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(09/20/21 7:02pm)
This past month, WIUX had the privilege of sitting down with indie pop artist Still Woozy to discuss the release of his debut LP, If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is
The artist, whose real name is Sven Gamsky, began making music under the Still Woozy moniker following the disbandment of the alternative rock band Feed Me Jack, in which he was involved from 2011 - 2016. In the following years Gamsky would release a series of highly popular singles beginning with 2017’s “Vacation”. These singles showcased a much more soulful, bedroom-pop sound compared to the work he had done before. After 3 years of buildup and a cancelled 31-stop tour in 2020, The new album is finally here for all to enjoy.
The songs on If This Isn’t Nice explore a wide array of musical influences. Gamsky expressed that one of his purposes as a musician is to avoid being put in a metaphorical box - there are too many musical influences and not enough time for one to lock themself into a particular sound or aesthetic. Channeling the vibes of fellow musicians like Steve Lacy and D’Angelo, many of the songs on this album contain the same warm, electronic textures that fans have come to expect from Still Woozy’s previous releases. But the album does not get lost in this world of hazy lo-fi beats. The opening track “Rocky” introduces itself with a choppy guitar riff, and later on in the track “Drake” the entire song is carried by the somber tune of an acoustic guitar. Gamsky revealed that the latter track was written as a tribute to the 1960s musician/guitarist Pete Drake, whose song “forever” had a particular influence with its swinging 6/8 time signature and dreamy, “Motown-y” feel. Specific influences from Jack Johnson and John Mayer carry on the same acoustic undertones throughout the album
While Gamsky denies that there is any general theme to the album, he admits that the mental challenges he faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on his creative process. Several tracks explore complex emotions that are not otherwise found in the artist’s discography. He gets particularly deep in the track “Kenny”, where the lyrics express what it feels like for someone to pull themself together and put on a strong face when the world is seemingly against them. Although this song was inspired by events personal to the artist’s life, it is written in a manner that feels applicable to most people, making it relatable on an individual level for each listener. Gamsky also expressed that he is most proud of the track “All Along”, on which he claims to have gotten more personal than on any other piece he’s written. Most songs he writes are about his romantic partner, but that is not the case here. He also employs a sort of yell-singing on the track in an attempt to expand his vocal acrobatics.
Although the past year and a half has been difficult, Gamsky is optimistic for the future. Kicking off his tour on September 21st in LA, Still Woozy is finally hitting the road and is excited to “get rowdy” on the stage (mosh pit included). He is especially excited to perform the high-energy track “Get By”, which has already become a fan favorite. In terms of recording, Gamsky is looking forward to expanding his musical palette even more, likely with an increased focus on acoustic and straight-ahead rock sounds.
In the meantime, for those who are still struggling in their personal lives, Still Woozy wants those who listen to his album to find solace in it, and also to take themselves a little less seriously. “When I perform live, I have to make a fool out of myself before I can enjoy myself” said Gamsky.
If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is can be streamed on all major platforms. For more information on Still Woozy and his North American tour, go to https://www.woozystill.com/
(09/05/21 6:37pm)
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(07/19/21 4:54pm)
The Bluebird is home to performances by legendary artists such as Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, and Umphrey’s McGee - and the next one is about to roll into town! Country-Rock Singer-Songwriter with an Americana twist Chris Knight will be performing at The Bluebird (216 N. Walnut) here in Bloomington, Indiana on Thursday, July 22nd at 8 PM ET. The Bluebird is 21+ and tickets will be $20 which can be purchased at https://wl.seetickets.us/event/Chris-Knight/432286?afflky=BluebirdNightclub.
Chris Knight has been a recording artist for 23 years with nine studio albums released to date and takes pride in making music that is rooted in truth for him, saying “If I can’t believe myself, I won’t sing the song.” Chris Knight is critically acclaimed with reviews from The New York Times (“the last of a dying breed…a taciturn loner with an acoustic guitar and a college degree”) and USA Today (“a storyteller in the best traditions of Mellencamp and Springsteen”). Chris Knight says: “If I don’t have something worth saying, I’m not opening my mouth. I haven’t suited everybody, but every time I get a new fan it tells me I’m doing something right. I think all my records have set a precedent, if only for me at the very least. I just want people to think the latest one stands up to everything else I’ve done;” truth and intentionality is at the heart of everything Chris Knight does.
We forecast a spectacular performance that fits perfectly in the historic Bluebird venue. This is one you don’t want to miss!
