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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 Tom Sundgren
Ian Ethan Case shares how nature inspires him musically. Photo credit: Aurora Evans

Musician shares his perception of music

Tom Sundgren
April 29, 2016
He talks nature, inspiration and music.
Ian Ethan Case tunes his 18-string acoustic guitar. Photo credit: Aurora Evans

Healing Resonance evokes beautiful sounds

Tom Sundgren
April 27, 2016
A show with the purpose to heal
Promotional photo for the event. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Farrar.

‘Healing Resonance’ concert coming to Chico

Tom Sundgren
April 17, 2016
With music, there's healing.
The album cover for "3001: A Laced Odyssey.” Photo from official Facebook page.

Flatbush Zombies’ debut LP has refined sound, no major label

Tom Sundgren
March 18, 2016
The album proves the band's ability to make music without a major label to back them.
Steven Dunn smiles as he remembers when his love for painting started. Photo credit: Aurora Evans

Abstract painter gives insight on art

Tom Sundgren
March 3, 2016
Intellectual and abstract, Chico painter Steven Dunn opens up
Subcreature gets lost in their music. Photo credit: Megan Moran

Brazilian band brings ‘great energy’ to DownLo

Tom Sundgren
February 16, 2016
On Feb. 14 Brazil metal band Nervosa played with Paradise local bands Burial Grounds and The Deprived, along with San Jose's Subcreature.
The Underachievers' album cover for "Evermore." Photo credit: Wikipedia under fair use.

Review: The Underachievers’ new album shows lyrical progress

Tom Sundgren
November 16, 2015
The captivating storytelling, underlying philosophy and developed concepts are more present than ever.
Airbrush artist Victor Porter is happy to be a part of Chico Art Center's Day of the Dead gallery. Photo credit: Grant Casey

Day of the Dead art gallery comes to Chico Art Center

Tom Sundgren
November 8, 2015
Located off of Orange Street, the Chico Art Center is displaying art from various artists for Day of The Dead until Nov. 13. Artist Victor Porter gives his perspective on his art piece that's displayed in the gallery and what Day of The Dead means to him.

Melody Records owner shares insight on vinyl popularity

Tom Sundgren
October 25, 2015
With more and more artists releasing new albums on vinyl, the world can't help but wonder how bringing back a 67-year-old music format in this modern high-tech era has been a success.
Herreid Music offers a wide selection of instruments that are displayed in a creative manner. Photo credit: Grant Casey

Herreid Music owner talks music background, sales

Tom Sundgren
October 10, 2015
Rich Pires, owner of Herreid Music, breaks down what it's like to be behind music sales, run-ins with guitar theft and his history with Chico.
Fistful of Pennies will be among the five bands bands performing at 1078 Gallery on Oct. 10 for an all-ages punk concert. Photo courtesy of Fistful of Pennies.

Punk concert comes to 1078 Gallery

Tom Sundgren
October 10, 2015
Saturday, Oct. 10, a variety of punk bands from the Chico area will be performing at 1078 Gallery in downtown Chico.
(From left) Bryan, bassist; Miles, guitarist and  Tommy, lead vocals with support from the 
drummer of Tri-Lateral Dirts Commission perform their most popular song, "Get Hurt/Burn Out." Photo credit: Grant Casey

Massive hardcore sound rattles Monstros Pizza

Tom Sundgren
September 26, 2015
Intense sets were brought from Chico bands Tri-Lateral Dirts Commission and Criminal Wave along with other touring bands at the pizza parlor on Thursday, Sept. 25.
The album cover for Scale The Summit's latest release, "V." Photo courtesy of Metal Injection.

Scale The Summit’s new album reaches new heights

Tom Sundgren
September 25, 2015
The four-piece instrumental progressive metal band, Scale The Summit, take a heavier and more sporadic approach in their fifth album titled "V".
John Hiatt and his bandmates rock the stage on Friday, Sept. 11. Photo credit: Sara-Elizabeth Whitchurch

John Hiatt, Taj Mahal Trio rock Laxson Auditorium

Tom Sundgren
September 15, 2015
John Hiatt's appearance at Laxson Auditorium didn't disappoint with familiar rock tunes and an impressionable opening performance from the Taj Mahal Trio.
Members of the band, Aberrance, (from left) Ed Vance, Jake Hollingsworth, David Hordienko, and Nick Rahming hang out with their retired tour van on Tuesday. Photo credit: Alicia Brogden

Aberrance members on crashing their van, new music and tour smells

Tom Sundgren
September 12, 2015
Paradise death metal four-piece, Aberrance, are no strangers to the community of Chico. Lead vocalist Ed Vance and guitarist Jake Hollingsworth describe their summer tour, surviving a major car accident and what the future holds for the band.

