News
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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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! (more…)
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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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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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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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Activities Fair on 2/7
Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 by Liz Kosik
Interested in becoming a WLOY DJ? Or maybe having the coolest work-study on campus? Come find WLOY at the upcoming Activities Fair on February 7th. The fair will take place in McGuire Hall from 1-4 PM, the perfect amount of time to stop by in between classes! Students and interns will be available to answer all your questions while we play some of your favorite hits! McGuire Hall from 1-4 PM on February 7th. Hope to see you there! 🙂
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Event Recap: Open Mic Night
Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Daniel Carter ’26 WLOY had the pleasure of hosting another of our great Open Mic Nights this past Saturday! Each semester WLOY hosts Open Mic Nights to allow students to showcase singing, instrumental, spoken-word, and comedic talents for fellow students to enjoy. The night started off with great original music and covers from students Ed and Kevin, with one playing the guitar and the other playing bass! Then the group that followed them was 3 Cars consisting of three students Carly, Benji, and Andrew. They put on a great cover of “Life is Highway” by Tom Cochrane (also covered by Rascal Flatts) to close the set. After a number of students joined to sing some of their favorite songs. The night ended with an entertaining cover of the song “Rick and Morty” by a student. WLOY thanks all everyone who performed and showed their support! Join us February 4th for the last Open Mic of the semester and get ready to join Songwriter Skirmish (4/1) and Battle of the Bands (4/13) to win a spot at Loyolapalooza!
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Christmas 2022 Specials
Saturday, December 24th, 2022 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, Quarantine Takeover, and vintage specials from 6 alumni, Crucial Cuts and a brand new Retro Rocking Christmas! At 4pm 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!
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