The music scene in Northwest Indiana previously thrived in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Bands played shows every weekend, and different venues thrived from Chesterton to Mishawaka. Now, many of these venues have closed, don't allow bands, or have become abandoned over the years, but the scene hasn’t completely faded. There are some venues cultivating this community that have since died in other places.

Joybomb Social Center

My first discovery was Joybomb Social Center in Lake Station. This radical social center has so much more than live music including movie screenings, board game nights, painting parties, and arts and crafts. Joybomb also does monthly potlucks to provide for the local community. This venue hosts shows often, and the genres range from emo to hardcore, and all of the events hosted are pay what you can (PWYC), which allows anyone to go.

Their next show is a tour kickoff for Baragon, as well as Aelia and Tell Me About God. This screamo show is $10 PWYC, and it takes place on Thursday, February 12. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and music will start at 7 p.m.

After this, on Saturday, March 21, the bands Varsity Font, Know Pain, Toothpick, Mortal Draw, and Baragon. Many of these bands are from the South Bands suburbs, and this show is presented by Varsity Font. This will also be the band’s Limited Effort’s first show. Entry will be a $10 donation/PWYC. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and music will start at 6 p.m.

These will both take place at 2584 Clay Street, Lake Station.

Grindhouse Cafe

The Grindhouse Cafe is a local coffee shop, music venue, and in-house bakery that has multiple locations across NWI from Highland to Griffith to Whiting. I discovered this venue through their Punk Rock Flea Markets, and immediately I was captivated by everything they do. All events listed will be at the Highland Grindhouse location unless specified otherwise. The address is 3805 Ridge Road, Highland.

There is a wide range of upcoming events, from a Canadian Rifle, Exedo, Obsess Tact, and Bad Crime concert happening on January 25. This will be at 7 p.m. and cost $10-$15 or PWYC to enter.

There will be CPR/AED & basic life saving classes with Safety Dave at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on January 28, February 11, and February 25. More information can be found at safetydavecpr.com

In February, there will be multiple Valentine’s Day events, starting with Grindhouse is for Lovers, a Valentine’s market on February 7. This event will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The next day, there is Love and Lattes, a low-sensory Valentine’s social. This will be from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on February 8, and this is hosted by Kaleb’s Klub. Then there will be a Valentine’s Cup Sleeve event from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on February 13, and this features KPOP Dreamz Shop.

These events, as well as many more, are hosted to cultivate community in NWI, and many of these events are free or extremely affordable, so they are definitely worth a visit!

LangLab

I’ve mentioned LangLab a few different times, mainly because over the past few years, LangLab has become more than just a venue. It has become the third space that many individuals have been looking for. With shops to arcade games, this venue is much more than a place to host live music.

The Lens Lounge is a new addition to LangLab and is in the upstairs portion, which also features studios for rent. It is an on-demand photography rental space that features scenes to take photos, interesting visual spaces, and so much more. On January 30, the Lens Lounge will be hosting a dance party to celebrate its one-year anniversary. Visuals will be done by Actionadam. There will be food, drinks, and a community gallery exhibit. This will be from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Then on February 11, there will be a Bob Dylan solo tribute show done by Chrome Horse. This will be at 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The tickets are $12 online, and the location is at 1302 High Street, South Bend.

It’s the summer of 1989, and Courtney Love put out an advertisement in the Recycler Magazine for a band. The influences mentioned were Fleetwood Mac, Sonic Youth, and Big Black. The first to reach out was Eric Erlandson, and together they created many of the band’s releases. Then with the addition of Lisa Roberts on bass, and Caroline Rue on drum kit, the shell of Hole formed.

After multiple members left and joined the band, Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth producing their early singles, and Love working as an exotic dancer to pay for equipment and shows, Hole was beginning to take shape The album Pretty on the Inside, released in January of 1991, which earned a spot on Spin’s “20 Best Albums of the Year.” It was abrasive, it was raw, and it drew influence from the punk rock and the sludge metal artists that came before. This album gained a cult following quickly, and even now, this album has a raw edge that is near impossible to emulate.

In 1992, Love and Erlandson began writing their second album; Love wanted to take a more melodic and controlled approach, a stark contrast to the grit of Pretty on the Inside. This led to bassist Jill Emery and drummer Caroline Rue to leave the band.

