by Dylan Jewett

by Carmen Ruiz Fernandez

Students crowded around tables as music drifted through the University Quad on Sept. 11, where club leaders promoted their organizations at this semester’s Club Fair. 

With more than 100 active clubs each semester, from academic associations to cultural organizations and hobby groups, the fair showcased a wide range of opportunities available to students. 

According to Clubs and Student Activities Coordinator at the Office of Student Life Mary Lisa Wood, the objective of the Club Fair is to encourage all new and incoming students to explore the programs they offer.

“Students staying in school and completing their degree are really impacted by the sense of community and belonging that they feel on our campus when joining a club,” Wood said. “We’ve had students come back and say some of their lifelong friends were people they meet through the clubs that they’ve joined”

Clubs this semester spanned sports, religion, music, art, culture and leisure activities. The majority of them featured activities and projects designed to spark student creativity and introduce students to new interests.

  One of the standouts was Danza Azteca, a cultural organization that focuses on sharing indigenous dance through demonstrations. Their goal is to bring their traditions and medicine closer to the student body and community in Humboldt. 

Another remarkable club was the audio recording club, which provides a space for students who want to practice recording their instrument or even their band. They take pride in being the only club that has a studio accessible to students, where they can record and produce music, or just to learn more about audio equipment in general.

“I think students really appreciate having a free space to record their music or practice recording using an actual on-campus studio,” Gavin Kingsley, treasurer of the audio recording club, said. “I think it’s very valuable for musicians or audio engineers to have the space to do that.”

Also standing out for its creativity was the circus club. They describe themselves as the most colorful club on campus, a place to let go and be your full silly, goofy self without restrictions or hold-backs. Cal Parr, a member of the group, explained how the club’s weekly ‘playtime’ helps students de-stress and reset.

“A lot of students really need a break from the very structured academic mindset, which I feel like play time, which is what we do every Friday, is really about taking away that stress,” Parr said. “It helps to just give yourself a breath of fresh air from that. That really helps the student community, just like, have a good time and enjoy being here.” 

Daniel Gibson, a freshman mechanical engineering major, highlighted the importance of joining clubs and social activities during college years, as he believes it’s a great way to find community and make friends with shared interests.

“I definitely think being in a club makes you feel a lot more interconnected with everybody,” Gibson said. “Because if you’re just here on surface level, and you’re not really intertwined with any of the people, you don’t really feel like you’re meant to be here. But if you’re in a club, you have a group of friends that have the same interests as you, and I think it’s super cool that there’s an opportunity to find that here.” 

by Will Bishop

Thursday night marked the return of longstanding KRFH 105.1 program Local Lixx, an artist spotlight dedicated to both local and not so local acts. This year, Arcata’s own Kept kicked it off. It was an intimate affair — just the band, some techs and a handful of eager music fans crammed into a small room nested deep within the subterranean underbelly of Gist Hall.

When entering the space there’s a perceptible pressure shift from the sterile halls surrounding it. Immediately you’re met with posters of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. It’s like stepping into an especially cool teenager’s room — one that’s really, really obsessed with wires.

Kept immediately demonstrated that they’re all about movement. Their style is nimble and explosive, evoking acts like Palm — a group they cited as one of their main influences — and their pop-inflected math rock experimentation. Hypnotic looping melodies that drift you through space interrupted by sudden abrasive punches of noise and dexterous fills. At times, the guitar cuts in so heavy on distortion it’s like radio static from an otherworldly transmission. This tension between melodic, almost jazzy passages and blasts of angular noise is the core of their sound and makes for a transfixing live performance.

The band consists of Elinor Carbone on vocals, Sam Oetinger and Jack Hallinan on guitar, Vivian Dawn Spear on bass and Eli Featherstone on drums, with Featherstone being an active student at Cal Poly Humboldt majoring in Early Childhood Development. They’re a playful bunch, always joking around and keeping things loose — a stark contrast to their coiled and precise musical style.

It’s only the band’s fifth show, having made their debut May 30 of this year, and yet there’s a real self-assuredness to their presence. Early in the performance while technical pains were still being resolved, Featherstone and Oetinger launched into an improvised jam while the rest sorted out an audio issue. Little things like that really project an all around confidence that’s rarely seen in a group so new.

Toward the end of a song, Featherstone’s headphones fell down over his eyes, and he swiftly embraced the opportunity to mime being a robot. During their post-show interview, Hallinan sat down on an amplifier, only to quickly be sat on by Dawn Spear. 

They’re supportive and quick to compliment each other. 

“Eli goes crazy, nasty hard, Carbone said, in regards to Featherstone’s drumming.

It’s a great dynamic to watch, especially in this environment where one could easily fool oneself into thinking that they’re sitting in on a very polished band practice.

Kept’s EP, This Much I’m Certain Of, can be found on your streaming platform of choice. Tune in every Thursday at 8 p.m. for more Lixx and remember: hot girls listen to KRFH.

Will Bishop is a Cal Poly Humboldt journalism major. He is prone to writing essays about things that bother him, and fictional works about things that also bother him but in different ways. A highly bothered individual, and a lover of cinema, music, and large trees/rocks. He can often be found in the woods, dancing to bring down the sky.

By Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

Rain has arrived in Arcata! With it comes the reminder that seasons shape not only the land, but also the rhythms of our lives.

This is my first true gardening season in Arcata, and I am discovering how much there is to learn when tending both food and flowers in a new climate. Volunteering with friends on local farms has shown me the “do,” and the “maybe do differently next time,” that comes with hands-on practice. Each misstep is its own kind of teacher, reminding me that gardening — like rest — is not about perfection, but presence.

One joy this fall has been planting a new tea garden. For years, I have grown most of my own teas and finally creating a small herbal arsenal in my own backyard feels like a long-awaited exhale. Tulsi, chamomile, mint — each one a gentle ally, teaching me to slow down, harvest thoughtfully and steep what the season offers.

If we want to tether ourselves more firmly to earth, to time and to place, gardening is a good start. I began years ago with only a small patio in Walnut Creek, where I trellised plants upward with twine and anything I could find. A friend noticed my growing passion and built me two planter boxes, which I still cherish today. They remain a reminder that community and care are as much a part of gardening as soil and seed.

I invite you to try a new hobby this season, or to return to an old one, and to notice the rest it offers you. 

If you have questions, feel free to write to me directly at sb625@humboldt.edu. And if you use Instagram, you’ll find a post with a QR code where you can send in your gardening curiosities.

By Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

Right near my house in Arcata, there is an Italian plum tree that has absolutely delightful and juicy plums, bursting off the branches. Instead of letting them all go to waste, I mentioned it to a friend, and fellow baker, who sent me a recipe to try. I loved it so much — my bestie came over and we baked it to bring to a friend’s potluck. The subsequent eve, I baked it again just to enjoy at home as a snacking cake with my daughter. This recipe is based off of Marian Burro’s famous New York Times recipe, Original Plum Torte.

