Photos By: Josue Cambara | October 25, 2024 Kehlani brought the CRASH Tour  to San Diego’s Viejas Arena on Saturday, October 25, and I had the pleasure of attending. This tour marks Kehlani’s first arena-headlining tour, a career milestone following four successful studio albums and various mixtapes since her debut in the early 2010s. For over a decade, Kehlani has had a major impact on the status of modern R&B and an advocate for LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, a commitment reflected in her dedicated fan base. The show’s set design featured a staircase from which Kehlani made her grand entrance, slowly moving closer to her fans. The choreography was a standout element of the night, with Kehlani and her dancers displaying dance routines which showcased her versatility beyond her vocal talents.. The setlist combined tracks from her latest album, Crash , and her most recent mixtape, While We Wait 2 , with plenty of older hits for all of the  day one fans. Some of those deep cuts included “The Way (feat. Chance the Rapper),” “Get Away,” “1st Position,” and “You Should Be Here.” Kehlani’s charm and banter made with the crowd made her seem more relatable and comfortable with her fan base. She teased the crowd with lines like, “This song’s gonna make you wanna take your clothes off,” and joked about her song “Hate the Club,” saying, “I know I made a song about hating the club, but that was four years ago!” A particularly special moment for me was during her performance of “Honey” , an acoustic R&B track and one of the first songs I heard from her. Hearing it live, with the crowd singing the opening lines, was a special moment for me. One of the most heartfelt parts of the evening was when Kehlani invited several young fans on stage. About eight young girls joined her to dance during “KEHLANI (REMIX),” with some of them sharing that this was their first concert. Kehlani explained that being a mother herself inspired her to dedicate a portion of her show to younger fans. She wished she’d thought of the idea earlier in the tour, making it a rare and cherished moment for those lucky fans who came to see her. Kehlani’s ability to blend genres and put on a performance full of energy, that included choreography and showcased her wide vocal range, makes her one of today’s must see R&B artists. With only a few shows left in North America before the CRASH Tour  wraps up, now is the perfect time for R&B fans to experience an unforgettable live performance put on by Kehlani.

By: Sarah Hyun Wasia Project, consisting of brother-sister duo Will Gao and Olivia Hardy, recently wrapped up the North American leg of their “Isotope” tour with two nights at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. The siblings from London, joined by openers Nick Leng and Sabrina Sterling, put on a show that would be remembered by fans for years to come.  Wasia Project—a name that began as a playful twist on their White and Asian heritage—formed in the household of Gao and Hardy as they began writing songs together, releasing “why don’t u love me?” in 2019. Gao—being a classically-trained pianist—incorporates elements of classical and jazz into their alternative-pop records, while Hardy—with her unique voice and smooth tone—really brings their songs to life. The homogenization of genres can be heard on their newest EP, “Isotope,” with string arrangements appearing in tracks like “Takes Me Back Home” and “Tell Me Lies (fin),” saxophone playing in “Isotope,” and pop synths appearing in “Somebody Come Through.” The two likely intended for their fans to listen to “Isotope ”  in chronological order, as each track blends into the following, truly captivating listeners and transporting them into another dimension. The final track, “Tell Me Lies (fin),” is a beautifully cinematic piece that ends the record on such a satisfying note. Although Gao has already gained massive recognition for starring as Tao Xu in Netflix’s original series “Heartstopper,” Wasia Project has already made their mark in the music world with their unique sound filled with deeply personal lyrics about the growing pains of heartbreak, love, and maturing. Gao and Hardy are only 21 and 19 respectively, but they have been able to capture the confusing feelings of their teenage years so well, writing lyrics like, “I’m so scared that the moments we shared, won’t happen again, I don’t want this to end,” and “In that moment you were mine, time was all it was but now it’s gone.” The two, being talented songwriters, do not fall short on their stage performance. They opened the night with the tracks “Is This What Love Is?,” “My Lover Is Sleeping” and “U Deserve.” Hardy, with her mic in hand, danced happily on the stage as she sang her lyrics along with excited concertgoers wearing their themed outfits of black and white dresses, skirts, blouses, Doc Martens and bows. On an Instagram post from September, Wasia Project stated that the theme was “monochrome, elegant, classy, “Isotope” chic” to which fans did not disappoint. Gao sat by his keyboard, impressively scaling his fingers on the keys along to the beat. Bassist Tom Pacitti, drummer Luca Wade and saxophonist Rachel Mazer had incredible chemistry with Gao and Hardy, creating a palpable energy in the crowd that could be felt throughout the night.  Before playing what was supposed to be “Remember When,” on their setlist, Gao and Hardy decided to switch things around and play the first song they ever released—“why don’t u love me”—per a fan’s request. The fully acoustic performance of this track was truly magical —fans watched in awe as Hardy sang and Gao played piano, gently swaying along to the tune. A similar moment occurred during “ur so pretty,” with only Hardy and Gao playing, and fans watching in amazement—some crying, some smiling, and all soaking in the special moment. After the song finished, Gao said, “That felt really really special tonight, don’t you feel the same thing, Olivia?” As a long-time fan of Wasia Project, I can attest hearing this song live was truly mesmerizing—a very special moment I will cherish forever. After a bossa nova cover of “Smooth Operator” and their song “To Get Better,”—where Gaol took on lead vocals and Hardy soloed on the guitar—the two finished off with “Somebody Come Through” and “Tell Me Lies (fin).” They made a quick exit, where fans applauded loudly, before reappearing shortly after for the encore. They actually ended the night with “Misfit Biscuit” and “impossible” with Gao back on main vocals. During this point in the show, fans were seen jumping, dancing, crying, screaming and ecstatically singing along. Every bandmate’s energy could be felt in that moment—Gao standing up and slamming his fingers on the keys, his chair falling over, Hardy bouncing around and jumping excitedly into a knee-slide, Pacitti whipping his hair along to the addictive beat and Wade going absolutely insane on the drums.  After the last note of their last song, the crowd applauded wildly, and the goodbye was bittersweet. Although Wasia Project did just finish up their North American tour, they are sure to return to the Fonda Theatre, or possibly an even bigger venue, in the near future.