In an advertisement to find a new bassist, Love said, "[I want] someone who can play ok, and stand in front of 30,000 people, take off her shirt and have 'f*** you' written on her t***. If you're not afraid of me and you're not afraid to f****** say it, send a letter. No more p******, no more fake girls, I want a w**** from h***."

When Live Through This was released on January 1 1994, it was only one week after the passing of Love’s husband Kurt Cobain, and in the wake of tragedy, the album was a critical success, being named Album of the Year by Spin and Rolling Stone commenting "[This album] may be the most potent blast of female insurgency ever committed to tape"

The album begins with the song “Violet,” which was inspired by Love’s past relationship with singer and guitarist Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. It’s one of the heaviest songs on the album, and it takes influence from their earlier album and singles. The aggressive feedback and screaming guitar sound gives it a distinct sound that is reminiscent of the album Dirty by Sonic Youth.

“Miss World” is the second track on the album, and it is a stark contrast of the aggression that “Violet” presented. It begins slowly, and it builds to that signature raw sound that shows every emotion Love was going through at the time. This song is about her self image, and how outer beauty doesn't compare to the inner beauty and turmoil that many experience.

“Plump” is an autobiographical tale of motherhood and the postpartum depression that Love faced after the birth of her daughter Francis Cobain. This song is filled with honest and deeply uncomfortable truths, as well as the image that Love has to uphold, and the pressure that comes with it.

There is a shift with the song, “Asking For It,” which was inspired by an occurrence at a 1991 concert when Hole was touring with Mudhoney, in which Love was assaulted and had her clothes ripped off of her while crowdsurfing, leaving her entirely naked, and was written entirely during the album's recording sessions. It's a punk rock ballad that leaves an almost dirty feeling after. This song is deeply meaningful, and a last minute decision for the album.

“Jennifer’s Body,” much like the cult classic film and the previous song, discusses the themes of female objectification and a monster-like transformation. The song devours the listener whole, consuming the listener with an emptiness that is filled with a driving guitar riff and hypnotizing vocals. The gritty intensity from earlier in the album is brought back, and there is a noticeable shift from before. This song is also a personal favorite of mine from this album, and their discography as a whole.

“Doll Parts” then quickly goes back to that slow, melancholy feeling that is felt at the beginning of “Miss World.” This song is written about Cobain and Love, and her feelings of loneliness, vulnerability, and being broken. This song is about feminine rage, fury even, insecurity, and her destructive desires. In the line, “Someday you will ache like I ache,” it clearly shows her rage, but when this album was released, it gained a more tragic meaning due to Cobain’s death.

“Credit in the Straight World” is my favorite song off of this album, and it is a Young Marble Giants cover, and it’s an anthem for all those misunderstood. It shows her feelings of being undervalued and unused, and it has more early punk rock elements than many of the other songs on this album.

“Softer, Softest,” again is back to a slower, more mellow feel and is about the feeling of not being enough, or feeling like a freak or an outcast. This song reminds me a lot of the movie Carrie, with the ostracization that both Love and Carrie felt throughout their lives. There is a self-loathing in both elements of media, but one makes music and the other one burns down their prom.

“She Walks On Me,” sounds as if it could have been released on their first album. It's unapologetically angry and tired. Love wrote this about feeling controlled and used, and it discusses the unhealthy dynamics she experienced in previous relationships. She is tired of being used, and she is tired of shutting her mouth. This song expresses many of her deep frustrations, making it another one of my favorites from the album.

“I Think That I Would Die,” is a rock ballad about the custody battle between Love and Cobain after the birth of their daughter. This song is again, unbelievably raw, with the lyric, “Where is my baby?" being repeated over and over again, leading to a mix of feelings as a listener. Love is tired and frustrated, and it's extremely clear throughout the song and the whole album where that comes from.

“Gutless” again goes back to the band’s punk roots, with a driving bassline that keeps the song going, but it doesn’t talk about frustration or struggle, it’s about resilience and defiance. If people put Love in a box, she will do anything to get out. This lashes out at critics and anyone who tries to tear her down, because she is aware that she's a force to be reckoned with.

The final track, “Rock Star” is a critique on Riot GRRRL culture, it mocks the people who are punk for the aesthetic, the conformists who are only there to make people mad. Love has often been lumped into the Riot GRRRL scene, and she has repeatedly tried to separate herself from that label.