What’s next?:
Watch the Niangua Sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylb7RwJn4dk
Stream Almost Daylight:
https://promo.theorchard.com/xJV92Dhd3H0yiIfUCAUS
Check out more information on Chris Knight at www.chrisknight.net
(06/15/21 2:16am)
(06/06/21 2:08am)
This past month, WIUX had the opportunity to attend a virtual press conference with up-and-coming singer/songwriter/producer Max Leone in anticipation of his latest EP, Malleable.
Coming off the release of his first single “First Grade” in January 2020, Leone has been making a name for himself in music circles across the internet as a particularly exciting figure in the alternative pop scene. Heralded as “one of pop’s next young stars” by Pigeons and Planes, Max Leone is certainly an artist that you should be keeping an eye on in the years to come.
Raised in Portland, OR, and having served a brief stint at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Leone now finds himself residing in Los Angeles. And while L.A. is known to have a propensity for bringing out the worst of a person’s ego, Leone has clearly found a way to maintain his modesty. Sitting upon a chair in front of his webcam monitor in his home studio, he maintained a very calm, perhaps even shy demeanor throughout the whole conference as he spoke openly about his inspirations, struggles, and hopes for the future.
2020 may well have been the most difficult year in recent memory for artists when it comes to searching for inspiration. Leone worked to circumvent this prolonged creative slump by stirring his creative intuitions on long drives through the hills of Calabasas. He also drew inspiration from the works of other musicians - particularly Phoebe Bridgers, Dominic Fike, Kid Cudi and Frank Ocean, while revealing a soft spot for prominent acts of the 2000s like Coldplay and Bon Iver. In lieu of touring, Leone has been keeping in touch with his fan base primarily through TikTok, which he uses to give his listeners the chance to take part in his creative process by allowing them to give feedback on what aspects of his songs they most associate with. And while he certainly believes in taking into consideration the opinions of his fans, Leone has his own personal philosophies as to how he presents himself. One of his most prominent traits is his avoidance of loops and samples. His approach to songwriting and production is to create a sound that is new to the listener, but wrapped in an aura of nostalgia and familiarity. Through this method, he believes that his music attains the most deep and genuine reaction possible from the listener.
Because of this dedication to creating new sounds, there have been a number of different genre labels attributed to Leone across the internet and in different media outlets. One of the most prominent ones is “Anti-pop”. When asked if this is a label that he relates to, he frankly stated that he does not know what it means. Although he did admit that he “likes the Spotify playlist” of the same name, he does not seem to care too much one way or another about what genres people want to throw him under. Ultimately, Leone sees musical genres as a very fluid and abstract thing. Music enthusiasts appear to be locked in a battle of how many different words they can throw in front of “pop” and thereby create an entirely new genre, but, ultimately, it is not sustainable to contain genres within hard-set boundaries.
This attitude is reflected in the very name of his newest EP - Malleable. Put together over the course of a year and a half, the EP explores the concept of changes. For Leone, 2020 has been a period of rapid maturation (just as it has been for most of us). People have been exploring how they want to change their lives, which, for many, is equally inspiring as it is frightening. The title track to the EP specifically delves into the feelings that arise from the loss of a relationship - and not explicitly a romantic one. For the listener, this song acts as an open letter to any person who has changed and moved on to another chapter of life. Introspective and melancholy “Malleable” serves as hard evidence of Leone’s professionalism and maturity as an artist, even at the outset of his career.
Leone finished the conference by treating those in attendance to an acoustic performance of two of Malleable's songs: “in case (there’s a change of heart)” and “untitled”. Both of these tracks brandish a distinct indie-folk influence; either of them sound just as likely to have been written by Phoebe Bridgers if not by Leone himself. Sung with a vulnerable, trembly voice, “in case (there’s a change of heart)” expresses feelings of being lost and insecure, with lyrics like “I don’t want to waste your time” “I apologize for taking it too far” “I can’t find the line I drew in the sand”. On “untitled” Leone further explores his fears of girls, tattoos, and growing old, leaving us with the line “my greatest fear is feeling nothing at all”
Malleable can be streamed on all major streaming platforms. Follow @itsmaxleone on Instagram to get updates on Max Leone’s touring schedule
(05/26/21 1:24am)
On April 26th I had the privilege of hopping on a Zoom call with Sonny Dayes, an independent folk singer-songwriter emerging from his home base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Meeting through a mutual connection, I was so excited to hear more about Dayes’ intriguing and unique sound, as well as gain insight on his self-produced album, Enjoy the Rain, released in February of 2021.
If you had to describe your style of music in three words, what would they be?
Music evokes an emotional response, so depending on whatever emotion the song or album evokes, that can best describe the style. My music is naturally lively, joyous, and heartfelt. Through this I wish to take listeners and fans on a journey.
