If You Will Delivers

Very few garage bands make it past the driveway. They are forever destined to play on a slab of concrete and perform for an audience of lawn mowers and bicycles. In 2006, three high school musicians from Mahtomedi, Minnesota decided that they were tired of playing the garage gig and set out to discover what happens when music meets the masses. Just three years later, the band has already achieved major milestones in the music industry and is perfecting the art of putting on a great show.

If You Will has already seen success in the Midwest. They have played at multiple venues which include: Club Three Degrees, The Enigma, Crosspoint Church, Living Word Christian Center, The Rock, The Cabooze, and The Varsity Theater. I was lucky enough to catch their most recent performance at Club Three Degrees in Minneapolis last Saturday night. There was a half hour wait to get into the club, as the bouncers desperately tried to fit as many people as they could into the venue. If You Will took the stage around 7:30. The club was packed, which undoubtedly put extra pressure on the band. Nevertheless, If You Will fed off of the audience’s energy and used it to fuel their own musical oomph. This ability comes natural to the trio, as each band member has an extensive background in musical performance.

Because I went to school with all three members of If You Will, I have seen their musical progression over the years. The band is comprised of three members: Seth Lienard, Stefan Swanson, and Aaron Rosell. If You Will formed in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities. Their performance at our high school’s Battle of the Bands won the crowd over and expanded their fan base almost instantly. They ended up taking first place. Aaron Rosell, the drummer and piano player, is the youngest member of the band and was also in my graduating class. I remember the middle school talent show where Aaron amazed the audience with his high tempo drum solo (this was no ordinary solo; it lasted around five minutes). Aaron’s other musical talent is playing the piano, which he has done at multiple school events. Seth Lienard is the bass player and one of the band’s vocalists. His unique bass riffs are a signature feature of If You Will and are the most recognizable notes in every song. Stefan Swanson, the band’s lead guitar player and other vocalist, is the oldest member of the band. He has been playing the guitar since he was in sixth grade, which calculates into about seven or eight years ago. He also has experience playing the bass guitar, piano, and drums; however, none of these instruments can contest his skill on the electric guitar. Stefan took time after If You Will’s performance at Club Three Degrees for a quick interview.

I only had a few questions for Stefan, and he was more than happy to answer them. Because If You Will has played at so many venues and with many other local bands, I wondered if Stefan had a favorite band he would like to open for. He quickly answered, “Red Hot Chili Peppers for sure, but I would never feel good enough!” As it turns out, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have had a major influence on If You Will. More specifically, John Frusciante, who plays guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has inspired Stefan’s guitar playing. Some of If You Will’s other influences are Incubus, Muse, and Coldplay. I asked Stefan what the best part of being in a band is, to which he replied, “The companionship of participating in something higher than myself with my brothers.” This response shows how close the band has grown over the years. The tight-knit relationship that If You Will has can also be detected in their music.

If You Will has an alternative style, but occasionally one of its songs such as “Run Away” will bust out in a fury of hard rock riffs. Tasty distorted guitar licks, compliments of Stefan, are a pleasant addition to all the songs; however, it is Seth’s memorable bass riffs that provide backbone to the music and keep the audience coming back for more. When Seth’s bass and Stefan’s guitar combine, it makes for an enjoyable performance. As the band’s front men, both Seth and Stefan are capable of winning over a crowd, and watching them compete with each other for attention is amusing. They also know when to work together. The song “Hate Your Hate” is an excellent example of their teamwork. After a heavy guitar intro by Stefan, Seth comes in for a catchy bass solo that sets up the rest of the song. The vocals begin to line up with the bass line in an eerie sort of way. Both the vocals and the bass have to be perfectly in sync at this time in the song; otherwise, the effect will not be achieved. Later on in the song, Stefan and Seth come back together for a shared solo. It is exactly what the audience needs. The two bring massive amounts of energy to the stage. Although Seth and Stefan are both extremely talented, they would be lost without their drummer.

As the youngest member of the group, Aaron probably has the most energy. He also has the most exhausting job in the band. Keeping up with Seth and Stefan is not an easy task. Luckily, Aaron is a wiz kid on the drums. As a testament to his talent, the song “Ragnarok” was created. Throughout the entire performance of this song, Aaron never lets up. He becomes a whirlwind of thumping and thrashing. The look of Aaron’s drum show is something similar to the Energizer Bunny on steroids; it keeps going and going, and then it goes some more. Yet Aaron looks at ease when he is playing. It is as if he could handle way more than the band is giving him, but alternative bands do not usually have overly explosive drummers. Watching If You Will play at Club Three Degrees made me realize how far Aaron has come since his middle school talent show routine.

