The Definitive Oberlin Notable Alumni(-ish) Playlist
A guide to some of the best work by graduates of Oberlin College and Conservatory (and a few other people)
By Edie Carey
Despite being a tiny liberal arts school in the middle of nowhere, Oberlin actually boasts quite a few famous alumni. After spotting Ed Helms one weekend, I was chatting with my friends about all the notable people who have passed through these hallowed halls, and I thought that the best use of my time during this busy spring season might be to put together a playlist with songs by some of these icons. So with the help of Blog contributors, I created the definitive Oberlin alumni(ish) playlist.
Rhiannon Giddens – Way Over Yonder
Rhiannon Giddens ‘00 is possibly our most talented alumna, and definitely my personal favorite. Throughout her career, Giddens has made music inspired by the traditions of classical opera (which she studied in the Conservatory), bluegrass, jazz, and Celtic folk, just to name a few. I had the pleasure of seeing her perform in the opera Omar and I was truly starstruck.
Liz Phair – 6’1”
You could say that Liz Phair ‘90 is to Oberlin as Hillary Clinton is to Wellesley. You could also say that’s a stupid comparison, but I digress. An icon of the 90s alternative scene, Liz Phair released her debut album Exile in Guyville just three years after graduating from Oberlin. She has spoken about her time at Oberlin before, including during one concert which we reviewed last year! 6’1” is probably my favorite song by her…could it be about an Oberlin boy? We may never know.
Magnolia Electric Co., Jason Molina – The Dark Don’t Hide It
An Oberlin local, the late Jason Molina ‘96 was an indie cult icon with his projects Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. His music is great for driving through Appalachia on your way to Oberlin from the East Coast. I cannot recommend Magnolia Electric Co. enough; it was difficult choosing just one song by him for this playlist, but I settled on the pretty well-known The Dark Don’t Hide It.
Ed Helms – How Bad Can I Be?
The aforementioned actor, comedian, and of course Obie Ed Helms ‘96 sings on this way-too-catchy track from the Lorax movie. The Onceler did indeed attend this university, and not-so-fun-fact, he is on our Board of Trustees. That does mean he’s on campus from time to time though, so you might’ve seen him at Slow Train last semester! The Oberlin influences definitely come through on this song given its Marxian critique of late capitalism. Also, rumor has it that he was an Obertone?
Bitch Magnet – Navajo Ace
This post-hardcore band formed at Oberlin, and would continue on even after its members graduated. After their start at the college in 1986, they would relocate to North Carolina but unfortunately disband after a few short years.
Beach House – Superstar
Beach House guitarist Alex Scally ‘04 went here! He studied geology and ran cross country. I’m thankful he pursued neither of those passions and instead settled on music, because Beach House makes me feel a way that no other music does.
Body/Dilloway/Head – Goin’ Down
There’s a good chance you’ve met Aaron Dilloway before; the experimental noise musician now resides in Oberlin and runs the local record store, Hanson Records. He’s probably best known for his band Wolf Eyes, but also collaborated with Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) and Bill Nace to form Body/Dilloway/Head, who together made this track. We can call him an honorary alum.
Jeanine Tesori, Lisa Kron, Emily Skeggs – Changing My Major
You’ve probably heard of the Bechdel Test, which comes from cartoonist and Oberlin alum Alison Bechdel’s ‘81 iconic serialized comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For. She also wrote and drew the incredible graphic memoir Fun Home, which was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2015. One song from the musical actually mentions Oberlin, but this one is about her first time having lesbian sex in an Oberlin dorm room, an experience I’m sure many of you dear readers can relate to.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
Lead vocalist of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O went to Oberlin…before transferring to NYU. BUT during her short-lived stint here she met Brian Chase, who was studying in the Conservatory and would go on to become the drummer for the band! So we can thank Oberlin for WAIT…THEY DON’T LOVE YOU LIKE I LOVE YOU.
Heinz Kiessling – Temptation Sensation (Main Title)
Okay, hear me out. German composer Heinz Kiessling did not go to Oberlin, but he did compose the theme for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which stars Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds. Danny DeVito also did not go to Oberlin, BUT his son, Jake DeVito ‘10, did. In fact, he loved it here so much that his parents donated a shit ton of money to the school, and now the second floor of the Apollo theatre houses the Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman Cinema Studies Center for Media Education and Production. Cool stuff!
Leonard Cohen – Suzanne
A little-known fact about Leonard Cohen is that he went to Oberlin! That’s actually a complete lie. BUT one of the backup vocalists on his debut album did, Nancy Priddy! Not entirely sure if she sang on this track, but maybe…?