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.

The first sports drink began in England in 1927, and it was called Lucozade. This drink took over the market because it was easily digestible. This led to the popularity of sports drinks that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Now, from personal experience, the drink of choice for many athletes is energy drinks, and the first modern energy drink was Lipovitan D, introduced in Japan in 1962, and the popularity soared in the mid-80s. Monster, Redbull, Rockstar, and Four Loko were the pioneers of energy drink sales, but a new brand has emerged, and it is taking over gas station shelves.

Alani Nu was created in 2018 by fitness influencer Katy Hearn, and the goal of this was to create a fitness brand targeted at women due to the lack of workout drinks and pre-workouts. With zero sugar and 110% of the daily Niacin, B6, B12, and Biotin. This idea exploded, and Alani Nu has spiraled to be one of the most popular energy drink brands; flavors ranging from caramel apple (Witches Brew), mixed berry (Cosmic Stardust), and coconut (Hawaiian Shaved Ice). They also have a wide variety of regular flavors such as Pumpkin Cream, Cotton Candy, Juicy Peach, and Watermelon Wave. A fan favorite line is the slush flavors, which include Pink, Red, and Blue Slush.

These energy drinks are especially popular among high schoolers because of their fun flavors and smaller cans, and with 200mg of caffeine, they provide ample energy for the average burnt-out high school student. After late Friday nights spent at Kiwanis Field, many student athletes and performers have early morning practices, and Alani Nu has taken over the sidelines.

The other main energy drink that has taken over high schools across the country is Redbull, which has been one of the most popular energy drinks for the past few decades. With Biggby selling Redbull drinks with boba and other add-ins, it has shot up the popularity of Redbull with teens. With flavors such as watermelon, apricot, and blueberry, Redbull has the fun flavors that many people want. And with most teenagers not liking the taste of coffee, energy drinks have become the caffeine source of choice.

In my personal experience, Alani Nu and Redbull are both good ways to get easy energy, but the main downside is the possibility for caffeine overconsumption that often happens with teenagers. Caffeine sends dopamine to the brain as it gives energy, which can increase the chance for addiction. Caffeine isn’t a drug, but it is still important to be mindful of the consumption.

The Goodwill Outlet (Bins) has seen a spike in popularity in recent years due to the rise in Depop reselling. The Bins, as many have begun to call them, are large bins of textiles, shoes, toys, and home decor, and shoppers rummage through these to find unique pieces that no one else has.

The main reason these are so popular is that it is extremely easy to find good-quality vintage clothing for cheap, as customers pay by the pound at the bins. But with this, there are some important things to keep in mind if one is going to dive into the bins.

Always bring gloves

Gloves are crucial for the bins. Many of these clothing items were not washed before being donated, and the original location of these clothes is unknown. There will likely be undergarments, athletic clothes, and sleepwear that may have bodily fluid on them, so gloves are an absolute must, and long sleeves are highly recommended. Hand sanitizer is also an important item to keep on hand.

Be careful

One does not know what they will find in the bins, which is both a good and bad thing. There is always a possibility of sharp objects and other items in general, so when looking, be mindful of anything that looks suspicious. This also goes for items above; one does not know where the clothes have been, so again, be mindful of anything off.

Keep items close

The bins are known to be filled with resellers trying to make a profit, and some will be lurking to find the best items. Make sure one’s personal items are near, and keep track of belongings. It is easy to lose keys or a wallet while digging through mounds of clothing, so be sure to keep items in pockets or a purse to minimize the risk of losing items.

Check tags, sizing, and brands

As mentioned above, the bins are crawling with resellers. This is because there can be high-end brands underneath the SHEIN knockoffs. When looking for items, it can be beneficial to look at the tags to see if it is real vintage, but it can also be important to see the brand. It is often fun to see name brands for these extremely low prices, so look out!

It is also important to note sizing, especially vintage sizing. Due to the lack of a universal size chart, brands each have their own sizing and measurements, so when looking for pants, shorts, etc, it is crucial to double-check the measurements of the garment.

Wash all clothes after purchase

This seems like a given, but especially in the bins, washing clothing after purchase is crucial. These clothes have likely been to multiple Goodwill stores, and many people have been rummaging through them all day, not to mention they likely have not been washed. So, after purchasing items, wash them thoroughly, so there is minimal risk of skin reactions.

The Goodwill bins are a fun and unique way to acquire a lot of clothing quickly, but it can be difficult to find something that is one’s style. It is also imperative to always wear gloves and to make sure that one washes their items after purchase.

The closest Goodwill Outlet, to my knowledge, is in Indianapolis, but there are other locations around Chicago and Gary.

During a time of third-wave feminism, a punk subgenre emerged in the early 1990s. Riot Grrrl, which is heavily associated with DIY, feminism, and activism, was not just a music genre but a way of life.