Congratulations on your recently released material! I would love to hear a little bit more on your writing and recording process as well as your methods of creative decisions.
Composition for me originally takes place through two avenues. One, I have an idea for the music as I’m playing. As I’m playing, there are various moments of inspiration such as other songs I like and experimentation. From there I assign this music a theme or topic or feel with the words. The other composition method I use is when I have an idea for the song, and I write the music and lyrics at the same time. This depends on the inspiration and journey of the process. [After this] I get into a head space of writing lyrics and songs and then this moves into a recording and production headspace for me. I always say whatever I’m up to is my favorite part so currently that is writing, but when this moves into recording that will transition into my favorite part. The creative process takes me a long time sometimes with an idea to mull it over and sculpt a story. My aim is to take a complicated idea and pinpoint it into my songs with flexibility and intention.
Taking from this theme of inspiration, what inspired you to become an artist, and what are some of your biggest musical influences?
For me there has always been an inner desire to produce and create original work. I can remember having that since I was a kid and I always loved jamming and improvisation. Back at college I had a buddy and we wanted to start a cover band playing bars just us two and maybe some percussion but, in the end, jamming worked well for not only my work with that friend but also in my own creativity. There’s an innate desire that I think comes from my adventurous personality. This gives me the same feeling of exploring because it’s exciting to me. When I was able to focus all my time on writing is when I just went for it. The second part of the question was about my musical idols and to name a few: Neil Young ,thanks to my cousins; the band Yes because of their ethereal and almost fairytale psychedelic rock style of writing, and John Mayer. Finally, Gil Scott-Heron, a jazz artist who had a song that became very popular with the Black Lives Matter movement: “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”.
Your creative process seems so raw and rewarding, what can you tell me about how your creative process led to the composition of the album that was released in February?
Enjoy the Rain is a hero’s journey through being in love. The first three songs are love songs- “Garden of Love”, “She Loves You”, and “63 Degrees”, then heartbreak and breakup songs (“Bluebird”, “In the Rain”, “Pass Me the Bottle”, and “Dreams”), and self-discovery/self-love (“The Comet”, and “You Say You Love Me”). I purposefully wrote the songs in a major key so it would have a more positive vibe even with vulnerable topics. The message remained important to me throughout a transitional period of my life.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years and what would be a main goal for right now?
A goal I have for right now is to make demos for ten songs I have picked out for the next album. I want to be able to record them in full with a top line producer. A five-year goal would be a world tour because I love to perform, and I love to travel.
Enjoy the Rain can be found on Spotify and Apple Music. Visit https://www.sonnydayes.com/ for more information!
(04/21/21 6:59pm)
April 7th - April 15th
Nintendo was this week’s heavy hitter with news with a Nintendo Indie World and a new switch color announced! A new character was also added to the Fortnite roster.
New Nintendo Switch Lite Color Option Announced
Nintendo announced a new color for the Switch Lite. The color is “blue” and is reminiscent of the original GameCube purple. The Switch Lite is currently available in gray, yellow, turquoise, and coral. This color joins coral as the only two color options announced post-launch. The blue Switch Lite will be releasing on May 21st, the same day as Miitopia launches! The blue Switch Lite will also be priced at the standard $199.99.
Nintendo Indie World Showcase
Nintendo has an indie showcase yesterday! The show was reasonably steady with exciting announcements, ending the show with Oxenfree 2. See the list below for a full list of everything announced:
Road 96
Never Yield
Last Stop
OlliOlli World
The Longing
There Is No Game
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw8BhXyc2aQ[/embed]
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
CrisTales
GetsFumaDen: Undying Moon
Aztech: Forgotten Gods
Skul: The Hero Slayer
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K1mDwQ-zr4[/embed]
Art of Rally
KeyWe
Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective
Weaving Tides
The House of the Dead: Remake
Ender Lillies: Quietus of the Knights
Beast of Maravilla Island
Fez
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3-C5cjEoLg&t=2s[/embed]
Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn) Coming to Fortnite
Aloy, the main character in Guerrilla Games’ 2017 open-world masterpiece, is coming to Fortnite! Aloy will be available on April 15th in the item shop. Aloy is not the first character from another franchise to join Fortnite, with Master Chief, Kratos, Lara Croft, and Ellen Ripley already available in the game. Fortnite’s current theme this season also puts primal elements, such as dinosaurs, into the game making Aloy’s introduction to the battle royale even more apt.
April 15th - April 21st
This week was FULL of gaming news from every side of the industry. New game announcements, cancellations, and departures happened this week.
