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Gadget-centric Wheelie aims for colorful show, sound

By WTOP Staff

Tim Bracken, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Part concert, part performance art, Michael Moon and Eduardo Santana hope to blend music, costumes and video with their new project, Wheelie.

This is more than just a band releasing music.

Wheelie’s launch begins with their first single, “I Been Lovin'” — available starting today. The song comes across exactly as intended: catchy, fun and slightly weird. Mixed by Jerry Becker of the band, Train, the song revolves around a neo-disco drum beat, fuzz guitar, warped synth sounds, handclaps and even a little slap bass.

For the past two years, Moon (vocals and guitar) and Santana (drums, electronics) have been writing, rehearsing and seeking the perfect combination of fun music mixed with performance art. Along with bassist Jason Arctica, they hope to give fans more than just a concert or a new song to download. They want to provide an all-encompassing party-like atmosphere for each show that they present.

“We were looking for this indie-rock sound, but propelled by world and dance beats,” Moon says. “We were also looking for a really fun show. A really over-the- top Flaming Lips-inspired show.”

This kind of performance doesn’t exactly fit with the typical music venue, so Wheelie is looking to alternative venues like Gallery O on H. The art gallery in Northeast D.C. will allow the band to have control over all aspects of the show, from lighting and sound to food and drinks.

Moon says that the band is “making music for people to help them escape whatever’s going on in their day-to-day.”

Wheelie is “going for something that’s really fun and upbeat and colorful” combined with “a multimedia experience with videos, lights, costumes and just bringing a whole fun package,” he says.

The name Wheelie itself evokes a sense of playfulness.

Moon and Santana come from seemingly opposite musical backgrounds: Moon has been performing in area venues for several years with his roots-rock band, Michael Jantz & the Davenports. Santana has been in screamo bands and also draws influence from electronica and world music.

Wheelie embraces a gadget-centric culture. Moon says that the band is “hopeful about technology” when it comes to “promoting and launching a project like this on a budget.”

Forward-thinking also applies to the way they plan to release music. Wheelie will release only singles this year.

“I don’t think a lot of people are buying albums anymore,” Moon says. He wants to reach people “where they are, in terms of marketing and the consuming, and how people are listening to music.”

Wheelie will release a single each month this summer, followed by a music video for each song. Their first two performances are scheduled for Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 at Gallery O on H.

Listen to the new single:

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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