John Hiatt & The Combo to turn Laxson blue

Tom Sundgren
September 2, 2015
Taj Mahal's Springfield, Massachusetts blues trio is set to open up for John Hiatt on Friday, September 11 in Laxson Auditorium.
From left: Greg Spont, keys; Jerry Morano, congos; Scott, drums; John McKinley, lead vocalist/guitarist; and Susan Guevara and Cherianne Brandt Pollastrini rock the audience at The Maltese on Saturday August 22. Photo credit: John Domogma

Black Fong pumps up the funk at The Maltese

Tom Sundgren
August 27, 2015
Straight of out Chico, funk band Black Fong threw down the jams at The Maltese for the Pride weekend after-party event on Saturday August 22.
Courtesy of 1078 Gallery

Portland’s Gaytheist to perform in Chico

Tom Sundgren
May 12, 2015
The three-piece metal/hardcore/punk band will be playing Tuesday at 1078 Gallery. The Americas, Baby Gurl and John Holmes will be on the bill as well.
Richard Whitehead’s art exhibit “Another Light - A Retrospective” will be on display at the 1078 Gallery from May 7-30. Viewers are invited to discover universal meanings through examination of the paintings. Photo credit: Courtesy of Richard Whitehead

Richard Whitehead art exhibition comes to 1078 Gallery

Tom Sundgren
May 11, 2015
"Another Light - A Retrospective," highlighting artwork and poetry from the last 40 years, will be on display May 7-30.
Photo courtesy of 1078 Gallery

Eat the World headlines at 1078 Gallery

Tom Sundgren
May 1, 2015
Echelon Rift and Disco Church will be opening up for progressive rock band Eat The World on Friday in downtown Chico.
Rob Wynia of the band Floater performs an acoustic set. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Floater returns to Chico with pair of upcoming shows

Tom Sundgren
April 21, 2015
The band from Portland, Oregon, will be performing on May 1 at the El Rey Theatre and May 2 at the Senator Theatre.
Cammies: Hard Rock/Metal Showcase

Cammies: Hard Rock/Metal Showcase

Tom Sundgren
April 15, 2015
Metal bands performed at the 1078 Gallery on Thursday as part of the 10th annual Chico Area Music Awards.
Blues legend Buddy Guy electrifies Laxson Auditorium

Blues legend Buddy Guy electrifies Laxson Auditorium

Tom Sundgren
April 9, 2015
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee brought forth the deep Chicago blues to the Chico State campus on Tuesday.
Tim & Caio perform "In Brazil" Tuesday at 1078 Gallery. Photo credit: Caio Calado

Tim Snider’s amazing musicianship strikes at 1078 Gallery

Tom Sundgren
April 4, 2015
Portland, Oregon's Tim Snider stopped by Chico on his current west coast tour to play a diverse range of music. Other artists included locals Kyle Williams and The Rugs.
Chico State recording arts major Spencer Sargent works on his current project in the studio. Sargent said that after he graduates this semester he will be moving to the Bay Area, which will offer a lot of chances to work on live sound gigs, but he ultimately wants to work in post-production. Photo credit: George Johnston

Student makes waves in sound recording world

Tom Sundgren
April 1, 2015
Spencer Sargent shares his experiences as a recording arts major and what his future plans are after he graduates this semester.
Catherine Sullivan, curator of the Janet Turner Print Museum, explains what it means to procure art and what takes place day-to-day in her work. Photo credit: George Johnston

Curator preserves artistic expression at Chico State

Tom Sundgren
March 21, 2015
Catherine Sullivan shares what it is like to work with art pieces and her long history with the university and local community.
Artist Hanna Aist points out to Lindsey Chamberlain how a painting's lighting darkens as one's vision moves from left to right. Photo credit: George Johnston

Artists combine visions to explore significance of the small

Tom Sundgren
March 6, 2015
Hanna Aist and Lindsey Chamberlain give their insights on what the "EXTRAordinary" exhibit means to them, different mediums and some of their favorite artists.
Guitarist Niclas Engelin and bassist Peter Iwers rattle the crowd with intense riffs and crushing tone. Photo credit: Jake Hutchison

In Flames brings destructive sound to Chico

Tom Sundgren
March 3, 2015
Sweden's famous metal band made their way to Senator Theatre last Saturday for a brutal performance.
Bassist Greg Hopkins, drummer Daniel Taylor and guitarist Dan Greenfield perform at the PRF West music festival in Oakland last year. Photo courtesy of Shannon Corr Photography.

Q&A: West By Swan on name origin, juggling family and touring

Tom Sundgren
February 24, 2015
Bass guitarist and vocalist Greg Hopkins of the local Chico rock band talks venues, priorities with kids and upcoming shows.
Picture of Lee (Fred Stuart) forcing Austin (Joe Hilsee) to write his screen play Photo credit: George Johnston

Dark and rattling play ‘True West’ hits Chico

Tom Sundgren
February 15, 2015
An American classic from Sam Shepard arrives at The Blue Room Theatre.
The upcoming sci-fi short film "The Spaceman" will be playing at the Pageant Theatre on Feb. 21 and 22. Photo courtesy of Josh Funk.

Stop-motion monsters come to life in ‘The Spaceman’

Tom Sundgren
February 8, 2015
Chico local Josh Funk will debut his new sci-fi short film at the Pageant Theatre later this month.

Show the art and make it weird

Tom Sundgren
January 28, 2015
Bizarre acts will compete on stage in the upcoming Keep Chico Weird talent show.
Fans enjoy Icko Sicko's set during a Basement of Frustration show on Monday. The venue welcomes all ages and offers a drug-and-alcohol free environment to see punk bands perform. Photo credit: Caio Calado

Punk venue takes Chico underground

Tom Sundgren
January 22, 2015
The Basement of Frustration has become an all-ages, drug-and-alcohol free concert venue for local punk bands.

Q&A: Cold Blue Mountain on playing in Chico, upcoming tour

Tom Sundgren
January 17, 2015
Local metal band Cold Blue Mountain's Sesar Sanchez and Brandon Squyres talk about their latest album and taking their music out on the road.