Recently, I got to inter-view one of my favorite bands ever.

No, they’re not a group of four young lads from Liverpool and they’re not a British rock group from the ’60s -- they’re Motion City Soundtrack.

Justin Pierre, Joshua Cain, Matthew Taylor, Jesse Johnson and Claudio Rivera make up the Minne-apolis-based band, which formed in 1997.

I’ve interviewed band members via email, over the phone, in person after gigs and before the show in the “green room.”

This was one time where I got to sit on the couch next to someone who’d been a voice in my head for the past 7 years — one of two founding members of my favorite band that has been the soundtrack of my youth.

With the help of guitar player Cain, I was able to get answers to burning questions I’d had about all things Motion City.

For years, I’d imagined what it would be like to

meet the band. I’d been to seven shows in two differ-ent states. The combina-tion of staying after shows, mixed with a bit of dumb luck, enabled me to get pictures taken twice with the lead singer Pierre.

But after that, the only thing that transpired was just a “Uh, you guys were great,” and an awkward nod.

Oct. 17 approached and I got to the venue early. I parked nearby and ea-gerly waited. All that was left to do was the happy dance. A game of phone tag commenced between the band’s tour manager and myself.

Then the voice of Jesus himself spoke to me. In

reality, it wasn’t Jesus, but I’m a bit of a drama queen. The moment was here. I proudly walked past the line of people outside the doors, waiting in the cold, crisp fall air.

I opened the door and was greeted by Anthony, the band’s tour manager. He proceeded to lead me through the door marked “employees only,” over the cement floor yet to be cov-ered in beer, past the open-ing acts’ sound check, up

the stairs of the stage, and through another door.

I knew instantly that not many other people often get to go through this door. I was special. But not in that way your mom calls you special, and not like the Kellogg’s cereal, but an exception.

I was backstage. And I couldn’t help but feel out of the ordinary. I couldn’t help but realize this is one of the best jobs I could ever imagine.

Oct. 28 - Nov. 10, 2013www.lcc.edu/lookout

A & E6

The Cigar Connoisseur is not your typical cigar store. In addition to delivering the finest Hand rolled Cigars and cigar accessories, we also carry cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-hookahs and local craft beer. Browse through our selection of Founders, Shorts, Bells, Sierra Nevada and New Holland. We have IPAs, Ales, Stouts, Belgium Wheats and a seasonal variety -- so come in and build your own 6-pack!

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121 S. Washington Square Downtown Lansing, MI (2 doors down from the Peanut Shop)

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LansingFerris @ Lansing Community College

210 W. Shiawassee, MC 8200Lansing, MI 48901

(517) 483-9723FerrisLC@ferris.edu

www.ferris.edu/lansing

Ferris PrOGrAMs At LCC:

Bachelor’s DegreesBusiness administrationBusiness administration - Professional Trackcriminal Justiceelementary educationInformation security and Intelligence

cerTIfIcaTehuman resource Management

Teacher cerTIfIcaTIon & enDorseMenT elementary Provisional certification

Call our offiCe at (517) 483-9723 to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor or to Find Out MOre about the affordable Ferris programs available to you right here at LCC.

Live close. Go Far.

Apply online at ferris.edu/statewide

Fer

ris

@LC

C

Ferris is proud to partner with Lansing Community College. We are committed to offering you bachelor’s degrees locally and affordably. Our classes are COnvenientLy OFFered in the evening to fit your schedule. You can earn a degree from Ferris close to home and get financial aid through one source, saving you time and trouble.

In addition to the programs right here at LCC, we have fully OnLIne degrees and certificate programs, as well as a host of online classes available. To find out which courses are offered online, or to determine if online learning is right for you, visit ferris.edu/online.

IN BRIEFArts & Entertainment

— The Unknown Spohn —

East Lansing Film Fest returns to Studio C!The 16th annual East

Lansing Film Festival will come to Studio C! in Okemos from Nov. 6-14.

The East Lansing Film Fest has been ded-icated to showing qual-ity films and exposing audiences across the state to a wide spread of cultures, ideas and creativity.

Included in the film fest is the Lake Michi-gan Film Competition, which gives awards to films made in the states

surrounding the mit-ten.

Nov. 6 will include a film as well as opening night party.

Nov. 7 will have two premieres at Studio C!

On Nov. 8 and 9, films will be shown at Wells Hall on MSU’s campus as well as Studio C!

From Nov. 11-14, sec-ond screenings will be shown at Studio C!

For more informa-tion, visit http://elff.com/festival/ or call 517-993-5444.

Living a life less ordinaryLCC presents The Graduate beginning Nov. 1

LCC Performing Arts will present The Graduate live in Dart Auditorium on Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 1-2, 8-9 at 8 p.m.

An additional sign in-terpreted matinee perfor-mance will take place Sun-day, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.

Written by Terry Johnson and based on the novel by Charles Webb, The Gradu-ate follows the story of a re-

cent college grad who returns home to fall in a messy love triangle.

The Graduate stars Scott Laban as Benjamin, Deb Keller as Mrs. Robinson and Clearie McCathy as Elaine.

Tickets are $5 for students; $10 for seniors, LCC staff and alumni; and $15 for adults.

For more information, call 517-483-1488 or visit lcc.edu/showinfo.