Featured
AOTW: Yo La Tengo – “This Stupid World”
Monday, March 13th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Ameila Dunat ’25
Yo La Tengo – “This Stupid World”
Release: February 10, 2023
Rated: 8/10
RIYL: Pavement, Guided By Voices, Built to Spill, The Flaming Lips, Wilco, LCD Soundsystem
On February 10, 2023, Yo La Tengo released their seventeenth studio album (wow…), “This Stupid World.” Yo La Tengo is an American indie-rock formed in 1984, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Since 1992, the band members have included Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley, and James McNew. Although only 9 songs long, this self-produced album is the group’s first full-length album release in a few years. After listening, I found it to be perfectly mellow, consistent with their typical sound, and particularly reminiscent of their releases from the 1990s.
“Fallout” was undoubtedly my favorite song from the album- it was both catchy and lively. “Aselestine”, sung by drummer Georgia Hubley, was a close second, as it was a peaceful acoustic tune. “Brain Capers” had a fun beat, despite the distorted lyrics, and “Miles Away” only had a few lines of lyrics, but the melody itself was hypnotic and magical. “My Bloody Valentine”, “The Kinks”, and “The Velvet Underground” are some of Yo La Tengo’s principal influences and I think this album is a consistent combination of those sounds. Sweet-sounding melodies and smooth basslines join together with noisy fuzzy guitar sounds and thoughtful lyrics. If you enjoyed this album, I recommend the songs, “Nowhere Near” and “Green Arrow” from their preview albums.
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DJ Spotlight: The Mint Show
Monday, March 13th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
Show Name: The Mint Show
DJ:Liz Ottenritter ’25
When: Thursdays 4-5pm
Q: Tell us about your show
A: The Mint Show is a mix of mostly Indie Rock/Pop and Alternative
Q: What made you want to host a show?
A: I love sharing music, it’s one of my favorite things to do. I have always wanted to talk about the music I like with a larger audience.
Q: What is your favorite part of hosting a radio show at WLOY?
A: My favorite part about hosting a show is being able to create something that I am proud of and sharing it with my family and friends. (more…)
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WLOY is Turning 20!
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 by The Professor
Yes, it really has been 20 years since WLOY went on the air 24/7/365, and yes, John feels old. But you can join us in celebration on Saturday March 18th all day! From noon until 4pm we will have an open house in the WLOY studios in Bellarmine Hall and welcome alumni back to jump on the air and meet current DJs and staff. From 6-7pm a private event in McGuire for the alumni and staff with music from alums Maria Dontas and Taylor DeBoer and then we open the doors to all from 7-9pm. Music from local greats Skribe and Saleem & The Music Lovers (Saleem also hosts Hip-Hop Revisited on WLOY Saturdays 2-4pm). Join us for some fun memories, and great local live music like we’ve been highlight for 20 years.
A limited number of our very Baltimore orange and purple t-shirts will be available as well as a new batch of WLOY coffee mugs and our NEW WLOY COFFEE, roasted and blended by the amazing local folks at Thread Coffee in the Woodberry neighborhood.
If you are part of the pre-WLOY era of WVLC/WLCR 1975-1995 please feel free to join us as well! Also check out the updated list of vintage staff photos and look for you and your friends!
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Sign Up For Battle of the Bands & Songwriter Skirmish
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 by The Professor
Do you want to perform at Loyolapalooza? Here is your chance! Enter to compete in the Battle of the Bands, or the Songwriter Skirmish. Songwriter Skirmish is open to solo or duo acts (rappers, songwriters, duos, and mixers), while Battle of the Bands is for bands of 3 or more- perfect for any and all groups that would like to enter!
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. Bands entering for Battle of the Bands must be able to perform a 15-20 minute set of original songs to compete. By entering, you are confirming that you are able to perform at Songwriter Skirmish (4/1) or Battle of the Bands (4/13), and are able to perform at Loyolapalooza on 4/30.
Songwriter Skirmish will take place on Saturday, April 1st with Relay for Life! WLOY will be DJing for the event and welcome all to request a song of their choice for $1 in support of Relay for Life. Battle of the Bands will take place on Thursday, April 13th. The winner of Songwriter Skirmish will be the first act of Loyolapalooza, and the Battle of the Bands winner will open for the national headliner! Loyolapalooza takes place Sunday, April 30th. Think you have what it takes? Enter for Songwriter Skirmish or Battle of the Bands HERE!