I love baking as it grounds me to place and space. I stress baked through my twenties and it saved me so many times that now, I always appreciate it when it finds me again. When I am covered with more flour than soil, I can tell I am quite overwhelmed and should seek out ways to re-center and return to myself a bit. 

The start of the semester is a whirlwind. I invite you to explore a new possible hobby that you can enjoy for yourself and share with your friends and loved ones for many years to come.

My personal philosophy, having been raised in Berkeley, is to use what is available and in season. Baking with the seasons forces you to be present with what is around you and what is abundant. It can stretch your mind towards the possibilities of how delicious things can truly be with minimal effort. Seasonal baking is a force to be reckoned with. 

This recipe is pure simplicity in one bite. It brings a joyous celebration for the abundant finale summer offers before the season changes and we shift inwards towards hibernation and rest — or, dare I say, finals. As someone who enjoys growing my own food, foraging and feeding those I love, there is nothing better than enjoying fruit off a local tree — and it’s free, an added bonus for us broke college students! When foraging, it is imperative to be certain what you are identifying. If you are unsure, ask a few people, or sign up for a foraging walk!

Arcata has many places you can find fruit and safely acquire things to try and bake with for free. As always, please do your research about which local plants are safe to consume and if you are unsure err on the side of caution. 

You will need:

A springform pan (or any pan you have around)

One stick of butter

½ cup of sugar

A tsp of salt and a tsp of baking powder

2 eggs 

24 small plums (12 halves)

⅔  cup of whole wheat flour

⅓ cup of cornmeal Some sugar for dusting the plums.

And to coat the pan in butter, leave the excess — more on that below.

I am someone who loves my sweets and I find most things have way too much sugar. I am usually inclined to add less as I find that most recipes are too sweet for my preference. If you find it is not sweet enough, make it again and add a bit more sugar to see what is your preferred sweetness.

Preparation:

Start by adding your dry ingredients together and mixing them until well incorporated.
Then add your two eggs and gently cream them in, either with a whisk or a spatula. Use your hand tool for this, not a mixer, to avoid overmixing. 

After this, you can add in your butter. If you planned ahead and set your butter out beforehand, you can skip this next step. If you are like me and don’t set the butter out, just melt it low and slow over the stove and then gauge the temperature of the butter. I would not let the butter start to bubble as it starts to separate then burn. Once melted low and slow, give it a beat to cool and add it to your dry ingredients. Do not wash that pan you just melted the butter in as you can use the residual butter to coat your pan. 

Mix, mix, mix and then use the excess butter to coat your baking pan.

I use a springform pan, but use what you have around and work with what you got. 

For the fruit, wash and halve the plums. Once you have 12 halves, put them in a separate bowl and toss them in sugar. You can add a splash of lemon too, but plums — like many stone fruits — bake bitter so I might recommend you see how you feel about the recipe first.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C), and let it come to temp. You can bake this in a toaster oven too. I solely bake in my convection oven. 

For assembly, pour the batter in the bottom. It will not be a lot and that is alright. Just roll with it and move the pan around until it reaches most of the edges.

After this, add your plum halves face down, so the skin is facing towards you.

Once the oven is ready, pop it in and bake it for an hour. I accidentally baked one at 355 and it came out fine. Any temperature standard for a cake should bake it fine.

It may look a bit under because of the plums in some areas. If you have not baked before, text a photo to someone who does and ask, “does this look done?” They can tell you yay or nay.

When done, take it out and let it cool.

A dear friend suggested trying this as an upside down cake, and while the plums are bountiful, I think I’ll give it a go!

Bon appétit! Enjoy your new favorite summer snack!

By Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal

Sarah Zareen Nakhoda, a third year Cal Poly Humboldt environmental education major from the South Bay Area unwinds at the end of her busy days with the help of her sketch pad and some cannabis. 

This is when she gets in the perfect mindspace to create her unique vibrant, bedazzled and bold pieces. From custom lyric books to redwood fashionista fairies and bejeweled lampshades, she proudly donates 100% of proceeds from her art to help aid Palestinian families. 

Coming from a creative and artistic family, Nakhoda got her start in sketching in high school, when she would create darker, emo inspired art that reflected the place in life she was in.  

Once she came to college, she began to feel happier and her art reflected that, as almost all of her pieces are vibrant and some, if not most, are bedazzled. 

“It’s a way for me to express myself — I’m not really that good at writing, but a picture says a thousand words,” Nakhoda said.

Nakhoda donates proceeds directly to Palestinian families’ Gofundme’s she finds via social media.

Her motivation for donating 100% of proceeds was her way of turning her passion and as a way to give back. She understands that with the economic state of the world right now, it may be hard for most people, especially fellow students to support and donate financially. She has been able to find a fulfilling balance, turning her passion into a way to make a meaningful impact. Despite not profiting financially, she explains it doesn’t feel like a loss, but a privilege to be able to use her talent and creativity to help others. 

“Art can show people’s feelings in ways that writing can’t,” Nakhoda said. “I think it’s really cool to see all this street art fighting for what’s right.” 

She plans to keep creating and encourages anyone to reach out if interested in supporting her art and this cause. This summer she is more than willing to take commissions of any vibe or color scheme. She works with any budget and is willing to ship within the U.S. 

Contact @artbyszn4palestin333 on Instagram for commission inquiries. 

Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal is a 3rd year Journalism major from Fresno, CA who enjoys spring, wired earphones, unemployed friend activities and lavender matcha.

By Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal

What started off as a jam sesh between close friends during the COVID-19 lockdown turned into the resurgence of the infamous Titlow raves — possibly the coolest underground festival scene, at least in Humboldt County. Their last and biggest event to date in October 2024 had four stages, over 40 artists and over 1,300 people in attendance.

Collin Wick is the founder of Eclectic farms, Humboldt County’s main collective combining art, music, cannabis and community. 

Wick has been around music his whole life and enjoys being involved in multiple projects. After touring around Europe and South America, he returned to Humboldt County and started his cannabis cultivation farm, Eclectic Farms. 

During the pandemic, he began to have jam sessions for those who lived on the farm. As restrictions were lifted, there were still hardly any gigs, which led him to open up his home to more artists to share their craft.

Post-pandemic, more and more people would come to these jam sessions. As they expanded, they then began to put DJs outside onto the deck to give them a separate section to shine while still keeping the original intimate jam session going on inside. 

As these events grew bigger, so did different areas along the property as they opened up different sections of the house, which then evolved into building stages and spaces for interactive art. 

At these unique and one-of-a-kind raves, you could find both local and international musicians, DJs, performers and artists. This collective has birthed music groups like Makenu, and held space for up and coming artists, such as KRFH’s DJ Princess Tornado. Some performances they had have been aerial and silk dancers, fire dancers and live glassblowing and painting. 