According to Spin Magazine, Live Through This is both a scruffier and more commercial record than Pretty on the Inside. The angsty rants of yore remain, but they're decorated with more poetry. Milk (as in mother's) is a recurring motif, as is dismemberment. Female victimization remains the overall theme. This time depersonalized into odd, accusatory mini-narratives in which a variety of female characters receive the protection of Love's tense, manic-depressive singing. Hers is a natural songwriting talent, full of excellent instincts, and yet wildly unsophisticated.

This album is unapologetic and a staple in ‘90s rock music. While Love is controversial in many ways, her music is often regarded as raw and unfiltered. She isn’t afraid to express emotions in her music, and it feels real in a way that many artists try to replicate but fail miserably at. Now that this album is 36 years old, many of these themes still apply to women across the world. The feelings of vulnerability, frustration, rage, melancholy, are all aspects of life that so many deal with on a daily basis, and this album has songs that reassure the listener that their frustrations are understood. Overall, this album is one of my favorites of all time, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an album that expresses frustration and pure feminine rage unlike any other.

Whitney England is returning to LPHS as an agriculture teacher, and she is taking over as one of the co-advisors for Future Farmers of America (FFA).

England has been teaching at La Porte Community Schools for over 15 years, and she previously taught English at La Porte Middle School for 10 years and agriculture for five. Currently, she teaches Animal Sciences and Agricultural Fabrication.

The FFA program and agricultural pathway is relatively new at LPHS, and England is excited for the opportunity to work with the students in a variety of fields. She will be focusing on the livestock side of FFA while Katie Parsons will lead students on the environmental side. Together, they aim to bring students towards the world of FFA and show how beneficial and rewarding this program can be.

“I would really like to see kids have more interest in competing in some kind of career development events and really try to build strong teams. I know in the past they have had some trouble getting kids interested in doing it and following through once they sign up. My goal is to try and make training sessions and practices informative so that they really want to compete and get better,” England said.

Outside of FFA, England was a 10-year 4-H member and is still a 4-H leader. She worked at many events, from showing sheep and draft horses to cake decorating, photography, and gift wrapping.

England, while a current agriculture teacher, previously taught English, and throughout her teaching career, has kept consistent goals as an educator. She aims to give lessons that are genuinely interesting in the subject area that is being discussed. By creating labs and activities that relate to the course material, she gives students opportunities to experience the material hands-on, in a way that not many other classes do.

“Now that I’m teaching at the high school, I’m really excited because I feel like now I have an opportunity to really challenge some kids in an area where they may not have been challenged. I really have a lot of freedom to really show them things that they may not have known previously…I want students to feel empowered by their education and let them know that their knowledge is power and that the more they know, the better,” England said.

England is making an immense impact already on the students at LPHS. With her 4-H background, she plans to bring that into the world of FFA, and she hopes to help the group compete to their very best. She also hopes to empower her students with knowledge and education that will stay with them even past high school.

Every year on January 1, the majority of people across the globe make New Year's resolutions or goals they have for the incoming year. Many promise they will go to the gym every day, others vow to go on a healthy new diet, but this year, many are flocking back to physical media as a rebellion to this digital dark age. With the rise of AI, overconsumption, and the realization that we own little to none of our digital presence, it makes sense why people are rushing back to the ways of the past, but will this really make a change in how people consume media and how people go about the world in a digital age?

The analog revival

I first noticed this change in the beginning of December, many creators across multiple platforms began discussing an analog renaissance of sorts. Tutorials on how to burn CDs and where to buy flip phones began flooding my feed, and at first, it was refreshing to see others taking a step back from technology, and it inspired me to want to do the same. Stepping back from technology and slowing down was at the forefront of this, as well as the abandonment of AI. With the environmental effects of AI, this change in any sense will be extremely beneficial, but I digress. This change that has been observed could go in two directions: It could be a real movement, actual change could be made, it will be more than a trend, or this could be just another microtrend that will fade away, and all of the physical media that was just invested in will end up in landfills and thrift stores across the world.

The creator @Samogborn on Instagram posted a video discussing this topic, and it was the first of many videos I began seeing that criticized this movement for being hypocritical and a microtrend. This can be summed up with one quote.

“Do you really want a flip phone, or do you want the aesthetic of a flip phone?” Ogborn said.

