UNLV shows off its cultural harmony

November 20, 2009 by Haley Etchison 

UNLV Around the World features local musical talent and diversity

In honor of International Education Week, UNLV Around the World hosted some outstanding musical acts that showcase the best this university has to offer. Amidst organizations’ tables and national flags, these three groups outlined the immense diversity of UNLV student culture on Monday in Pida Plaza.

UNLV student Qi Sun opened gracing the audience with a set of three songs that represented the diversity of his own background and gave listeners a hint of the old and new in Chinese culture.

The first tune, a popular Chinese pop song, showed off the range of Sun’s poppy tenor voice, in a style reminiscent of television and movie soundtracks.

His second selection, a traditional Chinese song, could have come from the same era stylistically, but Sun explained that this served as a reference to a musical culture that preceded the period of his first number and formed its foundation.

Sun’s final choice exhibited the union of English- and Chinese-speaking cultures both lyrically and musically.

He explained that the English version, an early ‘90s piece by Michael Learns to Rock, offers an optimistic spin on a Chinese favorite that, in the original language, talked about a kiss goodbye.

Sun, who identified himself primarily as an R&B artist, certainly showed talent and musical skill throughout his set, but his stage presence left something to be desired. He glanced regularly at what appeared to be lyrics on a paper that he held the whole time he was on stage.

This approach threatened to diminish what was otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable show of vocal potential by making Sun’s show seem karaoke-ish and under-prepared.

Still, UNLV would be lucky to see another performance from this unquestionably rising star.

The show’s second act was the most refreshingly original this campus has seen in a while.

Nathaniel Phillipps and Kristina Guerrera call themselves Azure.

Guerrera said their music is “cute,” but it is also intelligent and true to life. Azure’s casually clever and original lyrics, simple guitar accompaniment (Guerrera) and folk-inspired harmonies make them not only one of the finest duos UNLV has seen but also one of the most talented and unpretentious groups Las Vegas has ever produced.

Phillips and Guerrera sat on chairs on stage and swayed casually as they sang, inviting listeners to grab a seat, hang out and be taken by their mellow acoustic sound. Their characteristic contrapuntal melodies are clearly the work of two skilled composers, but they managed a performance that seemed like two friends just singing because they wanted to sing.

“Sweet Daydream,” which Phillips and Guerrera wrote together, typifies their style: syllabic vocal accompaniment and a quasi-rondo form played background to a song full of lyrics that range from poetic, like “Truly you make my star wish come true,” to truthfully comic, like a line that talked about staying in love “‘til we’re wrinkly and old.”

Azure’s final number struck a chord with the audience of students, many of whom see UNLV as a hometown university. The piece, titled simply “Las Vegas,” is dedicated “to the Vegas no one knows about.”

Its mournful tones and poignant imagery paint a picture of getting used to Las Vegas as home while waiting in line for the future.

Images of heat, lights, the desert night and childhood in Southern Nevada frame a strikingly truthful chorus: “It took some time to settle on the idea of letting you in. Las Vegas, I know you inside and out.”

This group was a joy to watch and hear. Phillips and Guerrera made a simple courtyard performance a remarkable musical experience. If the UNLV community was looking for an artistic voice, it has found one in Azure.

The afternoon’s final performance came from Wall Street Vampire, a three-person rock group that has gained popularity remarkably fast, climbing to key local venues in only a few months of existence.

Before they even played a note, it was clear that WSV had something special. This diverse trio was the perfect choice to show unity through diversity and honor the international heritage of UNLV, and they completely looked the part.

Bassist Ryan Smith seemed to hold down the expected vibe for a young rock musician with his jeans, T-shirt and tennis shoes, but his band mates are as different from him and from each other as possible.

Drummer Anisa Buttar, in a sun dress and leggings, broke stereotypes almost by her mere presence onstage, and guitarist and vocalist Sharief Ali, who has a master’s in international relations from UNLV, made it clear that a shirt and tie can, indeed, rock.

For all their diversity of appearance, Wall Street Vampire was nothing but unified when it came to their music.

The group was remarkably tight, based solidly in Smith’s ever-consistent bass playing.

Buttar was incredible, with the confident technique of a veteran and a sense of groove and musicality that was not just impressive, but downright hot.

Ali’s skill on the guitar left him free to showcase his characteristic vocals: smooth and ultra-connected, but slightly strained – perfect for the haunting minor keys he sings best in.

Unfortunately, whoever ran the sound let the audience down during Wall Street Vampire’s set, keeping Ali’s mic too low the entire time and depriving listeners of the true impact of his performance.

Wall Street Vampire played well around the rock sub-genres they perform best in, from Smashing Pumpkins’ “Soma” to Radiohead’s “Optimistic’ and “Paranoid Android” and their original “Into Your Eyes” – a symbol of the introspective, slightly dark style that is helping the group make their mark.