Written by: Zach Lee | October 22, 2024 | Photos By: Cat Marchenko On a cool, autumn night, my friend and I turn the corner to find the open garage-like door of HERE Studio , almost blindingly lit from within — a beacon of light in the otherwise dark Brooklyn neighborhood. Sponsored by CasaLú , the first studio on the second floor welcomed us with a retro refrigerator filled to the brim with cans of CasaLú. A rum and soda in hand, I began to meander the gallery. As we walk through the curated space, I learn more about the story of HERE Studio. The founder, Emily Nemeth, aimed to provide a space for creatives to utilize in order to carry out their various passion projects. As an independent creative herself, she has successfully constructed a new potential center of community in Brooklyn for individuals working in production, photography, videography, modeling, the DJ and music scene, and much more. “My biggest takeaway this year is that while vision is vital, it is the community we are building that will evolve it into more than just another studio,”  said Nemeth.  “We have met so many amazing creatives in all types of industries whether they’re shooting brand campaigns or hosting DJ sets on our rooftop. Each interaction has brought something special to our space, and I truly hope that this year, we can continue investing in these talented individuals and strengthen our community even further,” added Nemeth. The curated studio space featured many cool pieces — from photography posters and nature inspired wall decals to ceramic faces and cracked eggs. On top of this, HERE Studio’s effortless style and swagger is sprinkled throughout the space. Lighting within the studio gave a warm New York City vibe that was a mix of the down-to-the-earth, tortured artist and city elite. Following the gallery out to the balcony, we were met by a big L-shaped bright blue couch, made of what looked and felt like patent leather. HERE Studio highlighted the work of many innovative artists, and in particular, Nemeth speaks fondly of Lars Matilda, @bugeyedbetty  on Instagram, commenting, “[@bugeyedbetty’s] artwork  is so expressive in a very vibrant way that makes you feel the artist beats to their own drum which is so inspiring to me.” Matilda’s work was featured at HERE Studio’s 1-year anniversary event in an assortment of scattered drawings flooding the floor in one of the curated rooms. “​​This year, celebrating our 1-year anniversary we knew it would be super special to celebrate other women who are making strides in the creative industry and with that we really wanted to set the stage for creatives to be celebrated where they are at and not put too much “curation” on their work but rather than how people experience their work. We really opened our doors to all creatives who had a portfolio in ceramics, photography, design and music,” said Nemeth, in regard to the event. With a DJ setting up good vibes on the rooftop, HERE Studio’s anniversary party felt like the quintessential essence of New York City, encapsulated within an art studio and rooftop performance space, not to mention the open bar. For any interested parties, the best way to utilize a space within HERE Studio is to reach out and email info@herestudionyc.com . Nemeth emphasizes a more personal approach to securing the exact type of space and accommodation for proposed projects. The intersection of community, arts, culture and sophistication is situated at HERE Studio, and it is clear to any and all visitors from Brooklyn and beyond that HERE is where it’s happening.

Gallery by Christina Winnegar This article provides an objective analysis of the game and is authored by an independent writer not affiliated with the team or league TAMPA, Fla.  – The Atlanta Falcons   secured the NFC South’s top spot Sunday with a 31-26 win  over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The victory marked their second of the season  over Tampa Bay, following a 36-30 overtime showdown   in Atlanta on Oct. 3. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins  e nded the game with a total of 276 passing yards and four touchdowns , ESPN reported . He connected with tight end Kyle Pitts  on scoring plays of 36 and 49 yards, with wide receiver Darnell Mooney  adding a 30-yard reception, and running back Bijan Robinson  finding the end zone on a 6-yard run. For Tampa Bay, tight end Cade Otton  caught touchdown passes of 5 and 4 yards, while running back Rachaad White  added an 18-yard catch. The Bucs’ final points came on a safety after Cousins fumbled in his own end zone. Quarterback Baker Mayfield  closed with 330 yards and three touchdowns. “ The Falcons improved to 4-0 within the NFC South  and, with the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over second-place Tampa Bay, essentially hold a two-game lead in the division standings,” ESPN noted. Disclaimer:  This article incorporates information, statistics, and quotes from ESPN  to provide a comprehensive recap of the Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. All efforts have been made to ensure fair use in accordance with journalistic standards.

Written By: Alex Tran | Photo By: Cody Critcheloe Over the past couple of years, a pattern has emerged. According to ChartMasters , solo artists like The Weekend and Billie Ellish have amassed 105 million listeners monthly, dominating the music charts. However, a joint initiative between Geffen Records, an American record label, and Hybe Records, a South-Korean record company, formed a new girl group called KATSEYE consisting of six members.  Three members originate from outside the US: Manon Bannerman, Sophia Laforteza and Yoonchae Jeon hail from Switzerland, the Philippines and South Korea respectively. Meanwhile, the other three members — Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, and Megan Skiendiel — were born and raised in the US. Each member competed in a reality dance competition called Dream Academy, the subject of the recently-released Netflix documentary “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE.” After the documentary’s release in August, the group released their first two singles, “Debut” and “Touch,” off their new EP “SIS (Soft is Strong).” “Touch”: A Review Millions of listeners tuned into the highly anticipated single “Touch,” garnering roughly 55 million streams on Spotify as of this article’s release. Before analyzing the song itself, it’s important to examine the music video for “Touch,” as music videos have importance to the marketing of Korean pop groups. From the flawless choreography to the iconic crashing of the chandelier, the video was captivating and eye-catching. Furthermore, the choreography is camp and playful, already being replicated by fans on TikTok  under the hashtag touch. The “Touch” music video focuses more on the motif of the EP, which is reminiscent of Winx Club , an animated series that aired in 2004. With co-producers Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi and Cashmere Cat, it is no wonder the track became a viral sensation on social media. Slatkin and Fedi were responsible for tracks like “STAY” by Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber as well as “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras. Cashmere Cat, another renowned producer, created tracks like “Die For You” by The Weekend and “Señorita” by Camila Cabello. The high-spirit lyrics and upbeat tempo invoke a sense of joining the girls in dancing to the tune and break up the domination of slow tempo pop music. Many listeners yearned for an extension of the song, as seen by users on online forums  like Reddit . However, the current length of the song keeps the lyrics catchy, rather than repetitive, and in turn ensures the longevity of the song, something a new group like KATSEYE needs to succeed. Furthermore, the members' voices all mesh extremely well together, with no one overpowering any of the other five members of the group and demonstrating the power their voices have together.   “Touch” has been a commercially successful sequel to KATSEYE first single “Debut.” The group is launching itself during a contentious year for music, with many dormant artists releasing albums and singles. Despite this, the group promotes their work on all social media platforms and garners streaming numbers and interactions on their social media posts. Furthermore, social media collaborations with Korean pop groups like TOMORROWXTOGETHER and American artists like Tate McRae have only bolstered their popularity to newer and wider demographics that have never heard of KATSEYE before. The success of KATSEYE offers hope for the revival of girl groups for Western audiences.