She goes on to discuss the irony of wanting a slow life but continuing to feed into their addiction to our modern high speed lives. Anyone can go out and get a flip phone, begin using it, and slow down from the dopamine rush that modern day technology gives, but what many don’t do is continue to use these items outside of when they are trending.

This is one of the biggest issues with the new adoration for physical media. Many are doing this because it is trendy and not because they want to make a change. This circles back to the idea of New Year's resolutions. I mentioned previously how many people promise they will go to the gym every day and how others vow to stick to a new diet, but in reality, many do not succeed. According to Women’s Health Magazine, about 88% of people who make New Year's resolutions do not follow through with them. This could be for a plethora of reasons, from the difficulty, too high of standards, lack of discipline, etc. The point is that the majority of the people who will be going back to physical media likely will not stick with it unless there is real change.

A worry that I have about this is the high levels of overconsumption that many will shift to be 100% analog immediately. As with any trend, there are casual adopters, and there are people who give their whole heart and soul into a new fad. So, inevitably, there will be some out there buying their whole Netflix Watchlist on DVD, and buying a stack of 50 CDs to burn all of their playlists. While, yes, this is extreme, this is just an example of the immediate adoption of a trend. The collection of physical media takes time, and the whole point of this is to slow down. While this does fix the solution of not owning copies of music, movies, or photos, it doesn’t account for the money spent on these in one sitting, and it doesn’t factor in how much one will actually use these things. You can buy the flip phone, but will you actually continue to use it past the first week?

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Is it really necessary?

In a fast-paced world, the media we consume is purely entertainment. There is little to no value behind what we consume, and with this mass consumption of media, we begin to forget mindfulness and intention in what we are doing. Spotify has become almost like TikTok. It is a constant stream of music at one’s fingertips, and all of it is on the internet. None of it is owned, but all of it is being consumed on a daily basis.

While the analog revival is promoting the consumption of physical media instead of digital in both good and bad ways, it is important to note that in this day and age, we do not own as much as we think we do. Say someone lost their phone. Unless those photos were saved to a cloud or hard drive, those photos and videos will be lost and cannot be recovered. This is one of the biggest reasons many are choosing to go back to physical media. Many want to physically see their photos in front of them, while others think about their future. As Gen Z, I still grew up with photo books and physical childhood photos, but now, many children have their milestones documented through a Facebook post or on the phone. This is not a bad thing. Sharing these photos for family and friends digitally is a great way to show people even when they are far away, but it is also important to consider that if something were to happen to the phone, there is a chance that these photos will be lost and cannot be recovered.

It is important to own media, not just physical photos, but music and movies as well. We have entered a digital dark age, where if a file is corrupted, an album is lost, it is very difficult to recover. This could be due to outdated technology, user error, or many other issues, but the point is that technology will continue to evolve, and one day, the technology we are using currently will be obsolete. Take the Sony Walkman for example, a cassette player with headphones attached. This is not a day-to-day way to consume music, and it is extremely rare to see people walking with them currently. This leads to another reason people want to own their music and photos. It is so they can still listen and view even when new technology is invented and pushed out to the masses.

While this shift to physical media is good from a preservation standpoint, it is important to discuss what happens when the consumption is taken to an extreme. As mentioned previously, there will be people out there who will buy an entire band’s discography on CD or cassette in one day, but not really listen to them all, so they will slowly collect dust on a desk or a shelf, and will eventually end up in a thrift store. This defeats the whole purpose of the movement. It is the same overconsumption of media, just in a physical form.

The nostalgia factor is a key component of the analog machine, and this can be seen especially in the purchasing of a point-and-shoot digital camera (digicam). The “nostalgic vibe” that can be seen in these lower-quality photos is a big push in why people are flocking to these cameras. They provide a sense of nostalgia as well as a form of dopamine that isn’t seen with a modern phone camera. This is the reason polaroid cameras gained popularity in the 2010s. They were nostalgic, and people loved being able to physically take the photos, print, shake, and then see what they took. Now with digicams, it's the act of taking a photo and seeing the world through a perspective that was a distant memory before.

Nostalgia is a leading factor in consumption in the modern age because there has been a sharp increase in intense nostalgia since COVID-19. Many long for a simpler time, a time without a constant need to scroll or update one’s followers, which, to circle back, is another contributing factor to why this analog revival is happening and why the overconsumption this will cause is an issue.