“Being able to connect so many people and have everybody really love the vibe, to do that has really been special for me,” Wick said. “It gives a lot of meaning to be able to actually connect people and provide an experience that’s really enlivening.” 

Now, they are working with visual artists to create a 360 visual tube greenhouse, constructing a medical attention area to ensure safety of patrons at their larger events and collaborating with Humboldt Comedy to host a space that will allow attendees to enjoy live comedians in between music and dancing.

June 14, July 12, Aug 9, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25 are upcoming event dates for this year. Volunteers, musicians, artists and performers are welcome to contact them for more information on how to collaborate. 

More details on @Eclecticfarms and https://www.eclecticfarmsart.com/

Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal is a 3rd year Journalism major from Fresno, CA who enjoys spring, wired earphones, unemployed friend activities and lavender matcha.

By Ursula Newman and Nick Escalada

Are you overwhelmed by the stressors of the 21st century? Maybe jaded by the mundanity of scientific understanding? Or, perhaps, numbed by the security of modern medicine? Fortune favors you, my faithful compatriot! On Saturday, May 3, a collection of student-led clubs organized Cal Poly Humboldt’s inaugural Renaissance Faire in the university’s football stadium.

The event was spearheaded by the Archery Club, who put together the faire’s premiere attraction of good old medieval target practice. The club laid plans for a faire at the end of last semester, with ideas having circulated even further back. Their coordination came to fruition just in time for an end-of-the-year extravaganza. Guests delighted in slinging arrows at the club’s giant targets after some safety instruction and were supplied with quality longbows, quivers and wrist and finger guards.

Archery Club Captain Juli Suzukawa expressed their gratitude for the tight-knit community the club provides them.

“It’s a really safe space for me. I’ve been in the club since my freshman year and I’m a grad student now, so it’s been a while,” Suzukawa said. “I feel like it’s a space where people can be themselves and be comfortable.”

Attendees were encouraged to show up and show out in their best medieval attire with a $1 discount on admission. Outfits ranged from traditional frocks and corsets to elf ears, wizard hats and dagger hairpins. A few swordsmen brought model blades to the gathering, and a small training circle quickly convened where stances and techniques were exchanged.

Musketeers well-versed in the art of the foil also made an appearance from the Fencing Club. Riley Chestein, the club’s volunteer coach, explained the fencers’ objective for the day.

“We’re using today as kind of a casual practice. [We’re] doing some practice — we call them assaults,” Chestein said. “That way people have something to watch, we get some practice in; it’s a win-win situation.”

Other festivities on the field included juggling, hula hoops hoisted into the sky and un-lit fire pole spinning by the Humboldt Circus. An impressive dance performance by Ballet Folklorico de Humboldt, as well as heated bouts of tug-of-war occurred throughout the day. 

The university’s chemistry club, Free Radicals, workshopped the most spectacular reactions they could stage for an extensive alchemy display. 

“Usually we do it in the lab, so I had to find certain demos that the school would approve safety-wise,” Club President Andrew Jenkins Cruz said. 

Jenkins Cruz presented several magic tricks, including color changing liquids and a gummy bear sacrificed to the fire in hot potassium chloride, a substance used in rocket fuel. The result was a firework-like display of light and smoke, all contained within a test tube.

Great revelry was had by all, with spirits high and mirth aplenty. As the evening drew to an end, the new experiences of the day left attendees hopeful that this gathering may become a new Cal Poly Humboldt tradition.

Nick and Ursula are devoted town criers for the Humboldt academy. They are part-time minstrels of the lute and harp respectively, and dabble in swordplay and sorcery.

By Alexis Blue 

Shordie Shordie, a Baltimore-born rapper turned West coast sensation, is set to perform in Arcata on May 8. An accomplished music artist, Shordie Shordie has shown range in his music style from rapping to singing and more recently, riding the line of R&B and pop. 

Shordie Shordie’s first hit in the music industry broke through in 2018 with Bitchuary, from his debut solo album Captain Hook — a now two-times platinum record, curating more than 260 million streams. According to his Warner Records Inc. biography, Shordie Shordie is the first rapper out of Baltimore to earn a platinum plaque and has accumulated over 1.5 billion catalog streams with his discography. 

A celebrated artist, Shordie Shordie is known for his top tracks: Bitchuary, Save a Little, Bonnie & Clyde, Long Time, and Both Sides (featuring Shoreline Mafia). Now on his Breath of Fresh Air Tour, Shordie Shordie is scheduled to perform in Arcata. He will take the stage at the Arcata Theatre Lounge on Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. General admission is only for those 18 and older, with tickets set at $34 and Meet & Greet tickets at $140. See you at the show!

Alexis Blue is a junior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in journalism and minoring in writing. She enjoys drinking coffee, sunsets on the beach, and playing soccer.

HIFF steals the spotlight in another show-stopping debut

By Julia Kelm and Ariana Wilson

The Humboldt International Film Festival (HIFF) has entertained audiences since 1967, showcasing a wide range of independent and alternative short films, hosted by Arcata’s Minor Theatre.

Cal Poly Humboldt has been inviting filmmakers from all over the world to enter their short films into the festival since its beginning, making it the longest-running student-run film festival in the world.

Films were previewed and judged by Cal Poly Humboldt student volunteers and HIFF club members from Sept. to March. Once film submissions are closed, finalists are narrowed down until finally being deliberated upon by the co-directors, Adrian Anderson, Zoe Reed and Jett Supler, as well as faculty advisor Nicola Waugh. 

Thanks to them, we get to see these marvelous independent films on the silver screen, where we otherwise may have never gotten to see them.

The festival lasted four days, starting on Thursday, April 24, and ending on Sunday, April 27. 

Each day of the festival featured a different film style, excluding Sunday, which consisted of the award-winning films of various categories. First was narrative, then documentary, animation and ending with the best of fest films.

A standout film featured on Friday was Sunchong, directed by Yoontaek Hong. A 14-minute film from the U.S. that follows an 89-year-old Korean immigrant who volunteers at a senior center and reflects on his life’s journey with his beloved late wife. 

Sunchong stood out for its message of never taking the people we love for granted. Even though it’s painful to mourn our loved ones who have passed away, it’s still worth it to love and to be loved. In the end, our memories and love are all we will ever truly have to ourselves.

Sunday’s Best of Fest was a sold out event as people from all over the world gathered to pay homage to the effort and art of independent film. If you didn’t get a chance to see it for yourself, the best animated film award went to Father’s Letters, directed by Alexey Evstigneev. The use of paper elements, and traditional mediums like pastels and pencil elevate the captivating collage style. 