Gallery by Holly Arend Weekend Results: October 18: Maine wins 2-1 October 19: Maine wins in OT 6-5 The University of Maine Black Bears dominated their homecoming weekend series, sweeping Quinnipiac, the former 2023 Frozen Four champions. Their strong offense and resilient defense were key in proving they can compete with elite teams, boosting the Black Bears' confidence as they continue their season.

Photos By: Dan Chung | October 4, 2024

By Christina Winnegar This article provides an objective analysis of the game and is authored by an independent writer not affiliated with the team or league Photos by Christina Winnegar The New Jersey Devils ended the Utah Hockey Club’s 3-0 win streak in a sold-out arena on Monday afternoon. Utah had the chance to make NHL history as the first team to open their inaugural season with four straight wins. However, in the clubs' first-ever meeting, the Devils not only handed Utah their first loss but also a shutout defeat. The final score at the Prudential Center was 3-0. Utah, after opening their season with a three-game win streak, couldn’t keep up in this matchup—their third away game in a four-game stretch. The Devils, recovering from their home opener loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 10th, secured a home win after previously winning on the road against the Washington Capitals on October 12th. First Period Recap: Photos by Christina Winnegar Penalties dominated the first period. Both teams had two power-play opportunities to open the scoring, but neither managed to capitalize. In terms of physicality, New Jersey led with 12 hits compared to Utah’s four. Utah had six shots on goal, while New Jersey managed five ( NHL.com ). Second Period Recap: Photos by Christina Winnegar Rookie Seamus Casey scored a power-play goal at 1:14, assisted by Nico Hischier, putting New Jersey on the scoreboard. Casey received a pass from Hischier, sent it straight to the net, and fired it into the wide-open goal from the high center slot. The second goal of the period came at 8:13 from Stefan Noesen, assisted by Seamus Casey. Casey’s shot was deflected by Utah’s goaltender Karel Vejmelka, and Noesen rebounded the puck around the crease and slid it into the net. Utah remained scoreless. New Jersey converted one of their two power-play opportunities, while Utah was unsuccessful on their single chance. New Jersey led in shots on goal, 16-5 ( NHL.com ). Third Period Recap: Photos by Christina Winnegar Nico Hischier sealed the game with a final goal at 10:13, converted from a power play that began with a penalty by Juuso Valimaki at 8:55. Hischier’s goal was assisted by Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. After dominating offensive zone possession, Bratt passed down low to Hughes, who centered the puck to Hischier, allowing him to flutter it into the net. Despite an early power-play opportunity in the period, Utah was unable to score. Utah had nine shots on goal in the third period, while New Jersey had twelve ( NHL.com ). Key Performances: Photos by Christina Winnegar New Jersey goaltender Jake Allen secured his first shutout win of the season and his first with the Devils, marking the twenty-fifth shutout of his career after stopping all 20 shots with a 1.000 SV% ( NHL.com ). Rookie defenseman Seamus Casey opened the scoring with his power-play goal at 1:14 in the second period, his third goal of the season. He also tallied his first NHL assist to Nico Hischier in the third period ( NHL.com ). Key Takeaways: The Devils led the game with a total of 32 shots on goal compared to Utah’s 20 and controlled the physical game with 28 hits to Utah’s 8 ( NHL.com ). Stefan Noesen’s efforts this season were rewarded with time on the first power-play unit. New Jersey converted a chance in the third period while he was on the ice ( NHL.com ). While Utah was unable to convert on any of their four power-play opportunities, New Jersey scored on two of their seven chances ( NHL.com ). Sources and Verification: To ensure the accuracy and depth of our coverage, this article draws from trusted sources such as NHL.com  and ESPN .  These platforms provide official game statistics, player insights, and up-to-date reports, enabling us to deliver well-rounded and factual information. By leveraging these reliable sources, we aim to offer a detailed and verified account of the games, including key moments, standout performances, and post-game analysis.

