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(02/15/16 10:23pm)
Bloomington’s own The Underhills and Brownies in Cinema are the first two bands that WIUX is happy to announce, will be playing at Culture Shock 2016.
The annual spring music festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, on Sat. April 9.
In the past few years, The Underhills have deservingly become a Bloomington staple. The six-piece band sings Beatles-esque melodies with instruments like the banjo, fiddle and violin, resulting in a truly unique sound.
Album Preview by The Underhills
Led by Brett Hoffman, Brownies in Cinema combines lo-fi with catchy hooks, creating a chilled out sound that’s perfect for an afternoon, outdoor concert in early April in Bloomington, which coincidentally, perfectly describes Culture Shock.
WIUX will be releasing the full lineup this week, culminating in the headliners announcement show on Friday Feb. 19. Be sure to follow WIUX on instagram @wiux991 to try to guess the #cultureclues all week long.
(02/14/16 6:43pm)
Somehow, I've found myself in a relationships of a varying degrees around Valentine's Day season, which if you're keeping count, is ranked as one of the worst seasons. Better than first semester finals season, much worse than HBO spring show premiere season.
So, I've made you a playlist for Valentine's Day, for the varying degrees of relationships that you find yourself in. Single and love it? I gotchu. Single and wallowing in self-pity, also, I have a song for you. Experiencing your first love with a boy that bought you earrings with your birthstone for V-Day? Yes, I have a song for that. Really like someone but it's too early to celebrate Valentine's Day so you're gonna pretend it doesn't exist? Oh boy, do I have a song for you!
Enjoy the playlist.
(02/11/16 5:09pm)
There are few things better than an unseasonably warm Sunday in February, and we got to enjoy one of those last week on Feb. 7. To make it even better, HOOPS came by WIUX to record our first living room session of the semester. Watch the video of the band performing "Going Strong" and check out our interview with the band.
Mixed and engineered by the WIUX engineering committee
Jessica Yarvin: What kind of music do you play and how did you all start playing together?
HOOPS: We play guitar pop and we started playing together in high school, the fall of 2011
JY: Is there any backstory behind the name Hoops?
H: it’s not basketball related. I used to work in a flower nursery and I watered flowers in the section called hoops, it's a greenhouse type thing and there were tarps so the flowers wouldn’t freeze. If you were privy to horticulture, you would understand.
JY: You’ve been recording and releasing tapes recently, do you have a background in sound engineering, or is it all self-taught?
H: It's mostly self-taught, we work independently, and we all kind of figured it out on our own. Drew does most of the producing we do now.
JY: Tell me about your songwriting process
H: As far as writing goes, someone writes a song and brings it to the group and up to the recording process we all pitch in and work on it together. The message is that we just want to write catchy songs, guitar pop because its fun. The songs are more about the way that they feel than what they mean.
JY: What’s been your favorite show you’ve played so far?
H: probably one we’ve played in Grand Rapids, we’ve played at Major Murphy’s tape release show, it was pretty damn good
JY: What are your favorite parts of the Bloomington music scene?
H: I (Drew) live with a roommate that also plays and records, and he makes me really motivated to play music. Playing live in really fun, but recording is my favorite part, it’s nice to be in a creative environment. I feel like kids here are really stoked.
JY: Where’s the best place in Bloomington to get soup?
H: Darn good soup, shout out to Derek at darn good soup. Lentil soup is pretty good. I like when lentils maintain their shape. Pizza X is pretty great but they don’t have soup. But shout out to Jenna at Pizza X.
JY: If you could share the stage with any three musicians, dead or alive, who would they be?
A: Donald Fagen from Steely Dan, David Bryne, Sade
(02/08/16 9:30pm)
In anticipation of Kanye's still untitled album coming out this Thursday, we're dedicating this week towards Kanye Kontent, starting of with a very special Kanye-themed Music For Your Monday.
Off of his debut, The College Dropout, "We Don't Care" is one of my favorites from the education-theme Kanye era.
On his first two albums, Kanye used short skits to serve as interludes between songs. In a way, they split the album up into different acts, something that he noted on the legal pad with the track list for the new LP. Maybe the skits are coming back.