Father’s Letters is set in 1934 and follows a young girl and her imprisoned father, Professor Vangengheim through the letters they shared over the remainder of his life at the Gulag Archipelago. Elya’s father sends flowers and spins the tale of his imprisonment as an expedition to preserve the innocence of her childhood, shielding her from the reality of the Stalin regime.

Reg flags blow in the wind as hundreds of people flood the streets. Elya runs alongside the crowd, her small stature weaving swiftly through the legs of the much larger adults. 

Elya sends a care package with winter boots, a dictionary and other books. Behind barbed wire, her father gets caught outside of his cell writing a letter to Elya — his last letter to his daughter. His effort to escape is no use and he is executed in the yard, feet covered in old boots.

The community of independent film is unlike anything you can experience at a box office opener. Film festivals recognize films like polished souls, and audiences walk into the theater acknowledging the respect and care essential to coexist in the space.

Film is a beautiful art form that can be made in so many alternative ways. It’s rare we see experimental film styles on the big screen. 

Getting to see an independent film — something that never quite gets the recognition it deserves — was an amazing experience. If you missed this year’s festival, don’t fret, as there will be another year to experience this always unique theater-going experience.

Julia is a journalism major at Cal Poly Humboldt. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. To quote Robin Williams in her all-time favorite movie, Dead Poets Society, “The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

Ariana Wilson is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in scientific diving. She intends to merge her passion for the environment and conservation with her love of journalism as a science writer in the future. This semester’s goal: write one story per section.

Zeparella’s tour stop in Arcata was an emotionally evocative experience

by Emma Wilson

Zepparella, a female cover band of the famous Led Zeppelin, performed at Humbrews in Arcata on Friday, April 25. After their opening song, lead singer Anna Kristina thanked the audience of at least 200 people for coming out and welcomed them to the venue. 

“Hello to all, hello to all the love, hello to all you beautiful people from Humboldt, and from those of you who have come far and wide to be here — because I know some people traveled some distances to be with us today — we really appreciate it!” Kristina said. “Oh my goodness, Humbrews, we can not wait to come back to you. You know there’s a special mojo here, and we feel it every visit!” 

My heart was filled by how each of the band members had something memorable and nice to say about each other. Kristina started off by showing her love for bass player Holly West and Gretchen Menn on guitar. At the end of the night, Kristina continued the positive affirmations towards Clementine Moss, the drummer. This was the female empowerment I didn’t know I needed to hear. 

Zepparella regularly stops on tour a couple of times a year in Humboldt County, typically in Blue Lake. They formed as a band in 2005 in San Francisco and have toured all over the United States. As they played, it made me feel like I was finally fulfilling my need of living in the 60s or 70s. I imagined I was watching Led Zeppelin live for the first time, which I have never been able to do. Instead I was watching Zepparella, a very inspiring female band that was just as talented and beautiful. 

As a die-hard Led Zeppelin fan, this experience filled me with so much glee and dopamine. Their performance of Good Times Bad Times, which is my favorite Led Zeppelin song, hits all the marks in life, and expresses the importance of one’s good and bad times in life. 

Each band member also did their own breathtaking solo. I got lost in the passion and determination each player embodied. Kristina started off the solos with just a harmonica and microphone, where she went on for about six to eight minutes. The solo went into a rendition of Bring it On Home —  she did, indeed, bring it home! 

Moss soloed the famous Moby Dick, rocking out for about five minutes. She drummed with strength and dedication — I never wanted it to end. I felt the beat in my soul, and the long bangs in her face made her look like a true rockstar. 

Now let’s talk about the beautiful bass player Holly West soloing Immigrant Song. It was so impressive, especially since her eyes were closed for the majority of the solo. I was mesmerized as she made it look so effortless! 

The last song they played before their encore was Whole Lotta Love. As they all took a bow holding hands and closed out their set, West gave me the set list that had been laying on the floor for the whole show. 

I highly recommend that the next time Zepparella comes to Humboldt County, you see them, especially if you’re a 23-year-old that has never been able to see Led Zeppelin and never will. The experience is uncanny, and they really put a Whole Lotta Love into their performance. Especially as a women-led band covering a genre that is very male-dominated, having women represent this band that I have loved forever and seeing it taken over by women brings me empowerment and love within my heart. 

Emma Wilson is a journalism public relations concentration major with an environmental ethics minor. Wilson enjoys learning about every inch of the world and making collages in her free time. She is also Editor In Chief of The Lumberjack.

By Ursula Newman

Flower, hash oil, gummies, oh my! Having trouble choosing? Start with local and environmentally conscious. Supporting third party certified cannabis farmers is the thing to do when in Humboldt County.

The process to get a license and begin cultivating cannabis legally in California can be long and costly. Regardless of the size of a license, there are a number of requirements that are true to all farms. Applying with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the local water board, completing pesticide registry and county inspections are typical requirements. Farms have to get a wildlife survey, archaeological survey, and biological survey to check for rare plants. By ensuring that cultivation sites meet these requirements, California is working to protect the environment throughout the legalization process. 

There are third party certifications that cultivators can get after they are legalized by completing additional regulatory inspections. These certifications show their commitment to environmental and ethically sound practices. The main certifications are Sun+Earth certified, O-Cal — organic equivalent through the California cannabis system — and Dragonfly Earth Medicine (DEM) Pure. When products are on the shelf in a dispensary, these certifications help the cultivator and their brand stand out. 

Herb & Market Humboldt located at 427 H street in Arcata is a dispensary that aims to uplift farms that are going the extra mile. If interested in shopping for cannabis with those values weaved into their practices, Herb & Market Humboldt is a great place to start.

What are third party certifications?

The owner and founder of Herb & Market Humboldt, Chrystal Ortiz, is a board member at the Sun+Earth organization. Her cannabis farm, High Water Farm, was a part of the pilot program that helped to create the standard for the Sun+Earth certification. Sun+Earth certifies that cannabis is grown under natural sunlight without toxic pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers, and that the farms support healthy soil ecosystems for their crop.  

“Sun+Earth was founded by a collective of experienced cannabis growers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates. We saw an opportunity to raise the bar for cannabis cultivation and create a trusted symbol that consumers could rely on,” the Sun+Earth website reads.  

“The Sun+Earth certification is the top-tier, it basically uses the National Organic Program as its baseline,” Ortiz said. “There’s emphasis on human empowerment, so a farm worker and labor pillar, and then there’s a community engagement pillar, where people have to be engaging in their community and volunteer in whichever way. A lot of people are growing food for the food banks, or people are volunteer firefighters and coaches, things like that.”

O-Cal is another certification that was launched more recently, and it means organic, through the California Cannabis System. Because cannabis is not federally legal, you can’t use the term organic. This certification shows that the product is comparable to organic. Ortiz explained that this certification is designed to retire as soon as farmers can have a standard organic certification that is federally recognized. 