So is this digital rebellion necessary? In my opinion, there needs to be a change. We live in a constant loop of wake up, scroll, go to work/school, go home, scroll, go to bed, which isn’t good for anyone. Mental health is a growing concern, and with the state of the world right now, the least of our concerns is our screen time, but it is important to take a step back from technology and to slow down a bit. Since we live in such a fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the dopamine rush that we chase, but eventually the rush will wear off, and one can be left feeling burnt out and empty, and what do we go to when we're exhausted? Technology.

Doomscrolling is often an escapism, a quick distraction while waiting in line or sitting at home with nothing to do, but this can quickly turn from minutes to hours. So yes, there is a need to step back from technology. In a world where every song, every movie can be on a screen with the snap of a finger, it’s almost satisfying when you open a CD and play it while you work, or when you open a VHS of a childhood movie, and the grain brings back memories of a time that felt so simple. And yet, there will always be people who take a trend too far, who dive into a microtrend only to regret it a week later, but with those who are looking to make a real change this year, this might be a movement that will change the way people view technology for the better.

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How to make change

If we are actually going to take a stand against the digital age, change is crucial, and there are many things to do in many different aspects, and I’ll be going through a few different ways to make positive change that will also reduce digital and physical overconsumption.

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Doomscrolling!

Yes, the thing that I just mentioned is draining. This is one major change in lifestyle that can make a huge difference. The reason many are getting flip phones and iPods again is to get rid of the overwhelming burden that social media can put on people, so taking a step back when scrolling for too long may be a good thing. Reconnect with old hobbies, find a new album to listen to, and finish that show you’ve been meaning to finish. The possibilities are endless.

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Thrifting

Thrifting isn’t just for finding cute secondhand clothing. It can be a great way to find CDs, DVDs, VHS, cassettes, and so much more for a reasonable price. Instead of going on Amazon and buying, going to a thrift store and hunting can be a fun way to discover new music and to find music from past phases! Every once and a while, one can find a compilation album like the Warped Tour CDs or Cinema Beer Nuts, which is a personal favorite of mine. Thrifting for music can also be a great way to reduce the amount of media ending up in landfills, since items that are not bought at thrift or secondhand stores often end up in the garbage.

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No more AI

AI is harmful to more than just the environment. It often gives false information, and an increased academic reliance on AI can cause many issues for both college and workforce preparation. When using AI, if one tells it that 2+2=5, it will say yes, that is true, which again shows that it shouldn’t be used when searching for factual information.

To combat the use of AI images and videos, one can create their own images using 3D modeling, use stock photos and edit them, or use a non-AI tool. When getting information from ChatGPT, it uses stolen and public information to create the best possible answer, which is not always correct. So when looking for information, it is important to check sources and dates, but to also make sure the source was created by a person. AI doesn’t need to be a part of our lives, and it is not necessary to be using it to see what makes up a catalytic converter.

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Reflection

As I have mentioned, there is a need to own physical media, especially photos, but there is a point where too much of a good thing is a bad thing. It is important to be mindful of our consumption of both physical and digital media, and it is crucial to take the time to slow down and reflect. 2026 will be a year of recollection and taking the time to process everything that is happening in the world, because in the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

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Beginning in the early 1970s, small local bands began popping up in various cities, and by the 1990s, many towns had thriving underground music scenes. Many bands wanted to be the next Metallica, while others needed a means to express themselves. In small towns where there's nothing better to do, many made music.

Northwest Indiana was known for having a thriving hardcore punk scene in the ‘90s. Bands like Wiccitas Kansas Trailer Park Conspiracy dominated the scene, but many of these bands have disbanded, and many of the venues that hosted shows no longer exist. There was a time where one could go to a new show every weekend. It was a tight knit community, and today, there are only echoes left.

My dad was an active part of this community growing up, starting in his junior year of high school, he began making music and performing along with many of his friends. Growing up in a small town, there wasn’t much to do besides go to concerts and sit in a Denny’s drinking 99 cent coffee.

It was a thriving community with so many different genres of music. Many of these bands had all different influences, from three chord punk rock like Green Day, to complex shoegaze like my bloody valentine, and even indie like The Moldy Peaches.

