Editorials

11/3/15

So What About the Music Industry?

Guest post written by the talented and inspiring Jackie Loupakos, student at Columbia College in Chicago.

We live in a world that is rather demanding. I’ve noticed that a demand in any industry gets worse with the help of technology and all of its advances. Every little thing changes in an industry when you least expect it to. In the case of music, I find it difficult and quite exhausting trying to keep up with all the various forms of how people listen to music. Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, Amazon, Soundcloud; the list is endless. I am currently studying Audio Design and Production at Columbia College Chicago, along with a minor in Music Business. One of the many issues we talk about in my department is how the popular avenues for purchasing music always change.

Today, artists are speaking against streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Picture this: You are an independent artist who has your work on one of the these sites. If someone clicks play on a song, you earn a cent or sometimes even nothing. Here is my problem with this: it’s just not fair.

10/10/15

Starting Today: How to Get Back on Track

It happens to all of us. It generally hits me on Sundays, after I’m out of my standard daily routine from the week. All of my hard work of reaching my goals during the week sometime becomes lax. While I focus on healthy eating on a regular schedule during the week, I might make an exception for a piece of celebratory birthday cake on the weekend. Well, the one piece of birthday cake turns into indulging in some pizza the next day, and heck, while I’m at it, why not throw in a glass of soda, and since I’m off my game, I might as well skip my workout and wait until Monday to get back on track, right? That makes sense.

It can be any habit, not just food; from over-indulging in a bit of partying, losing focus on your daily prayer, letting your housework slip, or blowing your budget on an impromptu shopping spree. No matter your goals, when we let ourselves stumble, the repercussions can feel devastating. I’ve been there before – oh gosh, have I been there before! Instead of wallowing in self-pity or spiraling out of control, take charge in these moments and make the necessary change. Now. Not later. Not tomorrow. Not Monday. Now!

09/30/15

11 Ways to Combat Stress Right Now

I am a very odd person.

I can feel physically bothered to my very core from seeing dust around my house. I feel anxiety when plans are not set in stone. My stress manipulates itself in my stomach, causing nervous belly aches when I hear a ‘mouth smacking’ noise. However, with all of my annoyingly peculiar triggers that instigate huge amounts of internal stress, I am the calming force among anyone around me. See, I told you, I am odd.

I have always been the go-to person of my family and friends in moments of crisis and tension because, although I may not personally have it all together, I excel and comforting others and making them view situations differently. Even as a child, I prided myself on my optimism and positivity, which sometimes bothered my parents. See, if I was being scolded and sent to my room, I would go with a smile on my face and find something to play with in there. As I’ve matured, I have learned to use my positive energy to help people in my life de-stress and want to share some tips on how to calm yourself at the moment of crisis.