by: Christina Winnegar This article provides an objective analysis of the game and is authored by an independent writer not affiliated with the team or league Photos by: Christina Winnegar In one of the most highly anticipated games of the season for the New Jersey Devils, with new head coach Sheldon Keefe facing his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, for their 2024-25 season home opener, the Devils fell short. The Maple Leafs secured the win with a final score of 4-2. The Devils, who previously swept the Global Series games in Prague with a combined 7-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres, couldn’t keep up in this matchup, with 16,764 fans in attendance ( NHL.com ). The Maple Leafs, recovering after their season-opening 1-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, debuted Dennis Hildeby in net Thursday night in New Jersey. Photos by: Christina Winnegar First Period Recap The Maple Leafs took control in the first period. Max Pacioretty opened the scoring at 8:18, assisted by Pontus Holmberg and Conor Timmins. Bobby McMann followed with a sharp-angle goal at 11:29, assisted by Jake McCabe and Steven Lorentz. At 14:46, Steven Lorentz backhanded another goal past Jacob Markstrom, assisted by David Kämpf. Jesper Bratt scored for the Devils on a power play at 19:18, ripping the puck from the high slot to get the Devils on the board. Bratt’s goal was unassisted ( NHL.com ). The Maple Leafs led shots on goal in the first period 11-9 ( ESPN ). Photos by: Christina Winnegar Second Period Recap Penalties marked the second period, with the Devils failing to capitalize on multiple power plays. The Leafs' John Tavares scored a wrist-shot at 14:52, assisted by Max Domi and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Devils responded late, at 19:54, when Timo Meier scored on a flick shot to the top left corner of the net, assisted by Jonathan Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon. Toronto had seven shots on goal in the second period, while New Jersey managed eight ( ESPN ). Photos by: Christina Winnegar Third Period Recap Despite additional power-play opportunities, neither team managed to score in the third period. The Devils pulled two power-play opportunities but couldn’t convert, and the Leafs also failed to score on their power play. Total shots in the third period were four for Toronto and seven for New Jersey ( NHL.com ). Key Performances Toronto goaltender Dennis Hildeby secured his first NHL win, stopping 22 out of 24 shots with a save percentage of .917. Hildeby, Toronto’s fourth-round draft pick in 2022, impressed in his NHL debut ( NHL.com ). Photos by: Christina Winnegar Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom, previously acquired from the Calgary Flames, saved 18 out of 22 shots, finishing the night with a .818 save percentage ( ESPN ). Key Takeaways The Maple Leafs’ defense was instrumental in the win, blocking 27 shots in front of Hildeby. At least one shot from the Devils was blocked by each of the six Leafs defensemen ( NHL.com ). The Devils struggled to convert on the power play, scoring only once on five opportunities, while Toronto failed to capitalize on either of their two power-play chances ( ESPN ). With the win, the Maple Leafs have now won eight straight road games against the Devils, dating back to December 18, 2018, making it the longest active road winning streak against a single opponent ( ESPN ). Photos by: Christina Winnegar Sources and Verification: To ensure the accuracy and depth of our coverage, this article draws from trusted sources such as NHL.com  and ESPN . These platforms provide official game statistics, player insights, and up-to-date reports, enabling us to deliver well-rounded and factual information. By leveraging these reliable sources, we aim to offer a detailed and verified account of the New Jersey Devils’ home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs, including key moments, standout performances, and post-game analysis.

By: Holly Arend It’s time to look at Game Days from a new point of view, and Katherine Ellis is here to make it happen. As the host of Out Of His League , Katherine is shining a spotlight on women in sports, offering a fresh perspective that celebrates their contributions both on and off the field. With her signature style and passion, she’s breaking down barriers and redefining how we see women in the sports world. In this interview, we’ll dive into her mission, her journey, and the impact she hopes to make. 1. What inspired you to start the "Out of His League" series, and how do you choose the women you feature? I don’t actually remember having one singular “lightbulb” moment where this great idea came to me super clearly out of thin air. I think it’s something that developed in my head over time as I naturally experienced moments of being impressed with women I’d see and meet in the sports world and also the growing interest from the public in said women involved in sports. I have spent my whole life as far as I can remember involved in sports in one way or another, and working in sports since high school, so the amount of incredible people, specifically women, I have met throughout my life in this world is really countless. I was probably organically telling my family and friends about a girl I had met who had my dream job or how this woman had a breakthrough moment in her specific field and just felt like I wanted to tell more people about it. I do remember one specific “ah-ha” moment and that was when I started seeing my sister, who Couldn’t care less about football, become the world’s biggest Kansas City Chiefs fan in what seemed like overnight. We were born and raised in New England and have never celebrated anything but the Patriots and Super Bowls, so when she started taking over the family television last year to put on Chiefs games I was floored to be honest. Thanks to Taylor Swift, my sister was not only watching football, she was voluntarily watching it OVER some of her favorite reality TV show premieres, dropping statistics and facts that even I didn’t know about, and making the rest of the family come and cheer on Travis Kecle with her. This is the same girl who a year prior had almost never watched a Superbowl and would leave the room when we put a sports game on because she was so disinterested and now she was setting up our DVR recordings to not miss a second. I realized that if she could quickly become that interested in sports, other girls could too. I’ve always felt like a “translator” for her and my other super girly friends to explain what is going on in the sports world to them in “girl language” and figured that maybe I need to bring this kind of “storytelling” to a bigger audience. 2. How did your time as a reporter for BU's hockey team shape your perspective on sports reporting? It was very interesting because the year before I was the reporter I was the team manager which was a much more time-consuming role. I was at the rink every day 2 hours before practice and 2 hours after. I traveled with the team to every game even to Ireland during Thanksgiving. I missed out on so many events and weekends in college to work for the team. Because of the amount of time I spent with the team and staff, I built really strong relationships with everyone as human beings. There were times when I knew what was going on with players' family lives and why it might be affecting their gameplay on the ice. Getting to know the athletes and coaches as human beings before my job switched to reporting about them made it really important to me to always put the humans that they are before their sports analytics. I think this was a rare approach, especially in the first year of my career on-camera reporting, but it was important to me and really shifted my perspective on what stories were important to share when reporting. This core value of mine has stuck with me today in the types of sports content I share and I always try to remind fans and viewers that even when helmets go on, athletes are human beings with real feelings and emotions too, just like you and I. 3. What do you enjoy most about creating sports content, and how do you keep Is your commentary fresh and engaging? Sports have always been a part of my life and I know always will be. There’s a camaraderie about them that unites people and cities together which is a really beautiful thing that I love. My life is constantly changing day to day between my career in sports media and because of my long-time