Sam Bodnar is a sophomore at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He is a Journalism Major and will be working with the Indiana Daily Student in the fall of 2018. He is one of the youngest staff writers for MEB and the former Editor-in-chief for his high school publication, "The Sage." He looks forward to many more unique experiences with MEB and the journalism world.
In three minutes, Lauren Duski made me cry and re-evaluate my true motives. Her newest single, “Costume Party”, is that relatable. “Costume Party” defines the war inside myself ...
On July 31, 2018 / By Sam BodnarUpon hitting the market in 2016 Obsessed was instantly one of the top country/pop albums of the last decade. Blending themes of summer time and love, the album ...
On June 28, 2018 / By Sam BodnarNBC’s “The Voice” has yet to produce a mainstream artist. The only two notable successes (arguably) of the show are Cassadee Pope and Jordan Smith. Pope, the Season 4 ...
On May 28, 2018 / By Sam BodnarMother’s Day honors the millions of moms that routinely sacrifice everything to make their children’s world a better place. Breakfast in bed, cleaning the house, going out to ...
On May 23, 2018 / By Sam BodnarKhalid and Normani’s “Love Lies” impresses with its R&B beats and flirtatious lyrics. In three minutes of trading cutesy love lines, Khalid and Normani use their easy-going personalities ...
On February 28, 2018 / By Sam BodnarAudio Tuning significantly devalues artists with incredible voices. It takes away from their authenticity as singers. Hip-hop/rap performers like Kendrick Lamar or Logic incorporate audio tuning and background ...
On December 27, 2017 / By Sam BodnarHyping up fans for upcoming albums is a tactic artfully administered among today’s top selling artists. Through releasing a few songs early, fans are able to gauge how ...
On November 17, 2017 / By Sam BodnarNashville nurtures unique artists from all kinds of angles in the music industry. It’s a legendary place where folks gather to play their music and meet up-and-coming artists. ...
On August 2, 2017 / By Sam BodnarIn the midst of an increasingly hostile political atmosphere, our society is at war with itself. Endless controversies within the government, activist groups sparring with discrimination; these are ...
On July 25, 2017 / By Sam BodnarGrowing up we are reminded at every meal not to bite off more than we can chew. Simply put, it is because we’ll choke and overwhelm ourselves. Just like ...
On July 19, 2017 / By Sam BodnarTranquility is one of the most perfect feelings to ever enter my body. When I am at peace with myself, my day is brighter, the people around me ...
On June 26, 2017 / By Sam BodnarIt has now been a full year since her death. Yet, her legacy still massages the ears of her fans as it travels through their headphones. All is ...
On June 19, 2017 / By Sam BodnarTraveling the country and sharing music with appreciative audiences sounds like a dream come true. Along with the experience comes meeting new people, extending a fan base, and ...
On June 5, 2017 / By Sam BodnarThis is it: the final week on Season 12 of “The Voice”. All throughout the competition Aliyah Moulden, Jesse Larson, Chris Blue, and Lauren Duski have sang their ...
On May 24, 2017 / By Sam BodnarSeason 12 is nearing its end and with half of the remaining eight artists going home, the contestants and coaches gave everything they had. On this week’s semifinals, ...
On May 17, 2017 / By Sam BodnarFollowing this week’s episode, only one more week remains until the finale. Monday night, the remaining 10 artists took it a step up in order to advance to ...
On May 10, 2017 / By Sam BodnarWith the Top 10 looming, the remaining contestants powered through rehearsals to deliver unforgettable performances. Artists sang for America’s votes and two of them went head-to-head in an ...
On May 6, 2017 / By Sam BodnarThis week marked the second round of live episodes on Season 12 of “The Voice.” The fate of the remaining artists is now in the hands of the ...
On April 28, 2017 / By Sam BodnarThousands of hours are dedicated to creating an album that is unique and beautiful. Between composing emotional and catchy lyrics, utilizing the right instruments and executing harmonies, artists ...
On April 25, 2017 / By Sam BodnarTuesday was the second live episode and the final night of the playoffs. Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani each witnessed six of their artists fight for votes in ...
On April 24, 2017 / By Sam BodnarMonday marked the first live show of Season 12. Blake Shelton and Alicia Keys’ artists performed for voters, while Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani’s teams will be performing Tuesday ...
On April 18, 2017 / By Sam BodnarIn the final week of recorded episodes, artists brought their A-game in order to advance to the live playoffs, which begin next week. Only Alicia Keys had a ...
On April 14, 2017 / By Sam BodnarAt this stage in the competition, the coaches only have one steal to claim that special artist for the live playoffs. Coaches utilized a new method of coaching ...
On April 7, 2017 / By Sam BodnarSeason 12’s final week of the battle rounds is complete. From pop to country to R&B, artists worked with their coaches and last week’s advisers in a fight ...
On April 3, 2017 / By Sam BodnarMonday and Tuesday were the first two nights of the Battle Rounds. Artists worked with guest advisors, moved on to the Knockouts, changed coaches, and some went home. ...