Arguably, Graduation was Kanye's "mainstream" album. He collaborated with Chris Martin of Coldplay and John Mayer, and "Good Life" and "Stronger" both appear on the record. Then again, so does "Barry Bonds" which is probably the worst of all Yeezy songs. "Flashing Lights" has always been one of my faves, plus this video is so mid-00s rap. Enjoy.
808s was the album nobody was expecting, a sharp left turn from his previous music. Influenced by a break up and his mother's death, 808s is heavy on the autotune and emotion, which at least the latter we now take for granted in rap. When people say they don't care for 808s I ask them if they like Drake. Of course they do, but there would be no Drake without this album. I distinctively remember watching this video on MTV after school one day and thinking well this is definitely different and I like it. I also really liked The Fray in 2008.
It's very hard for me to choose a song to share with you all from MBDTF, cause the entire record is just an incredible masterpiece. To me, it opened up an entirely new world of music, I was enthralled with the cultural and historical references that weaved in and out with the lush sounds. I had to go with "Lost in the World" because I truly love with all my heart that Kanye and Justin Vernon make music together. There are few musicians that appear to be on more opposite sides of the world, but it's so clear on this track that their collaboration makes so much sense.
I was interning at a magazine at home the summer that Yeezus was released, and almost every day when I drove home, I would blast the album, almost to release the tension that built up as I sat in an office all day. This record is raw and angry and so so so good.
(02/01/16 4:26pm)
It's February! Congrats, you've survived one month of 2016, good for you! Your reward is some music.
Cadium- Pinegrove
Another single off of their upcoming album Cardinal, "Cadium" is a story in a song. It's a different format, there's no real identifiable chorus, and sounds more like a drunk rant on a yellow legal pad put to music. It's good.
Frankie Cosmos- Sinister
Last Wednesday, amid Kanye's Twitter meltdown, Frankie Cosmos announced her second full-length studio album, out April 1. The record is named Next Thing and features some sweet album art, and to top things off, she released "Sinister," which is so great. It's easy to hear how much she's grown both as a vocalist and lyricist, and the music sounds great with the full band backing her.
Day Wave- Gone
Day Wave makes music that sounds like a slice of summer, and that's what we all need in the middle of winter.
The Districts- Suburban Smell & 4th and Roebling
Low key one of my favorite bands from 2015, low key listen to them now.
The Beatles- A Day In The Life
You ever hear of this band? They're pretty good!
(01/29/16 4:23pm)
A lot happened in music this week. Let's try to figure out exactly what was going on.
B.o.B thinks the earth is flat. America's favorite astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse-Tyson replied, explaining that no, the earth is in fact spherical. B.o.B responded in the only way a forgotten rapper could- with a diss track via Soundcloud. Then DeGrasse-Tyson's rapper nephew rapped a response track. It's only January. This is going to be a long year.
Rostam Batmanglij is leaving Vampire Weekend. Is this is beginning of the end for our beloved indie/Columbia-educated/afro-beat-influenced band? I want to say no, but most definitely yes. Maybe Goth Ezra will return. Still, Ezra announced via Instagram that yes, Vamp Weekend still exists and they're working on LP4, tentatively named Mistubishi Macchiato. Ok same. Indie-rock twitter (yes, it is a thing) drew parallels between Zayn leaving 1D and Rostam leavin VW. Rostam tweeted a video of him singing "I had to Zayn on 'em!" which he unfortunately later deleted.
rostam is our zayn
— Charlotte Zoller (@cz77) January 26, 2016
In Kanye news: where do we even begin? Good Fridays have turned into Good Whenever We Finish This Track, and supposedly Kanye is working on a track with his fellow Chicago-bred rapper Chance the Rapper
SWISH is now WAVES which will probably most likely be something else before the highly-highly-highly-anticipated album drops on Feb.11. The record, whatever it's called, will be released at Madison Square Garden during the Yeezy Season 3 fashion show, which will be streamed in movie theaters worldwide. Nice.
You think changing an album title and releasing a track list would be enough activity for an unusually dormant Kanye. On Wednesday afternoon we were all witnesses to the Greatest Internet Afternoon in History, as Kanye and Wiz Khalifa (remember him?) fought in the only way that 21st century rappers fight- via Twitter. Naturally, Buzzfeed did the hard-hitting reporting the story deserved, which you read more about here.
