![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Music heads in a new direction
Tommy Au
Summer Camp performing at Backstage Live in Hong Kong.
The rapidly expanding world of music has led to the creation of hundreds of different genres, many of which frequently escape the public eye. Check out the innovative and fresh music of the following artists that are quickly emerging from the underground alternative scene.
Summer Camp
LONDON – Hailing from England and managed by the London-based Moshi Moshi Records, Summer Camp is the retro lo-fi indie project of Elizabeth Sankey and Jeremy Warmsley. The quirky duo was formed in October 2009 and gained popularity quickly via their Myspace page, producing music reminiscent of 60’s bubblegum pop and 80’s New Wave electronica.
Anonymity was Summer Camp’s strong point in the beginning of its career, as the pair created videos to their singles by rearranging footage from old movies, attracting much online attention. Their current discography includes two EPs, Young (2010) and Always (2012), and their full-length debut album Welcome to Condale which was released in late 2011.
The real style of Summer Camp’s music is hard to define, with fans categorizing them as avid participants of shoegaze, chillwave, dream pop, and more; the band’s music videos further prove their associations with these throwback genres, utilizing Warhol-esque split screen methods and intentional color correction. Their first single, “Ghost Train,” complete with stadium echoes and stereo quality fuzz, was paired with a video that could possibly best describe their style: a hazy, nostalgic selection of clips from the 1969 movie Last Summer, featuring a set of three ephemerally carefree teenagers at the beach.
Through their music, videos, and their name, even Summer Camp is convinced that they are unparalleled in music for the rapidly-approaching sun spell — with just enough foundation in modern indie pop to make one feel at home while exploring the wonders of previous decades.
Recommended tracks: “Better Off Without You”, “Two Chords”, “Down”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Four-piece alternative-pop outfit Dot Dash formed in 2010, emerging from the Washington, D.C. indie rock scene. After the breakup of their former band Julie Ocean, guitarist/vocalist Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett began their hunt for band members – a need that was soon filled by drummer Danny Ingram and guitarist Bill Crandal.
The group took their name from 70s English rock band Wire, and put out their first album Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash in 2011. The record compiled 14 songs that they’d recorded in three afternoons, and was followed by their sophomore album Winter Garden Light in September of 2012. Both albums, released through Canadian label The Beautiful Music, employ distortion-affected yet intricate instrumentals, and tracks hinting at mellow prog-rock and britpop origins, bringing to mind bands like R.E.M. or The Verve.
Recommended tracks: “Shouting in the Rain”, “No Reverie”
Shy Kids
TORONTO – With steadily growing press attention and only three officially released songs, Shy Kids is a Toronto-based band that has recently been on the underground alternative radar. The band’s lyrics, veiled under upbeat percussive anthems and layered chorus singing, resonate with and cover popular topics of adolescent contemplation.
The band’s debut EP Field Trips (2012) has amassed popularity by means of social media website Tumblr: many have expressed their thoughts on the potentially controversial music via their blogs. Shy Kids’ dreamy Animal-Collective-meets-MGMT vibe is produced by members Patrick Cederberg, Matthew Hornick, and Walter Woodman.
Field Trips is available on Shy Kids’ website for free download or for a “name your price.”
Recommended Tracks: “Raise ‘em Right”, “In The Puddin’”
Juhi Gupta is the Multimedia Editor for Harker Aquila. She is a junior and has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her position...