“We were just a lot of different genres, and everybody really looked out for each other. And it was very fun. It was three or four shows a week. So, I mean, it was very community based between Michigan City and La Porte. There were about seven places you could do shows. And so it was just a very strong, thriving community. Valpo and Chesterton were all doing shows, too. So there were multiple scenes going on at the same time. And, it was just a really fun time to be making music, because everybody was doing something a little different, it was creator focused,” local musician James Lear said.

This community that was once thriving has since faded, and this is in part to the lack of venues that will host these small bands. It takes one show that goes wrong for many in the area to be weary of the scene entirely. The main way small bands now get shows are through small festivals and what few places will still host. Shovelheads in Chesterton, LangLab in South Bend, Joybomb Social Center in Lake Station, are among the most popular for smaller bands in the area. These venues host small shows but the turnout is miniscule in comparison to shows of the past.

Another reason this community has since diminished is the lack of smaller bands in the area. Many venues that still host only want cover bands, or on the other hand, bars want one guy with an acoustic guitar, which is fine, but it is a shift from the scene that once was. It’s hard to go to a small show without a cover band, and being in a cover band myself, these bands are seen at many of the same festivals that I have performed at.

But this community isn't completely gone, with the few bands that still perform in this area such as Massasauga, 9 Months Later, Hard Copy, Baragon, and many others. These bands that play shows maybe three times a month in summer, and a few times in the winter, have created lasting friendships that will continue outside of their music career.

“I often kind of think, like, once you've played two or three shows with somebody you're bonded forever. Like me and your dad were stuck together, like Johnny and Tommy. For my first band, we played like 100 shows together. We wrote like 40 songs. Those are like, such intimate, meaningful, and vulnerable relationships. And that's the biggest part, especially as you get older, it connects to when you're younger. Like, do it because of the friends, the community. It's a great experience. And yeah, if you're really lucky, you're going to write some good songs and people are going to like it. But even if not, that's more fun than sitting at Denny's or playing on your phone,” local musician Tim (Tedward) Bauer said.

To foster a music scene, it requires venues and bands to play at said venues, and there could be a thriving community of musicians again in the future. There is no doubt that one day, Northwest Indiana will have a music scene unlike any other, but the first step is places for these bands to perform. There is a need for community and a need for places for teenagers and young adults to consume local music.

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Spotify Wrapped 2025 was just released, and music fans around the world are anticipating to see their results. In previous years, Spotify Wrapped was used to compare music with one’s friends, but in 2024, AI took over this beloved tradition. With AI generated genres and statistics that didn’t match with users listening, many did the switch to Apple Music to avoid the AI slop.

My Wrapped this year highlighted the roller coaster that was 2025, with my top song being “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins, which was played 109 times. My other top songs were “My Kind of Woman” by Mac DeMarco, “Kool Thing” by Sonic Youth, “Exit Music (For A Film)” by Radiohead, and “So Real” by Jeff Buckley. These songs reflected my music taste over the course of the year, but I don’t think “1979” was my top listened song, but I might’ve listened more in the beginning of this year.

My top album was OK Computer, with 2,200 minutes, which was absolutely not surprising. Radiohead has been my top artist for two years in a row, and I have been consistently listening to OK Computer since I fell in love with Radiohead. My other top albums were Grace by Jeff Buckley, The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths, Sublime by Sublime, and In Rainbows by Radiohead. All of these albums hold a special place in my heart for all different reasons. Grace has been an album that I’ve listened to on and off all this year, while Sublime carried my summer. In Rainbows is an album that I can never get enough of, and when combined with OK Computer in the Binary Theory, it becomes a masterpiece of a superalbum. Finally, The Queen Is Dead is one of my favorite albums from The Smiths, and with each listen, I enjoy it even more.

Now, my top artists this year were a bit surprising. I listened to 1500 artists this year, some new, some I came back to, and I figured artists like Hole, Creed, Alice In Chains, Mac DeMarco, and Ice Cube would be closer to my top five, but none came close. My top five artists were Radiohead, The Smiths, The Beatles, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Sublime. All of these artists came up in other parts of my Wrapped, so my results were consistent throughout. Despite how much my listening has changed from previous years, my Wrapped is nearly identical from last year.