As if #Wizwearscoolpants wasn't enough, Amber Rose got involved. If you don't know how she fits into this storyline, here's a brief summary: Kanye and Amber used to date. Then she was with Wiz. They had a child together. Kanye, despite having two kids, a wife and a very successful career, he can't let Amber Rose go. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was essentially about her, but he also often slut shames her which is pretty problematic. Anyway, she won this entire tweet fight with the now iconic hashtag (This tweet will one day be in the Museum of American History, right down the hall from the First Lady inauguration dress exhibit) #Fingersinthebootyassbitch
Awww @kanyewest are u mad I'm not around to play in ur asshole anymore? #FingersInTheBootyAssBitch☝
— Amber Rose (@DaRealAmberRose) January 27, 2016
Ok that's enough Kanye for now.
When you ask Jesse Lacy for new music from Brand New he gives you the official release of 2006's leaked demos (emphasis on leaked, as in we've had these songs for nearly a decade). And also a summer tour! With Modest Mouse. They'll crisscross the country, so most of their aging fan base can enjoy an uplifting summer concert.
On Wednesday, before Kanye took over the Internet's collective (lack) of attention span, we had a brief moment of clarity and good news when Frankie Cosmos announced a new album called Next Thing, out on April 1. Plus, she released a single off the album called "Sinister." It truly shows a leap forward in production and lyrics for the band, as Greta Kline pushes the boundaries of what "bedroom-pop" can be. Let's take a music break.
But wait THERE'S MORE! Rihanna's much awaited Anti is finally here. Her eight studio album was released on Wednesday night via Tidal, a week before it's released to people who aren't rap moguls. So far the reviews are saying it's not bad, but not iconic. Riri does do a really strange "cover" of Tame Impala's "New Person, Old Mistakes," which really is barely a cover at all cause she just replaced Kevin Parker's vocals with her own, keeping the entire arrangement the same.
(01/25/16 6:51pm)
The band barely said over 50 words to an audience that was clinging on to every word they said.
In a quick, tight set, Bully didn't need to say anymore words to a packed Bishop on a chilly Wednesday night.
Each song spoke for itself, from the redemptive "Six" to "I Remember," the emotional dagger of a track that seems to reopen every just-healed heartbreak wound.
This was fun, let's do this again soon.
[gallery type="slideshow" size="full" link="file" ids="8531,8532,8533,8534,8535,8536" orderby="rand"]
Photos by: Brian McMahon
(01/25/16 6:49pm)
Two weeks ago I said we were back. Then I didn't come back. Sorry if that brought back some lingering abandonment issues. But here I am, and here's some music.
Last summer I worked in New York City and worked in an office in the middle of Times Square. I don't like to complain about it because living and working in NYC when you're 20 is pretty great, but Times Square, especially during the height and heat of tourist season is absolute hell. I was hit in the face/shoulder with a selfie stick twice. Anyway, Bully released their debut Feels Like in June and I spent my evening commute blasting the album in my headphones as I pushed my way through the tourists and painted naked women and people dressed like minions and Sesame Street characters. Bully played at the Bishop last Wednesday and I'm sorry if you missed the show.
In his own words, Kanye's writer's block is over, thank Yeezus.
When I first listened to Glitterbug in the spring I thought it was a pretty decent, happy pop album. I gave it another listen over winter break and gained a whole new perspective on it, and this album is low key pretty sad. Between the 80s-esque synths, soul-barring bridge, and the opening drumming, I can't stop listening to this track.
Frankie Cosmos did a really cool video with Pitchfork that came out last week, but tbh I really like her video for "Korean Food" off the Fit Me In EP a lot more. It's all very summer-y and nice, plus I love the song.
After spending the better part of my summer listening to their Windows EP, Gosh Pith came to Bloomington for a show and did a session in the WIUX studio. They're making some more music, and if you haven't yet LISTEN TO IT.
(01/21/16 3:59pm)
New York City is the Greatest City in The World (don't @ me). Despite being unlivable due to atmospheric rents, which limit Manhattan's affordable housing solely to Chinese businessmen, Russian oligarchs, and Arab oil sheiks, there still has to be some reason why The City is romanticized in such a way. It's why Sex and the City, Girls, and Broad City all call NYC their home. Can you imagine Carrie Bradshaw asking rhetorical dating questions to herself in Chicago? Absolutely not.
