There's a story for every semester. Some stories are better than others. But every story has a soundtrack nonetheless. I realize my life stories nor my music taste are the most interesting thing in the world. But together, they're enough to bring a personal experience to life.
For each semester of my college life (10), here's 5 songs, 1 photo and 1 paragraph. I got into these songs during these semesters, and they reflect my story. Here's my whole college story on spotify!
The CSI Semester
Fall 2009 THE ACTOR OUT OF WORK
Fresh outta high school, home from a great summer at Redfish Lake Lodge, the college experience wasn't what I expected. I lived at home and attended the junior college College of Southern Idaho. I was an acting major, but it didn't feel as gratifying as it used to. I remember rehearsals every night, yet spending a lot of time alone in Twin Falls.
Nick Drake Pink Moon
Built to Spill Velvet Waltz
The Flaming Lips Suddenly Everything Has Changed
Radiohead Exit Music (For a Film)
Dinosaur Jr. Feel the Pain
Welcome to USU
Fall 2012 THE CIPRALEX DAYS
Fresh off a full LDS mission and a bad summer at Redfish Lake Lodge, this semester marked my closing days on anxiety meds. I don't remember much, other than I went on a lot of bad dates and tried keeping up with all the new music I had missed over my mission. I worked for USU's donations phonathon (that was weird). I was undeclared.
Frank Ocean Thinkin Bout You
Japandroids The House That Heaven Built
Bon Iver Holocene
Destroyer Kaputt
Kanye West POWER
Spring 2013 THE WARM-UP RUN
It was an internally exciting semester. I was just starting to "feel" things again, I was falling in love with Logan's spring colors, and I was working 25 hours a week. It was the most delightfully humbling semester of my college life. Still undeclared.
LCD Soundsystem All I Want
Beach House Walk in the Park
Fleet Foxes Grown Ocean
Youth Lagoon Mute
Girls Hellhole Ratrace
Fall 2013 THE JOURNALIST
Finishing off a great first summer in Logan, I felt like I just couldn't stop collecting new friends. I studied journalism and took a rough Intro to Newswriting class where I consistently wrote about the local music scene. I somehow kept a firm social life the whole time. And I was always discovering exciting music! It was a beautiful time.
Kendrick Lamar Money Trees
My Bloody Valentine To Here Knows When
Built to Spill Carry the Zero
Arcade Fire Reflektor
Neil Young Walk On
Spring 2014 THE LUCKY ERA
I changed my major to stage management, but was a paid writer for The Utah Statesman; mostly music reviews (I regret leaving this major). I received a random $3,000 scholarship. I was dating weekly. The girls next door were my best friends. My roommate got arrested. I ran a half marathon in 81 minutes. It was a beautiful time.
Sun Kil Moon I Watched The Film The Song Remains The Same
St Vincent Digital Witness
UGK Int'l Player's Anthem (I Choose You)
!!! Take Ecstasy With Me
Arthur Russell I Couldn't Say It To Your Face
Fall 2014 THE DARK AGES
My EQP summer depressed me, not living up to the happiness bar set by the prior glorified year of my life. This semester just sent me further downward. I wrecked my car for good, I lost all my money, I lost my car insurance, I lost my job, assistant stage managing was my biggest stressor, I was hesitant to talk with any of my friends, I always romanticized running away. It was a bad time.
Iceage Forever
Deerhunter Desire Lines
Broken Social Scene Lover's Spit
Perfume Genius Too Bright
Ariel Pink Put Your Number In My Phone
Spring 2015 THE LOST ONE
Despite how recent this semester was, I don't remember much. I began working a 4am on-campus janitor job. I went the whole semester without any crushes. I was taking 18 credits and failing half of them at one point (but I pulled through). I think I was just trying to survive this time.
Kendrick Lamar King Kunta
Father John Misty Bored In The USA
Run The Jewels Close Your Eyes (And Count to F*ck)
Stephen Sondheim Finishing the Hat
Lambchop Your F*cking Sunny Day
Fall 2015 THE 'STACHE
Returning from an introspective summer at Redfish Lake, I was ready to be more vulnerable! Well, kind of. I had a mustache. People remember that part.
Bob Dylan Idiot Wind
The Band When You Awake
Elliott Smith Alameda
Bjork Who Is It
Stevie Wonder Love's In Need Of Love Today
Spring 2016 THE NEW GUY
For the first time, I chose to move in with friends! It made a big difference. I was dating someone for a few weeks, which was new ground for me. I shaved my mustache. I started realizing how often I think about the past and focused on self-improvement all semester. I stage managed my first show. I went to the temple every week. I went to a lot of bonfires. It was a beautiful time.
Jens Lekman The Opposite of Hallelujah
Jamie xx I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)
Superchunk Driveway to Driveway
Yo La Tengo We're An American Band
Mercury Rev Holes
Fall 2016 THE OLD GUY
This semester has been all about my focus on self-improvement. I've started feeling a sense of self-love I haven't felt since my teens, but also have been learning a lot about my migraines (and dealing with them). I started off with a fat sprained ankle, and I'm closing down stage managing my final show. Allowing myself to develop and learn at age 26 has been a fun, worthwhile challenge.
Chance the Rapper No Problem
Uncle Tupelo Slate
Frank Ocean Self Control
Guided By Voices Mincer Ray
David Bowie I Can't Give Everything Away
Thank you for being part of my college experience. I can truly go anywhere from here!
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