Deep Cuts and Conversations hosted by professors Reggie Williams, Kyle Burnham and Tim Heasley, is a casual-toned gathering of students and faculty to get together, share music, and discuss it. This session was a immersive experience across a diversity of genres while also studying the music videos and art portrayed through the music.

The event kicked off with the song “Sherpa” by Angine de Poitrine. This psychedelic rock song invoked an uncanny, yet alluring experience. The music video consisted of two individuals fully concealing their identities and genders with surreal costumes and backgrounds. While some students seemed to find the piece unsettling and strange, others understood the underlying messages the artists were trying to convey. The eccentric band was thought provoking, nonetheless.

The following song was “Opus Brain” by Igorrr, consisting of an erratic video production and music genre. Both students and professors were astonished by the cinematography and quality of this visual recording.

The event took a dramatic shift from acid rock to classic country. A student played “Made in Japan” by Buck Owens. This mellow tune seemed to appeal to even the most heavy-metal-goers. The group went into a discussion on the contrast between old and modern country music– modern country being described as more commercial.

“We’re [Bakersfield] kind of the cornerstone to modern country,” said Professor Kyle Burnham.

The gathering ended by analyzing the car chase sequence of the 2025 film, One Battle After Another, show by Professor Tim Heasley. The scene had the track “River of Hills” by Jonny Greenwood. The song seemed to perfectly capture the essence of climbing tension and desperation the characters of the film were feeling.

Overall, the session provided a sense of community and togetherness for those interested in music and the profound study of it, but remains open to anyone interested. Students seemed to enjoy the dialogue opportunities.

“The Deep Cuts and Conversations was an eye-opener for me. It made me see the sides of music I don’t normally notice,” said Amy Caraan, a student who attended the event.

The next session is set for Mar. 4 at 1:30 p.m.