"The lake effect snow didn't just blanket Michigan Ave. with snow- it blanketed me too, with a deep insecurity. Will I ever find a man who loves me as much as I love shoes?"
Doesn't have the same ring to it.
However, there have been a set of characters whose lives are so interwoven with the fabric and vibrancy of New York, though they're often overlooked. From the the pampered pups strutting down the Upper East Side's Museum Mile, to the morbidly obese Subway rats, to the pigeons that poop on you at the most inconvenient of times, to the cat illegally living with an aspiring writer fresh out of a Midwestern liberal arts school, in a cramped but "authentic" apartment who is "really working on her personal brand via Twitter." Russian oligarchs come and go, Pizza Rat is forever.
HBO apparently noticed this and their creating an animated show about the animals of New York City. Maybe they recognized the success of Bojack Horseman and realized, yes this is what the elusive Millennials want, they want shows from their childhood with talking animated animals, except now make them #relatable and personify them hell yeah bed bugs checking out a centerfold! Every 20-something will think that's HILARIOUS.
Anyway, Kurt Vile, A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg and a bunch of other people you would maybe expect a bit more to be on a show like this, are all lending their voices to the show that HBO creatively titled, Animals.
Check out the trailer below. The show is set to debut on Feb. 5.
(01/19/16 3:34pm)
After months of patiently waiting, Bully is making their highly-anticipated return to Bloomington on Jan. 20. The Nashville-based band has been touring nearly non-stop since the release of their debut, critically-acclaimed album Feels Like, even stopping in Bloomington for a show in July.
The name "Bully" connotes someone bothering you, someone punching you. The only punch you'll receive from this Bully will be from yourself, for not listening to them earlier.
Their unique sound is defined by frontwoman Alicia Bognanno's strong, raspy and emotive vocals that have clear 90's at-rock/riot grrrl influences. With lyrics ranging from accidentally breaking her sister's arm ("Six") to a series of existential crises ("Trying"), Bully boasts both multidimensional lyricism and music.
Despite making what some would easily describe as grunge-rock, there's enough pop influences in the music- from catchy riffs to sing-along chroruses- to make Bully's music hard to pinpoint to a single genre. Bully is an absolute blast to listen to with your headphones on, and seeing them live is an experience that you do not want to miss out on.
Minneapolis-based Fake Limbs is set to open the show. Their hard/noise rock music will definitely bring energy and the heat to warm up an otherwise freezing mid-January crowd in Bloomington.
Doors open at 8:30 and music starts at 9:30. Tickets are $12 and can be bought here, at the WIUX station house or at the call out meeting tonight (1/19).
(01/16/16 4:42am)
Right before finals week, we got to take a study break as Brenda's Friend took over the living room for a set on Dec. 12. The punk-rock duo performed a tight set for us, and then sat down for an interview where they talked about the best coffee in Bloomington, the best house shows, and who is the elusive Brenda's Friend.
Mixed: Nick Kinney
Recording and Editing: Brian Berger and WIUX Engineering Committee
Jessica Yarvin: Can you talk about what kind of music you play and how you started playing together?
Brenda's Friend: Punk-y, indie-rock background, grunge influence somewhere in there. We try to do a lot of harmonizing and vocal arrangements that don’t fit in necessarily with straight punk music. We started playing together about a year and a half ago after Amy (Oelsner, guitarist) moved to Bloomington.
JY: Is there a backstory behind the name Brenda’s Friend?
BF: Construct the story in your mind and that’s it.
JY: How did you start playing music?
BF: We both grew up singing, Amy played violin and I (Erin Tobey, drums) started teaching myself guitar in high school. Amy was in show choir, pop-punk band in high school.
JY: When did you both move to Bloomington? How did you meet?
BF: Both of us came here for friends, relationships music, I moved here 12 or 13 years ago, Amy moved her 2 years ago. We had mutual friends, we’ve been in the same circles for years and years. We originally met 8 or 9 years ago but this is the first time we were living in the same place.
JY: Do you have a favorite part of the Bloomington music scene?
BF: I like the creative communication that happens between different people, lots of collaborations. There’s so much talent and it pushes people, included myself to do better. There’s such a wide spectrum of ages, and you can age in the creative scene and there’s still a space for you. Always new venues, always new bands. People aren’t afraid to get weird, which I love.
