News
Upcoming Event: Sign Up for Songwriter Skirmish
Monday, March 18th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
Do you want to perform at Loyolapalooza? Here is your chance! Enter to compete in Songwriter Skirmish. Songwriter Skirmish is open to solo or duo acts such as rappers, songwriters, duos, and mixers.
To enter, you must be or have at least one active member connected to Loyola University Maryland. They can be employees, current students, or alumni. By entering, you are confirming that you are able to perform at Songwriter Skirmish (3/23) and are able to perform at Loyolapalooza on 4/28.
Songwriter Skirmish will take place on Saturday, March 23 and the winner will be the first act of Loyolapalooza. Loyolapalooza takes place Sunday, April 28th. Think you have what it takes? Enter for Songwriter Skirmish or Battle of the Bands HERE!
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Baltimore Sports History: Leon Day
Thursday, February 29th, 2024 by The Professor
by Andrew Ciofalo, host of After The Whistle
In celebration of Black History Month this year, I’d like to look back at the history of Negro League Baseball in Baltimore and some of the stars that helped break the color barrier to the MLB alongside of Jackie Robinson.
It is sad to see the records of Negro League Baseball players who barely missed out on the chance to play in the Major Leagues. There were so many talented players who had the skill to play that were a year or two away from the MLB color barrier being broken.
Leon Day played in the Negro Leagues for 10 years and like many others, never got his chance to show the rest of the country his skill. Day was a pitcher that some say was as good as, if not better than, Satchel Paige in his prime. I covered Paige in last week’s column in case you missed it! Paige got all the attention while he was playing, partly because he wanted it. Day was a more soft-spoken player and not one to seek the limelight. His focus was on his play, at which he excelled. (more…)
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Featured, News, Sports, Sports Saturdays | No Comments »
Goodbye Honfest :(
Monday, February 26th, 2024 by The Professor
The folks that created and ran Honfest have called it a day after nearly 30 years of events. WLOY was proud to have been a part of the event from 2010 onward and to have built up an amazing stage at the Chestnut St. end of the festival from 2014-2023. We are grateful to Denise and Lisa for all their work and support of us in bringing tons of great bands up on the stage. Check out our full list here. We will miss the fun this June, but we hope to see a new festival spring up over the summer. Until then, there is Hampdenfest every fall!
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Baltimore Sports History: Negro League Baseball
Thursday, February 8th, 2024 by The Professor
In our new series Baltimore Sports History, WLOY Sports Director Andrew Ciofalo, host of After The Whistle will explore some of the great lost history in our Charm City. People know about the O’s and the Ravens but maybe not so much the Elite Giants or famous players that passed through our teams. In celebration of Black History Month, we are covering some of the too little known history of Black sports in Baltimore. Check in every week for more.
Baseball has a rich history in Baltimore, dating all the way back to the 1870s. Today we see the Orioles as the big team in town, but this wasn’t always the case. Before the birds landed in 1954, the only professional baseball Baltimore had was Negro League Baseball. Between 1900 and 1950, no white professional baseball team had seen more than 2 full seasons of baseball (and that’s being generous.) (more…)
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Featured, News, Sports, Sports Saturdays | No Comments »
DJ Spotlight: DreamGAZE
Friday, February 2nd, 2024 by Liz Kosik
Show name: DreamGAZE
DJs: Terence Hannum, Erica Burgner-Hannum, and Rob Savillo
When: Thursdays @ 6 PM
Q: Name of your show along with a brief description:
A: DreamGAZE is a show I do with my spouse Erica Burgner-Hannum and bandmate Rob Savillo, of The Holy Circle, where we play our favorite shoegaze and dreampop tracks and interview bands and DJs – but we ask them to pick their favorite shoegaze or dreampop and talk about it.
Q: Why did you choose to host a show at WLOY?
A: I also do DEAD AIR the show devoted to horror soundtracks we run in October, and I’ve been doing that for almost a decade with WLOY. So when Erica, Rob, and I started an event night called dreamGAZE at The Crown to kind of focus on the growing scene in the region, the radio show made it easier to loop in the guests we bring in and the shows write themselves.
