One man band creates one unique sound

Lindsey Oyler

by Lindsey Oyler, Alestle Reporter

Evan Mitchell simultaneously strums an old Stratocaster covered in stickers as one foot taps against a bass drum while the other hits a tambourine. All while doing so, he yells/sings into a loudspeaker, giving his voice that country twang that makes him so unique. I can’t understand a word he’s yell//singing, but I love it.

I am a punk rock junkie. I adore safety pins, black band shirts and ripped-up jeans. Every band I’ve seen is different in its own way. However, one band with only one band member and several instruments, was exceptional: is the Evan Mitchell One Man Band.

I’ve listened to classic rock, alternative, and several other genres yet I’d never heard of Evan’s style before listening to his music. His fame has already circulated throughout central Illinois, starting from his home turf in Belleville.

Evan Mitchell One Man Band

Evan Mitchell is a unique individual, let alone musician. He’s about 6’9” and he wears a tie and sunglasses to some of his concerts, a la the Blues Brothers. He idolizes the people most rock ‘n’ roll fans have never heard of and likes sleeping on his friends’ couches from time to time. His genre of music ranges anywhere from country rock to almost a funky punk beat.

In today’s music scene, I find it extremely difficult to discover a band claiming its own genre, even locally. Evan Mitchell does just that and gives a performance I would recommend to any listener. He doesn’t just play his music. He aims to entertain.

Evan Mitchell One Man Band currently has shows lined up on Feb. 13 at the Hitchin’ Post in Taylorville, on March 4 at the Big Muddy Pub in Alton and on July 24 at a car show in Cerro Gardo.

Why beer is worth the blog

by Mathew Camp, Alestle Copy Editor

There is nothing more relaxing after a long day of work or class than an ice cold beer. I am sure many college students out there will undoubtedly agree. Then, after a long week of classes, exams, papers, homework and stress, that frosty mug never looked so tempting.

Not only can having a few drinks be relaxing, it can make many other activities much more enjoyable: socializing with friends and old acquaintances, meeting new people, ( dealing with certain family members during the holidays) and much more are all made better with a little bit of social lubricant.

Drinking has been a part of American culture since our country’s founding, from moonshine whiskey, to the bootleggers of the prohibition era, up to the rise of the alcohol distribution monsters such as Anhueser-Busch. It only seems fitting to continue paying tribute to a great American heritage.

Drinking, when enjoyed responsibly, is part of American culture for millions. That’s why, for my weekly blog post, you will find beer and liquor reviews, information about the local area nightlife, parties or bar information and perhaps even a personal funny adventure or two.

I think Benjamin Franklin said it best: “Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Come back every Wednesday, and I will keep you posted on all your drinking informational needs.

What do you want to hear about most from Matt?  Beer and liquor reviews?  Top local bars?  Let us know what you think in the comment section below!

Note from the Alestle:  The Alestle does not condone underage drinking and encourages those of age to drink responsibly.

A binder is a bride’s best friend

Karina Swank

by Karina Swank, Alestle Editor in Chief

There are 115 days until my wedding. 103 days until I graduate and 110 until my fiancé graduates. Some would call me crazy to be getting married right — and I mean right — out of college.

At times I would have to agree.

Planning a wedding while juggling a class schedule, a demanding job and a social life so I do not alienate my soon-to-be husband can be overwhelming, but I’m here to say it can be done. You can earn a degree and eat your cake, too — wedding cake that is.

For my first entry in this weekly blog, I want to start with the basics. Even if you are a ways into your planning, it can’t hurt to rewind and organize. The final months are the most stressful.

Organization and time management are everything to a successful academic, college career. The same is true of a wedding. My first suggestion for planning a wedding without going gray days before is to organize your plans and details in a binder like you might your notes for class.

In the binder, you should have a section for the ceremony, the reception, the formalwear, the photography and videography, stationary, music and flowers and honeymoon.

Each of these sections should begin with a timeline of events that need to take place according to the number of months until the wedding. For example, from nine months or earlier, brides should be looking for a wedding dress, and at four months the couple should be finalizing travel details for the honeymoon. As time passes, the planner of the wedding needs to check each task off as it is completed or make notes in the side of what is completed and what still needs to be, such as “paid off groom’s wedding ring, but still owe on the bride’s.”

Each section should also include a folder or plastic sheet covers. These are necessary because of all the receipts and invoices you will accumulate during your engagement and planning period. There are so many little details to a wedding and most are important, like is there a service fee and a mandatory gratuity tacked on to the price of the caterer, or how much did you put down on the reception hall seven months ago because they are asking for more than you recall still needing to pay. Weddings are pricey, and no one wants to pay be surprised with hidden costs they could have easily looked up if they had kept the receipt or invoice.

Another useful item to keep in the binder is a space for business cards. As brides or wedding planners, we get so many business cards from possible reception halls or caterers or cards with dress numbers and limo rental prices. They are easy to lose but can be handy in the long run when you recall knowing this great bakery, but cannot remember their name.

Like a successful grade in a class, it takes organization and the occasional lack of sleep to pull off a wedding while still in college or entering the workforce. And we all need a little help now and then, so if you have a question ask someone or leave a comment here.