Q: Where’s your favorite coffee in Bloomington?
A: Hopscotch coffee! My husband (Erin's husband) and my friend own it! And they have great coffee too.
Q: You released a cassette a few months ago, do you have any plans to record more music soon, or are you just focusing on touring?
A: We’re recording six more songs, working with Patrick Jennings. We’re touring in the spring, and releasing solo albums in the late winter. Brenda will get her time in the sun.
Q: Most bands consider touring a necessary, yet grueling part of being a musician? Do you feel the same way?
A: I love touring, it’s a great break from day-to-day life. We don’t tour often, just a few weeks and we try to keep them under 10-days. We both have a lot of friends across the country so it’s good to visit them.
Q: What has been your favorite show you’ve ever played as a band?
A: In town, we love playing at a house called Kroger Castle, we’ve played several really awesome shows there. It’s always really fun and they have a great basement.
Q: If you could share a stage with any 3 musicians, dead or alive, whom would you choose?
A: Jonathon Richmond, Patti Smith, Whitney Houston
* * *
You can listen to more of our Live in the Living Room sessions right here.
(01/12/16 1:36am)
Are we really doing this again? I think so. It's my last semester, thought I'd give the people what they want, one last time. You guys want this right? If you don't then just let me know and I'll stop it before it gets too late.
Speaking of things getting too late ... if you haven't heard this yet, here you go
More sad music remixed to sound less sad, but still it's sad
The Funeral (Excision Remix) by Band of Horses
Not sad! Or is it? Regardless, "Be Apart" is the second single off of Porches' album Pool, which is set to be released in February. Pretty cool video, pretty awesome song.
I haven't stopped listening to You're Gonna Miss It All since August, and this is not an exaggeration. The Philadelphia-based pop-punkish, folk-punk, various descriptors hyphen punk, is just really great. One day you'll be feeling angsty and bored at work, listening to Modern Baseball and the flash-forward nearly four months and you're at their concert, in the middle of a mosh pit. If it happened to me, it could just as well happen to you. The band is both self-aware and idealistic. Listen to MoBo.
If you haven't heard "Real Friends" yet it's like saying you haven't seen the new Star Wars movie. I haven't seen the new Star Wars movie. I know it's great and I need to see it. I know. But I have listened to "Real Friends" a bunch of times. It's Yeezy Season finally.
(01/05/16 5:06pm)
It's a good thing to look forward to the future, otherwise what's the point? Here's some music to look forward to in the coming months.
JANUARY
1/6: Hinds- Leave Me Alone: Debut album from the Spain-based lo-fi rockers. I've got a promo copy of the record and the hooks are catchy as hell, bringing some sunshine to a chilly Bloomington January
1/29: Florist- The Birds Outside Sang: Florist was in Bloomington back in October when the Brooklyn-based group opened up for Girlpool and their performance stuck with me. They rely heavily on synths, yet when mixed with subtle vocals, it creates a weird-in-a-good-way organic sound.
The Birds Outside Sang by Florist
1/29: Sia- This Is Acting: Just as "Chandelier" finally got out of your head, Sia drops another album. The entire record is songs Sia wrote for megastars like Rihanna, Beyonce and Adele. Instead, she's singing them. Nice.
FEBRUARY
2/5: Porches- Pool: Porches is NYC-based Aaron Maine, and if his recent music is any indication, his second LP will be synth-ier and more complex than his 2013 debut, Slow Dance in the Cosmos.
2/19: Animal Collective- Painting With: The album debuted at my most-frequented airport (Baltimore's BWI) back in November, but the rest of us won't get to hear the record until February.
2/26: The 1975- I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it: At first, I wasn't so sure of how I felt when The 1975 shed their noir sex appeal for some hot pink paint and 80s glam rock and synths, but from the so far it definitely works. Though I'll definitely miss mysterious and brooding Matty Healy, their sophomore effort is sounding pretty solid.
(12/30/15 5:35pm)
You spent hours curating your best music of 2015 lists? Sorry, but your futile efforts to truly encapsulate the best of the year would have failed regardless. But now they mega-fail because of this beauty of a mix.
