Music

PROFILE: The Music Man of Marietta

You’re driving down the road with the windows down and the stereo up. You’re sitting in your friend’s basement recalling the crazy stunts you’ve pulled together. You’re not worried about the time and your plans – you’re content to relax and enjoy the life you’ve been given.

This is the life of Nate DiRuzza and the mood emitted through his music. A senior at Marietta College, his music invites listeners to slow down and find where they are in life. He would classify his music as “folk rock” inspired by artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Brad Paisley and the Eagles. He has recorded his first album and performed at various venues throughout Northeast Ohio and the Mid-Ohio Valley, including the Izzy’s Coffeehouse Series and opening for Blessid Union of Souls.

His story begins at his first-grade Christmas play, where he portrayed Elvis and became obsessed with the performer. He could easily be found singing and dancing on the coffee table impersonating his idol.

As his love for music grew, so did his interest in becoming a musician. DiRuzza taught himself to play guitar his junior year of high school because he couldn’t afford lessons. He wrote his first song about a girl he liked, “Only a Fool,” and then wrote “The Good Ol’ Fashioned Days,” both found on his first album.

As a high school senior, DiRuzza recognized his desire to not only write music, but also perform in front of crowds. With the push of his chorus teacher, he auditioned for the school play and portrayed the Cowardly Lion in their production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

“It was that play that built the confidence I have about myself,” he said.

That confidence was useful later in his first solo performance with his own music.

“I performed “The Good Ol’ Fashion Days” in front of 300-400 people for the first time. Everybody started clapping along and I got the chills,” he said.

Now a senior in college, DiRuzza is doing what he loves. He keeps a notebook with each of the 21 songs he has written, and has found that at different points in his life, he will write songs with similar lyrical vibes.

“I basically write about how I feel. I don’t make anything up, everything that I write about it true. When I get my heart broken, I write about it. When I’m in an extreme state of happiness, I write about it. I also write about experiences that I’ve had,” he said.

He hopes that others will be able to find themselves in his music.

“I want people to be able to identify with it. I want them to feel it, either with the lyrics or the beat of the song,” he said.

DiRuzza is expecting his second album to come out within the next few years. In the future, he would like to perform at the NACA (National Association for College Activities) conference. Here, he would be recruited by colleges and perform at their schools.

The glitz and glamour of a Hollywood musician is not appealing to DiRuzza, who would rather finish his college education and allow those he cares for most to take this journey with him.

“I’m not going to get in a dirty old van and just take off because I’m very family oriented and I don’t want to leave people behind. However, I would love to perform and travel on the weekends, and yet still live close to my family,” he said.

You can listen to some of DiRuzza’s music on his myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/natediruzza. You can also purchase his album from New Creation Studios in Parkersburg, W.Va., or from him personally. As we endure the hustle and bustle and craziness of life, he hopes we can all learn to live the message of his newest song, and “Take Life Slow.”

EDITOR’S NOTE:  This article is by Leyna Chovan, a Media Writing Two student at Marietta College.  If you are interested in writing for Writing on the Mall, send an e-mail to Patrick_H@writingonthemall.net.

Video from The Heyday

Nothing too much here, just some video clips from when The Heyday was in town.

Last Week of Winter Break: Quick Hits

A lot of little stories (and a LOT of snow falling here at the Mobile Writing on the Mall News Center) lead to today’s quick hits!

• Roll on, Etta Express – The Pioneers Baseball team was recently selected as the 19th best team in the country.  The pre-season poll, assembled by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, placed OAC for Heidelberg #14 in the polling.  Wooster, the team that won the 2009 Mideast Regional Tournament over Marietta, was ranked #2 in the nation, behind #1 St. Thomas of Minnesota.  The Etta Express will start its season in Memphis, TN over Spring Break. Read more…

Winter Break Quick Hits

A lot of news, but not a whole lot of background, so it’s a Quick Hits article.

• Breaking the Bank:  The Legacy Campaign crested $50 million in donations to Marietta College thanks to a donation from the Chlapaty family to the tune of $2.6 million.  The latest donation was earmarked to go towards renovations and upgrades at Don Drumm Stadium.  Their hope is to make the stadium more attractive and friendly for students, athletes, and potential Pioneers.  No word on what those renovations and upgrades will be, but as soon as I know, you will too.
• MC’s Top 10:  Writing on the Mall is working on it’s very own Top 10 list of news stories for the year, but for now, you can check out the official Marietta College Top 10.  The list includes everything from athletics, academics, growth, and the 175th anniversary.  We’re still taking your recommendations towards what you feel were the most important story lines of 2009.  Feel free to leave a comment with your input.
• Candid Camera – Late Night Breakfast Edition:  I was too busy enjoying the atmosphere of Late Night Breakfast to take photos and videos for the site, but have no fear.  Trusty photographer Jonathan “Jack” Brossart for the College has some pictures up on the College’s Flickr photostream.  Did you get photographed?
• DJ Correct In The House:  Still in Marietta?  Head over to the Thirsty Turtle (Route 47 in Parkersburg) to enjoy some great music and atmosphere.  December 24th (Thursday) is their College Night, with plenty of contests and specials for students.  DJ Correct will be providing the music.  He’ll also be there December 26th (Saturday).  Both nights start at 10 PM.  I haven’t been to the Thirsty Turtle, but hear it’s a pretty good bar to hang out at.
• Texts From Last Night:  Marietta College now has a Texts From Last Night group on Facebook.  It’s not really official in any way shape or form (as in, not officially TFLN sanctioned) but still worth a few good laughs.  Join the group and bust some winter break boredom.
• Post Your Events on The Mall:  Writing on the Mall is always looking to find out when your events are.  We try to post information for as many events as possible.  And we’d love to post your event.  Whether it is on campus, off campus, or online, we’ll post it on our calendar, our Twitter Feed, and our Facebook to help promote your event.  Just hit up the Contact page and send me (Patrick) an e-mail detailing your event or events for the Spring semester.  Things that would be helpful include the name of the event, a bit of background about the event, where it’s being held, what time its being held, and who it is open to.  Any other information can be provided

AG Silver Headlines Second Club 21

AG Silver will be performing tonight at the Gathering Place.  It is a Club 21 night, so beer and malt beverages (last I had heard Mike’s Hard Lemonade would be added to the selection) will be offered to those of legal age that purchase a bracelet.