The Riot Grrrl movement originated in 1991, when a group of women from Olympia, Washington, and Washington, D.C., held a meeting about sexism in their local punk scenes in the United States. One example was the all-female punk band Calamity Jane, who were subjected to sexist abuse from a massive, predominantly male audience of around 60,000 people. The crowd threw mud, rocks, and coins at the band, causing them to leave the stage in tears. Nirvana, which they opened for, was so mad that they sabotaged their own show.

This sexism is still seen in modern punk scenes, but at this time, it was much worse. The word Grrrl came from associations with childhood, and the rrr’s were used as a way to reclaim the derogatory use of girl.

The DIY aspect of the scene has been a core foundation since the beginning. Zines, like magazines, are small booklets that contain art, music, or other information, and were used to express oneself and political views. Zines often described experiences with sexism, mental illness, body image and eating disorders, sexual abuse, racism, rape, discrimination, stalking, domestic violence, incest, homophobia, and sometimes vegetarianism. These ideas were also some of the key themes in Riot Grrrl music.

The musical influences of Riot Grrrl came from hardcore punk in the ‘80s, but when it came to female artists, the genres varied greatly. Souxie Sioux, Joan Jett, and Kim Gordon are all notable influences in this scene. Courtney Love has also been credited as an influence with her raw attitude and her lyrics, but she has separated herself from the Riot Grrrl label as much as she can.

“As supportive as I am of them, there's a faction that says, ‘We don't know how to play, but we're not going to follow your male-measured idea of what good is.’ Look, good is Led Zeppelin II. That's ******* good. And I'm not going to sit here and say you're a good band when you suck. They're like, "But we're entitled to suck." Really? We work so hard to get good at what we do without covering up who we are as women,” Love said in an interview with Copper Square Press.

In the early to mid-’90s, bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, and Slant 6 began to produce a type of female punk music that sent waves across the United States. These bands began to form a scene where women could express their rage and frustration about all of the things that made their lives more difficult. They were labeled as Riot Grrrls because of their ideals, their attitudes, and their political beliefs. In an undated, typewritten Bikini Kill tour flier, it answers the question "What is Riot Grrrl?" with:

"[Riot Grrrl is ...] Because we girls want to create mediums that speak to US. We are tired of boy band after boy band, boy zine after boy zine, boy punk after boy punk after boy... Because we need to talk to each other. Communication and inclusion are key. We will never know if we don't break the code of silence... Because in every form of media we see ourselves slapped, decapitated, laughed at, objectified, raped, trivialized, pushed, ignored, stereotyped, kicked, scorned, molested, silenced, invalidated, knifed, shot, choked, and killed. Because a safe space needs to be created for girls where we can open our eyes and reach out to each other without being threatened by this sexist society and our day-to-day bull****," Lisa Darms, lead singer of Bikini Kill, said.

In my own personal experience at shows as a teenage girl, there are often comments about how we should “get out of the pit” and “put more into our looks.” There is still sexism in the punk community, and Riot Grrrl is the counter-culture to that. There is always someone who will shame others for doing what they love, but when a culture acknowledges and addresses the frustration and rage many experience, it is truly life-changing.

The Riot Grrrl lifestyle is about politics, feminism, DIY, and musical culture. There is little focus on fashion, and no specific style is attributed to the Riot Grrrl movement. The goal is to lift others up while acknowledging the lived experiences that others went through, which is what makes this punk subgenre truly unique.

The Ladies In Orange is an all-abilities pom squad that celebrates inclusion, teamwork, and the power of performance.

This special abilities group was created by Taylor Stafford, a special education teacher at Kesling Intermediate School, Trisha Rosembaum, and Ms. Nanny, who have helped many students have the opportunity to cheer and dance. They even perform at middle and high school football games.

“I believe in purposeful inclusion. The girls in our Life Skills program love to sing and dance, just like any other girls. However, due to sensory sensitivities and other unique needs, traditional cheer or pom teams aren’t always equipped to fully support them. The Ladies In Orange gives our girls the opportunity to be part of a cheer squad that understands and meets their needs. We are incredibly grateful for our high school cheer team! They’ve been so welcoming and have become wonderful role models for our girls,” Stafford said.

Their most recent performance was in memory of Maria, a classmate who unfortunately passed away over the summer. In dedication to her, the squad wore pink, and the audience was encouraged to as well. Maria was filled with sparkle and kindness, and this performance was just as bright as she was. The freshmen cheer squad joined the Ladies to show their support, and it was a huge success.

Recently, on October 6, the ladies soared through the Homecoming parade. Even when their trailer broke down, Stafford, with the help of family and friends, created a safe and gorgeous truck. Safety rails were installed, and step stools were used to make sure everyone would be safe and happy. This homecoming truck was a hit at the parade, and it has brought The Ladies In Orange even further into the community spotlight.

This all-inclusive group has captured the hearts of La Porte County, and this group will continue performing for years to come.