After only three years, If You Will has secured its place in the music scene. “Flight Plan,” the band’s first album, was released in 2007 and has eleven tracks. For being a first album, “Flight Plan” is daring. The style is not conventional but still has enough of a rock attitude to become widely popular. Then, in the beginning of 2008, If You Will released their first single. “Ragnarok” is a hard rock track with all the amenities. It is so intricate that at times it is hard to believe there are only three band members. The band’s next piece, “Above the Earth,” will likely be out in the summer of 2009. All of If You Will’s songs can be purchased on iTunes.

It is hard to say what will happen to these three friends from Mahtomedi. They have mastered small venues across the Twin Cities but are still a long way off from obtaining nationwide popularity. If You Will is definitely on the right path. Maybe all the band needs is a few more albums or perhaps a music video to launch them into the media spotlight. They are so talented that the possibilities are limitless. If You Will is certainly worth keeping an eye on in the upcoming years.

UWEC field research study

1. The first student I spoke with, Jennifer, said that she prefers to study in her dorm room or in the Towers study lounge. She studies best when she rewrites her notes into a more condensed form. The second student I spoke with, Austin, also said he studies best in his dorm room. He studies best by sitting down and doing the work, either alone or with another person, and is not easily sidetracked. The third person I asked, Jake, had the same answer as the previous two. He studies best in his quiet dorm room, although sometimes he gets easily distracted and will turn on his Xbox 360 for a quick game of Halo. Samantha, the fourth person I interviewed, said that she studies best in other people’s rooms. She needs others to help her, and she learns the most when having fun. The last person I spoke with was Nate. He studies best in the basement of Murray Hall. His iPod helps him keep focused and helps him complete his homework much faster.

2. For this task, I decided to find an international student in Katherine Thomas hall to interview. My only problem was that I did not know anyone who lived there. I walked up to the second floor and paced up and down the hallway looking for any possible matches. Luckily for me, I was able to find a room that was housing two international students from Hong Kong. They were willing to take a break from their video games to answer a few questions. The first student said that school here in the United States is more casual than school in Hong Kong. American students can show up to class wearing whatever outfit they choose, whereas students in Hong Kong have stricter dress code guidelines. The second student said that homework was the biggest difference between the two school systems. Schools in Hong Kong gave out little to no homework, while American schools tend to focus more on busywork. The two students also agreed that students here at UWEC participate greatly in their classes; everyone is eager to answer questions. Students in Hong Kong sit through class without saying much of anything to the teacher or other students. The two students said that they cope with the lack of involvement in Hong Kong by bringing their video games to class, which is not unlike the text messaging that goes on in some American classrooms.

3. According to the UWEC’s grading policy, an “XF” is an unofficial withdrawal from any course and is computed as an F. If this mark shows up on someone’s transcript, it has a serious affect on the student’s GPA and raises suspicion as to why the student did not show up to class.

4. Dr. Benning, a Psychology professor, has been teaching at UWEC for decades and has seen a drastic change in students over the years. He believes that students now have more of an egocentric view than ever before. Students are detached from their schoolwork; they fail to connect. Benning believes the University is to blame as well. He says that education has become a business, and its job is the train students to make money. Scott Gaulke of the math department agrees with Benning. He says that over the years students have become fixated on life after college, when really they should be focusing on learning as much as they can right now. Gaulke stressed that the job you receive after college is important, but you can’t get to tomorrow without going through today.

5. UWEC has many sculptures around campus. One the most interesting sculptures is just outside of the HAAS fine arts center. A metal wheelbarrow is carrying a huge rock. Carved into the rock are names of cities. My first interpretation of the sculpture was a symbol of the massive amount of work college is. It would be very hard to move that rock by oneself, but the wheelbarrow makes it easier. The wheelbarrow represents college and the rock is a successful future. College helps students succeed. However, this interpretation goes up in flames when one considers the names carved into the rock. Maybe the locations represent places your future will take you. The message is comforting to think about, which is maybe why the artist put the piece on campus. I could not find a title anywhere on the piece, but I will check back when the snow melts.

6. Volume One is a media magazine at UWEC. It tells of local movies, music, and other media events. For example, there is a guest flutist, Jessica Dunnavant, playing at the Haas Fine Arts Center. The show starts at 5 pm tomorrow, and admission is free. There is also a show on Wednesday at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center called Four Bitchin’ Babes. The event is a mixture of songcraft and therapy. It starts at 7:30 pm and costs $20-$30.

