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AOTW: Will Stratton – Points of Origin
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Staff Picks: Liz’s Top 5
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SOTW: “Am I Your Girl” – Peach Pit
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On This Day: April 14
SOTW: Mikaela Davis – “Far From You”
August 11th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
Liz Kosik ’25
Song of the Week: Mikaela Davis – “Far From You”
Released: August 4, 2023
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: NOVA ONE, Liza Anne, River Whyless, Liz Cooper
Mikaela Davis is a talented musician who sings, writes songs, and plays multiple instruments, with her harp skills being a standout feature. Her music blends elements of folk, country-rock, and chamber pop to create some pretty textured pop songs. In the early 2010s, she gained attention for covering indie singer/songwriters with her harp, before moving on to create more complex arrangements for her original music. Her first album with a label, “Delivery”, was produced by John Congleton in 2018. Her newest album, “And Southern Star”, is largely self-produced and reflects a mix of modern indie, country, and folk-pop.
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Staff Picks: July
August 9th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
WLOY loves nothing more than being able to share some of our favorite tracks with you guys. Let’s welcome August with July’s hottest hits as we present some monthly staff picks! Read the rest of this entry »
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Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Medina (2013)
August 8th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
Anthony Medina, a graduate of Loyola University in 2013, reflects on his career, life, and time spent at Loyola. Medina shares some updates on his life while cherishing his WLOY days.
Q: Can you tell us about your show at WLOY? (name and theme, genre of music)
A: I co-hosted a show on WLOY with one of my best friends, Jeff Poulos AKA Dj Pool Party Poulos. We called the show Know Your Role after one of Dwayne “The
Rock” Johnson’s famous catchphrases from the late ’90s. I’ve always been a diehard professional wrestling fan and Jeff and I bonded over our love of some of the all-time greats. I actually think he came up with the name. We played classic rock and had gimmicks like top 5 lists and running jokes. And at the end of every show, we’d tell someone that needed to hear to know their role. All the bits and banter and promos were such a fun and creative outlet for us. But it was really just another excuse to spend time with my friend. And I think our friendship was the cohesive element of the show that made it work. People picked up on our connection and friendship and I think it made those who listened smile.
Posted in Featured, News | 1 Comment »
AOTW: Current Joys – “LOVE + POP”
August 7th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Album of the Week: Current Joys – “LOVE + POP”
Released: August 4, 2023
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Faye Webster, Beach House, Clairo, The Walters
Originating from Reno, Nevada, Nicholas Foster Rattigan is a versatile American artist, renowned for his talents as a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist. Rattigan creates his music under the pseudonym “Current Joys.” His style encompasses a fusion of indie, garage rock, shoegaze, new wave, and bedroom pop influences. With an impressive discography, he’s collaborated with artists such as Lil Yachty and Slow Hollows! In addition to his solo work, Rattigan is the frontman and drummer of the surf rock band Surf Curse, adding further depth to his creative repertoire.
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SOTW: James & The Giants – “Bless This Mess”
August 4th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Song of the Week: James & The Giants – “Bless This Mess”
Released: June 30, 2023
Rate: 7/10
RIYL: Wooden Wand, My Morning Jacket, Strand of Oaks, Cass McCombs
Kill Rock Stars is excited to announce the release of James & The Giants’ self-titled album. This project represents the collaborative efforts of James Jackson Toth and his long-time partner Jarvis Taveniere, over the past four years. The album is a blend of newly written songs and ones from past decades, even featuring talented musicians from various eras associated with Wooden Wand. “James and The Giants” showcases a reflective and unintentional self-discovery journey, really exploring personal history to offer fresh perspectives on the memories they hold.
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The Prime: Pop Through The Ages (Pop-Punk)
August 1st, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Pop
Subgenre: Pop-Punk
RIYL: Sum 41, The Offspring, Green Day, Avril Lavigne, Paramore
Pop-Punk emerged in the late 1970s as a fusion of punk-rock and pop music elements. It combines the rebellious, DIY ethos of punk with catchy melodies and accessible song structures found in pop music. The genre’s roots can be traced back to the early days of punk rock when bands like the Ramones and Buzzcocks were experimenting with pop hooks and shorter, more pop-like songs. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that Pop-Punk truly came into its own and gained widespread popularity.
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Alumni Spotlight: Linton Hinds (2006)
August 1st, 2023 by The Professor
Linton Hinds, class of 2006 is a DJ, videographer, historian, podcaster, teacher and more…Linton has pursued a multi-faceted career from WLOY to 47th Street to the high school classroom and is behind the expanding I Never Knew TV/Radio empire (now including t-shirts, podcasts and music production). I Never Knew focuses on conversations regarding Rastafarianism, the history of the African diaspora, and Caribbean culture through interviews and music. His YouTube channel, “I Never Knew TV” has surpassed 440,00 subscribers and 44 million views, bringing in an audience seeking to uncover untold stories of culture, food, health and a history of reggae music. Johnny Cozza ’24 had the opportunity to interview Linton about his projects, his time as a DJ for WLOY (as a student and now as teacher), and how Loyola helped direct him and his creative pursuits – although he began his career as a high school history teacher, Hinds felt that his passion needed to be explored further, prompting the creation of I Never Knew TV & Radio. Make sure to check out our interview with Linton Hinds, and listen in every Sunday 9-11am here for I Never Knew Radio:
Posted in Alumni Spotlight, DJ Spotlight, Featured | No Comments »
AOTW: FIONN – “I Might Start Smoking”
July 31st, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Album of the Week: FIONN – “I Might Start Smoking”
Released: June 2023
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Tegan and Sara, Caroline Polachek, Beach Bunny, HAIM
The twin sister duo, FIONN, have found great success through their unique sound, relatable heartfelt lyrics, and undeniable drive. Raised within a musically driven family, Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris have used their gifts since a young age. Taking to busking the streets at age twelve, the Vancouver natives quickly gained notoriety for their raw talent and stage presence. Releasing their first studio album in 2018, FIONN has since made their way back onto the stage after the pandemic hiatus, and has spent the last year writing and recording their new record “I Might Start Smoking.”
Read the rest of this entry »
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SOTW: Alice Phoebe Lou – “Shelter”
July 28th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Song of the Week: Alice Phoebe Lou – “Shelter”
Released: March 2023
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Faye Webster, Nico, Lucy Dacus, Alvvays, Haley Heynderickx
Alice Phoebe Lou is a singer-songwriter known for her soft vocals and resonant lyrics. Born and raised in the coastal town of Kommetjie, South Africa, Alice’s love for music began at a young age. Her adventurous spirit led her to Berlin, where she found creative freedom and a community of like-minded artists. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Prime: Pop Through The Ages (Bubblegum Pop)
July 26th, 2023 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Pop
Subgenre: Bubblegum Pop
RIYL: The Archies, Natasha Bedingfield, The Monkees, Gwen Stefani
Bubblegum Pop sweetly burst onto the music scene in the late 1960s, fitting right into the colorful era we know as the 70s. The genre emerged as a rebellion against the popular rock and folk that dominated the airwaves, quickly captivating audiences of all ages. Music legends, The Archies, paved the way with their irresistible hit “Sugar, Sugar.” They were soon followed by ba ds such as The Ohio Express and 1910 Fruitgum Company, all contributing to the music we know and love. Read the rest of this entry »
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