Jeff Kaplan Leaving Blizzard Entertainment
Jeff Kaplan, Overwatch director, announced yesterday that he was leaving Blizzard Entertainment. Jeff Kaplan has 19 years of service with Blizzard. His role as director of Overwatch 2 will be filled by Aaron Keller. Keller has been with the company for 18 years and has worked on other titles, like World of Warcraft, as well as being an original member of the Overwatch team. Some fans have expressed nervousness about the change in overhead so far into Overwatch 2’s development.
Celeste Developer Reveals Next Game
Extremely OK Games, the developers of Celeste showed off a teaser for their new game on Twitter. The game is titled Earthblade. The reveal was said to be a “vibe reveal,” with the game’s title, a song from the soundtrack, and a poster revealed within the tweet. Extremely OK Games was very transparent about the development time for this game, saying “The truth is that we don't know how long it will take, just that it will take as long as it takes (and that it will take a long time),” in their announcement blog post.
[embed]https://twitter.com/exok_games/status/1384182598507778052?s=20[/embed]
xCloud Beta Comes to iOS and PC This Week
Xbox’s Cloud Gaming has officially come to PC and iOS! Select Xbox Gamepass Ultimate subscribers received invites to beta test the service, which will be available via browser at www.xbox.com/play. Beta testers will have more than 100 games to choose from, and compatible Bluetooth and USB controllers will be supported.
PlayStation’s Online Stores Will Not Shut Down
After the announcement of PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita’s online stores closing many fans expressed frustration at the thought of losing their digital content. PlayStation has reversed its decision to close these platforms with an announcement Monday.
Horizon Zero Dawn Free on PS4 and PS5
PlayStation is giving away Horizon Zero Dawn for free from now until May 14th. The download will be the complete edition of the game, meaning the Frozen Wilds expansion and DLC outfits and weapon packs will be included. A PlayStation Plus subscription will not be required to download the game.
Amazon Cancels Lord of the Rings Game After Dispute
Amazon has stopped production on their Lord of the Rings game following Tencent Holding’s acquisition of Leyou Technologies, the developers of Amazon’s game. The game was first announced two years ago and not many updates on its progress had been given prior to its cancellation.
(04/20/21 5:20pm)
I want to preface by saying I have no idea where to begin with this topic. When writing about something as devastating and widespread as the pandemic, it feels like everything has been said already. At the same time, I don’t think I can say enough about it. It’s impossible to write anything about COVID-19 without acknowledging everything we’ve already heard time and time again from world leaders and neighbors alike- the “unprecedented” times, our “new normal”, the whole works. As a huge fashion nerd, the notion of fashion’s ability to adapt is fascinating to me, but applying this to an event that led to so much loss without first acknowledging the gravity of everything that surrounds a pandemic feels wrong, especially with this month marking the one year anniversary of nationwide lockdowns. Though certainly not the most important facet of our year with COVID-19, the way we dress is a key means of defining what life is like during a global health crisis. Somehow, during such a sudden and dramatic change in lifestyle, the fashion world picked up the pace and evolved to accommodate our safety, comfort, and security. That said, let’s take a look back at some of the most influential changes we’ve seen this year in fashion.
Masks:
There’s no way I can discuss pandemic-wear without bringing up the essential face mask. Although a baby blue surgical mask is often what comes to mind (and is recommended by the CDC), people all over the world have found creative ways to let their masks shine. With everything from custom reusable masks, to face coverings decked out in glitter and rhinestones, masks have become a fashion statement in 2021. A quick search for “face masks'' on Etsy brings up thousands of results with colors and patterns for almost any occasion. Large clothing brands like H&M and Nike have also stepped up their game, introducing face masks to even the most casual clothing shoppers. Even Louis Vuitton offers their own mask, albeit for $355.00. With so many options to choose from, shoppers are provided with a fun addition to their outfits and whether they mean to or not, fashion brands consequently promote public health. These companies' quick shift to embrace the mask “trend” is an essential part of getting the ball rolling when it comes to face coverings, painting something that (somehow) became controversial in the US as a cute, trendy, and completely normal accessory.
On top of this, matching a mask with your outfit has never been more in style. First Lady, Jill Biden, caused a stir at the first presidential debate with her floral patterned dress and a mask of the same design to match. To many, her tasteful choice in face-covering was the peak of an otherwise extremely concerning debate. Twitter user, Chloe Thatcher Esq., took to social media to state, “I saw @DrBiden wearing a matching floral face mask and shift dress, so I bought a matching floral face mask and shift dress.” Other public figures have followed in Dr. Biden’s footsteps, with matching masks a clear trend at the 2021 Grammy Awards. Artists including Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Megan Thee Stallion matched designer masks to their elegant award show wear. With so many opportunities to accent an outfit, the fashion world has welcomed the face mask as everyone’s new favorite accessory, despite its sudden introduction into our lives. They’re a necessity after all, so why not have some fun with them?