Shanghai Bistro Does Not Disappoint

Every college town has its share of restaurants. Amongst the many pizza joints and chain restaurants, Shanghai Bistro stands out with a unique take on Asian cuisine. Their extensive menu features dishes from all around Asia and boasts an impressive selection of sushi. Shanghai Bistro is the ideal place to take a break from homework and treat oneself to a satisfying meal.

An inviting entryway immediately transports guests to the Far East. Linen covered walls shimmer with a deep yellow glow accented by traditional Chinese decorations. The three-tier sushi bar, brightly lit and busy with activity, is easily spotted in the center of the restaurant. In the rear of the building sits the main dining room. Granite tabletops and rich red walls are a pleasant surprise. The abstract paintings are great conversation starters. One of the most peculiar paintings consists of a uterus, a hacksaw, sperm, and a giant fetus. Although the piece is very strange and takes a while to grasp, it makes for an interesting evening. Shanghai Bistro continues the bizarre theme into its menu but does a much better job explaining its food than it does explaining its choice of art.

The menu is simple. Each item is clearly described, and every ingredient in the dish is listed. Servers are more than happy to answer any questions and are very knowledgeable. Do not be afraid to ask about any unusual ingredients. The prices are also straightforward. Almost every entree is less than ten dollars, with the exception of the high end sushi. For the truly broke college students, Shanghai Bistro offers a half-price happy hour from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. every weekday. However, if you are unable to make it during the happy hour, there are numerous inexpensive appetizers to choose from as well.

Appetizers can be ordered for around three dollars. Egg rolls come filled with either vegetables or barbeque pork. Served with a side of bright red sweet and sour sauce, each egg roll is encased in a crispy dough exterior and packed with fresh, crunchy vegetables. The rolls are unexpectedly light and have just enough flavor to entice the taste buds for the food to come.

The main entrees consist of duck, chicken, beef, or shrimp served over a hefty portion of rice and vegetables. Shanghai Bistro prepares duck beautifully. The Schezchwan Duck is a slightly spicy dish. The duck itself is not greasy and is so tender that it falls apart on the fork. However, the duck and the Schezchwan sauce combine to form a sticky texture that is somewhat unpleasant. While the main entrees have generous amounts of food and are priced to fit, the sushi is less expensive and generally comes in sets of five.

Sushi virgins have nothing to fear, except for the Knock Out Roll. I ordered this dish despite the warning of its high level of heat. The server laughed to herself as she walked away with my order. I felt as if the entire restaurant had an inside joke, and I swear I could hear the laughs echo out from the kitchen. The Knock Out Roll was not as spicy as the menu had warned. Filled entirely with bright green wasabi and roasted chili peppers, the taste was worse than the heat. The flavor mimicked burnt rubber in the most evil way possible. It took me a good minute to finish one roll after I had convinced my body that this was indeed food. Wasabi should never be featured as the main ingredient in a dish. It is similar to putting a heaping scoop of spicy mustard on a plate and attaching a five dollar price tag. Luckily there are more enjoyable sushi varieties offered.

The California Roll and Tobiko Roe Roll are both delicious. An American take on sushi, the California Roll is always prepared with crab. Shanghai Bistro makes its California Rolls with white rice and chilled crab meat. The crab itself is delicate but too stringy, and the rice is barely enough to mask the texture. Less complicated than a California Roll, a Tobiko Roe Roll is exactly what its name suggests: flying fish eggs wrapped in seaweed. The eggs are an intense shade of neon red. Despite there being so many eggs, the flavor is very mild and only slightly fishy. To prevent a texture overload, I suggest eating the eggs in small bites of a few hundred instead of eating the entire roll at once. Because it is such an odd dish in the college culture, Tobiko Roe is actually fun to eat. College students can share this delicacy with their friends or save it all for themselves. For the more adventurous diners, there are exotic sushi types such as eel and sea urchin, but be sure to ask if the ingredients are available. They were out of sea urchin when I went.

Shanghai Bistro creates an exciting dining experience. Intriguing wall art, elegant amenities, fearless dishes, and comical servers all enhance the excellent food. The restaurant offers all of the classic Asian entrees but also adds some twists that even the most stubborn diner will find to their liking. Shanghai Bistro’s friendly atmosphere makes it a great place to stimulate the mind and the taste buds.