boyfriend’s career of being an athlete, there’s no way to describe what’s going on in my life without mentioning the direct impact that sports are having on it. There’s no way to say to my friends “Hey I'm actually in your city for one day” or “I don’t know what country I'm living next fall” or “my boyfriend’s job transferred him immediately and suddenly I'm gone” without saying the truth of the sports impact which is really “I got invited by this sports team last minute to go shoot with them tomorrow in this city” or “Jake got traded and we’re moving from North Carolina to Illinois in 3 hours”. When it comes to content about my life, it’s really just me being open and honest about whatever situation I’m in currently experiencing (which is definitely fresh because we stay on our toes over here). Even when I was heartbroken that Jake got traded last season because of the friendships I made and the life I had built with his previous team, I posted how I was truly feeling to show it is absolutely not all sunshine and rainbows in this lifestyle that I feel is so overly glamorized - which was that I was struggling with packing up our entire apartment and puppy by myself and mentally I was so sad my first week in the new city’s team because I felt so alone. That’s just me oversharing my honest feelings and I think it was relatable to a lot of people and how they may be feeling when moving somewhere new. When it comes to sports content that has nothing to do with my life, I just post my thoughts and feelings about the sports. I think it feels like a unique viewpoint because people post about sports on social media are usually mega fans or analytical reporters who know all of the X’s and O’s of the sports, not girly girls who are half interested and just want to know what celebrities are at the game and what outfits they’re wearing. I try to take my knowledge of the game and “pop culture-if” it for my girlfriends to make it interesting to them even though they might not care about the game statistics as much as superfans. 4. How do you balance being a fan of the sport with maintaining a professional perspective in your commentary? I think as long as it’s not my boyfriend’s team, I’m able to be professional commentating about it. I’ve learned through trial (and error), that I am most certainly the least unbiased in the building when he’s playing and emotions will get involved. I’ve stopped live tweeting his games when I'm fired up which helped with this. Until he’s retired, my biggest professional weakness will be that there will be 1 team I should never commentate on (publically at least). Everyone else, I can put rivalries aside and be balanced. I definitely learned this from my dad who was a Boston College hockey player who literally had a gigantic eagle tattoo covering his forearm and had (Sucks to BU) in his blood, until I started working for Boston University’s hockey team and he literally showed up to the BC alumni golf tournament with a Boston (University) Terrier decal sticker on his car. Blood is thicker than rivalries. 5. What inspired you to create Chicks University at Barstool Sports, and how did you envision it contributing to the Barstool brand? When I got to Barstool, I was assigned to create content that no one else there was currently covering. Which felt nearly impossible because Barstool has one of the leading shows for every sport and entertainment category ever. I collaborated with multiple brands there like Spittin Chiclets, Gametime, Barstool Uncut on Snapchat, KFC Radio, etc. but I needed to find my own unique identity. At the time, it felt like no one was making content specifically for college-aged girls so that was the brand angle I created. When I started it, I was only a week out of college and felt like I had the world’s best senior advice for all of the incoming freshmen babies and wanted to tell them everything I would tell my younger sister if I had one. It started super strong engagement-wise, but I quickly felt like I was struggling to come up with new episode ideas. Until you’re out of college, you never realize how quickly you “grow up” and suddenly don't care anymore about how to get invited to frat parties and what to wear to class. The unfortunate truth was that the longevity potential for the brand wasn’t there unless there was a new host every year who was a senior keeping it fresh, or if I just kept going back to college but I don’t need any more loans so we were all set with that. It’s funny, when my intern contract was up I pretty much stormed into Dave’s office to ask him for an extension. I remember the other employees telling me that was insane of me to do. One said I had “the biggest balls in the office” because requesting a meeting with the CEO as an intern is kind of psychotic behavior from me to be fair. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from that conversation. He said something along the lines of “You need to make content about what you’re interested in. All of the most successful people here are covering topics they are passionate about and care about. If you don’t care about what you’re making content about, why would anyone else care?”. That was a huge lightbulb for me that I needed to change what I thought I should be making content about. It took a lot of time off and brainstorming to get to where I am now today, but now my new show is the most passionate I have ever felt about a piece of content creation and I am genuinely so thankful I got that advice to make me dig deep about the digital footprint I wanted to be making. 6. What are your future goals for your series and sports commentary career? Are any new projects in the works? My biggest goal is to keep bridging the gap between the world’s most girly girls and the nitty-gritty roughness of sports. I think the progress that’s been made over the last couple of years with the growing interest of females in sports has been incredible and I want to have a big part in that. I’m actively working on it via social media, but specifically speaking when it comes to goals one of my biggest near-sighted ones is to create public in-person events for the girls at sports games. I can perfectly envision having a pregame party all together meeting new friends, talking about everything that has nothing to do with the game we’re going to watch after, and teaching people just one new thing about the game they might not have known before being there that day. I think one of the most intimidating things about sports is feeling like you know nothing, but I think that is so fun to have the opportunity to learn and pick teams to root for from scratch. That’s SO much better than if you were born into a life filled with rooting for a disappointing sports team like New Yorkers have to do. 7. How do you see the role of women in sports evolving, and what part do you hope to play in that change? It’s hard to envision what women are going to do next because 5 years ago I would be on the floor stunned over all of the incredible things females have newly accomplished in the sports industry. In sports the individual athlete accomplishments we’ve seen and league-wide the WNBA and PWHL progress has been astronomical, women I personally know getting jobs in broadcasting they’ve been training for for decades, and WAG’s making more money than their pro athlete partners due to their social media presence, female coaches and agents and referees breaking ground they’ve never even stood on before - It’s really such a beautiful thing to watch and genuinely brings tears to my eyes. I hope to help people realize that if their dream role doesn’t exist, that doesn’t mean it can’t exist. It just means they have to create it themselves. I think the generations before us were very used to entering the workforce at the bottom and spending their careers slowly working their way up. Now more than ever we really have the opportunity to pave our own way and invent new positions that have never existed. I hope by sharing the stories of all of my guests on “Out Of His League” I can give women the confidence and realization that they can make it in any area that they want to, regardless of how big the “man’s world” feels. A huge thank you to Katherine Ellis for sharing her journey with us today! Be sure to catch her show, Out Of His League , on YouTube , where she’s redefining the role of women in sports. And don’t miss her exclusive cover story, coming out in October, where we’ll dive even deeper into her inspiring path and what’s next on her horizon.