Loungewear:
The respect I have for people who actually got dressed during quarantine is immeasurable. Sweatpants were my best friend last spring and apparently, I’m not alone. Loungewear saw a massive rise in popularity during 2020, as we traded in our jeans for something a little more comfortable. Oversized joggers, crewnecks, and pull-on shorts are now a staple in anyone’s closet, with flattering silhouettes catered to make anyone stuck at home feel confident. Clothing brands were quick to embrace the sudden demand for more quarantine-friendly options, expanding their loungewear lines to include a wider variety of designs and colors. These styles mimicked those we’ve grown fond of outside of the house, including high waists, tapered legs, and oversized silhouettes that have quickly gained traction thanks to platforms like TikTok. On top of this, matching sets of loungewear were a massive hit. The mix of a color-coded look and the pajama-like feel of a sweatsuit proved to be the perfect fit for life at home. Plus, having an entire outfit pre-matched doesn’t hurt. Not only did a wide variety of brands begin to carry full loungewear outfits, but loungewear shops on Etsy and Depop offered customized options and handmade tie-dye prints. Although loungewear is certainly no new feat, the necessity for more livable options brought this clothing genre to the forefront, giving comfort the credit it deserves. Here’s to hoping this trend doesn’t go away anytime soon.
Small businesses:
As Americans made their sudden transition to lockdown life, the US economy faced what was considered the worst recession in American history since the Great Depression. The future looked especially unclear for small businesses, which rely on local customers to keep their livelihoods afloat. In response to this, the call to support our favorite local spots became a defining factor of pandemic life, with Twitter threads listing local restaurants to order from in cities across the country, and public figures calling Americans to shop local during the lockdown. This push to buy from small businesses pertained to small fashion shops as well, especially to those of us who developed a serious online shopping problem in quarantine. From Etsy businesses to Instagram boutiques, to resale shops on Depop, thousands of shoppers turned to small clothing and accessory brands for high quality, unique designs. Not to mention, the growing push for sustainable fashion that continued to gain traction during the pandemic converted customers from large fast fashion companies to ethically made garments from small creators. All of a sudden, fashion was no longer limited to the large corporations that dominated the industry, rather bringing much-needed attention to the little guy during their time of need.
Equally as important, if not more so than the push to support small brands, was the emphasis on supporting black-owned businesses. This summer saw a monumental and long overdue rise in support for the Black Lives Matter movement, as activists across the country expressed their outrage in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and hundreds of other innocent members of the black community at the hands of police. As protestors demanded justice for these disgusting acts of racism, along with change in the racist policies that perpetuated the threats to BIPOC, thousands of Americans began sharing their favorite black-owned businesses that are too often overlooked. Since the fashion industry is predominantly white, the push to support black-owned clothing, jewelry, and accessory brands is a dynamic and extremely important step towards progress in an industry notorious for its lack of diversity. Though there is still a lot of work to be done on behalf of the fashion world to make a more inclusive environment, the Black Lives Matter movement sparked much-needed action in diversifying our shopping habits.
Despite the drastic changes made in the fashion world in response to the pandemic, I want to emphasize that the current state of the world is so much more abstract than the progress in fashion. Though fashion evolution is certainly apparent and interesting to reflect on, the larger effects of COVID are not ones to celebrate. To me, the most difficult part about writing a fashion article centered around COVID-19 isn’t putting the research together, nor analyzing information in a coherent way. Rather, it’s the phrasing of it. How on earth can I write about clothes in relation to something as horrific as this pandemic? How can I be respectful about it? I would love to tie this article up into a neat little bow, but even after living through all this for over a year, the devastation of the virus still leaves me at a loss for words. That’s why I love the way we dress so much. It reflects the world around us in a way that I often struggle to find the words for, defining each moment of our history, once in a lifetime or not.
I can’t wait to see how we define our next moment.
(04/17/21 12:00pm)
Headlining this year's virtual Culture Shock Music Festival is Norwegian-American singer-songwriter Okay Kaya! We got the chance to ask her some questions before her set premieres this Saturday.
Who are 3 artists that inspire your music writing process?
Hard to pick just three, for this concert I covered songs by Blaze Foley and Leo Sayer. I’m usually inspired by what I’m reading, these days poems by Claudia Rankine and Fernando Pessoa.
How does your identity as a Norwegian-American influence your musical style/music in general?
