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SOTW: “Music Sounds Better with You” – CLUB NF Version ft. Neil Frances
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Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade 2024
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On This Day: December 2
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Baltimore Sports History: Johnny Unitas
Review: Surf Harp – Mr. Big Picture
February 21st, 2018 by WLOY Staff
Photo by Micah E. Wood
Album: 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
Photo by Joe Del Tufo
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 »
Posted in Music, New Releases, Reviews, Top 40 | No Comments »
WLOY Sports Director at the Winter Olympics
February 9th, 2018 by The Professor
WLOY Sports Director Bobby Trosset ’17 is no stranger to the Olympics and big events. While still a student at Loyola, Bobby worked for the Today Show as a runner at the 2017 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. He followed that up by helping to arrange the Guinness World Record Crab Walk at Loyola as part of the Rokerthon 2017. As the Sports Director at WLOY, Bobby did play-by-play of The President’s Cup city-wide high school baseball games and broadcast from the radio booth at Camden Yards several times. Now, out in the “real world” we find ourselves answering the question “Where in the world is Bobby?” with “South Korea”! Working for NBC Sports Washington, Bobby is covering the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Today we’re honored to have him tell us more about it during the 4-5pm (EST) weekly Sports Talk show with Stefan and Austin. Bobby’s joining us at 6am his time having just finished the first day of the 2018 Winter Olympics. We’re excited to hear more about it and continue the WLOY tradition of Sports Directors doing big things! Tune in today to catch the interview live from Korea!
Posted in Alumni Spotlight, Events, Featured, News, Sports | No Comments »
Review: American Pets – Bad Dream
February 7th, 2018 by WLOY Staff
Artist: American Pets
Album: Bad Dream-Single
RIYL: The Republic Tigers, The Little Ones, Matt Pond PA
Released: January 5, 2018
Rating: 10/10
Do you ever hear a song by a band you’ve never heard of, get excited to look them up to see what else they’ve recorded, and find squat? This is what happened when I looked up American Pets . So, here’s what I know: American Pets classify themselves as a four-piece indie-rock band, they originate from Los Angeles, California, “Bad Dream” is the only song that they have released, but they are releasing their very first EP later this month. “Bad Dream” has me highly anticipating the EP’s release. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Music, New Releases, Reviews | No Comments »
WLOY Sports Wrap 2/6
February 6th, 2018 by WLOY Staff
Welcome back to the WLOY Sports Wrap! As February reaches its midpoint, that means the NBA trade deadline has passed and moves that changed the landscape of the league need to be dissected and evaluated.
Before we jump into the moves that were made on the actual deadline day, which featured many of the biggest names and surprises, let’s go over the trades that happened prior to February 8th. The biggest move happened before the month, as the Pistons and Clippers swapped three players and draft picks. In the end, the Pistons acquired All-Star Blake Griffin, Willie Reed and Brice Johnson, and the Clippers received small forward Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic. They also got the Pistons’ first-round pick (top-4 protected) and a 2019 second-round pick. This trade was a surprise to the league and its fans at first, but when one takes a longer look at it, the swap makes complete sense. The Clippers didn’t want to hold onto Griffin’s contract, as the departure of Chris Paul during the offseason has the Clips in a rebuild mode rather than in a hard push for contending for a championship. Dumping his salary opens up more possibilities of attracting free-agents, most notably LeBron James, as it is unclear if he intends to stay in Cleveland. As for Detroit, it’ll be interesting to see how Blake and dominant big Andre Drummond will work down low in Motor City, but the Eastern Conference got a little wake up call 12 days before the deadline. Read the rest of this entry »
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Coffeehouse 2/8 Bell’s Roar & QueenEarth
February 6th, 2018 by The Professor
WLOY & Spectrum present this weeks show featuring bell’s roar and Queen Earth. Join us Thursday night by Starbucks from 8-10pm for a great night of music!
Sean Desiree performs as “bell’s roar”: The name bell’s roar symbolizes the focus and attitude held in Sean Desiree’s solo project. It’s a reference to feminist writer bell hooks who speaks of intersectionality and solidarity in their work. Being a queer, gender nonconforming person of color Sean cannot isolate forms of oppression. The roar represents the fight to not be silent and to use their creative voice to stop ongoing domination.
Missy Smith aka “QueenEarth” is a Loyola (and WLOY) graduate who has been performing solo and with bands for years. QueenEarth is a singer/songwriter and creative professional. In addition to performing her music, she has combined her passions to create courses, programs, and events that encourage social justice and arts education. She finds the greatest joy when she can bring her experience together for education, music, and creativity.
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