Parsons Playlists: End of Senior Year!

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features songs celebrating the end of her senior year at UR.

End of Senior Year!

UR Booker Hall and fountain

Here are some of my favorite songs that have played during good memories over my four years at Richmond.

Mild High Club – “Homage”

Bryce Vine – “Drew Barrymore”

Juliette Armanet – “Le Dernier Jour du Disco”

Harry Styles – “Late Night Talking”

Twenty One Pilots – “Saturday”

Bad Bunny – “Tití Me Preguntó”

Black – “Wonderful Life”

Lil Uzi Vert – “Just Wanna Rock”

Zach Bryan (feat. The War and Treaty) – “Hey Driver”

Oro Solido – “Se Encendio el Beeper”

Noah Kahan – “She Calls Me Back”

Diddy (feat. Skylar Grey) – “Coming Home”

Dogpark (shoutout ex-parsons manager Chris Conte) – “Breaking in Brooklyn”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez0s6KL-8yUu0JKOrahWUwx&si=9LFa5_FiSV2TVYdO

Parsons Playlists: Bollywood on the Block – Endgame

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features music from the recent Bollywood on the Block performance.

Bollywood on the Block: Endgame

Bollywood on the Block flyer

This year, UR’s Bollywood Jhatkas wrote, choreographed, and performed an original piece for the annual Bollywood on the Block dance show. Here were my favorite songs to dance to!

1. “Dhakkad” by Raftaar and Pritam, Dangal

2. “Balam Pichkari” by Pritam, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

3. “Ghoomar” by Shreya Ghoshal, Padmaavat

4. “Tabaah Ho Gaye” by Pritam and Shreya Goshal, Kalank

5. “Aspara Aali” by Ajay Gogavale, Natarang

6. “Jiya Jale” by Lata Mangeshkar, Dil Se

7. “Dhindora Baja Re” by Pritam, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

8. “Chogada” by Darshan Raval, Loveyatri

9. “Mera Wala Dance” by Nakash Aziz, Simmba

10. “Mundiyaan To Bach Ke” by Punjabi MC

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezQA7u2da-wFaWp0buhyrFJ&si=TWPlIW384iQHKahk

Arachnophonia: Of Bluey and “The Planets”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features Gustav Holst’s The Planets and its use in an episode of the animated series Bluey. Thanks, Kiran!

Of Bluey and The Planets

Bluey  - "Sleepytime" title card

My parents both work in pediatric healthcare, and now that I’ve grown up, they have gotten out of touch with what kids like to watch. My mom will sometimes put on Disney shows while she’s doing other work so that she can know the characters that her patients love. Recently, my whole family has started watching Bluey every chance we get. Since I go to school in another state, I haven’t had a chance to watch it recently. It’s a show that’s made for kids while still bringing in something for adults to enjoy, which is why we love it so much. The storyline follows 6-year-old Bluey, a blue Heeler dog, and her family.

My favorite episode is called “Sleepytime”, where Bluey’s sister Bingo reads a bedtime story and dreams about flying to different planets. The ending scene always makes me cry, and part of it comes from the beautiful instrumental music that plays during it. It’s a slightly remastered version of Gustav Holst’s The Planets, specifically Op. 32: 4. Jupiter. The story and string part fit beautifully together and make for the perfect episode to watch with family. You can listen to or play this piece by checking out our selection at the music library!

Arachnophonia: Don & Devdas

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog records for the items in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features two Bollywood films Don and Devdas. Thanks, Kiran!

Don (2006)

Devdas (2002)

UR’s South Asian Fusion team, Bollywood Jhatkas, recently performed to some of their favorite remake songs at the 13th annual Celebration of Dance. At the music library, we have a select number of Bollywood films, two of which are remakes! Don and Devdas are two beloved classics that were redone in the early 2000s. Many of the songs were also reused and were given a more updated take.

Bollywood is notorious for recycling their classics, but it’s also received a lot of backlash in recent years. Critics are saying that they’ve run out of ideas and continue to ruin old movies. Some of the movies and songs are very well done, whereas others take away from the classic charm. Devdas and Don are two very controversial films because of this. Personally, I have only known the newer versions, and I have grown to love them. Shah Rukh Khan can truly play almost any role and knows how to draw an audience in. You can watch these remade films by checking them out at Parsons Music Library!

Parsons Playlists: Time Capsule

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) featuring songs from her freshman year at UR.

Time Capsule

Here are some of my favorite songs from freshman year of college, that I look back on now as a senior! Inspired by our proclamation tradition of letter writing to our senior selves. Happy listening!

Joji – “Gimme Love”

Glass Animals – “Life Itself”

Arctic Monkeys – “Fluorescent Adolescent”

MGMT – “When You Die”

Declan McKenna – “Be An Astronaut”

Flo Milli – “In the Party”

Beach House – “Space Song”

Fleetwood Mac – “Little Lies”

Chuck Mangione – “Give It All You Got”

Doja Cat – “Streets”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zex5GQDz1Ty_duNM-yTOL_Ej&si=9eaLBgg8CmZxlC__

Arachnophonia: Bells of Change

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features insert title info here. Thanks, Kiran!

Bells of Change: Kathak Dance, Women, and Modernity in India by Pallabi Chakravorty

UR Bollywood Jhatkas

I’ve recently been fascinated with classical South Asian dance after watching a few of my Bollywood Jhatkas teammates perform during our most recent show.

