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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Rylee Pedotti
Adele's stage in San Jose, California. Photo credit: Rylee Pedotti

Battle of the divas

Rylee Pedotti
December 16, 2016

2016 has been a year for the books, and with the announcement of the 2017 Grammy nominees, music's elite have confirmed this trend won't end as calendars turn. As expected, the night will showcase music's...

"Vice" Lambert's lead single from The Weight of These Wings as shown on Apple Music.

Miranda Lambert soars with ‘Wings’

Rylee Pedotti
December 6, 2016

Despite getting her start on a reality show, Miranda Lambert has had the good fortune of serving as the primary captain of her career. Although this has led the country songstress to superstardom by way...

Photo credit: Rylee Pedotti

Growing the music industry

Rylee Pedotti
November 25, 2016

Considering the average American listens to four hours of music daily, it's no surprise the music industry has seen an ever-steady increase in its celebrity. However, listeners still overlook their role...

Alicia Keys' "The Gospel" as seen on Apple Music. Photo credit: Rylee Pedotti

Alicia Keys’ ‘HERE’ discusses race, music, gender, politics and more

Rylee Pedotti
November 14, 2016

Alicia Keys has long been revered for her vocal prowess and soulful awareness. In a time where artists are using candid self-reflection to deliver honest and forthcoming projects, Alicia Keys delivers...

Beyoncé and The Dixie Chicks perform "Daddy Lessons" and "Long Time Gone" at “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” live Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and broadcast on the ABC Television Network. Photo courtesy of the CMA press cite.

Can Beyoncé save country music?

Rylee Pedotti
November 13, 2016

Wednesday night, the Country Music Association brought the stars out to celebrate this year of country music achievements at the 50th annual CMA Awards.To commemorate a half-decade of music, the CMAs paid...

Courtesy: Sara E. Cooper

International recognition for Chico State professor and publishing company

Rylee Pedotti
November 7, 2016

Throughout her life, Dr. Sara Cooper has held countless titles, including lifelong literary connoisseur and associate professor of Spanish and multicultural and gender studies at Chico State. Now, Cooper...

Apple Music/Interscope Records

Lady Gaga silences critics

Rylee Pedotti
October 24, 2016

The Gaga regime is once again blasting forward with the release of "Joanne."Following a dismal performance by her 2013 LP, "Artpop," Lady Gaga and her global troupe of Little Monsters knew the release...

Sam “Big Sam” Williams courtesy of Matt Kelly and Michael J. Media.

Big Sam’s Funky Nation brings Noladelic Funk to national relevance

Rylee Pedotti
October 17, 2016

New Orleans boasts an impressive roster of homegrown talent, including Jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, the Marsalis Brothers as well as current mainstream acts like Harry Connick Jr. and Frank Ocean. Adding...

Whitney Hayes, and Weston Andrews sing some heartfelt christian songs. Photo credit: Sean Martens

Local talent shines bright at Chico Unplugged

Rylee Pedotti
October 9, 2016

It was standing room only Thursday night at Madison Bear Garden, where a vibrant crowd consumed the cozy upstairs lounge to catch a glimpse of local talent featured in Chico Unplugged. The singer-songwriter...

The Band Perry performing at a concert in Reno, Nevada. Photo credit: Rylee Pedotti

21st century country albums worth holding onto

Rylee Pedotti
October 5, 2016

It's easy to imagine how past records can be tossed aside among the onslaught of new releases. In an effort to honor some of the 21st century's best country albums, here are five worth holding onto.Crazy...

The Band Perry during their show in Reno, Nevada. Photo credit: Rylee Pedotti

The Band Perry talks new sound, resilient ‘Comeback’

Rylee Pedotti
September 26, 2016

When I asked The Band Perry to describe their future direction in one word, these were their replies: Kimberly: Future. Neil: Forward. Reid: Fun. For siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry,...

Promotional poster for Art House Theater Day via (http://www.arthousetheaterday.org/media.php)

Chico’s Pageant Theater to be featured in national film celebration

Rylee Pedotti
September 22, 2016

On Sept. 24, venues across the nation are set to commemorate independent theaters and their everlasting contributions to cinematic culture. Locals will have their chance to join the celebration as Chico's...

The Harry Potter Universe keeps growing with each new J.K. Rowling publishes Photo credit: George Johnston

The year of Harry Potter spin-offs

  J.K. Rowling keeps spelling magic into the world. The Harry Potter author has recently released three new tie-in ebooks into the potterverse; "Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics...

Promotional photo courtesy of the official "How to Get Away with Murder" Facebook page.

Season recaps for fall shows

Rylee Pedotti
September 14, 2016

Fall is synonymous with colorful leaves, sweaters, pumpkin spice everything and zombies. Along with crisp air and football, autumn also delivers a bevy of televisions best and brightest shows, eager to...

Shortz! Film Festival logo. 
Photo courtesy of L. Renee Boyd

Shortz! Film Festival to take center stage at the El Rey

Rylee Pedotti
September 13, 2016

Local film aficionados are in for a treat when the fifth annual Shortz! Film Festival takes residency at the historic El Rey Theater Sept. 16-18.What began in 2011 as an interactive method for local filmmakers...

Photo courtesy of iTunes Photo credit: Rylee Pedotti

Four artists to draft to your music fantasy team

Rylee Pedotti
September 9, 2016

  With football season in full swing, millions have been tasked with building a fantasy football roster. Like the NFL, today's league of musicians are full of eager rookies, seasoned veterans...

Photo courtesy of the official MTV Facebook page for the Video Music Awards.

What we learned from MTV’s Video Music Awards

Rylee Pedotti
August 31, 2016

The MTV Video Music Awards have a longstanding history of representing both the best and worst in music. More often than not, these moments offer artists a first class ticket to infamy and beyond. While...

Promotional photo for Wade Bowen courtesy of the official The El Rey Theatre Facebook page.

Wade Bowen set to bring Texas Country to Chico

Rylee Pedotti
August 29, 2016

Wade Bowen, a 14-year-veteran of the Texas Country music scene, is scheduled to take the stage at the El Rey Theater on Saturday, Sept. 24. Bowen has long served as a prominent figure within the distinguished...

A record being played on a record player. Photo credit: Carly Plemons

The Millennial Effect

Rylee Pedotti
August 26, 2016
How millennials have irreversibly transformed the music landscape