Tate's Tunes

Mariachi music is one of the most recognizable musical traditions of Mexico and offers a good contrast to Western classical and popular styles. Originating in regions such as Jalisco , Mariachi has evolved into a symbol of Mexican identity and blends indigenous, Spanish, and African influences into a vibrant and expressive sound. Through examining its musical elements as well as its cultural significance, it becomes clear why mariachi music has such a distinctive and enduring character. Two well-known examples of mariachi music include performances by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Vicente Fernández . Songs such as El Son de la Negra  and Volver, Volver  highlight the most fundamental of the genre.  El Son de la Negra is a traditional son jalisciense piece from Mexico, with no single known composer, though it is widely associated with ensembles like Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán . Its origins date back to the 19th century in Mexico. Volver, Volver was composed by F...

Evolution of Blues to Rock Music history certainly doesn't change overnight. Instead, it moves through small but powerful transformations where one sound evolves into another. One of the clearest examples of music moving from “Point A” to “Point B” can be heard in the transition from Delta blues to early rock and roll. The journey from Robert Johnson ’s “Cross Road Blues” (1936) to Chuck Berry ’s “Johnny B. Goode” (1958) showcases just how American popular music transformed rural blues expression into electrified youth culture within just two decades.  The Point A example begins with Cross Road Blues , written and performed by Robert Johnson and recorded on November 27, 1936, at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. Johnson performs alone with voice and acoustic slide guitar, representing the Delta blues tradition rooted in personal storytelling and rhythmic flexibility. Musically, this recording feels intimate and raw. It's only voice and guitar but still rhythmically c...

    For this assignment I chose the song "Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Radiohead. This song was written in Paris. The song can be accessed using the following link:  Motion Picture Soundtrack     Very f ew songs feel as otherworldly and hauntingly beautiful as “Motion Picture Soundtrack” by Radiohead. As the closing track on their 2000 album Kid A , the song serves as a haunting farewell, not just to the album, but to the emotional journey it created. Rather than ending with a bang, Radiohead closes with a song that feels very fragile and very intimate.      One of the most striking musical elements in the song is its harmony. “Motion Picture Soundtrack” uses suspended chords and a variety of tones, which prevent the music from fully resolving in the way most songs do. Instead of arriving at a predictable ending, the chords seem to hover in place, king of trapping you. That lack of resolution creates a feeling of emotional suspension. When I lis...

     For this assignment, I selected "Mr Noah" by Panda Bear. The song was released as the lead single from his 2015 album "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper." Panda Bear, wrote and produced the track himself. He is also a founding member of Animal Collective, a group known for its experimental and psychedelic sound. "Mr Noah" is widely accessible through free streaming platforms.      One of the most noticeable musical elements in "Mr Noah" is its dense and layered texture. The song begins with looping samples that stack upon one another and create a sort of swirling backdrop. Instea of using traditional instruments, Panda Bear uses vocal layering and electronic production. According to AllMusic's review of "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper" the album is noted for its intricate production and psychedelic pop textures (AllMusic, 2015). In "Mr Noah" this layered texture makes the song feel immersive and chaotic, which adds t...

My name is Tate Rogers. I'm from Alaska and attend the University of Alaska. I'm currently pursuing a major in Philosophy, and will be wrapping up my degree this semester. I'm hoping to attend law school in after I graduate and pursue a career as an attorney. In my free time, I like to fish, bowl, and listen to music. I am an avid music enjoyer. I have a somewhat eclectic taste in music, and prefer to listen to what I think sounds good no matter the genre. I play a little guitar, but not well. I also like to sing, but I'm just about as good at that as I am at playing the guitar. I really enjoy attending concerts and like to see how artists present themselves in a live setting as opposed to over a recording. I also enjoy places that have live music nights. There's a place up the road my girlfriend and I like to go to that has live music fairly often and we'll sit and listen to whatever artist is playing. I think that music is a very important part of my life, but...