I think identity influences many parts of one's life. I’m a bit of a sponge and my mother has a big record collection which has left me hungry and playful with my own musical stylings.
That said, when I’m actually making music or creating the sonic aspect there is very little conscious thinking going on, I feel like only the right side of my brain is working with little concept of “myself” or time passing by, just this gut feeling of something sounding yummy or not.
Lyrically it’s quite the opposite. I’ve made a whole record sorta about doing the splits across the Atlantic Ocean it’s called Both and is an embrace of the in-between, the confused.
In the future, will you release music in Norwegian / promote your music in Norway?
Every album I’ve released actually has a Norwegian song on it! I’m fortunate to get to play in Norway although every time I play close to home it feels like my own funeral.
What is your favorite live performance memory?
Once playing in Vancouver, a person joined me on stage, swaying beside me or breaking into contemporary dance. That was fun and special. He got kicked out but then allowed back in. It was on my birthday.
Do you prefer performing live or being in the studio?
I have stage fright still but I like performing more live now that I can have bands on stage with me. Being in the studio is either very very frustrating or very very comfortable, I try to welcome both.
If you could choose one other artist to write a song with, who would it be?
Cody Chessnutt.
What were your top 3 or 5 songs that you listened to last year?
Voyage Voyage by Desireless
So Unusual by The Impressions
If I Can Help Somebody by Siter Rosetta Tharpe
Okay Kaya will be performing at the 2021 Culture Shock Music Festival on Saturday, April 17th at 9 pm EST. Her performance, along with all others for this year’s festival, will be streamed live on the Culture Shock Website. The festival will begin streaming at 1:30 pm EST. WIUX will also be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1 – 6 pm selling shirts, sweatshirts, and other merch.
(04/16/21 12:00pm)
Lightning strikes yet again! We are just about 24 hours away from WIUX's most anticipated event of the semester - the 34th annual Culture Shock Festival. Even though this year's events will take place virtually, the day will be full of fantastic music with exclusive performances from both local and national acts. Not sure where to get started? Not to worry! This article will act as your definitive CS 2021 guide with all the information you will need to be ready for Saturday's festivities!
Who will be performing?
This is our lineup of performers, in order of their stage appearance:
Herzig Teacher Band
Manic Pixie
GraceKellie
Rosegirl
Russian Cowboy
TROLL
Kate Bollinger
Kyle Dion
Nissim Black
Okay Kaya
When does the stream start?
The livestream will open at 1:30 pm on Saturday, April 17th, with performances starting shortly after at 2:05
Where can I access the stream?
You can stream directly from the Culture Shock website. Be sure to explore the page to view entries for our art contest as well as exclusive interviews with performing acts!
How long is each set?
Local acts will be performing for 20 minutes each. The four headliners will perform for 45 minutes each. Between most local acts, there will also be performances from the WIUX DJ team, with each one lasting 10-15 minutes
Is there an in-person aspect?
All performances will take place online, but WIUX will be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1-6 pm to sell sweatshirts, t-shirts, water bottles, and discounted vintage WIUX gear! (CASH ONLY)
This sounds great! Where do I sign up?
The show can be streamed from anywhere, but we ask that you fill out this form if you plan to come to Dunn Meadow. The form can also be filled out on-site
Looks like you are good to go! Get pumped - we are excited to share Culture Shock 2021 with you!
(04/16/21 5:06am)
TROLL is the stage name of Troy Michael, a Bloomington-based DJ with roots in house music. His DJ career spans over the past decade, and he has opened for the likes of Chris Lake, Liquid Stranger, and Ganja White Night. More recently, he has started producing his own tracks.
How did you first get into DJing?
It came from multiple years of going to festivals since 2007. I was the lead singer of a band in high school, so I’ve always loved music, and I didn’t have any other hobbies I was super passionate about. I bought everything I needed for DJing all at once – controller, speakers, lights, and a new computer – so that I could be a one stop shop for any venue.
So, DJing preceded producing?
Absolutely. You can an awesome producer, but if you don’t know how to mix, all that effort you put into making your songs can be ruined if you can’t transition properly. So I thought it was a lot smarter for me to learn how to use turntables and a mixer before diving into production. Starting production from scratch has a big learning curve.
How long have you been doing the production side of things?
I started producing two and half years ago, but I released my first track on all platforms about a year ago. My second track release is coming very soon. I wasn’t as productive during quarantine as I hoped I would be. Being away from the energy of live shows made me feel stagnant. I’m excited to go full speed into production again.
How did you find inspiration during the pandemic?