Kathak is a type of Northern Indian dance and is one of the eight classical dance forms in India. The movements are heavily rooted in storytelling, hence the graceful arm and hand movements. Nomads took these stories outside of the Hindu temples and began integrating more expression into the art form, as well as more intricate footwork. There are three forms of Kathak, each focusing on different aspects of the dance. Traditionally, small bells are tied to the dancer’s ankles to enunciate the footwork.

Bells of Change: Kathak Dance, Women, and Modernity in India, written by Pallabi Chakravorty, is a critical study of this ancient dance form and its impact on women in India. Much like food, I find dance to be a way to share cultural identity. I love sharing my passion for South Asian dance with my friends and the greater Richmond community. Still, there is so much more to these art forms than what meets the eye. That being said, there are a wide variety of books on Kathak and other dance forms in the Music Library, so be sure to check them out!

Bells of Change

Arachnophonia: L’Histoire de Babar

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features music for narrator and piano inspired by Babar the Elephant. Thanks, Kiran!

L’Histoire de Babar le petit éléphant (The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant) by Francis Poulenc

L'Histoire de Babar - score

As a music library employee, one of our tasks is to ensure that each piece of media and literature is in the correct spot so that patrons can access materials with ease. A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a score for L’Histoire de Babar, Le Petit Éléphant. I recognized the character almost immediately, as I grew up reading the book series and later watching the early 2000s television series in my 2nd grade French class.

Babar originated in France during the 1930s and became a hit in the United States soon after. The story follows a young elephant who is introduced to western society after fleeing hunters. He returns to the elephant realm with modernized ideas and becomes their king shortly after. Babar is accompanied by many friends during his adventures.

This particular score is a piano piece with the narration of Babar’s first story, written in French. It came out long before any TV media was produced, but influenced Babar’s theme song in subsequent years. Babar has certainly influenced a generation through its media presence but has also become a story of the past. You can check out niche items like L’Histoire de Babar, Le Petit Éléphant and other unique materials at the music library (translations may or may not be included).

Histoire de Babar book cover

Parsons Playlists: Bollywood on the Block

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features songs presented by UR’s Bollywood Jhatkas and Block Crew in a recent performance on campus.

Bollywood on the Block: The Sequel

Bollywood Jhatkas and Block Crew recently performed their second joint showcase, on March 25th. Here are some of the crowd’s favorite songs/remixes!

Bollywood on the Block dflyer

From Bollywood Jhatkas:

“Dholida” x “Radha Kaise” from Riya Patel Choreography

“Malhari” from Bajrao Mastani

“Garmi” x “Gas Pedal” by UCSC Kahaani

“Oo Antava Mawa … Oo Oo Antava” from Pushpa

“Lungi Dance” by Yoyo Honey Singh

From Block Crew:

“Bia Bia” by Bia

“Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat

“Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars

“N95” by Kendrick Lamar

“Waves” by Normani

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zewq3ffMoV5O2XXN-otBQmGE

Parsons Playlists: Starry Night

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features a playlist for a starry night.

Starry Night

This playlist is inspired by a stargazing night with friends!

Stargazing with telescope

Demi Lovato – “My Love Is Like A Star”

Elton John – “Rocket Man”

Joji – “Slow Dancing In The Dark”

Rainbow Kitten Surprise – “All That And More (Sailboat)”

Twenty One Pilots – “Oh Ms. Believer”

Billie Eilish – “Halley’s Comet”

Sleeping At Last – “Light”

Cigarettes After Sex – “Sunsetz”

Beach House – “Space Song”

Djo – “Chateau (Feel Alright)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexJKfsPaCowiVR-rh1UfX7S

Arachnophonia: Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features Twenty One Pilots’ 2015 album Blurryface. Thanks, Kiran!

Twenty One Pilots
Blurryface

Twenty One Pilots Live

Wait…how many Pilots?

The early 2010s gave rise to a multitude of alternative-rock bands: Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, and Cage the Elephant, just to name a few. I, like most other middle/high schoolers at the time, was obsessed with these bands. Twenty One Pilots was no exception. The duo from Columbus, Ohio, exploded into the alternative-rock scene with their 2015 album, Blurryface. Their songs “Stressed Out”, “Tear in My Heart”, and “Ride” were all hits, with “Ride” making the top 5 on The US Billboard 100. The band went on to win the 2017 Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Bandmates Tyler Joseph and Joshua Dun accepted the award without their pants, as a tribute to the way they were watching the Grammys a few years prior to their breakout.

In his speech, Joseph concluded that “anyone from anywhere can do anything,” which aligns with the overarching message they convey through their music and performances. The duo often sings of mental hardships and social constructs, but have always weaved a positive narrative into their music. Their two most recent albums, Trench (2018) and Scaled and Icy (2021), have intricate story lines that show how perseverance can outstand even the toughest circumstances. Each song plays a different role and serves as a world-building tool. “Dema” is a fictional land that is guarded by several bishops, each representing an inner demon or fear. Throughout several videos, Joesph and Dun befriend the weird creatures and strange rebels in order to escape. These are just a few examples of how Twenty One Pilots uses creative techniques to express raw and difficult emotions and experiences.

Although I didn’t understand how relatable these lyrics were at the time, my 8th grade-self fell in love with the intricate bass lines and vibrant drum solos. Since then, my fondness for this band has grown exponentially. While some have outgrown the duo, I have continued to follow their musical journey. Twenty One Pilots is currently on their third world tour and came to the DMV last month. I’ve seen three of their shows over the past six years and have yet to be disappointed. Their stage presence and interaction with the fan base is incredible and truly a unique experience.

If you’re ready to start an emotional roadshow, come check out Blurryface and other related CDs in Parsons Music Library!

Twenty One Pilots - Blurryface album cover