By day, Cassie Van Gelder ensures that the various sets of 88 keys at the UA School of Music sound crisp and intune as their head piano technician, but she extends her keyboard expertise to playing in Proper Operator, a duo with fellow-former-Seashell-Radio-er Courtney Robbins, who are scheduled to take the stage at the Flycatcher on July 19.
To me, quintessential summer songs always come from 1985, where I am 6 years old and perfectly happy.
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World," Tears for Fears
The opening guitar line still sends shivers down my spine and sends me right into a mental summer.
"Say It Isn't So," The Outfield
The reverse reverb on the opening snare always makes me happy, and the four-part harmony gives me goosebumps. I dare you not to pump your fist.
"Things Can Only Get Better," Howard Jones
The bridge of this song! It's killer! Go listen to those high notes right now! Then get to singing those "whoa whoa whoa"s. You know you want to.
"Kyrie," Mr. Mister
To me, the ultimate song of (1985) summer. I kept a cassette tape ready in the boom box so I could hit the 'Record' button the second it came on the radio.
"Awake," Tycho
A current jam to add to your summer mix. Put this on when you've got the windows down and 100 miles left to drive.
