My Playlist

About the DJ: Hi. My name is Susana. I am a freshman at Garfield High School. In my free time I like to play violin and soccer. I also spend hours attempting to flatten my fringe. (Harry Potter, I feel you.) I love musical theater and Studio Ghibli films, although I cannot speak Japanese to save my life — don't tell my teachers! Disclaimer: I love ranting, so watch out!

1. Frankie Cosmos
I learned about Frankie Cosmos through one of my best friends. They are a very underrated band that is absolutely amazing. This is the band's description of themselves on their Facebook page: "Greta Kline/Frankie Cosmos on guitar & vocals. Aaron Maine/Ronnie Mystery on rockin drums & some vocals. David Maine/David Mystery on slapping the bass. Gabrielle Smith/Gabby Teardrop on harmonies and bangin da keys. Joejoe Kline." They have a very unique sound and beautiful lyrics. Listen to them, I dare you!

2. Orphan Black
Orphan Black is one of the shows that I casually began watching because my parents had it on their computer. Little did I know, I would become absolutely and utterly hooked. The show is written by fabulous screenwriter Graeme Manson and directed by equally fabulous director John Fawcett. It stars Tatiana Maslany, who has six different roles in the show. Confused? Don't worry, it makes more sense as the show progresses. It is an intense program filled with mystery, drama, and suspense.

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell is currently one of my favorite authors. Fangirl is colorful story about a girl named Cather and her sister Wren (Cather + Wren = Catherine — it makes sense in the story) who have done everything together since their mother left. Cather is struggling with college and her sister's unwillingness to be associated with her, and she writes fan fiction about a book series, much like the Harry Potter series, called Simon Snow. Fangirl is a coming-of-age novel about acceptance, moving on, and new beginnings.

4. The Way Way Back
This is the only movie that ever made me cry. Directed and written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, it is a story about a family of four (mother, son, stepfather, stepfather's daugher) spending summer in the stepfather's beach house in Cape Cod. The movie centers on Duncan, the shy 14-year-old son, who befriends several workers at the town's local water park. The film is an emotional rollercoaster that has you laughing hilariously and sobbing loudly into the napkin that came with your overpriced, buttered popcorn.

5. La Blogotheque
La Blogotheque is a wonderful way to discover new music. Their videos are beautifully real and personal. The people at La Blogotheque film little "Take Away Shows" in which bands wander the streets playing music and singing. Some are done in parks, some in forbidden cathedrals. They recently did a series of Brazilian "Take Away Shows," which is the reason why I now love Brazilian bands. The music is very raw and uncut. It is a very spontaneous, one take kind of thing. I urge you to check it out.