Dragonfly Earth Medicine Pure, or DEM Pure, is a more peer-to-peer-based certification that is widely recognized. Ortiz explained that people like it because its farmers certifying each other’s practices. The certification covers regenerative and biologically intelligent practices, and shows that farms are being mindful cultivators on the land as well as in their community.

Other certifications are still up and coming. Matthew Johnson, a professor in the department of wildlife at Cal Poly Humboldt, along with Jackee Riccio of Cannabis for Conservation, developed a Wildlife Conscious certification process. Johnson said that farms that already have a certification such as Sun+Earth will then be able to get the Wildlife Conscious certification if they implement certain wildlife specific enhancements on their farms. Those enhancements include things like lowering noise pollution, establishing native hedgerows, nest boxes, and making sure there aren’t things on the farm that will kill or inhibit movement of wildlife. 

Johnson pointed out that the two main ways people view the relationship between wildlife and agriculture is that agriculture is destroying wildlife habitats, or wildlife is threatening farmers. 

“I’m really interested in a third pathway there, and that is the idea that farms and wildlife can not only just coexist,” Johnson said. “They can actually mutually benefit each other.”

Only one farm, Mattole Valley Sungrown, is currently certified, and several others are in the process. 

What value do these certifications bring? 

Daniel Mar is a lecturer in the cannabis studies department at Cal Poly Humboldt, and the environmental stewardship lead for the program. Mar explained that the value of these certifications depends on two things — the practices being implemented at the cultivation site, and the consumer engaging with the product. Shopping for certifications such as these is a part of responsible consumption, in more ways than one. 

“If we don’t protect the small farms, which are the ones being inherently more environmentally sound in their practices, then we’re kind of running those good practitioners out of the market,” Mar said. “Then at the consumer end, you have less of a choice because those products aren’t available, the industry itself ran them out of business.”

Industries are guided by where consumers spend their money. Mar says that they need consumers asking for those products, which would shift the market and incentivise even more farmers to adopt those practices and get those certifications. 

When it comes to the retail space, Ortiz said that these certifications are a big talking point that helps products sell. The amount fluctuates, but they try to keep around 75-80% of the store’s offerings locally based. When she designed Herb & Market Humboldt, it was an extension of advocacy for small farmers. The store houses a farmers market-esque booth space, and Ortiz has hosted several events for farmers to come and sell their products directly to customers.

“We need more Herb & Markets in the world that have a core principle in their business model, which is connecting the consumer to where the product came from,” Mar said.

Find out more on instagram @iloveherbandmarket for details on their upcoming 4/20 events and to get clues for the 21+ glass egg hunt on Easter.

Ursula Newman is a journalism major and Humboldt local. You can find her all over town doing all kinds of things, and talking to all sorts of people.

By Ursula Newman

Even in Humboldt where coastlines may look pristine, the fight for ocean health is alive and well. The Surfrider Foundation’s Humboldt chapter is a major force in that fight. They’re inviting students and community members to get involved through education and action.  

Founded in 1984, the Surfrider Foundation began as a group of surfers concerned about Surfrider Beach in Malibu, Calif. Their favorite surf break was facing environmental issues caused by increasing coastal development. 

“The Surfrider Foundation believes that getting outside and engaging with the natural world, especially the ocean, waves and beaches, is inspiring, supports healthier lifestyles, improves productivity and ultimately creates a better culture.” their website reads.

One of the co-founders of Surfrider Foundation, Tom Pratte, majored in coastal environmental studies here at Humboldt State University. One of the first major victories for Surfrider as an environmental nonprofit was the work they did in the second largest Clean Water Act-related case in U.S. history. This lawsuit filed in 1989 against two oceanfront pulp mills in Humboldt resulted in significant reduction of toxic discharges. Both mills closed down several years later. 

What does surfrider do?

Jessie Cretser-Hartenstein is the current chair for Surfrider Humboldt and an associate professor in the journalism department specializing in public relations. The chapter is volunteer-based and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. She explained that because of our smaller population, industry pollution has been a bigger problem than individuals. 

“We do a lot of policy work for environmental policy and programs in addition to beach clean-ups, and some more local boots-on-the-ground efforts,” Cretser-Hartenstein said. “When there are specific agenda items in local government, we also do things like writing public comment letters and showing up at city council meetings to have our voice heard on environmental issues that affect our oceans and waterways here in Humboldt County and beyond.”

Recently, the Surfrider Humboldt chapter has been active as a watchdog on local projects, such as the Redwood Coast Offshore Wind Project, which has Vineyard Offshore and RWE Offshore Wind as its main developers. Nordic Aquafarms, a fish farm in development here in Humboldt is another project Surfrider is monitoring to ensure they have as little negative environmental impact as possible.

Nationally, Surfrider engages in litigation and advocates for strong environmental standards. They contributed to the banning of single-use plastic bags throughout California. The Humboldt chapter certifies ocean-friendly restaurants and gardens in the county, performs water testing as part of the Blue Water Task Force and hosts educational outreach at local grade schools. Regular events such as beach clean-ups and movie nights are a great entry point for engaging with environmental work. 

They encourage everyone to make more sustainable choices, like avoiding single-use plastics and supporting green businesses. 

Student involvement through the Surfrider Club

Surfrider Humboldt relies on people who are passionate about the environment getting involved. Ryan Diaz, a junior studying public relations and communications at Cal Poly Humboldt, is the media and communications intern for Surfrider Humboldt. Recently, Diaz revived the Surfrider club on campus, which faded in 2019.

“All up and down California, and [nationally], there are countless universities and high schools who have taken initiative to create a Surfrider club and expand its mission,” Diaz said. “It’s a vital part of our activist network, and it’s what keeps our oceanic conservation messaging, concepts and ideas alive.”

Diaz said that the first meeting had a really good turnout, with students looking forward to beach clean-ups, Earth Day celebrations and partnerships with other clubs in the near future. Cretser-Hartenstein, who is also faculty advisor for the club, explained that they’re getting active on and off-campus.

“We’re doing education and outreach to inform other students on campus and throughout the community about ocean conservation, and also just doing fun stuff as well, like getting out to the beach and actually enjoying the beautiful coastline that we have here,” Cretser-Hartenstein said.

Getting involved/upcoming events  

The chapter’s popular event Ocean Night is hosted every month at Arcata Theatre Lounge. Coming up on April 24 at 6:30 p.m., they will be showing the documentary Corners of the Earth, and an episode of Maps to Nowhere.

“Sometimes, it will be a pretty hard-hitting environmental documentary, and sometimes it’s just fun and uplifting films about how different people recreate and utilize our beaches and our oceans,” Cretser-Hartenstein said. “It’s a really good community event that’s education and outreach-centered, but also just a fun time for like-minded folks to get together.” 

Secretary of the Humboldt chapter Kate Russell is also involved with event planning for things like public meetings and movie nights. 