The band is currently on a tour of colleges to promote their new album and and to help raise money/awareness for clean water in Africa.

The show starts at 9 PM, but doors open at 8.

Blessid Video

Here’s the video from Saturday Night’s concert with Blessid Union of Souls.  Enjoy!

EDIT: Whoops, the video hasn’t finished processing yet.  Check back in the morning!

EDIT 2: Video is now working.  Go check it out!

Blessid Union of Souls draws 300+ to G-Spot

Last night, 90s pop band Blessid Union of Souls played for a crowd of 317 people at the Gathering Place.

The CUB sponsored event started with MC’s own Nate DiRuzza as the opening act. Around 9pm, Blessid got the crowd going with Queens “Bohemian Rhapsody”

In their 80 minute set they played 90s favorites such as “Light in your eyes”, “I wanna be there”, “I believe” and their most memorable “Hey Leonardo (She likes me for me)”

For the members of CUB, the preparation for the famed band began at 8am. The Gathering Place had to be transformed from college hang out spot to backstage dressing room.

Everyone’s hard work paid off in the end and produced a great show and start to the year for CUB music.

Welcome Back Bash Starts Out Strong.

In true MC fashion, the first week of classes is celebrated by the annual Welcome Back Bash.

The fun-filled weekend started Thursday with the CUB sponsored Club MC on the mall. Club MC is a chance for the more than 70 campus organizations to show what they have to offer to the new freshmen.

The event was a great success with freshmen and upperclassmen both signing up for different clubs.

The night was closed with the first comedian of the school year, Richie Holiday. Also sponsored by CUB, the comedian was the first to perform in the new amphitheatre, drawing a large crowd to the grassy lawn.

On Friday WBB continued with another annual event, the Icebreaker Dance, put on by The Charles Sumner Harrison Organization. The dance was held in the G-Spot and maintained a large crowd the entire night.

The Icebreaker is a great way for new and old students to become aquainted and let loose after the first grueling week of classes.

Bringing WBB to a close will be 90s pop band Blessid Union of Souls. This is yet another CUB sponsored event. The band is famous for songs such as “I Believe”, “Hey Leonardo (She likes me for me) and “Light in your eyes.”

Blessid Union will be the first larger scale musical act the college has seen in many years.

They will be performing Saturday August 29 at 8pm in the Gathering Place.

Welcome Back Bash always draws in large crowds, this year has been no different, and next year will only get better.

Concerts Before School Starts

As summer winds down and many students report to campus starting next Sunday and Monday (whoo hoo!), here is what’s left of the concert season before the first day of classes (August 24th).

The big names coming through the area include Keith Urban and the American Idol tour, along with a few famous classic rock acts. Oh and some group named Fall Out Boy is opening for Blink-182.

Nautica Pavillion – Tuesday, August 11th
The Moody Blues

Mellon Arena – Thursday, August 13th
Keith Urban

Post-Gazette Pavillion – Friday, August 14th
Blink-182 with Fall Out Boy

Nationwide Arena – Friday, August 14th
Keith Urban

Veterans Memorial Auditorium – Friday, August 14th
Jamie Foxx

House of Blues Cleveland – Friday, August 14th
Blue Oyster Cult

Blossom Music Center – Friday, August 14th
Nickelback with Hinder, Papa Roach, and Saving Abel

Post-Gazette Pavillion – Sunday, August 16th
Crue Fest 2 (Motley Crue, Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool, and Charm City Devils)

Wolstein Center – Sunday, August 16th
Jamie Foxx

Lifestyles Community Pavillion – Sunday, August 16th
The Pretenders

Time Warner Cable Amphitheater – Monday, August 17th
Jason Mraz

Lifestyles Community Pavillion – Tuesday, August 18th
Lynyrd Skynyrd

The Q Arena – Friday, August 21st
Keith Urban  with Sugarland

House of Blues Cleveland – Friday, August 21st
KC & The Sunshine Band

Post-Gazette Pavillion – Saturday, August 22nd
Rod Stewart

Mellon Arena – Saturday, August 22nd
American Idol Tour

Nautica Pavillion – Saturday, August 22nd
Heaven and Hell

Wolstein Center – Sunday, August 23rd
American Idol Tour

Music in the Area

Another week, and another update.  No concerts tonight, but check out Dave Matthews Band at Blossom tomorrow night, or the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival coming to both Akron and the Burgh.

Blossom – Wednesday, July 29th
Dave Matthews Band

TWC – Wednesday, July 29th
Incubus with The Duke Spirit

HOB – Wednesday, July 29th
Sugar Ray with Fastball

PG – Thursday, July 30th
Lil’ Wayne

LCP – Thursday, July 30th
The Doobie Brothers

Blossom – Friday, July 31st
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival (Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for my Valentine, Cannibal Corpse, Trivium, Job for a Cowboy, GodForbid, Behemoth, All That Remains, WhiteChapel, and Mushroomhead)

PG – Saturday, August 1st
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival (Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for my Valentine, Cannibal Corpse, Trivium, Job for a Cowboy, GodForbid, Behemoth, All That Remains, WhiteChapel, and Mushroomhead)

Nautica – Saturday, August 1st
John Legend