K-State student scholar gets serious about ska

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Source: Aly Deines, 785-479-6952, aly@k-state.edu
Editor's note: Matt Hubbel is a graduate of Basehor-Linwood High School.
News release prepared by: Sara Shellenberger, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Monday, October 16, 2006

K-STATE STUDENT SCHOLAR GETS SERIOUS ABOUT SKA

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's Aly Deines, a 2006 Goldwater scholar, is causing a ruckus -- and she doesn't plan to stop.

Deines, senior in mathematics, Woodbine, and eight other K-State students started local ska band The Ruckus in April 2006. The band released its debut album, "Get Serious," in September.

"It's a release for me," Deines said. "Ska is very simple and I can play it just to enjoy playing. I love the style of music and I really enjoy working with the people in the band."

Deines plays tenor saxophone in the band. Their album, "Get Serious," features fused sounds of horn instruments with traditional rock and punk elements, the album embraces the high-energy, upbeat style of ska.

"Ska originated in the 1950s in Jamaica and is characterized by a reggae feel, strong upbeats and a horn section," Deines said. "The style we play is third wave, which is more rock and punkish -- occasionally harsh, but typically a very happy style of music."

Deines uses her affinity for numbers to enhance her musical experience.

"As a jazz musician, I was taught a very mathematical way to examine music and transpose -- by assigning numbers to the different scale degrees, then just thinking in whatever key I want to play in," she said. "I don't think math plays a role in my success, but I think math has led to a deeper enjoyment of music. I enjoy being able to think about what is going on in an algorithmic sense, as well as a structural sense."

Though her time with The Ruckus is limited, Deines is certain that music will continue to be a part of her future.

"My current plan is to play with The Ruckus until I leave for grad school, where I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics," she said. "Hopefully, I will find people to play music with and just keep playing."

The Ruckus recently won the 20th annual OPUS Band Competition at K-State, sponsored by the Union Program Council. The band beat out eight other acts for the first-place prize. From composition to production, Deines and the other members of the group have taken a hands-on approach to their music. Their computer-mixed debut was produced entirely in a home recording studio, and they write most of their music collaboratively.

Along with Deines, other K-State students in The Ruckus include:

Matt Hubbel, freshman in music education, Bonner Springs, lead vocalist and trombone player; Nick Istas, junior in computer engineering, El Dorado, keyboard player; Paden Town, junior in music education, Louisburg, trombone player; Peter Leonhard, junior in electrical engineering, Manhattan, guitar player; Josh Holmgren, senior in mathematics, drummer, and Sara Mueting, senior in biology, bass player, both of Salina; Nate Edwards, sophomore in mechanical engineering, Topeka, trumpet player; and Jeff Brown, junior in music education, Laramie, Wyo., lead vocalist and trumpet player.