“One of the easiest things [students] could do is come to one of our chapter meetings,” Russell said. “The club members come to our meetings, and you can meet everybody and get a sense of what we have planned out for the year.”

Individual action adds up, especially when it’s a local effort. The Surfrider Foundation provides a way to make change with environmental issues that the community cares about.

“We implore all of our population in Humboldt County to get involved,” Diaz said. “Students are the grounds of our society and the next generation that is going to be making those hard-hitting decisions and choices that impact our future.

The club welcomes all students, no experience necessary. They will be hosting a beach clean-up on April 27 at 9 a.m. at the North Jetty.

More information can be found @cphsurfrider, the official Instagram for the club. You can find out more about Surfrider Humboldt on their website and Facebook, @surfriderhumboldt.

Ursula Newman is a journalism major and Humboldt local. You can find her all over town doing all kinds of things, and talking to all sorts of people.

A late-night jam with KRFH’s DJ Goosepunch

By Barley Lewis-McCabe

“I’m DJ Goosepunch, and you’re in for a honkin’ good time,” KRFH DJ Nico Patadakis said. “So get ready, we’re gonna start the night with Philosophy by Ben Folds Five and see where we go from there.” 

Immediately the small studio became engulfed in a mid-90s rock piano ballad, the walls shaking when Patadakis turned up the speakers, and spun his chair around to look at me. 

“How did I sound?” Patadakis said.

11-12 p.m. on a Sunday night may not be an appealing time slot to folks who have spent the day nursing a hangover, have an 8 a.m. class, an early shift, or all three. However, a weekend sendoff can be found in the KRFH radio booth with Patakidis, a freshman English major. He’s a cat-like man with sharp features, and pointed hair, truly passionate about what he does.

Patadakis and I exited the ghost town campus to enter Gist Hall, creepy as ever, about 30 minutes before the set. When going deeper into the building and closer to the studio, signs of life appear such as band posters, wooden cutouts, a populated bulletin board, and a room with a big KRFH sticker on it. 

Everything changes walking through that door. You can’t argue that the studio isn’t lively. Even this late, the music’s still bumping. 

The booth itself is maximalist to the greatest extent, covered wall to wall in stickers. Some read, “Hot girls listen to KRFH,” and, “This is a drug-free zone.” The autonomous broadcast program played some smooth funky Miles Davis. Goosepunch chuckled smugly as he took the helm, put on some Cat Stevens and prepared for his first set. 

The studio’s ambience is confusingly bright, the studio’s naturally dark — everything’s dark at this hour, of course. The soundproofing insulation blocked out any light and held in as much heat as the DJs (and inquisitive journalists) could produce, hence the large box fan and its never ending, “Brrrmmmmm.” But as the machines hummed, they each produced a separate light and their own ticking sound. Each button and switch carried out some important task.

As energetic as the host was, the stale, burnt coffee wore off and Goosepunch and mine’s conversation began to slow down. I leaned back in my chair and saw the calmness of a late-night set. It was like the only sounds in the world were coming from this one room. 

At 11:34 p.m., we went into a short break to hear some promos and continued to talk. Any moment he wasn’t on the mic, we would talk. I got to see his improvisational style, his dry jokes and quirks. I got to know him. He’s honest to the mic, no persona or excessive showmanship but he’s not like any average Joey KRFH. Take the name, “Goosepunch”, chosen because goose rhymes with juice, fruit punch is juice. Combine that with his love of geese and punch and you’ve got a memorable moniker.  

“Why did you join KRFH?” I asked him.

“It seemed like an interesting thing to do.”

He didn’t elaborate further, there wasn’t anything else to say. Patakidis found something interesting, did it, and did it well. Eventually, it was time to end it.

“I’m DJ Goosepunch. It’s 11:54 p.m. and my show is coming to an end. I’m back next week, same time same day. Have a good night” 

And as suddenly as the music began, it was off. Time for the next set. We walked into the pitch-black campus, the working week beginning, and once again the DJ was just a man.

Barley Lewis-McCabe is a freshman journalism major, photojournalist, and untraditional reporter. They like to cover interesting stories that center on social change and human impact.

By Kaylon Coleman

I remember the excitement I felt as soon as the lights dimmed, and the track began. “Chromakopia… Chromakopia” erupted from the crowd as the wall shrouding Tyler, The Creator slowly raised to reveal the artist. 

As soon as I stepped into the Golden 1 Center on Feb. 23, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size and magnitude of the venue. It was my first time going to an arena for an event. I was there for Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia World Tour,” with openers Paris Texas and Lil Yachty. 

In the days leading up to the event, I could not contain my excitement. It wasn’t just the concert I was excited about, but the whole trip itself. I feel like two things revitalize my spirit during the semester, and they are road trips and concerts. Whenever I get to do a two-for-one, best believe I’m over the moon.

Sometime before I left for the trip, I had an opportunity to talk to Camo!, a member of the Concrete Boys, the collective led by Lil Yachty. They’re traveling alongside Yachty as the tour progresses, so I asked if it was possible to get an interview when they stopped in Sacramento. Long story short, I did not get the interview. To be fair, I don’t even think they went to the show that night, but that’s neither here nor there. In spite of not getting an interview, the concert was still electrifying to say the least.

Once we found our seats, my friend and I roamed a little bit to grab the essentials — popcorn and some water — before scouting out the merch line to see where we would have to book it once the concert was over. To our surprise, the first openers of the night, Paris Texas, started their performance as we were still perusing. We excitedly rushed back to our seats and locked in for the first of many performances that night.

I had never heard a Paris Texas song before the concert, and neither had my friend, so we both decided to go in blind and just experience their music for the first time live. I can say they were actually pretty cool. From what I heard, I’m guessing the duo is an alt hip-hop/alt rock band, but I don’t know for certain. What I do know is that they had the crowd moving in what was ultimately a fun performance. The band seemed to be feeding off the energy of the crowd and delivering it right back. During one of their last songs, the group asked for everyone to light up the arena in what was probably the most beautiful moment I captured from the night.

Once their performance was up, my friend and I sat giddy with excitement as we knew it was only up from here. It was only maybe ten minutes after Paris Texas got off stage that Lil Yachty made his appearance, which was incredibly shocking to me. In all my concert experiences, (some of which were Yachty himself), I’ve never experienced such a non-delayed schedule time like this. I was pleasantly surprised to see him hop on stage that fast after the last performance and to see how fast Paris Texas got on stage too.

Needless to say, Yachty served as the opener I needed to really get turnt up. Yachty played a variety of songs during his performance, starting with hits such as Hate Me, Split/Whole Time, and From The D To The A. He then followed this up by going into his more popular older songs such as Minnesota, iSpy, and One Night. He concluded his set by playing songs off his newest solo album release, Let’s Start Here, and at this point I had practically already lost my voice. 

