Music
On This Day: February 22
Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
1. 1956: Elvis Presley enters the music charts for the first time with “Heartbreak Hotel”, which eventually becomes his first number one hit.
2. 1975: Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album hits number one on the Billboard album chart, beginning a successful period for the band.
3. 1984: British band Queen score their first and only number one single in the United States with “Radio Ga Ga”.
4. 2000: Santana sweeps the Grammy Awards, winning a record-tying eight awards, including Album of the Year for “Supernatural”.
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The Prime: Alt Through the Ages
Monday, February 19th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Alternative
Subgenre: Nu-gaze
RIYL: Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, No Joy, DIIV
Nu-gaze is a subgenre of alternative music that rising in the late 2000s and combines elements of shoegaze, dream pop, and noise rock with a modern twist. The term “nu-gaze” is a play on the traditional shoegaze sound that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, characterized by hazy guitars, ethereal vocals, and layers of effects. Artists in the nu-gaze scene often incorporate electronic elements and experimental production techniques, creating a more contemporary and dynamic sound.
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AOTW: Dead Poet Society – “FISSION”
Friday, February 16th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Isabelle Braudakis ’25
Album of the Week: Dead Poet Society – “FISSION”
Released: January 26, 2024
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Nothing but Thieves, Death from Above 1979, Royal Blood, The Struts
The band Dead Poet Society consists of members, Jack Underkofler (vocals, guitar), Jack Collins (guitar), Dyland Brenner (bass guitar), and Will Goodroad (drums). The quartet assembled in Boston, Massachusetts in 2013. “FISSION” is the band’s second studio album following their debut album “-!-“, which peaked at 19 on the U.S Main Rock charts! What drew me into this album was the vibe and heaviness of it. I immediately thought of Nothing but Thieves, with similar vocal styles and rock influences. The edginess and power of it immediately grabbed my attention and I have not been able to stop listening all week! (more…)
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SOTW: Molly Burch – “Tattoo”
Thursday, February 15th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Fiona Galang ’27
Song of the Week: Molly Burch – “Tattoo”
Released: September 2023
Rate: 10/10
RIYL: Julia Jacklin, Dreamgirl, Whatever, Dad, Soccer Mommy
Molly Burch is an Indie Pop/Rock artist who started her music journey in 2010. Her music is mostly about heartbreak, loss, and love. She’s released four albums and various singles. She’s received the most attention from her song “Please Be Mine”. In 2023, she released her newest album called Daydreamer, where “Tattoo” came from.
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The Prime: Alt Through the Ages
Monday, February 12th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Alternative
Subgenre: Chillwave
RIYL: Washed Out, Neon Indian, M83, Beach House
Chillwave arose in the late 2000s as a genre that combined elements of dream pop and shoegaze with lo-fi aesthetics. The term “chillwave” was coined by the blog Hipster Runoff to describe the hazy, atmospheric sound of artists like Washed Out and Toro y Moi. Artists embraced electronic production techniques, vintage synthesizers, and dreamy vocals to create a distinctive sound that evoked a sense of nostalgia and relaxation.
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AOTW: Kid Cudi – “INSANO”
Thursday, February 8th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Fiona Galang ’27
Album of the Week: Kid Cudi – “INSANO”
Released: 2024
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Tory Lanez, Trippie Redd, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott
To kick off the New Year’s right, Kid Cudi released INSANO. This album falls under Hip-Hop/Rap but also includes the experimental nature that Cudi is known for psychedelia, electronica, synthpop, and maybe even a bit of R&B mixed in. If you’re a fan of Travis Scott, this might be the album for you.
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On This Day: February 7
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Charlie Wahlberg ’24
On this day in music, in 1959, Buddy Holly was laid to rest in his hometown of Lubbock, TX. His tombstone included an incorrect spelling of his last name (Holley) as well as a carving of his Fender guitar. The 22-year-old artist passed away in a plane crash on February 3.
In 1963, the first Beatles single, “Please Please Me,” was released in the US via Vee-Jay Records. Dick Biondi, of Chicago’s WLS, played the song on the radio, becoming the first American DJ to play a Beatles record on air.
In 1970, Led Zeppelin earned their first UK No.1 album with Led Zeppelin II. The British band’s second studio album remained on the chart for a total of 138 weeks, while across the Atlantic, it topped the Billboard 200 for seven weeks. Written throughout the band’s 1969 European and American tours, Led Zeppelin II was recorded at multiple studios in the UK and US, with lead guitarist Jimmy Page serving as producer.
In 1987, after nearly 20 years, Aretha Franklin returned to the top of the UK pop chart with “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” a duet with George Michael. The pair later won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.
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SOTW: SPRINTS – “Shaking Their Hands”
Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Isabelle Braudakis ’25
Song of the Week: SPRINTS – “Shaking Their Hands”
Released: January 5, 2024
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Bully, PJ Harvey, Le Tigre, Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, Girl Band
The SPRINTS’ “Shaking Their Hands” is a must-add to your favorite playlist. As soon as this song starts, the mood is set with a brooding guitar, quickly followed by a rhythmic drumline. Without delay, soft and melodic vocals enter with the lines, “It’s been a long day, it’s been a long night, it’s been a long life.” These dark lyrics prepare listeners for an intense and heavy song. My favorite part about this track is the fantastic build-up to the chorus that beautifully fits into the garage-punk genre. The dynamics throughout keep you hooked which has worked on me, as I have been listening to this on repeat all week.
I recommend this song if you are eager to explore more of this type of rock, its raw energy and unapologetic attitude serve as a great addition to your playlist.
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The Prime: Alt Through the Ages
Monday, February 5th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Alternative
Subgenre: Art punk
RIYL: Talking Heads, Wire, Sonic Youth, The Slits
Art punk gained attention mid-1970s as a response to the commercialization and mainstream conformity of punk rock. Bands like Wire and Television brought an experimental edge to punk music, incorporating elements of avant-garde, post-punk, and art rock. The genre was characterized by its innovative song structures, unconventional use of instrumentation, and lyrical themes that often explored topics beyond traditional the common punk tropes.
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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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