This year, while elements were still created using AI, I was surprised to see a harsh decline in the AI usage in Spotify Wrapped. Last year, AI generated genres were given to listeners, “Pink Pilates Princess” and “Grungegaze Shoegaze Flannel” were seen on the results of listeners, and many were put off by the cheesy genres that were given. At that point, many switched to Apple Music so they could see their year in listening without the AI mess that was on Spotify last year. It is clear to see that Spotify saw how bad last year’s Wrapped was, and they took steps to improve, which is hard to find in companies today.

This year, while my Wrapped wasn’t what I was expecting, I was happy to see that Spotify went in a different direction with it this year, which was a breath of fresh air from 2024.

Jennifer Goss is an LPHS administrator, career and technical education (CTE) director, and cheer coach, and she is creating a lasting impact on countless Slicers.

Goss began working at LPHS in 2021, and in that time, worked with many programs such as AK Smith and started Slicer Squad, which allows certain high school students to be ambassadors for their extracurricular activities and bring positivity to all of the local elementary schools.

“I had a goal of building school spirit across the district using high school students in marching band, cheerleading and football to serve as positive role models. I started with that particular group of high schoolers because they are the ones on the field on Friday nights. I pitched the idea to Coach Epple, Mr. Sullivan, and our athletic director. Each elementary school has their own Slicer Squad that shows up every home game Friday to greet and high-five students during morning drop off. Overall, they serve as positive role models and ambassadors of Slicer spirit. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’m excited to continue it,” Goss said.

Goss also brings about school spirit when she is coaching the LPHS Cheer Team. The captains are Layna Hannon, Braylie Bannwart, Emma Talbert, and Laila Lower. She coaches with Stephany Lewis as well. At each football game, basketball game, and pep rally, the team performs a new and unique routine to keep the energy flowing. Goss works hard to keep her athletes motivated and healthy, leading to a positive impact on the team. She coached for a couple of years in the early 2000s before moving to LPHS and becoming the assistant coach. Now this year, she is the head coach.

“I try to keep a good balance of hard work and fun. I have high expectations of my athletes, and those expectations are communicated and held up all year long. I don’t believe in constructive criticism, so we don’t use that. Instead, we communicate, we discuss things we can change, improve, and redo. We talk as a team about ways to make our routines better. Every cheerleader knows they can have the space and freedom to speak openly to better our team. We also don’t dwell on things that didn’t go the way we wanted them to; we problem solve and move on. I have the most amazing cheerleaders and liftmen, and I make sure they know how much they mean to me and the school as often as I can,” Goss said.

Goss has made a lasting impact on LPHS with her positivity and her new ideas. The Slicer Squad has brought joy to all the elementary schools across La Porte, and she hopes to continue making LPHS a better place.

Talking Heads defined a generation, and after 50 years, their songs are still changing lives. David Byrne of Talking Heads is currently going on tour with his new album, Who Is The Sky? which I attended. This album is unique from his previous works, since it incorporates more modern influences, and discusses themes of COVID-19, loneliness, and pure joy.

While this tour was just Byrne, he played many Talking Heads songs, such as: “Houses in Motion,” “Life During Wartime,” and “Burning Down the House.” He also played a cover of “Hard Times" by Paramore.

This was different from his work with Talking Heads. There was no drumset, just percussion instruments with carriers. All performers on stage were wireless, which made dancing much easier. The set was stripped back, just an empty stage, and three screens behind Byrne, which had visuals unique to each track. Each song had dance moves, and many were similar to the moves done in Stop Making Sense which is a Talking Heads concert film from 1984. This concert film was the origin for the iconic big suit jackets which are often associated with “Talking Heads.”

Byrne is known for his dancing, running, and movements while he is performing. Some of the most notable are again in Stop Making Sense, but in nearly all live performances, he can be seen running around, swaying, and grooving. Even in his old age, he was as young as ever on the stage, in “Life During Wartime,” my favorite Talking Heads song, he can be seen doing similar moves to the original Stop Making Sense film.

This concert was probably my new favorite that I have been to, and I’ve seen Sublime, Blink-182, Weezer, and many other heavy hitting bands. But the concert was truly surreal, seeing one of my idols perform was life changing. Seeing all of my favorite Talking Heads songs also be performed made it so much cooler. This is one of the few artists that I think everyone should experience, because there is a song for everyone. The new wave and art pop influences define a generation, and it was such an enlightening experience to see it all live.