Once Yachty walked off stage, I couldn’t stop talking about how we were getting treated to a Lil Yachty concert AND a Tyler concert (can’t forget about Paris Texas, too). My friend and I were ecstatic as we bounced around in our seats anticipating the main performance. This time it took about 40 minutes before Tyler graced us with his presence on stage, but none of that mattered once his performance started.

The entire arena boomed in unison as everyone chanted “Chromakopia… Chromakopia,” the intro to Tyler’s song St. Chroma and his album Chromakopia in extension. Tyler then followed up that intro with the next three songs on the album, and can I just say seeing the transition from Rah Tah Tah to Noid live was everything I needed and more. He followed this up by playing more songs from the album, including Sticky, which probably drew the most hype from the crowd.

Before Tyler performed the second half of his album, he switched things up by implementing a creative way to showcase his various eras. He had a set up that resembled a cozy living room accompanied by a record player and a box of records. He then flipped through the records until he found one of his previous albums, put the record on, and performed hits from that era. 

I was mesmerized by the dedication, the atmosphere, and the sheer magnitude of the event. For my first arena-sized concert, I can say unabashedly that it was a 10/10 experience. As Tyler ended off his set with I Hope You Find Your Way Home, (my favorite song off the album that I was dying to see), I was left with a sense of bliss, knowing this trip was undoubtedly worth the effort. I was also left with a sense of yearning for my next concert this month, Laila!, with hopefully the potential of an interview as well.

Kaylon Coleman is a junior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in Psychology and Communications. He is the Social Media Assistant Manager for LJ. He is also the president of the Black Student Union at CPH, social media coordinator for the Umoja Center, and a part-time radio DJ.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s marching band members form bonds through their unique performances

By Savana Robinson

From playing on a carousel in Cloverdale to marching in a parade in San Francisco to performing in Battle of the Bands at UC Davis, the Cal Poly Humboldt Marching Lumberjacks play a variety of gigs around northern California. 

Alfie Chiper, junior environmental science and management major and clarinetist for the Marching Lumberjacks, pointed out their favorite gig.

“I think my favorite that we do — and it’s actually coming up this week — we play for the St. Patrick’s [Day] parade in San Francisco, and I really like that one,” Chiper said. “It’s just super cool to be in such a big city and have so many people watch us and listen to us and like, feel our energy and stuff.”

The Marching Lumberjacks, created in 1968, are the oldest student-run organization at Cal Poly Humboldt, according to Tati Bond, who is in charge of public relations for the band. Bond also said there are currently about 40 members in the band.

Jessi Fleming, senior studio art major, tuba player and axe major (or conductor) for the Marching Lumberjacks, spoke about why she liked Davis Picnic Day, where they participate in Battle of the Bands.

“My favorite gig is definitely one we have to travel to. I like Davis Picnic Day because we get to stay there for two nights instead of one,” Fleming said. “I really appreciate the bonding opportunity for the band because we’re all a bunch of friends, and it’s like going on a road trip with your friends, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Nick De Anda is an alumnus who still plays guitar with the Marching Lumberjacks. He has been playing with the band since 2021 and graduated with a degree in music performance in 2023.

“If you go to the Battle of the Bands, you’ll notice that we are the band that has the most fun,” De Anda said. “Everybody else, they can bring it, but nobody has fun like we do.”

De Anda noted that the Marching Lumberjacks are unique and that his instrument, the guitar, is not usually seen in a marching band. He said they are not a traditional marching band, and he learned to play guitar on the go.

De Anda explained how the band plays.

“We’re more categorized as a scatter band — it’s pretty self-explanatory. We just kind of scatter ourselves around. There’s no formation. We don’t really follow a strict marching code. We try to march in step, but it’s very free-flowing,” De Anda said. “The uniforms are very relaxed but simple, just a yellow shirt and green pants.” 

De Anda explained that his favorite part of playing in the band was getting his emotions out through sound.

“Bobbing my head or screaming at the top of my lungs — it gets the demons out, essentially,” De Anda said. “So I feel like when I am playing a song where it’s traditionally high energy or I feel a responsibility to upkeep the morale, that’s when I feel more empowered. That’s my favorite part about being in front of people in that uniform and with all those wacky instruments and stuff.”

De Anda also spoke about the appeal of playing in the band and how being silly and expending energy is good for the soul.

“All these college kids have all this pent up energy and they just want to spend it somewhere and making music with their friends and acting a fool and screaming at the top of their lungs for these songs that are super, super old, but we all happen to know,” De Anda said.“It’s got its own little charm in comparison to other groups.”

Chiper said anyone at any skill level or who wants to learn an instrument can join, and Fleming noted that joining the band is low stakes.

“The band is very lowkey. If you want to show up to one rehearsal a month, that’s fine,” Fleming said. “We have no time commitment, no playing ability [requirement]. We take everyone and anyone.”

Savana Robinson is a senior journalism major and news editor of The Lumberjack, as well as a multimedia journalist and producer at Redwood News. She loves motorcycles, cats and video games.

Pigeon Pit, Foot Ox and other local bands sell out folk punk show at Arcata venue

By Jess Carey

There’s a line out the door and down the street at Outer Space in Arcata. Mulleted concert goers sport patched up jackets and Doc Martens poking out from underneath baggy jeans. Smoke from cigarettes and weed drift in the crisp cold late winter air. The chatter of the queue is cut through by the occasional bark of a dog or car engine revving. Lonely chords from an acoustic guitarist on the lawn color the scene. The Plaza seems alive, breathing with activity. Outside the venue, a hand-drawn whiteboard sign reads “Pigeon Pit Tonight, Friday March 7th.” The turnout is notably large.

Outer Space is a pillar of the Arcata music scene. Their location at 837 H St. is a relic, having been built in 1900, and have been hosting shows on the Plaza since 2022. Outer Space’s sober space and all ages policy make it a unique and accessible island of culture and community. The space is managed by a volunteer-run and non-hierarchical collective. The venue’s DIY values are reflected in its colorful interior, featuring a zine library, local art for sale and eclectic decor. 

Handmade cloud lights floating from the ceiling colored the room with a faint blue as the crowd trickled into the venue. Per the collective’s policy, no one is turned away for lack of funds. A large crowd eagerly awaited the show while soundchecks were wrapped up. Brandon Hook was the secret superman audio engineer of the night, who skillfully mixed the sound for both the in-house audience and live stream. Recordings can be found on Outer Space’s YouTube channel, @outerspacearcata. 

Local musicians open the show

The chatter cut down as the lights dimmed. Trinket, the opener for the four-band lineup, took the stage and greeted the packed house. Trinket is the solo project of Arcata local Caleb Van Lynn, who can also be found around town selling mushrooms at farmer’s markets and hosting the open mic at Culture Shrooms. Trinket’s gritty, wholesome songs are comforting but edgy, holding space for determined resistance and big feelings simultaneously. He sings and accompanies himself on the guitar with an occasional harmonica break. His heartfelt lyrics and bright presence set the scene, warming up the crowd for a night of down-to-earth acoustic jams. 