Q: What is your favorite part of hosting a show at WLOY?
A: It’s very easy as a community member and John champions your ideas and content, offers suggestions. I like finding new bands like The December Sound or hearing great stories from our guests like ON and Pale Saints.
Q: Top played artist/s on your show:
Q: Word of advice for prospective DJs?
A: Curate your sets, and know the info about the releases, think of it like a story you’re trying to tell. Keep it tight and focused. Also bring a friend, or two, who is as passionate as you are and bring on guests.
WLOY thanks Terence, Erica, and Rob for their mutual love of music and dedication to the station! Tune in to DreamGAZE every Tuesday @ 6 PM. 🙂
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AOTW: 21 Savage – “American Dream”
Thursday, February 1st, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Fiona Galang ’27
Album of the Week: 21 Savage – “American Dream”
Released: January 12, 2024
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Young Nudy, Drake, Travis Scott, Young Thug, J. Cole
21 Savage is a British-American rapper who has created several worldwide hits like “X”, “Bank Account”, “Rockstar” with Post Malone, and more. His most popular albums are Issa Album (2017), I am > I was (2018), Her Loss (2022) with Drake, and now American Dream (2024). From I am > I was, he won a Grammy for Best Rap Song for “A Lot” ft. J. Cole. He’s collaborated with many popular artists and producers like Travis Scott, Metro Boomin, and more, many of them being on his newest album.
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On This Day: January 24
Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
1. 2018: American musician and actor, Kid Rock, announced he would create a non-profit organization to promote voter registration and engagement.
2. 2017: English musician, Ed Sheeran, released his chart-topping single “Shape of You,” which went on to become one of the best-selling singles worldwide.
3. 1992: Nirvana played their first-ever show in Australia at the Phoenician Club in Sydney. Also on the bill, Tumbleweed and The Meanies.
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Christmas Shows 2023
Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 by The Professor
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! To help you celebrate, our amazing DJs and staff have put together incredible Christmas show specials – including Nick Centanni’s annual Moldie Oldies Christmas Eve and Christmas Day specials, specials from The Volcano Chronicles, Retro Rockin Road Show, Christmas Quarantine Takeover, and vintage specials from 7 alumni, and a brand new Hip-Hop Revisited Holiday Special! After a few morning hours to wet your whistle, at 2pm on Christmas Eve we finally open the floodgates and let the elves in, just in time to start your festivities and while you do your last minute wrapping. We’ll let them play all through Christmas Day until midnight, to be the soundtrack for all of the day’s gatherings and celebrations. Tell your smart speaker to “Play WLOY Loyola Radio” and just leave us on all day long… Merry Christmas Everyone!
(more…)
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The Prime: Alt Through the Ages
Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Alternative
Subgenre: Psychedelic rock
RIYL: The Electric Prunes, The Velvet Underground, The Yardbirds, Temples
The birth of psychedelic rock can be traced back to the mid-1960s, primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. Bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Byrds incorporated elements of psychedelic music into their sound, experimenting with unconventional song structures, mind-expanding lyrics, and the use of mind-altering drugs. The genre reached its peak with the iconic album “The Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd, released in the late 1960s.
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SOTW: Quantic – “Run”
Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Anabel Martin Llanusa
Song of the Week: Quantic – “Run”
Released: November 2023
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Kraak & Smaak, Nightmares On Wax, Xenia Rubinos, Son Little, Connie Constance
The new album by Quantic is based on 70s disco, soul, and pop. The song “Run” features Andreya Triana‘s vocals which complement the disco vibe of the album. The lyrics make the song even more powerful. This track showcases a woman who is struggling to find her identity and wants to be able to love herself, but there are so many obstacles that she has to overcome, first. The melody contributes to the lyrics by giving off a peaceful sense. The author feels that everything will be good in the end even if she “keeps on falling”.
This song portrays a very relatable feeling to anyone who might listen. The upbeat sound changes your mood to a happier one and the lyrics make you feel less alone in the struggle of learning how to love yourself. Highly recommend!
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