Welcome to 2007 and another year here at Veritas Lux Mea. As we put 2006 into the archives and look back on how far we've come in the past year, we have to say thanks to you and yours for the continued support and listening. As long as there is someone out there to listen, there will always be music and voices to be heard...
Everybody has their list of New Year's resolutions, and we here at Veritas Lux Mea are no different. In 2007, we hope to bring you better quality journalism, cutting-edge indie artists and as always, a healthy dose of politics, sports, and humor. If there's something you think we're missing out on, let us know, just as we'll do out part to keep you informed about what's going on in the music world and elsewhere.
Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams killed in drive-by-shooting
DENVER (AP) -- Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting early Monday, his limousine sprayed with bullets in downtown Denver.Team spokesman Jim Saccomano said police called him about 3 a.m. from the scene and told him three people had been shot, and the 24-year-old Williams had been killed. The killing came hours after the Broncos were eliminated from the playoff race.
A little after 2 a.m., a white Hummer limousine was fired on from a vehicle that pulled up along its side, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. There were at least eight bullet holes in the limo.
Three people in the limo were hit and were taken to hospitals, where one man was pronounced dead, Jackson said. The other man and woman who were shot were not identified.
Jackson said police were searching for suspects and interviewing witnesses [READ MORE]
Wisconsin set to take on Arkansas in today's Capital One Bowl
Last night, while I was celebrating the birth of the new year with our friends Jeff and Amanda, I realized that I would have to be somewhat conscious the next day to watch today's Capital One Bowl to see my beloved Badgers take on the fleetfooted Darren McFadden and the Arkansas Razorbacks; not that it stopped me from taking a severelly underpriced Jaeger bomb, but it did cross my mind.
According to SI.com, "The Darren McFadden you saw in the SEC championship game -- in which he ran for just 73 yards and threw a two-yard TD pass -- wasn't the real McFadden. He was slowed by a nasty ankle injury suffered in the first quarter of that loss to Florida. Had the Heisman Trophy runner-up been at full strength, the BCS picture could be completely different. McFadden is a blend of power and speed (as one opposing defensive coordinator said this season, "Tackling him high is darn near suicide") who finished the season with 1,558 yards and 15 touchdowns. He should be considered the Razorbacks' Options A, B and C on offense: They use him as a regular running back, a single-wing running quarterback, and an option passer. His arm has been adequate enough to throw for three scores this season."
While McFadden will pose an offensive threat to the Badgers, his supporting cast is unproven. Ranking a lowly 150th in passing offense, the Razorbacks will rely almost entirely on McFadden for their offensive firepower, which makes Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz's day a little easier to scheme. The Badgers are ranked third in the nation in yard's allowed and will surely look to lock in on McFadden and force running back Felix Jones or quarterback Casey Dick to beat them.
SI.com gives the Badgers a 24-21 win, and I'll go ahead and do the same.
Featured Artist: The Shondes
Smart lyrics, classical undertones and good ol' fashion rock rhythms combine to create a wealth of lush, passionate sounds in The Shondes.
The Shondes are rock quartet based in Brooklyn, New York, made up of four individuals who share a commitment to making inspiring, passionate, and ground-breaking music. With drums, bass, guitar, violin, and powerful, intertwining vocals, The Shondes bring to their music the drama of Patti Smith, the punch of Sleater Kinney, and a songwriting style deeply rooted in Classical tradition. This makes for music that is driving, urgent, and unabashedly brave.
Louisa Solomon’s (ex-Syndicate) driving bass lines are punctuated by Temim Fruchter's dramatic drumming style, while Ian Brannigan’s luminescent guitar interplays with Elijah Oberman’s (ex-Syndicate) mournful violin to create vibrant counterpoint. The Shondes’ instrumentation is matched in intensity by dynamic vocals, creating rich and layered harmonies. Hailing from musical backgrounds that range from Classical to Jewish to Queercore and Feminist Punk, The Shondes both embrace and subvert these traditions in their compositions. Their live shows pack a punch of energy and bring audiences along for the ride; whether moving in unison with a heavy beat or soaring high with vocal and violin melodies, no one can stand still. Every song explodes with energy as The Shondes transfix audiences with their passion and rich sound. The Shondes burst with a unique sound that is devastating, heartbreaking, and transcendent.
The Shondes' ambitious arrival into the independent music scene included winter and spring dates around the east coast. The band has also organized music events such as the annual "Pesach Rock" which packed Brooklyn's Southpaw in April. They recently returned from a self-booked, 10-week, 45-city tour of the US, which included stops at Homo A Go Go, Ladyfest LasVegas, and Camp Trans, and are now hard at work playing shows in NYC and the East Coast area.
Shonde is the Yiddish word for disgrace, shame or outrage. As queers and trannies, radicals, Jewish and non-Jewish Palestine-solidarity activists, it’s no surprise that they’ve been called “disgraceful. With their surprising sound, contagious passion, and radical political content, The Shondes move and energize audiences in New York and beyond.
The Shondes - "Let's Go"
The Shones - "The Mother and the Colony"
The Shondes - "I Watched the Temple Fall"
The Shondes website
Veritas Lux Mea Favorites
Grizzly Bear - "Marla"
Destroyer - "Painter in your Pocket"
Film School - "On and On"
Two Gallants - "Waves of Grain"
Lucero - "I Can Get Us Out of Here"