Trinket closed the set with a tune called, Feeling All Those Feelings That You Are Feeling. The lyrics invite listeners to be present with big emotions. 

“Feeling bad, feeling sad, it’s natural,” Van Lynn sang. 

Next in the lineup was Wounded Animal, the self-proclaimed bard-core project of Eureka’s Ethan Rubin, whose style is refreshingly unique. The ensemble consists of upright bassist Norm Crawford’s thumping support. Local singer-songwriter Polimana colored the tunes with jangling accompaniment on a handmade fretless gourd banjo. Rubin’s piercing viola playing was the heart of the music, impressively belting strong lead vocals whilst fiddling up a storm. The songs felt dark and alive, like the smell of the forest floor, with lyrics spinning tales of strange creatures and odd happenings. 

Foot Ox was up next. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, their music is spinning and vivid, grounded in folk influences while taking influence from psychedelia and embracing experimentation. As Pigeon Pit’s tourmates, their sounds are very complimentary, even sharing bandmates as the bassist, pedal steel player, and violinist rolled over to the next set.

Folk Punk legends Pigeon Pit take the stage

Pigeon Pit is a poster child for contemporary folk punk, founded by frontwoman Lomes Oleander in Olympia, Washington nearly a decade ago. Folk punk’s appeal is in its rawness, realness and approachability. The anarchist spirit of punk takes on a new acoustic color without compromising any of the volume or attitude. Traditional punk’s typical electric guitars and noisy feedback are replaced with banjos and fiddles, grounded in a DIY spirit. The band’s senior album Crazy Arms was independently released in Jan. 2025, and the show in Arcata was sandwiched between stops in Sacramento and Portland on a West Coast tour. 

The band took the stage met with roaring applause as they launched into a fiery rendition of Bad Advice, the first track off of their new album. Pigeon Pit’s well-polished musicianship and seasoned stage presence shined through their entire set. Oleander’s warbling vocals are simultaneously vulnerable and strong. Her sharp rhythm guitar was the sturdy guts of the ensemble, punctuated by Maddie Bun’s twangy banjo. Violinist Eva held it down on backing vocals while decorating the music with fiddling flourishes. Drummer Olive Hannah tapped out a steady backbone, working together with bassist Jake to ground the vibrant tempo. The sliding spinning riffs of pedal steel were the sonic sprinkles on top.

Pigeon Pit’s songs are grounded in honesty with a punk edge and cutting lyrics that describe sparks of joy punching through the gloom of the world. Oleander’s almost frantic lyricism cascades vignettes of daily life and memories. Their song Soup for My Family was a notable fan favorite. The whole audience sang along to the chorus as a mosh broke out in the center of the dance floor.

DIY sentiments shine through the music 

After a few vibrant full-band songs, Oleander stood alone to pick out some solo tunes while the band took a break. Her music was just as strong without accompaniment, a testament to the power of her songwriting.

“I love local DIY music scenes and one of the coolest fucking things about tours is getting to go to local shows and different scenes every night,” Oleander said, while tuning her guitar in between songs. “It’s really cool to see what other people are doing, it’s really fun for me.”

She expressed gratitude for the venue and its community, cementing the music’s message of resilient joy in the face of struggle.

 “It’s about our collective power, you know, when we work together to make things different in our world, which is what DIY means,” Oleander said “That’s why I love it so much.” 

The band returned to jam out a few more, and the energy was even more electric. Oleander broke a string during a vibrant rendition of Bronco, not skipping a beat. They closed the set with a sparkling rendition of Milk Crates, the song ending with an echoing mantra. 

“No job, no place to get away from / I’ve been to a world worth living in / no rent, no lies to memorize/ No fucked up world to drown out,” Oleander sang. 

An encore brought the band back up for Run Your Pockets, a heart-wrenching number with themes of changing times and fading light, ending the night on a bittersweet note. 

“Support your local DIY music scene and harm reduction collectives and all the cool direct action shit that’s happening here in Arcata,” Oleander said. “Disperse peacefully!”

Jess Carey is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in biology and double minoring in botany and journalism, and the science editor for The Lumberjack. They are passionate about telling stories that are relevant to the community, branching their interests in science, music, and the arts.

By Dylan Jewett

College radio has always been a unique branch of the broadcast world and the radio programs here at Cal Poly Humboldt have been no small feat. Every Thursday at 8 PM, a new band from the community or other places in California gets hosted in a studio on campus called the LIXX Lounge, located in Gist Hall. LIXX broadcasts live to listeners online at krfh.net and over the radio waves on 105.1 FM.

Pickpocket, a local indie and surf rock band made up of university students Colby Palmer on drums, Luke Shanafelt on guitar and vocals, Andy Garvin on bass and vocals, and Jesse Sammel on guitar, was hosted on Feb. 20 in the LIXX Lounge. They played an hour-long set of originals and covers and got the crowd moving. The turnout of students who showed up to support the band in person was impressive and heartwarming to see.

They have been a band for two months and are looking forward to the future with the local music scene. The LIXX show was Pickpocket’s first time performing as a band, and the energy they brought to the table was incredible. As students, they said it can be hard to find time to practice. 

“Finding time to all practice and get together is hard enough, not to mention finding new music and learning it all together,” Palmer said. “We try our hardest, though, and I think it shows.” 

In the near future, the band hopes to record and share their music online to expand their reach. With the band members still in school, they plan to keep playing in the local scene and record their music. “We do want to record and post our music online and reach people as far as possible,” Palmer said.

The energy of the show was truly electric. For their final song, they performed Rock and Roll Night Club by Mac DeMarco and a dance party in the middle of the room erupted. Everyone was grooving to the music and creating a wonderful environment full of love and support for local music.

Having a space on our campus that’s able to put a spotlight on local talent is truly incredible. Every week, a different band is highlighted on KRFH for everyone to tune in to. A range of genres is highlighted, and no band is too much like the other. With new shows every week, there is no shortage of new music to discover in the local community. If you have a local band and want to play on air, you can reach out to the LIXX team through the KRFH website. The future looks bright for the LIXX program as bands continue to play and students continue to help put on these shows. The Next LIXX performance is on Thursday, March 13 with Spitbug.

“Our first show together was a blast! We all had a ton of fun, and of course with a first show we all noodled a bit, but that’s part of being new musicians in a new scene,” Palmer said. “Overall, a really awesome and inspiring performance for all of us.”

Dylan Jewett is a junior journalism major at Cal Poly Humboldt. They are an avid photographer and loves to crochet, hang out with their cat, and go to concerts in their free time.