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On This Day: December 16
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AOTW: Roe Kapara – Big Cigars and Satin Shorts
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Explore Baltimore: Top 5 Live Music Venues
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On This Day: December 9
Alumni Spotlight: Sam Chemali (2017)
March 3rd, 2018 by The Professor
Recent graduate Samantha Chemali ’17 hopped on the line with Katie Kazmierski ’18 to chat about her new gig at SiriusXM as a show producer, her past work at WLOY on What Happens Next? and some advice for students looking to find work in media operations. Also… it rained tacos.
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Review: Shy Kids – In A State
March 3rd, 2018 by WLOY Staff
Artist: Shy Kids
Album: in a state
Release Date: 02/23/2018
RIYL: Future Generations, The Kooks
Rating: 8.5/10
In a state by Shy Kids is a dynamic rock pop album that gains points in the areas of originality and creativity. It’s a well-thought-out album that should be listened to on a sunny day while you’re driving around with the windows rolled down. As the name of the album suggests, the tracks of in a state fit the theme of travel as well as the sentiments that go along with travel. This being said, Shy Kids does an awesome job of capturing the energy of the places that the songs are about. Shy Kids is able to do this not only through the copious instruments used, such as the sax, piano, and violin among others, but also because of the background sounds that are infused into most of the songs, such as the honking horns of traffic, the ringing of a telephone, and even a rooster. Read the rest of this entry »
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Open Mic Night 3/1
February 28th, 2018 by The Professor
Join us for our last Open Mic Night before Battle of the Bands and Songwriter Skirmish! This is your last chance to get in some extra performance time and get psyched up to compete for a spot at Loyolapalooza!
The winners of Battle of the Bands (4/5) and Songwriter Skirmish (3/22) will get to perform on stage at Loyolapalooza, opening for a day of major artists. Share your talents with your friends at Starbucks this week and submit your name for the competitions. Know a band? Got a friend that just needs a push? Tell them to join us this Thursday night for a shot at stardom 🙂
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Top 10 Adds: 2.23.18
February 28th, 2018 by WLOY Staff
Check out our top 10 adds for the week of February 23, 2018 for a rocking new playlist!
1. D.I. by Surf Harp
- Album: Mr. Big Picture
- Genre: Local Music, L Indie Rock
- RIYL: The Strokes, Interpol, Kaiser Chiefs
2. Acetone by Vundabar
- Album: Smell Smoke
- Genre: M Indie Rock
- RIYL: Together PANGEA, The Frights, Modern Baseball
3. Disaffectation by Ought
- Album: Room Inside The World
- Genre: L Alt, L Indie Rock
- RIYL: Palm, Preoccupations, Talking Heads
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Review: Surf Harp – Mr. Big Picture
February 21st, 2018 by WLOY Staff
Artist: Surf HarpAlbum: Mr. Big Picture
Release Date: 2/23
Rate: 9.2/10
LIYL: Talking Heads, The Strokes
Surf Harp’s sophomore album, Mr. Big Picture, is a new, unique sound for the 5-piece local band. Drawing from their garage pop origins as well as their psychedelic 90’s sound from their first LP, Peel, Surf Harp has finally found their own rhythm. This new album perfectly blends their previous style with a hint of 80’s new wave in sound and in concept. A lot of the tracks take the average aspects of a mundane office life and make it interesting by exploring concepts that are not-so-mundane like not fitting in, death, and even what seems to me like dissociation. Such lyrical writing reminds me of Talking Heads, which is exactly what this self-proclaimed art rock band is going for.
Their song writing blends perfectly with these new wave lyrical themes. Mr. Big Picture not only includes varying, layered vocals, synth, and layered guitar, but it also experiments with distorted, lo-fi samples from everyday objects, such as a vacuum cleaner and power tools. Such experimentation allows each song to have its own personality, giving the album a holistic integrity as an art piece. My favorites are “D.I. Cig,” “Mirror Maze,” which makes you want to dance with its post-punk feel and alternating vocals, as well as “Mr. Big Picture,” which gives you the band’s pop roots with an art twist. However, all the tracks rock in their own way, making this an album you absolutely need to listen to. Find it here on Friday when it’s released by Friends Records or on iTunes. The record release party is being held at The Windup Space on Friday night.
