, so we’re pretty malleable. It’s way easier being a supporting act. We’re playing for 30 minutes a night and, coming from four records of material, you can make a very cunning set in 30 minutes. I think it’s really working for us in this context because we’re pulling all our best songs. And not even our best songs, per se, but just the most visceral and immediate songs.

[M]: What's your favorite song to play live?[RG]: “The Sticks.” It just has a visceral, forward motion that feels

like you’re kind of jumping along for the ride on, as opposed to pushing it forward. Some songs are like that, whereas others you kind of have to work for their purpose, for their stride.

[M]: You recently released your latest album, The Sticks, in the U.S. How would you describe it?

[RG]: It’s definitely the most conceptual record we’ve done, lyrically speaking. And musically, I think, you know, our m.o. is to not worry so much about musical cohesion but just pick songs that we like the best and put them together.

[M]: You write the majority of the songs for the band, and you co-produced The Sticks. Tell me a bit about the recording process behind the new album.

[RG]: We rented a big studio for the duration, which is new. Other times we’re more transient and economical — do the drums in a big room and then scale down to a smaller space where it’s cheaper and just do the vocals. This time, we really wanted to feel one essence throughout the duration of the recording and then use that as a tool for spontaneity and gear-changing. We were in a position where we could record drums and then do the most nonsensical thing like a glockenspiel part right after, whereas that’s the very last thing you do on a record traditionally. We kind of wanted to flip those traditions on the head a bit and chase the essence around, as opposed to the most logical, economical way to make a record.

[M]: Your band has been commended for striking the balance between indie and mainstream. How do you do it?

[RG]: An element of catchiness is a priority in songwriting. It’s not even because you want it to be catchy for catchy’s sake, but because, I mean, that’s just what I’m drawn to. I guess that covers the accessible side, or the mainstream. Where the indie comes into play is that we just kind of sound weird naturally. Our voices are different, and the lyrics are different. They’re kind of perverse or cynical or dark — not your typical approach.

Sometimes you get the elite hipsters feeling like there should never be a cross-pollination between the mainstream and the indie worlds, but I don’t even think about it. If you think about that stuff, you lose anyway. In your head, you’re like, “OK, what balance do I want to strike with art and commerce?” Even if you want to strike a lopsided balance with art in favor — I find that a bit of a loss, as well, because you’re still having that dialogue as opposed to just channeling something and letting it come out how it comes out and being happy with it because it was born out of authenticity.

[M]: If you had to choose one word to describe a Mother Mother show, what would it be?

[RG]: A girl once described the band — based on the live presentation — as the word “white.” I don’t think she meant square or Caucasian. I think she meant the shape to it, like a bright white. I would never like to describe the live show in one word — or in any series of words — because I just can’t do it in any real sense of honesty, but I did like her answer, and I think I will regurgitate it now.

When: 8 p.m. Monday, April 1Where: The Blue NoteTickets: $25

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRESS HERE PUBLICITY

Q&A with Ryan Binghamlauren rutherford | staff writer

Call it country or call it rock, but either way, Ryan Bingham’s unique fusion of genres has served him well. The Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe-winning artist, best known for writing and performing the theme song "The Weary Kind" for the hit movie "Crazy Heart," takes his latest record Tomorrowland to the road this spring.

[MOVE]: How was the first leg of your tour?[Ryan Bingham]: It was great. I had been off for about a year or so.

Getting it all together and getting back into the swing of things, it takes a few weeks to get the momentum going and get in the groove. We sure had a good time and had a lot of great shows.

[M]: What’s the best part about being on the road?[RB]: I guess it’s playing the shows. It’s funny because 10 percent of

the time, you’re playing music, and 90 percent of it, you’re just on the road getting from place to place. The best part is when you actually get to play some music.

[M]: Around this time two years ago, you played in Columbia as Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses. What differences can fans expect this time around?

[RB]: It’s still rock 'n' roll. The guys that I’ve got playing now on this tour are some local guys that I met here in Los Angeles. There will be a lot of stuff from the new record and a lot of stuff from the old record as well. It might have a little bit different feel, but it’s still very much in the same groove as it always has been.

[M]: This tour supports your most recent release, Tomorrowland. Can you tell us about the record and the message behind it?

[RB]: This record has a lot more electric guitar. Over the past year, I’d been playing a lot more electric guitar and experimenting with that. I wrote a lot of the songs on the electric guitar. The tempos are faster, and it has a bigger sound and things like that. I have a lot of fun playing these songs live and taking them on the road. I really do like playing the acoustic songs and ballads and things like that, but I really wanted to do a lot more electric guitar.

[M]: What has been the proudest moment in your music career?[RB]: That’s a tough one. There’s been a bunch of them! There’s

always a surprise around the corner. I’ve always been into adventure and things like that. Definitely getting to travel, see the world and meet people has been one of the biggest things.

[M]: Dipping into the past a bit, you won some big awards for “The Weary Kind." What was it like winning at three of Hollywood’s biggest awards shows?

[RB]: To be a part of that, it was very humbling and surreal. It was an experience I won’t ever forget.

[M]: Is there a special place you keep all your trophies/awards?[RB]: I’ve got them scattered around. I think I have a few at my grand-

parents' house. They all aren’t really in one place.[M]: Have you done any more writing for movies since "Crazy Heart"?[RB]: I have a little bit. I’ve written some stuff for some TV shows and

some films and things like that but nothing fully developed yet.[M]: I read that your wife, Anna Axster, directs some of your music

videos. What's it like working so closely with her?[RB]: Yeah, she directs music videos and does a lot of photography for

the album covers. It’s great. There’s nobody I trust more than her. We get

to spend a lot of time together as well so it really works out great for us.[M]: Where do you see your music going this year?[RB]: The music business is a funny thing. You never know what’s

going to happen with it. You have to concentrate and try to stay focused on writing songs and making the music. I always like getting out on the road and playing for people who want to hear it. That’s all you can do is go out there and try, play and let the music take care of itself and take care of you.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA AXSTER