by Holly Arend From the rink to the field, Philippe Lapointe’s journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. After making waves in the BCHL with Trail, Philippe took his talents to Michigan, where he not only sharpened his hockey skills but also dabbled in meditation, real estate aspirations, and even some high-stakes pickleball battles with his teammates. Today, we catch up with Philippe to dive deep into how Trail shaped his career, what keeps him grounded off the ice, and the wild NIL deal of his dreams (spoiler: it involves pickleball and grass-fed beef). Reflecting on your time with Trail in the BCHL, how did that experience contribute to your personal and athletic development,  Yeah, so my time at Trail, I was fortunate enough. My head coach, there was an alumni at Michigan, and we had a couple of commits there. So being able to join that team and that staff kind of prepared me to come here because he knew the style of play. So, being able to learn from a guy that played here and had success here was really important for me. And obviously, the time at Trail was so special – just being able to fully immerse myself in their community and, the people there were so welcoming. I felt like I was a part of their family. So you're a graduate student. What are you doing outside of this that's helping you kind of de-stress, mentalize, and understand that maybe how you can develop yourself personally in your game? For me, you know, the mental side of the game is 80% of the battle. So being able to have tactics that you have throughout the week is really important. Every morning I get up and do a little meditation.I really try and focus on my breathing and try and get centered just to be able to, you know, attack the day and have a purpose with my day. So I usually like to get up and go sit on the porch when it's warm out. It's Michigan, so you've got some cold days. But, yeah, especially when it's nice out, get outside, either go for a walk or just sit on the porch and reflect on the day before and kind of set myself up in the right headspace to have a great day. We've talked about post-grad life a little bit. Tell us what sparked your interest in what you want to do post-grad and the ideas you have. Yeah, so what sparked my idea in real estate was a professor here. His name is Mark Rosentraub, and he has a lot of literature and has done a lot of research on the intersection of real estate, sports, and economic development.  So when I was in his class, I fully immersed myself in it and asked him a lot of questions. And it was a really interesting class, and that kind of sparked my interest. Just talking to him and utilizing his network was able to reach out to a lot of cool people in the industry and just learn more about the intersection of sports and real estate.So hopefully in the future, you know, do something where, there's a sporting development and they need market research or help plan development with a sports arena or stadium at the anchor of that. So I don't know exactly what I'd be doing, but just being able to get my foot in the door there would be really cool.  Has there been a person or an event that's inspired you and kind of helped you throughout your time at Michigan? Two come to mind. So luckily at Michigan, there are incredible donors and people that want to help you. So, one year I went to Chicago on a career venture, and then the next year I went to New York on one as well. So on these career ventures, you pretty much meet high-up executives who went to Michigan and learn about their company and their industry. So usually you go to ten different companies, and they're all kind of in different industries and sectors because obviously we have a big blend of student-athletes, et cetera, that are going on these trips. So being able to see what you like, what type of industry you like, and what you don't like is super important to kind of understand what you want to do in the future. And it sets yourself up to, start to build that network of Michigan alumni. And it's crazy the amount of pride that those people have, and it really shows how truly special Michigan is. So speaking kind of on these things, career development and everything, what advice would you give future college athletes like you? To succeed and help get over any of those mental blocks that they might be having? I think the biggest thing is, like I've learned over my last four years here, is to ask for help. Coming in, I was someone that was pretty shy. You know, I always wanted to do stuff on my own and figure it out myself. But, when you come here, you realize that it's okay to ask for help, whether that's something in your sport, asking your coaches for help, whether that's mentally if you're struggling, the stress of academics and athletics is too much. Being able to talk to a psychologist or just talk to a coach or someone in the staff that can help you because they will listen. And, they'll provide their advice and feedback. And also just being able to leverage every single connection that you have. There are so many resources here at Michigan, and people here want, like, they want you to succeed. That's something that I've realized here. And people want to give you help. And it's just up to you if you want to take it or not. We’ve heard you enjoy golfing in your free time! Is there a specific course that’s your favorite to play on, and how has golf helped you unwind or even enhance your focus on the ice? Yeah. Golf, I'm not too great, but I do really enjoy it. During the summer, I was here all summer, and during the spring when everyone's here training, we usually get a student pass here at the university course, and pretty good deal. So, yeah. Usually try and get out three or four times a week with the boys. And it's just a great spot to just relax and unwind from your busy schedule. And sometimes I take my shoes off, ground a little bit, and just connect with the earth. It's just a great time just being able to take four hours of your day just to relax, unwind, and have a good time with the guys.  We talked about real estate.Tell us a little bit more about the idea you have going post-grad and what you want to do, who you want to be involved with or if have you a bigger picture of things you want to change in the industry? Obviously, with real estate, there's so many different ways you can go. But for me, I want to try and intersect sports and real estate. So, for example, there's a project in Chicago happening, and it's called the 1901 Project. So, the United Center where the Blackhawks and Bulls play. It's on the west side of the city. And over the years, it's kind of been, a struggling area. And the owners of the Bulls and the Blackhawks are investing $7 billion of their own money to, do a whole new development surrounding the United Center, which is like retail, residential, kind of live, work, and play environment, just to revitalize that side of the city. So, trying to get my foot in the door of a project like that, whether that's the financial due diligence behind it or the strategic planning of what goes where, or just a community outreach, being able to talk to people around the community of what they would like to see a change in their community is super important to me. That's a type of project that I'd want to be involved in in the future. But, we'll see what happens from here. We love to ask but tell us about your dream NIL deal, it can be anything in the world. Yeah, dream NIL deal. I love pickleball along with golf. So we have a bunch of guys that play during the summer and spring. So maybe a cool brand. A bunch of us have a certain paddle by a company called Engage. So maybe in the future do a collaboration with my teammates and them, and that would be super fun because it gets pretty intense on the courts for sure. And then also I love to cook. I love everything health and wellness. So maybe there's this company called Force of Nature that does, grass-fed, grass-finished beef products and bison and lamb and all that good stuff. So, maybe doing a deal with them so I can chef it up a little more in the kitchen would be really cool. Obviously, as an athlete at Michigan, what you put in your body is fuel. So, if you're fueling yourself with really good stuff and good quality stuff, that's a win for me and a win for, my performance. And so, yeah, that would be really cool to do as well. Are you the best pickleball duo on the court? We've got a couple guys that are pretty good. Yeah, I'd say I'm up there for sure.Yeah, me and one other guy are for sure running the courts. If we do, whatever, King of the Hill or something like that. But, yeah, it gets pretty competitive. A couple of screaming matches, a couple of arguments, but, you know, it's all fun. We're all pretty competitive, so it's a good time. Are we going to see a UMich pickleball tournament in the future? Maybe, maybe. Yeah, that would be fun. Yeah, we tried setting up like a little tournament with the field hockey team here. That fell through. But maybe like a student-athlete. A big tournament would be really cool to do because I know a lot of the other student-athletes love pickleball as well. So maybe in the future. Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Philippe! Your passion for hockey, commitment to personal growth, and love for golf and pickleball are truly inspiring. As you head into this new season, we wish you all the best on and off the ice. Keep chasing those dreams—there’s no doubt you’re set to make a big impact both in the rink and beyond! For any press/NIL/ or brand inquiries for Philippe Lapointe, you can contact Nilson Sports .