At first, I set up a nice area in my house for livestreams and I was doing them several times a week. We would have a select few people over to listen, but eventually it just became me jamming out on my own with 1 or 2 people watching. It was fun, but it just can’t compare to having a huge crowd all on the same page as you.
How did you decide which genre you wanted to produce?
What first got me into electronic music was a heavy bass music show back in 2010 at the Bluebird. Then I went to a festival that catered more to house music, and that made me realize how much of a journey a house DJ set can take you on. It’s about creating a mood that guides the crowd, and it fits more settings than some more intense styles of electronic music. It’s great if you know how to dance, and it makes for nice background music. Once I started mixing with house, the transitions became more extended, and I started having more fun.
What are some of the biggest gigs you’ve played?
My first big show was opening for Ganja White Night at the Bluebird. Since then, I’ve played back to back with Liquid Stranger, Manic Focus, Dirt Monkey, and SubDocta. My personal favorite show was getting to open for Chris Lake. I also played a small festival in Grand Rapids called Bass Country where I opened for Walker & Royce.
Is this a full time gig?
That’s the goal. Before the pandemic, I was averaging one show per week. That’s not enough to make a living, but it was a nice side hustle. If I’m at the point where I don’t have to worry about another job, that would be amazing. I actually work a 9-5 now and I was in the restaurant industry for 10 years. I just became a beer distributor, so I’m driving around a lot – which is great because I can research music while I’m working.
What are your goals for the future, say, five years from now?
I’m hoping to get on the lineups of some of the top electronic festivals. If I start releasing enough tracks that gain attention, it will be very possible because I’ve made a lot of contacts with big name producers over the years. I started an LLC awhile back called TROLL Presents. I was bringing big name artists to my house. I would pick them up from the airport and host a show for them with my own lights and sound. Picking that back up could put my name on the map.
From DJ to DJ, what are your thoughts on the sync button?
The sync button is fine to use if you’re a newer DJ since it takes some time to train your ear for proper beatmatching. I only use it in situations where my tracks aren’t lining up as they should. I might tap it to get the BPM right, but I’ll still nudge the outside of the jogwheel to get the downbeats where I want them. I know some good DJs that use it, but for the most part, if you use it around DJs that have been mixing for a long time, they might be a little judgy. I just try not to use it as much as possible.
The full interview is available now on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/P0GJAKkBtP4
TROLL will be performing at the 2021 Culture Shock Music Festival on Saturday, April 17th at 2:45 pm EST. His performance, along with all others for this year's festival, will be streamed live on the Culture Shock Website. The festival will begin streaming at 1:30 pm EST. WIUX will also be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1 - 6 pm selling shirts, sweatshirts, and other merch.
(04/16/21 4:50am)
(04/15/21 10:31pm)
Indiana University’s Monika Herzig and Oliver Nelson performed at this year’s Culture Shock. Monika Herzig is a part of faculty and administration at the O’Neill school as well as a jazz pianist, bandleader, author, and “everybody’s favorite music industry professor.” Oliver Nelson Jr. is a professor at the Jacobs School of Music and at the O’Neill school. His goal is to promote and keep his father’s musical legacy alive.
They started collaborating in 1992 before they joined Indiana University's faculty. At the time, Herzig was a doctoral student at the music school and Nelson Jr. was a salesman for Citizens Gas in Indianapolis.
What inspired you to create this group and perform here?
Monika Herzig: Well this group... I kind of wanted to put together, We two have been performing for a long time and you know we had a very different year obviously, and I’ve not seen my students in person or very very few of them and I don’t think they even know how we look like from down here so I thought I just wanted to do something where we could do our craft and they can see us lower than the neck right?
Oliver Nelson Jr.: Yeah I haven’t been on this campus since March. Actually, Monika and I did a concert at her house in August, and some of my students came which was pretty cool just to see them in real-time. But I haven’t seen a student since last March, pretty much
How has your sound changed since you have begun performing? How has it evolved?
Monika Herzig: Well that’s interesting because you’re talking to jazz artists and as a jazz artist you’re always on the quest of sharing your ideas and things that you have in mind and transforming them into a sound and you know I’ll actually do a Ted Talk on April 17th about this, brain on improvisation and what everybody can learn from and how everybody can train their brains daily to do this step forward because hopefully over the years in terms of evolving you practice and you solidify the sound and the way that expresses best, who you are.
Oliver Nelson Jr.: And I think with us, we just evolved as players. We’ve all gotten better over the years, so Monika and I, we can play duets together and anticipate where the other person is going and it actually works out really well. It’s kind of like a basketball team where you can go down the court and they can come up with a play and the guy is right there because he kind of knows instinctively that his teammate is right there. And actually Monika and I have been doing this a lot last year before COVID because we played a couple times together and it was just clicking.
