![“[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)
Foster the People impresses with second studio album Supermodel
Columbia
In Supermodel, the follow up to its debut album Torches, Foster the People provides a compilation of eclectic songs with heavy indie pop and psychedelic influences.
The major single off the album, Coming of Age, has an upbeat tempo and catchy rhythm. At the same time, it doesn’t appear to be a synthetically-produced pop song like much of the other music list in the Top 40.
In a recent interview with Paste, a music and entertainment publication, lead singer Mark Foster described the album as “a conversation with Gods.” Foster, who struggled with drug addiction, explained that while writing the songs on the album, he was “confronting a number of demons,” as well as “trying to explore who God is.”
The tracks on the record seem to accurately display Foster’s descriptions. As the frontman reflects on his notorious history of substance abuse, he makes it clear in tracks such as the single “Coming of Age” when he sings “I seem to hurt the people that care the most” that he is attempting to reject the excessive, indulgent lifestyle of fame and wealth he once was a part of in search of a more mature one.
A common element to the tracks is a mélange of dream-like musical notes that makes the listener feel like he or she is under the influence of psychedelics. These hallucinatory tones further draw upon Foster’s past struggles, as they contrast sharply with the passionate, focused lyrics.
The personal elements of the album are what make listeners truly connect to the music. Rather than simply maintaining a good tune, listeners nowadays look for more value in the music they listen to. Supermodel provides the perfect combination of this element with meaningful lyrics. The fact that the record title is not simply ripped from one of the songs further demonstrates the band’s personal investment in this album.
While Foster the People is not scheduled for any Northern California shows anytime soon, the band will be showcasing songs from Supermodel at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California on April 8 during spring break, providing a viable entertainment opportunity for all students vacationing or college touring in the area.
Sapna Suresh is the Public Display Ad & Business Manager of the TALON Yearbook. She is a senior and has been part of the journalism program since her...