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Mark Hopkins @ Coffeehouse 2/22
February 20th, 2018 by The Professor
Mark Hopkins is a Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, and more… He’s joining us for another coffeehouse because we can’t get enough of his excellent pop and rock songwriting. Whether solo or fronting his full band, Mark can rock out with his thoughtful songs and a lot of soul. Check him out at the Maryland Music Awards. Mark has played coffeehouse before and even graced our stage at Honfest and we know how much fun he brings with every song. It’s time for you to find out too!
As always WLOY will also have free tickets to upcoming shows you can win from Baltimore Soundstage as a bonus just for hanging out with us.
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Joe Louis Walker Interview
February 20th, 2018 by The Professor
Legendary blues musician Joe Louis Walker, a Blues Hall of Fame member with a shelf full of awards (and a 2017 Grammy nomination) took a few minutes to chat with the Professor in advance of his show in Baltimore. Joe is going to be in town Saturday the 24th at the Rosedale American Legion Hall at 8pm with Mikey Junior. He’s recorded with BB King, James Cotton, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Branford Marsalis and Ike Turner, and recently appeared with the Blues Brothers Band, on Walter Trout’s multi-guest album and a lot more. I don’t really know where to begin picking out highlights of his career!Posted in Archives, Interviews, Music, News | No Comments »
Jimmie Bones Interview
February 19th, 2018 by The Professor
Jimmie “Bones” Trombly is probably best known for his role as keyboardist for Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band, but he’s been a part of Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise, and played on and co-produced the final album of bluesman R. L. Burnside, among his many credits.
Currently on tour with Kid Rock and heading to the Royal Farms Arena on March 3rd, Jimmie has also released his first solo project “Snakebit and Wandering” on Funky D Records. Jimmie kindly took some time to talk to The Professor from WLOY’s Monday Morning Blues show in advance of their arrival in town. From getting the guitar of Wayne Kramer (MC5) on his album to the joy of touring by private jet, they covered a lot. Check out the interview below, and pickup a copy of Jimmie’s CD here
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Swampcandy & Doc Pine – Late Night 2/15
February 12th, 2018 by The Professor
Join us this Thursday night for a bluesy, swampy, rocking night. The great and powerful Swampcandy are playing again for us featuring Ruben ripping up the National Steel and Joey’s flailing bass (and mane). With 4 albums released, they’ve got a deep catalog of excellent songs to draw on, from “Drink Whiskey With Me” to “Devil in the Suitcase”. You’ll be transported to a late night roadhouse deep in the backwoods. Check out their website and amazing videos.
As a bonus this week you get 2 bands for the FREE price of 1! Swampcandy is joined by Doc Pine and The Respect He Deserves. A project of James Von Lenz (you may have seen his other band Voodoo Pharmacology on campus in the fall) they’re going to run the gamut from original twangy tracks to Springsteen covers (State Trooper!) and more. See if you can spot Ahren Bucheister in yet another band (is that 13 now?!).
Don’t order yet, there’s more! We also have a sample of the great bread pudding (and caramel sauce) from Cafe Hon for the lucky ones while it lasts, and free tickets to shows at Baltimore Soundstage you can win!
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Review: Marty O’Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra
February 10th, 2018 by WLOY Staff
Artist: Marty O’Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra
Album: Stereoscope
Release date: 02/09/2018
RIYL: Civil Wars, The Dead Tongues, Bon Iver
Rating: 8/10
I have the chills, but that’s not because this winter has been brutally frigid here in Baltimore. In my short life, I have found that great music is goosebump-inflicting, and I am afflicted, thanks to Marty O’Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra. Released on February 9, 2018, Stereoscope is the four-piece’s second full album. Compared to Stereoscope‘s predecessor, Pray for Rain, which has a lot of blues and traditional folk influences, Stereoscope sounds like Bon Iver with a twist. Stereoscope has a lot more string instruments, modern folk influences, and light rock influences. All in all, it’s a great album to listen to while reading (or prepping for a philosophy exam), in bed, under the covers, on a rainy Saturday. Here’s why: Read the rest of this entry »
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