By: Cole Plichta and Orchee Sorker | September 19, 2024 Alec Benjamin brought an intimate, storytelling vibe to Marathon Music Works in Nashville during his 12 Notes Tour, and the crowd was captivated from start to finish. The night kicked off with opener Matt Hansen, whose smooth vocals and heartfelt performance perfectly set the tone for what was to come. Hansen’s raw emotion and soulful sound connected with the audience warming up the room for Alec Benjamin’s much-anticipated set. As the lights dimmed, the stage came to life with an innovative design that stood out from Benjamin’s past tours—this time featuring a bedroom and desk setup. It was his first tour with a set design, which made the experience feel even more personal. The cozy atmosphere brought fans right into Alec's world. One of the most unique aspects of the performance was his incorporation of "writing notes during the show", an interactive gesture in line with the tour’s theme, the 12 Notes Tour. Between songs, Benjamin would jot down notes on the desk and then share with the audience. It added a sense of immediacy and intimacy to the performance, making fans feel more connected to his art. The setlist spanned his well-known hits and newer releases, each song received with a chorus of voices singing along in unison. His storytelling between songs added further context, giving fans a glimpse into the emotions and experiences behind his lyrics. Overall, the 12 Notes Tour was a memorable experience. With the addition of a set design, Benjamin elevated the live experience, giving fans not only a sonic journey but a visual one as well.

Written By: Allen Hale | Photos By: Shannon McMahon “Motel Cable” by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania six-piece indie rock group Ex Pilots is eclectic. Released on Aug. 23, 2024, the album clocks in at just under 38 minutes, featuring 15 songs which cycle through a variety of inspirations passed through lo-fi recording methods.  As discussed in their Spotify profile, Ex Pilots have drawn inspiration from 1990s bands like Guided by Voices, an influential indie rock band led by Robert Pollard from Dayton, Ohio. The latter acts turned to inspirations from decades prior — namely the British Invasion, power pop and early punk — as source material for their original, melodic brand of indie rock, home-recorded on four-track machines. Ex Pilots have, in some sense, picked up on a similar project by instead returning to the 1990s as a locus for varied artistic stimulus. The product is a diverse record founded upon slacker rock archetypes and distorted poppiness, at once recognizable in its appeal and exciting in its distinctness.  Even as their heroes are clearly exalted, Ex Pilots retain their own forward-thinking vision for what it means to create rock music decades after its popular, critical and commercial dominance, plunged back into the underground. The tracklist’s mélange avoids repeating the past by continuously exploring new sonic structures and timbres. It’s not surprising that their ethos has attracted attention from similarly-minded artists; Ex Pilots even recently played a show with Guided by Voices   in the latter group’s hometown. The opening track, “Downdraft,” sets the stage by alternating between heavier, noisy guitar riffs and lighter, airy sections showcasing the group’s unique take on shoegaze. The vocals sound distanced and filtered, a keenly melodic aspect which runs throughout this album. The next song “Hannah” follows up as being similarly ethereal without merely rehashing the lushness of 1960s psychedelia, containing an air of hopefulness beneath its forlorn sound. Contrast within individual songs is dialed up in tracks such as “Motel,” which utilizes layers of distortion that discernable chords and muffled vocals must wade through; a cleaner lead guitar melody cuts above the top to provide some direction. Rehashing principles from “Downdraft,” the transitions between juxtaposed sections occur at a quicker, nearly jarring pace. Balance is established by the acoustic ballad “Not Yet,” shimmering with effects that linger in a soupy atmosphere. “Starry” and “108” later capitalize on a similar appeal, the second piece lasting 50 seconds while deploying structure based on one guitar pattern and mumbled, intimate singing.  On the other hand, “Glory Thread” begins similarly in lacking percussion, although it reaches a distinct peak which accumulates washed-out volume before releasing into a fade. Slower, easy-going numbers like “Dog in the Yard” add additional range and compliment the up-tempo energetics of the 70-second track “Don’t Keep Me Up There,” showcasing Ex Pilot’s willingness to deploy multiple lead vocalists across the LP.  “Silver Sword” combines the aforementioned appreciation for Robert Pollard’s work while incorporating anthemic, impassioned vocals, building towards the spacey soloing that follows on “At the Side.” As with earlier pieces, the songs end by abruptly shifting speed and redesigning itself around an entirely new riff  Even as the denser chords of songs like “Thirty Days” give weight to the guitars and low end, “Motel Cable” is never solely dominated by the six-string instrument’s presence. The drumming on “At The Side” and “Spirits Up” undergird the addictive momentum behind each of these works, a force that undoubtedly propels the band’s live performances. As a full album, “Motel Cable” is never easy to pin down, but tracing its pertinent contours makes for a uniquely engaging listening experience. Even after trying to sketch its most salient moments, I find myself without a way of summarizing the overall tone or sound. This restless creativity is readily apparent in each individual song, culminating in a multiplicity of musical statements. Only Ex Pilots could know what comes next for their career.