How do you play off each other’s strengths?
Monika Herzig: Right well you have to learn to listen. I love what Quincy Jones says ‘... you have two ears and one mouth’ there’s a reason you have two organs for listening and one for talking. Listen first and then find what you can add to the situation. And I think once you find that skill, you will be able to do that.
What is your favorite part of performing in Bloomington?
Monika Herzig: Well that’s interesting because you know I do actually tour all over the world and different places, sometimes I like Bloomington and sometimes not. I do like Bloomington because you know a lot of people and it feels like home but you know I also get to play quite a bit overseas and the audiences are different and sometimes when you go and play in these concert halls and you have people listening, sitting there quietly, and then you get back and you are playing where people are drinking and are noisy and nobody cares. Sometimes it can be tricky too. But I mean I’ve been here for 30 years and it's a very special place.
Oliver Nelson Jr.: I just come down every now and then but we have really appreciated this place since its a school, so you got people who are more sophisticated with music because jazz takes intellect to really listen to it, I mean you have to think and people don’t like to think too much so having a place like this where at least people are thinking about what you are doing and can appreciate it is really a pretty good thing. We had some really great times in Europe together a couple years ago… they will tell you to shut up and I actually got told to shut up a couple of times myself um but we had some really great musicians over there and it was really really nice so Bloomington is wonderful but it is nice to play at other places like that too.
Are there any specific musicians who inspire you or your music?
Oliver Nelson Jr.: Probably my dad, my dad played with everybody: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, James Brown, and more. He also was a Hollywood film composer, wrote for television in the 70s and could do anything, had perfect pitch, could write in his sleep. So he was able to maintain a really active career as a writer and as a player. He was a really great player too. He has a lot of influence on everybody and he was a musician, he could do anything, he wrote symphonies...So he is probably my biggest influence/inspiration of anybody.
Monika Herzig will be giving her Ted Talk this Saturday, April 17th. She plans to take a group to Europe in May and play a big festival and some clubs in Germany. She explains how it has been a little tricky because of Germany’s lockdown, so there is a lot that needs to go into organizing this trip. Over the summer, they will be performing many outdoor concerts at Bryant Park and in Indianapolis. Finally, she plans to take her all-female group back out and start some new recordings. Oliver Nelson Jr. is going to Southwest Minnesota State University and planning a three-day concert with students who will be performing much of his father's work. He also wants to get some new recordings in and will be collaborating with a SUNY on a project focusing on his father’s music.
The full interview is available now on YouTube.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvtjmbSk8aQ&ab_channel=WIUX[/embed]
Herzig Teacher Band will be performing at the 2021 Culture Shock Music Festival on Saturday, April 17th at 2:45 pm EST. Their performance, along with all others for this year's festival, will be streamed live on the Culture Shock Website. The festival will begin streaming at 1:30 pm EST. WIUX will also be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1 - 6 pm selling shirts, sweatshirts, and other merch.
(04/15/21 10:13pm)
Russian Cowboy will be performing at the 2021 Culture Shock Music Festival on Saturday, April 17th at 3:20 pm EST. Their performance, along with all others for this year’s festival, will be streamed live on the Culture Shock Website. The festival will begin streaming at 1:30 pm EST. WIUX will also be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1 – 6 pm selling shirts, sweatshirts, and other merch.
(04/15/21 5:03pm)
GraceKellie will be performing at the 2021 Culture Shock Music Festival on Saturday, April 17th at 3:20 pm EST. Their performance, along with all others for this year’s festival, will be streamed live on the Culture Shock Website. The festival will begin streaming at 1:30 pm EST. WIUX will also be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1 – 6 pm selling shirts, sweatshirts, and other merch.
(04/15/21 12:33am)
The Herzig Teacher Band will be performing at the 2021 Culture Shock Music Festival on Saturday, April 17th at 3:20 pm EST. Their performance, along with all others for this year’s festival, will be streamed live on the Culture Shock Website. The festival will begin streaming at 1:30 pm EST. WIUX will also be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1 – 6 pm selling shirts, sweatshirts, and other merch.
(04/15/21 12:15am)
Manic Pixie will be performing at the 2021 Culture Shock Music Festival on Saturday, April 17th at 3:20 pm EST. Their performance, along with all others for this year’s festival, will be streamed live on the Culture Shock Website. The festival will begin streaming at 1:30 pm EST. WIUX will also be set up in Dunn Meadow from 1 – 6 pm selling shirts, sweatshirts, and other merch.