Pearl Jam’s Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Pearl Jam
Image: nme.com

A lifelong athlete and former football coach, Evan Loring works as a senior manager for Congruity, where his contributions have grown the revenue of the company’s Enterprise Business segments to $10 million annually. In his personal life, Evan Loring is a fan of grunge band Pearl Jam.

Earlier this year in April, Pearl Jam was honored with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, which took place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, comedian David Letterman inducted the band. Letterman was a last-minute replacement for Neil Young, who had to cancel due to health concerns.

Aside from praising the band’s music, Letterman took the time to praise Pearl Jam for striving to acknowledge injustice and never being afraid to respond to it. Later in the evening, frontman Eddie Vedder did just that during his acceptance speech, changing the topic to climate change, describing it as a major crisis and wondering how future generations will see us if we fail to act.

After each band member had given an acceptance speech, the group performed hit songs “Better Man,” “Alive,” and “Given to Fly.” The event was capped off with an Eddie Vedder-led all-star rendition of the Neil Young song “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Cold War Kids – A Discography

Cold War Kids
Image: coldwarkids.com

As a senior manager at Congruity in Pembroke, Massachusetts, Evan Loring assists large corporations with their IT needs. In his free time, Evan Loring enjoys playing sports, traveling, and listening to music. His list of favorite bands includes Pearl Jam, Florence and the Machine, and Cold War Kids.

A California-based indie rock band formed in 2004, Cold War Kids released their first full-length album, Robbers & Cowards, to a fair amount of acclaim in 2006. Featuring the tracks Hang Me Up to Dry, We Used to Vacation, and Saint John, the album introduced audiences to the band’s bluesy take on indie music and showcased their flair for musical storytelling.

After spending the next few years on the road, Cold War Kids released Loyalty to Loyalty in 2008 and eventually followed it up with their third full-length album, 2011’s Mine Is Yours, which was produced by Grammy winner Jacquire King. Following a minor shakeup in the band, Cold War Kids regrouped for their fourth album, Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, in 2013 and their fifth album, Hold My Home, the following year.

Along with their full-length studio releases, Cold War Kids have also produced live albums and several EPs, including Mulberry Street, With Our Wallets Full, and Behave Yourself. Currently, the band is on tour promoting their latest album, L.A. Divine, which was released in April 2017.

SCCA Offers Starting Line Schools for Amateur Racers

Starting Line Schools
Image: scca.com

A senior manager with Congruity in Pembroke, Massachusetts, Evan Loring helps large companies manage their annual expenditures on information technology. Outside of the office, Evan Loring pursues an interest in auto racing through a membership in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).

A membership organization for road racing, rallying, and autocross enthusiasts, SCCA oversees a variety of programs and events that give individuals the opportunity to take part in racing both on and off the track. Those just starting out as amateur racers can benefit from several SCCA offerings, including the SCCA Starting Line schools.

Supported through a partnership between SCCA and Tire Rack, Starting Line schools feature a full day of instruction that introduces amateur racers to performance driving. Starting Line students receive guidance from professional driving instructors in the areas of autocross, rallycross, and track racing. In addition to covering the intricacies of performance driving, the schools give drivers the opportunity to learn about and become more comfortable with the dynamics of their vehicles.

Along with the driving instruction, Tire Rack SCCA Starting Line school participants receive an SCCA membership, subscriptions to two racing magazines, and entries for future SCCA events. To learn more about Starting Line and other SCCA programs, visit www.scca.com.

A Handful of Must-Stock Ingredients for Middle Eastern Cooking

Middle Eastern Cooking
Image: allrecipes.com

Evan Loring serves as senior cloud solutions manager at Congruity, an IT solutions provider in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Outside of work, Evan Loring enjoys cooking and is especially fond of preparing spicy cuisines from places around the world like the Middle East. When making Middle Eastern dishes, individuals will need to add a few new ingredients to their pantry.

One of the most common ingredients is called ras-el-hanout. This ingredient is actually a blend made with about 30 different spices, although each merchant has a different formulation. The mixture can prove quite spicy, so prospective cooks should give it a taste to ensure it’s right for them before adding it to a recipe.

To bring heat to a dish, Middle Eastern recipes often call for Aleppo pepper, a Syrian spice that can be also found around the world. When using the pepper, individuals should look out for its seeds and choose a brand that comes in coarse flakes.

Za’atar is a flavorful spice blend that includes thyme, oregano, sesame seeds, sumac, and other dried herbs. The flavor of za’atar is very strong and distinct, so it should be used sparingly, but it is irreplaceable in recipes that call for it.

Another way to add spice to Middle Eastern dishes is through harissa. Originating in Tunisia, harissa consists of garlic, cumin, coriander, and chili pepper ground into a thick paste. Harissa is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavor of everything from fried olives to chickpeas.