Month: April 2012

EDM – A New Genre of Music

Published by lquinn
(Pictured: Paul Rankin (8) dancing to his iPod music)

In the ever-evolving sphere of music, a new genre has carved itself a niche: EDM.

EDM, an acronym for ‘electronic dance music’, is the newest craze sweeping the nation. Although the genre itself is actually older than us kids, EDM has only just begun to catch on to the public eye. Before now, the music was primarily known for being played in darkened clubs, but never before have any DJs become household names. These days, electronic artists such as deadmau5, Armin van Buuren, and David Guetta have reached worldwide status as some of the best sources EDM.

Electric dance music is comprised of many subgenres of music, typically built on the premise of being able to dance to it, hence the ‘dance’ in ‘electronic dance music’. Despite what the general public says, there are actual differences between each subgenre. If trance and hardstyle (two very different genres) were considered to be stylistically the same, DJs everywhere would keel over from heart attacks! Like rock, EDM genres range from very mellow (glitch hop and dubstep) to the electronic equivalent of death metal (hardstyle).

Paul Rankin (8), shows that it’s possible to like everything on the spectrum, as his favorite genre is “hardstyle,” because he likes “the general crazyness of it,” but then says that his favorite DJ is “Pretty Lights, ‘cuz it’s chill music.”  Paul also wants to go to the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) when he’s older, a true sign of a real EDM fan.

Elizabeth Richardson (8) also has no specific favorite genre, as she proved when asked what she listened to. “Skrillex, Knife Party, deadmau5…A recent song I’ve been listening to is “Who’s Gonna Save Us” by Revolvr.” Obviously, it’s easy to relax to the sounds of many different types of electronic dance music.

Whether you’re in it for the dancing or for the music, plenty of people find EDM to be their choice genre of music, and a whole new integral part of this generation’s culture.

-Lauren Quinn

Battle of Flowers… Where Fiesta Began!

Published by lsanch4

Every April San Antonio  hosts a celebration called Battle of the Flowers. This parade honors the soldiers who have died in the Battle of the Alamo and celebrates the victory of San Jacinto. ” I go to the parade every  year because I like to party and see the big colorful floats”- Gabby Pena (8). “Rockin’ on the Waters” is this year’s theme for the floats that pass through the San Antonio River Walk. This week is full of carnivals, cold drinks, hot foods, and colorful hats!  “My favorite part of fiesta week is going to the parades and looking at the really cool floats”- Zachary Pastor (8). What are you looking forward to; the parade, the float designs, or even the crowning of the King and Queen?

By: Lucy Sanchez

Prepare For The Super STAAR!

Published by seckho

Feeling nervous about the STAAR? Doubting that you might not pass? Well, have no fear because there are many ways to prepare.  “First, I make sure I eat a good breakfast, and try not to worry about it, because if I do, that’s no good, because I’ll stress over it, and won’t really focus,” Madelyn George (7) said.  Well, that’s the first step to achieving the STAAR. Eating a good and delicious breakfast. You don’t want to take the test on a empty stomach. It won’t do you any good, now will it?  That was a rhetorical question, so no need to answer it. Also, just like how Madelyn (7) said, don’t stress, it’s not so good.

Are you ready for the STAAR? Daniel Lopez (7) says, “Yes, I am more than ready. I really think I’m going to pass this!” Yes! Have confidence in yourself! Don’t doubt yourself, you’ll be too worried, and won’t focus on your test. “I’m really worried about the math test, only because I’m not very good at it,” Susan Egert (7) says. Just make sure you know how to solve the problems, like fractions, division, proportions, multiplication, etc. You’ve learned it this whole year, so just put all your skills on the test, and prove you know what you’re doing, and you can acomplish anything.

– By: Vivika Eckhoff.