Interview By: Caitlin Joy | Photos By: Rob Tirrell Q and A disclaimer: This interview is lightly edited for grammar and clarity As European girl summer winds down for the season, the enchantment and petrichor-perfumed wonder of European girl autumn — the former's shy and infinitely wise older sister — begins to unfurl. Ruby-red pea coats and berets, mulled wine and melancholy classics awake from their slumbers as the crisp winds blow in from the north, and the warming nutmeg of the holidays inches closer day by day. Barcelona-born musician Alexa Dark is in her happy place during such a season — its pomegranate tones, diffusive golden glow, curling fog and old, dark wood spiral staircases trickling into her creative releases throughout the year. A penchant for romance and darkness inspires the singer-songwriter and director's heart and eye, thus her finding comfort in the falling leaves, gilded art and introspection. In the aftermath of Alexa's first EP, “Dark, Vol. 1,” and during the lightning storm of her latest single "Alibi," we talked cinema, her greatest inspirations and where she sees herself going next. Q: To start from the beginning: How did Barcelona shape your childhood and approach to music? A: My first real relationship with music was the Spanish songs my mom played in our kitchen. Music is so woven into the culture and the city, it became the soundtrack of my early years and is embedded in who I am as an artist. Q: Who or what do you remember being your first inspirations? Not confined to any one sphere of art or life. A: I was a big reader from a young age, with writers like Alexander Pushkin, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sylvia Plath shaping how I saw the world. Q: How did moving in between Barcelona, London and New York City affect your growing up?  A: Every city’s unique culture and energy shaped my sound and style. Q: How did you cope with feeling homesick?  A: The beauty of not being from any one place is the freedom to find home wherever I go. The concept of home intrigues me, almost like an alien mystery, and it’s a recurring theme in my writing. Q: You began creating and performing music during your teenage-hood; before then, had you experimented with other kinds of creative expression? A: I was always writing from a young age — poetry, stories, etc. Those early creative explorations laid the groundwork for delving into music later. Q: What drew you to performing live during your teenage years?  A: Living in London, surrounded by a vibrant live music scene, seeing my favorite musicians live regularly, performing felt like a natural next step from writing songs and practicing covers in my bedroom. When the chance came to play a small gig at a local bar, I took it. Practically no one was there, but it was the beginning of my journey into music. Q: When you arrived in London and New York for the first time, how did encountering the cultures of these two cities respectively affect you?   A: London raised me, gave me my musical education — it’s where I played in my first bands and discovered my favorite artists. New York pushed me to explore new creative boundaries and embrace my sound in a different way. Q: Did these experiences impact how you first felt when arriving in Los Angeles, to found a homebase in? How so, if yes? A: Arriving in Los Angeles felt like stepping into a film I had always romanticized — echoes of old Humphrey Bogart movies I loved, the allure of places like the Chateau and Sunset Boulevard. Los Angeles has this cinematic charm and mystery that really inspires my music. Splitting time between New York City and Los Angeles, both cities became stages for different sides of my story. Q: What is your songwriting process? A: I don’t have a set process. I like to collect fragments — lines, images, melodies — and when I sit down at the piano or with my guitar, I let the moment take over, like chasing a feeling or a memory. Q: Why are films a safe space and a site of inspiration for you? A: Films offer a poetic escape, where every detail — from lighting to dialogue — shapes a narrative. Whether it's classics like “Casablanca,” Jean-Luc Godard’s cinema, or the old Bond films, films fuel my imagination and influence how I see the world. Q: How did you begin creating your first EP, “Dark, Vol. I?” A: The EP started as a collection of songs I had written, but as I put them together, they revealed a larger story. They captured emotions I had been struggling to articulate, like pieces coming together to form a larger puzzle. Q: When it comes to creating a first EP, how do you know which darlings to kill? What guided your process of doing so? A: I think you just have to trust your intuition as an artist. Q: Which authors, whether film directors, writers and/or musicians are your biggest inspirations? A: Jean-Luc Godard, Nancy and Frank Sinatra, Serge Gainsbourg, David Lynch, Leonard Cohen, Alexander Pushkin, Sylvia Plath, The Flamingos, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Q: From your perspective, what is the relationship between romance and darkness? A: To me, romance and darkness are deeply intertwined. There’s a shadowy side to lust and love, often bringing out the darker sides of ourselves — depths and desires we might not have previously acknowledged. Q: How did the process of making “Alibi” begin? A: Writing “Alibi” was a different experience than any other songs I’ve written. It came together in one afternoon with my friend Simon Oscroft in his studio in Los Angeles. I was feeling inspired by my tendency to over-romanticize situations and people, even bad ideas and toxic lovers. Q: Having created an EP, how has your author’s perspective and process changed when working on “Alibi?” A: I write based on my experience, and a lot changed in between creating my EP and writing “Alibi.” But there’s also a definite throughline. Q: Can you say anything about what will be coming after “Alibi?” A: I’m excited for the new music I’ve been working on and can’t wait to share it. Q: How are the processes of authoring an extended musical work like an EP and designing a visual project, such as a music video or photoshoot, different? A: It all comes from the same place for me. Creating music is like creating a film in my mind, and a music video or photoshoot is a snapshot from that world. Q: What is the difference in the feelings of performing on stage, and being in front of a camera? A: Performing live connects me deeply with my audience; it’s a raw and irreplaceable experience. Q: What do you enjoy about social media?  A: At its best, social media is a great way to connect me with a global audience and people I might never have met otherwise. Q: Which parts of social media do you struggle with? A: The demand for constant “content” often clashes with the process of creating art. Q: And to close out, what is your guiding ambition as a creative? A: I always strive to create something timeless that speaks to those who need it, explores what it means to live, to love, to feel and hopefully echoes through time. Click here to stream “Alibi."

Photos by: Josue Cambara | September 12, 2024