"If You're Listening to This, It's Never Too Late" is a masterful, 30-ish minute sojourn from the depths of teen angst to the soaring EDM choruses that dominate top 40 today. Created by Captain Oats, a producing trio that's made a name for themselves at Taking Back Tuesday, a self-described "emo night" at LA's Echoplex where emo's greatest hits take over the DJ booth for a night of dancing/crying until your black eyeliner runs down your face. Mark Hoppus and Chris Carraba are regular DJs.
On the other coast, Emo Night Brooklyn takes over Brooklyn Bowl and NYC's finest former emos come out hang out with members of Yellowcard, All Time Low and more. Hey Bloomington, maybe you should host one of these parties soon.
This mix spans the emo years, featuring All-American Rejects, Brand New, Sum 41, Fall Out Boy and more. It's the only time that you'll find yourself dancing to Dashboard Confessional. Welcome to the Black Parade x Trap Queen? You better believe it.
Your friends tell you that all your pregame music isn't upbeat enough, but you can't listen to top 40 one more time without spitting our your shot? This is the answer to your problems.
Sure, you can make the argument that this isn't real emo music, that Paramore and American Football really can't possibly be in the same genre of music. If anything, these songs are better categorized as pop-punk. Now that that discrepancy has been addressed, enjoy the music.
Stream the mix on Soundcloud or download it for ~free~.
Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon and Ryan Rabin- I love you.
(12/10/15 8:52am)
In the past 21 years of my life, specifically the past four, I have written a considerable amount of research papers, essays, articles, lists, scrawling on legal pad paper, notes and more research papers. I have also been conducting HIGHLY scientific research and I have concluded that the following are the only albums you can really listen to if you want to write a good paper.
The Antlers- Familiars
This album is the definition of low key and once I wrote a 8-page paper about Edward Snowden and the NSA and inter-and-intra-governmental surveillance and how it relates to journalism while listening to this album on repeat for a very long time. Must listen: Parade
Jay Z and Kanye West- Watch the Throne
No I'm not kidding. These songs are motivating, all have great beats, and are like the Red Bull your body needs without pouring carbonated chemicals down your throat. Must Listen: Primetime
Coldplay- A Rush Of Blood To The Head
There was once a time when Chris Martin wasn't singing terrible songs about maybe, probably doing it with Jennifer Lawrence. That time was 2002. Must Listen: The Scientist
Death Cab For Cutie- The Photo Album
In my opinion, the most underrated Death Cab album. They still have the raw sound from their early days and there's just so much angst and frustration and I love it. Must Listen: Blacking Out The Friction
Frankie Cosmos- Separation Anxiety
Sometimes I listen to the albums on the Frankie Cosmos bandcamp that Greta just recorded in her room and uploaded and I see that it's from 2012 and it's just like....same. This album is particularly sad, but it's also exactly what you need when you've reached that point in writing that you just can't go on. But you can and you will and it will all be ok. Must Listen: song i wrote on the train back from your house
separation anxiety by frankie cosmos
Ben Gibbard Live from the 9:30 Club
JUST LISTEN TO ME AND LISTEN TO THIS HE COVERS NIRVANA AT THE END
If these aren't doing the trick, check out this playlist we made. If that's not working either, maybe study somewhere else.
(12/08/15 5:48pm)
Continuing the trend of having absolutely killer lineups in 2016, Louisville's Forecastle Festival announced their lineup this afternoon.
The annual summer festival, which takes place on the scenic Louisville waterfront, will take place from July 15-17. It shares the weekend with Pitchfork Festival in Chicago, but Forecastle differentiates itself by featuring a more rock-oriented lineup. This coming year is no different.
Boasting heartstring-tugging headliners like the Avett Brothers, Alabama Shakes, Ryan Adams and Death Cab for Cutie, the Kleenex will be sure to run out.
Although the entire lineup hasn't been released, the lower half of the bill also looks exceptionally solid. Nashville's very excellent punk-rock band Bully is slated to play, as well as bands like Speedy Ortiz, Alex G and Saintseneca.
WIUX has reported from Louisville for the past two summers, and after seeing this lineup, we especially cannot wait to return.
(12/07/15 10:27pm)
Lots of cool music came out this year! What did you love? What did you listen to the most? We want to know!
If you use Spotify, you can check out your Year in Review. It's a super cool feature where you can see your most streamed artists, songs and album, by the year or by seasons.
