With the changing season, Hear Nebraska is very happy to welcome its interns for this fall.
On the writing side of things, Andrew Stellmon has been a significant Hear Nebraska contributor throughout 2014, biting off and executing some of the most ambitious stories we’ve ever run: the Box Awesome oral history. He’ll no doubt carry that drive into the internship, and has already made a good showing with this preview of She Keeps Bees’ Duffy’s show.
Will Stott is entering his senior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He’s a burgeoning photographer committed to improvement and the tenets of photojournalism. He’s been on the ball so far, diving in with HN, and shooting Snake Island! at Turner Park (see above.)
With this crew, Hear Nebraska’s editorial crew aims to sharp and light on our feet this fall, producing engaging and insightful content across media. Now, get to know Andrew and Will a bit better:
Andrew Stellmon
Age: 25
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Internship Focus: Editorial
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
One would struggle to find an organization that does more to promote and cultivate Nebraska’s creative class than Hear Nebraska. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I am super excited to be a part of the organ of Nebraska music and arts.
What should HN’s audience expect from you?
I will strive to produce thoughtful and thought-provoking work. I hope to provide fresh perspectives on familiar artists, and bring coverage of lesser-known artists and stories.
What about the job has you most excited?
The music, of course! I am eager to meet new people, new artists; to discover and cover a wide variety of music; and to challenge myself to write about it constructively and creatively.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
One of the reasons I applied for this position is the excellent work, both written and multimedia, that Hear Nebraska produces. I will be challenged on a number of levels, and on the other side, I hope to have developed stronger reporting and interviewing skills, as well as an improved ability to produce quality work quickly and efficiently.
What is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
Gah. If I’m being completely honest, the answer is probably Cursive. I really enjoy their intensity, and I find Tim Kasher to be an excellent lyricist. Plus, they always put on a great (and inexpensive) live performance. To name a band with less national acclaim, I am also fond of Satchel Grande. Their cup runneth over with quality musicianship and funk tunes that move you.
What’s your favorite music video?
The second video for “This Too Shall Pass” by OK Go, based on sheer ambition. It’s the most amazing Rube Goldberg machine I’ve ever seen. (Honorable mention to the first iteration, where they recreate the song with a marching band in a field.)
Which professional in your field do you most look up to? Why?
I really admire Wesley Morris (of Grantland). Each of his criticisms is extremely thoughtful, whether deeming the subject favorable, negative, or simply bland. I strive to be as knowledgeable and skillful in writing about music as he is with film. I also look up to Wright Thompson, as a sports fan, for the way he contextualizes sports stories within the world going on around them.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on the radar?
Not sure I’m hip enough for this one, but I’ll give it a shot: there is an indie electro-soul band from LA called Caught A Ghost. They are super talented. They played at Party in the Parks in Lincoln over the summer and I don’t think anybody (band or audience) expected it. They made the best of it, but I’d really like to have them back in Lincoln to play a venue. I think they would really dig the scene, and vice versa.
Will Stott
Age: 21
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
Internship Focus: Photography and Multimedia
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
I’ve always been really passionate about music, and Hear Nebraska offers an incredible opportunity for local music to be shared to a much wider audience.
What should HN’s audience expect from you?
I want to help represent the passion that these musicians have for their craft. When I photograph a concert, I don’t just want to shoot pictures of the show, I want to capture the atmosphere. I want people who view my photographs to feel like they’re actually at the show, not just looking at pictures from it.
What about the job has you most excited?
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to sharpen my skills as a photographer, as well as exposing myself to the diverse music scene of Nebraska.
photo of She Keeps Bees by Will Stott
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
Right now, I’m working hardest right now to develop my skills in video. But, more generally, I try to work every single day to be a better photojournalist than I was the day before. One of my mentors used to always tell me, “Somewhere in the world, someone in the world is going to take a great photography today. Why shouldn’t that be you?” That’s always really stuck with me, and I try to live that every day.
What is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
I really like Ferocious Jungle Cat because of their showmanship and fresh, raw sound. I’ve also been a been a huge fan of 311 for as long as I can remember .
What’s your favorite music video?
“Shadow People” by Dr. Dog
Which professional in your field do you most look up to? Why?
I really look up to Michael Forsberg a lot. He works in conservation photography and has done some really amazing photo and video work on that field.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on the radar?
Bogusman is a really great band. I think they definitely deserve some more recognition.