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DJ Spotlight: The Starry Night Show
Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 by Liz Kosik
Show name: The Starry Night Show
DJs: Sophie LaBella and Nez Blaho
When: Saturdays 8-9pm
Q: Tell us a bit about your show
A: The Starry Night Show. The theme is pretty much just music we both really enjoy! We have super similar music tastes (91% match on Spotify) and want to share some of our favorite songs with everyone. We also have a section towards the end of our set where we both throw it back/slow it down with more relaxing, “oldie” style music that everyone remembers. Both Nez and I love art (Nez is a theatre major and I am a studio art minor) so our show reflects our love of art through our name with Van Gogh. 🙂 (more…)
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AOTW: Paramore – “This Is Why”
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Analia Cortez ’25
Release: February 2022
Rated: 9/10
RIYL: Tonight Alive, PVRIS, Fall Out Boy, All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, The All-American Rejects, You Me At Six
After five and a half year wait, this alternative-indie band has released their seventh album! The writing of this album took place during the quarantine lockdown period that affected the whole globe. After such an experience, Paramore wanted to write those feelings and moments into an album to let their audience know they are not alone. The issues they use to theme their album heavily revolve around mental health issues caused due to the effects of Covid-19 left on the lives of many. Self-reflection is such a prominent key in the assembling of the album. (more…)
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DJ Spotlight: Coffee Break
Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
Show name: Coffee Break
DJs: Charlie Wahlberg and Caitlin Cavanaugh ’24
When: Tuesdays Noon-1pm
Q: Tell us a little bit about your show
A: Coffee Break. I host the show with Caitlin Cavanaugh, each week we try a coffee shop in the Baltimore area and review it for the show. We like to play some of our current favorite music, which is a mix of R&B, and indie music. Some of our favorite artists are SZA, Tame Impala, and Noah Kahan. We also discuss pop culture, some of our personal experiences as college students at Loyola, etc. (more…)
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Karaoke For A Cause: Gong Karaoke 2/17
Monday, February 13th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
Join WLOY for our Karaoke For A Cause: Gong Karaoke on Friday, February 17th, from 7-9 PM in Starbucks! Never heard of Gong Karaoke? That’s okay WLOY’s got you. Participants can pay $1 to request the song of their choice and spectators can pay $2 to hit the gong and kick them off stage! It is $5 to stay up on stage and sing your heart out but wait – others have the chance to pay $10 in sudden death and kick you off stage for good! All proceeds will go to Loyola’s Relay for Life to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs for the American Cancer Society. Are you feeling a little bit of friendly competition that supports an amazing foundation? Join WLOY for our Karaoke For A Cause: Gong Karaoke on Friday, February 17th, from 7-9 PM in Starbucks!
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AOTW: Mako Road – “Stranger Days”
Friday, February 10th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Analia Cortez ’25
Release: 2021
Rated: 8.5/10
RIYL: Peach Fur, Gromz, The Shambles, Letters to Lions
Mako Road is a four-member indie-rock band from New Zealand, consisting of two guitars, a bassist, and a drummer. Being highly popular in New Zealand, and the Australian area, these guys are very fond of at festivals. Now with a larger music selection, they just had their first official tour! This album was heavily anticipated as several singles and EPs had been released, leading up to the album. Before this album release, they came up with three EPs- those being “The Green Superintendant”, “Local Safari”, and “Stranger Days” before releasing the “Stranger Days” debut album. The sound revolving around “Stranger Days” captures the groovy sound of indue-rock and “psych-surf” vibes. This makes it the perfect soundtrack for the long summer days that are also waited for in anticipation. Overall good vibes while listening to this album, not just for Aussie or Kiwi listeners, but everyone. (more…)
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SOTW: Billy Jones and the Delta Blues Outlaws – “Someone New”
Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Daniel Carter ’26
Billy Jones and the Delta Blues Outlaws – “Someone New”
Rate:8/10
Billy Jones and Delta provide a wide variety of traditional Blues and notes of R&B. Coming from the group’s self-titled album, the song “Someone New” is one of my favorites. “Someone New” definitely exudes an Isley Brothers vibe with blues infused into the music, giving a classic R&B feel to the song.
“Someone New” really captures the hopelessness many feel about the ending of a relationship. We hear a story of a man who is devoted to a woman who unfortunately doesn’t reciprocate those romantic feelings for him. He blesses us with a lyrically beautiful and tragic realization that she is finding love in someone else. I align this theme with songs such as “Out of Time” by the Weeknd, in both artists’ depictions of loss and love.
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