WHCL announces Varsity and Anemone as Fall Concert Guest Artists

by Bethany Vickery ’20, A&E Editor

The Spectator
The Spectator

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Photo Courtesy of Nataline Soler Via Rarecandy.org

On Mon. Oct. 15, WHCL announced the musical guests for its Nov. 10 Fall Concert. The main act of the concert is Varsity, an indie-rock band from Chicago. Opening for Varsity is up-and-coming alternative group Anemone, who will be taking the stage at 8 PM. WHCL made the concert announcement in the form of a video posted to their Facebook page, starring members of the organization’s executive board. Admission to the concert is free.

Varsity has five members: Stephanie Smith on lead vocals and synthesizer, Dylan Weschler on guitar and backup vocals, Patrick Stanton on guitar, Paul Stolz on bass guitar, and Jake Stolz on the drums. The band made their debut in 2013, releasing song their first song, “Turns Out,” via the music streaming service Bandcamp. Since 2013, Varsity has released three studio albums, four singles, and one EP. Each of the band’s singles contain a B-side record in addition to the single song.

In Apr. 2018, Varsity released their newest album, with Babe City Records. Longtime Varsity fan and WHCL Events Coordinator Graham Paul ’20 expressed excitement about Varsity’s new work, saying, “I’ve been listening to them since 2015, and they just released a new album, A Parallel Person. I think they’re really coming into their own as a band.”

Varsity has received positive reviews since their debut in 2015. Britt Julious of the Chicago Tribune gave the band a glowing review in 2015, based on Varsity’s first releases. Julious described Varsity’s appeal to angsty youth:

“It’s not a high school band, but rather a band that understands the complexities of that time period: the angst, the frustration, the sucker punch of decisions. But the smart and relatable songwriting feels years past such a time.”

Varsity’s songwriting deals with themes of love, heartbreak, and loneliness. Although the band formed after the members graduated high school, their 2015 release Hairpool features the lyric, “I would never get between you and your biology or your psychology too// Ok I would it seems that I’ve got nothing better to do than hang around after school.” Between Smith’s smooth, melodic vocals and frequent guitar riffs from Stanton, Stolz, and Weschler, Varsity straddles genres. Catchy tunes and upbeat refrains balance the wistful, often bittersweet lyrics. The band’s 2015 release “So Sad, So Sad” combines the lyric, “Weak just like I take my drinks// A crumb upon my plate leads to a week of crying streaks” over an upbeat guitar accompaniment. Varsity stands out for their effortless synthesis of buoyancy and melancholiness. The

Chicago Redeye characterized the band’s style as a fusion of bubblegum and punk music.

Opening for Varsity is Anemone, a Montreal-based quintet. The group consists of lead vocalist and keyboard player Chloé Soldevila, Miles Dupire-Gagnon on the drums, Gabriel Lambert on the guitar, Zachary Irving on the bass, and Samuel Gemme on the guitar. Anemone combines dream pop, Krautrock, and dance music influences in their unique style.

Paull was instrumental in organizing the concert. He first saw Anemone over the summer when they opened at a Men I Trust concert. He “like [s] their energy — they’re fun, vibrant people, moving and grooving about the stage. They’re on the up and up.” Anemone released their first album, Baby Only You and I, earlier this year. The band produces songs both in French and English; Baby Only You and I includes titles Bout de Toi and Laying in the Sun. Their music can be found on Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.

The concert will take place in the Annex, and doors will open at 7:30 PM on Nov. 10. Admission is free.

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