On March 22, 2017 / By Sam BodnarWeek three of the blind auditions is in the books and now the attention turns to the Battle Rounds. In this next round, coaches will pair up two artists ...
On March 20, 2017 / By Sam BodnarAt the conclusion of week two, 14 new artists stepped into the spotlight and advanced one step closer to realizing their dream. While few graciously and gallantly took over ...
On March 15, 2017 / By Sam BodnarSeason 12 of the hit Emmy winning show, The Voice, came back on Monday and showcased diverse artists from all over the United States. With four hours of ...
On March 6, 2017 / By Sam BodnarAs a high school student in AP Literature and Language courses, I have been trained to identify rhetorical devices- specifically imagery, and Jessie James Decker‘s visual imagery in her ...
On February 20, 2017 / By Sam BodnarIn previewing album number three, the Imagine Dragons have come out with an upbeat and spellbinding new style. “Believer”, delivered by lead vocalist, Dan Reynolds, celebrates life’s pain for making him a believer in ...
On February 14, 2017 / By Sam BodnarSam Hunt is computerizing country with his poppiest release to date. The Georgian country singer’s new single definitely took an alternative road in comparison with his previous work by sticking ...
On February 13, 2017 / By Sam BodnarTrain’s latest release perfectly fits its title, A Girl, A Bottle, A Boat. Nearly all of the 11 tracks are exciting, and connect with the alcohol and girl aspects ...
On February 6, 2017 / By Sam BodnarWe’ve all heard an artist that sounds exactly like another and typically, we don’t appreciate the tasteful techniques or the vocal tones as much. They aren’t as pleasing ...
On January 9, 2017 / By Sam Bodnar“People want something that is authentic and real.” This one-liner from guitar and mandolin virtuoso Chris Banke is the most empowering message behind the Forlorn Strangers’ new self-titled album. ...
On October 12, 2016 / By Sam BodnarHe couldn’t bring it back to life because there was nothing to revive. The Renaissance was a sparkling cultural rebirth of architecture, art, and intellect between the 14th ...
On September 21, 2016 / By Sam BodnarA plant’s roots remain firm in the ground and develop overtime as it’s nurtured. They don’t disconnect and dance away to other types of life growing around them, nor do ...
On September 7, 2016 / By Sam BodnarCountry music is consistently producing new additions to develop the face of its style, and Justin Moore is healthfully contributing. Sadly, country albums are starting to lean more towards pop, which ...
On August 29, 2016 / By Sam BodnarAfter a fabulous stint on the Broadway Stage, a national tour for Beautiful was cast and began its trip around the United States late last year. Jessie Mueller, the original Carole ...
On August 15, 2016 / By Sam BodnarIn no way whatsoever am I going to claim that I have the finest taste in music. Nor am I an expert with critically analyzing and identifying every ...
On August 15, 2016 / By Sam BodnarThe following is an update to Sam’s original review of Something Beautiful, which can be found here. Months ago, Jordan Smith, winner of “The Voice”, released his first ...
On August 15, 2016 / By Sam BodnarHillsong UNITED has always impressed listeners with their harmonious serenity of gospel music, and that quality production continued in Of Dirt and Grace. Despite a lack of energy in this ...
On August 15, 2016 / By Sam BodnarTalented artists that want to stay on top of the food chain in the music industry need to be able to convey several emotions and cover multiple genres. Lady ...
On July 22, 2016 / By Sam BodnarPicture being perched on top of a ski slope, blanketed with snow, looking down at a smooth ride ahead. You take off and feel the exhilarating rush of ...
On July 13, 2016 / By Sam BodnarBefore you continue reading, I want to make it very clear that I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I always have and I always will, but it is ...
On July 6, 2016 / By Sam BodnarIn the aftermath of the Orlando attack, people of all backgrounds congregated together to show their love and support. Christina Aguilera did her part by writing a song in ...
On July 1, 2016 / By Sam BodnarObsessed is nowhere near an overstatement for this diverse album lighting up the sky. The country-pop team of Obsessed is lead by Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, who ...
On June 22, 2016 / By Sam BodnarEvery wide-spread, blazing fire develops from something, no matter how gigantic or minuscule. Alisan Porter, though seasoned from appearances in musicals like “The Ten Commandments” in Los Angeles and ...
On June 13, 2016 / By Sam BodnarWhen we think of reading through historical events, irritating memories of our high school and college textbooks typically surface first. It’s not that history is a completely dull ...
On June 13, 2016 / By Sam BodnarThe aphorism “Honesty is the best policy” seemed to slip the minds of certain individuals on the release of Blake Shelton’s newest album: If I’m Honest. In the ...
On June 1, 2016 / By Sam BodnarThe ability to travel back in time has long been sought after and finally the phenomenon has been achieved… just not in the way you’d think. Artists with ...
On May 30, 2016 / By Sam Bodnar© 2013 Solo Pine Designs, Inc. All rights reserved.