We want to know what you've been listening to in 2015. You can see your personal Year in Music here, and once you're done, fill out our survey.
(12/05/15 7:03pm)
UPDATED 3:45 p.m. 12/7:
According to kim kardashian west dot com, the baby's name is Saint West, and he is 8 lbs, 1 oz.
Incredible.
***
On the morning of Dec. 5, Kim Kardashian-West gave birth to her second child. According to a statement from the family, the baby is a boy and both Kim and baby Yeezy are doing well.
The name has yet to be announced.
Kim and Kanye's first child, North was born on June 15, 2013. Yeezus, Kanye's most recent full-length album, was released just three days later.
With that logic, maybe we'll finally get to hear the much-anticipated SWISH sooner than expected.
As the country, and world is hurtling into a vast black hole of inflammatory comments by public figures, bullet hole-ridden editorials advocating for gun control, continued abuse of women by men in power who think they're protected by an invisible shield of masculinity, a collective inability to recognize the real effects of global warming, economic inequality, and a presidential candidate that mistook the terrorist organization, Hamas, for the chickpea spread, hummus, it is truly heartening to see that people are still willing to repopulate this planet.
Best of luck to the newest member of America's royal family.
In Yeezus we trust.
(11/30/15 10:40pm)
Here's something I've been waiting for all year- Jack's Mannequin is reuniting for a quick tour across the country to celebrate the band's first, and almost universally agreed best, album's 10th anniversary.
Although Everything in Transit officially turned a decade old in August, Andrew McMahon, lead singer of Jack's, has been touring with his newest band, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness for the past few months.
In the note (it really is a glorified press release) that McMahon released this morning, he admits that "I prefer keeping my focus in the present, but I cannot deny Transit’s place in my life and the lives of my fans."
The album's release in 2005 coincided with McMahon's leukemia diagnosis, which he eventually recovered from.
Despite the obvious demand for this tour, the band will only be playing ten shows.
"I know there will be disappointment over the fact this will not be a full tour. To those of you in markets we are not playing, please know we picked the routing that allowed us to play the most shows in the short time that was available."
For us at IU, the closest show will be in Columbus, OH. See ya there!
Presale tickets go on sale this Wednesday at 10 a.m.
(11/30/15 2:08am)
I spent my Saturday night in a mosh pit. I didn't plan on doing that, but there I was, getting pushed around by sweaty strangers, ducking my head as yet another body was hoisted in the air, held up by clammy palms, only to be dragged back down to earth by a combination of gravity and unenthused security that stood in between the raucous crowd and the stage.
I planned on spending my Saturday night seeing Modern Baseball. Praised for being a part of the "emo revival" scene, the four-piece group is just released a slew of EPs in the past month, most notably The Perfect Cast. I've been a casual listener since I heard a few songs from 2014's You're Gonna Miss It All when it first came out, but I hadn't started seriously listening to the music until this summer. I was pretty excited to see this show, but I had no idea that it would literally physically move me.
The Philadelphia based band is known for their candid lyrics about mental illness. Lead singer Brendan Lukens openly discusses his mental health, even canceling a short tour earlier this year because he wasn't in the right mental state to perform. The band's music tells a story in each song, with rich lyrics providing a setting that most people can connect to in one way or another.
This was especially evident at the concert. During songs like "Tears over Beers" and "Fine, Great" the audience collectively lost it. The crowd thrust forward, testing the limits of the metal barrier separating us from the stage full of guys that were so effectively conveying our shared anxieties about relationships, feelings that we are somehow not good enough, or that people just suck.
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At the same time, Modern Baseball isn't whiney. The band was genuinely having fun on stage, their energy fueled the crowd and vice-versa. And, despite the apparent frequent lyrical nods to bands like Dashboard Confessional, Modern Baseball has a sense of hopefulness that adds another dimension to their music. The crowd was not sad, they were not angry. To the audience, the energy of the show was a sort of release, a "safe space" for people that are a little bit different, are worried, don't know how to text the person they like first. Still, there was a sense of hopefulness that the future will be better.
Sure, my back is pretty sore right now after spending a good hour and a half being shoved around last night, but at the same time, it's a pretty good trade-off for being able to sing-scream the lyrics to "The Thrash Particle" like a 13-year-old at a One Direction concert three years ago.