WTBU: The Beat of Boston University

Upcoming Boston Concerts!

2011-08-25T18:21:00.000-04:00

Suffering from PSD (post-summer-disorder)? Here is a list of upcoming concerts around school to make the end of summer a little more tolerable. Stay tuned to WTBU for free tickets to some of these shows!

Tv on the Radio @ Bank of America Pavillion - 9/06
Peter Bjorn and John @ House of Blues - 9/07
Two Door Cinema Club @ Royale - 9/08
Flying Lotus @ Royale - 9/09
Empire of the Sun @ House of Blues - 9/11
Fruit Bats/Vetiver/Citay @ Middle East Downstairs - 9/12
Active Child @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/12
Grouplove @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/13
Toro y Moi @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/16
Starfucker @ Middle East Downstairs - 9/18
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/19
Vivian Girls/Widowspeak/Girlfriends @ Great Scott - 9/19
tUnE-YarDs @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/21
Yuck @ TT The Bears - 9/22
Pretty Lights @ Bank of America Pavillion - 9/23
Tapes N Tapes @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/23
Girls @ Paramount Theatre - 9/24
The Shins @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/24
Wild Beasts @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/27
The Album Leaf @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/27
Foster the People @ House of Blues - 9/29
Deerhoof @ Middle East Downstairs - 9/29
Mogwai @ House of Blues - 10/01
Battles @ Royale - 10/02
James Blake @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/03
Explosions in the Sky @ The Orpheum Theatre - 10/05
Zeds Dead @ Middle East Downstairs - 10/05
EOTO @ Royale - 10/06
Twin Shadow @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/06
Beats Antique @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/08
Trentemoller @ Royale - 10/12
Minus the Bear @ Royale - 10/16
Dum Dum Girls @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/19
Braids/Pepper Rabbit/Born Gold @ Great Scott - 10/20
Neon Indian @ Brighton Music Hall - 10/20
Ra Ra Riot @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/20
Odd Future @ Royale - 10/21

Cults

2011-06-06T18:05:00.000-04:00

Cults' new album, "Cults," was recently released and in perfect time for that summer playlist. You probably recognize their most famous single, "Go Outside," because of its catchy sing-a-long essence over the simple and endearing xylophone beats. This song is one of my favorites for various reasons. It is not only suitable in the beginning of the morning to wake up to, but also after a long day when you just need an energy boost. The teenage-friendly and girl-power-esque lyrics such as, "It's good to go out cause if you dont you'll never make a memory that will stay,"pressures you to put on them shoes and actually go outside. Sweet, right?

The Antlers

2011-05-05T15:18:00.000-04:00

Burst Apart, The Antler's new album, is a collection of electronic beats over-ruled with Silberman's hauntingly beautiful voice. His harmonies on top of the eclectic background piano and bass present this album as one of the best this year.

It's true. Whatever Silberman produces, I will believe it to be magic. However, those non-believers can even agree that this album is worthy. Hospice, the Antler's previous album, contained the most somber and empathetic lyrics - words that can make the manliest man cry.

With Burst Apart, Silberman strikes again. Each individual song in this album reminisces the pain and suffering Silberman experienced. My favorite song in the entire album is "No Widows." It is not only the perfect song to nod your head to the heavy drums and diverse mingled sounds, but also to fall into a deep depression from the lyrics sung and harmonized by one of the most passionate and brilliant voices.

Review: Sick of Sarah @ TT the Bear's, 3/30/11

2011-04-09T16:00:00.005-04:00

"What are you gonna write about?" Katie of Sick of Sarah asked me in the bathroom after her band had just finished their sweet set. We had met earlier and I told her I would be writing up a review of the show. I didn't have a good answer to her question, so I asked her for some help.

"Rock and roll!"

Rock and roll it is! Sick of Sarah are a five-piece pop/punk band out of Minneanapolis who are now out promoting their second album, the excellent 2205. It's fun, sexy, and in your face. Think old school Paramore attitude with more swag and some Tegan and Sara angst. But make no mistake; everything about Sick of Sarah is very rock and roll.

My review would be incomplete without mentioning SoS's opening acts, Lucas of The Cliks and Hunter Valentine, and the bands' collective ability to transform TT's on that typical Boston wintry-mix-in-the-springtime night. Upon walking in, the scene was all alternative lifestyle haircuts and tattoos and cute piercings. It was the kind of unplanned awesome that magically materializes when cool & talented all-girl bands go out and tour.

After supporting high energy (and alcohol) Hunter Valentine for a song or two and dancing around in the crowd, headliners Sick of Sarah took the stage. They opened with current single, the super catchy "Kick Back." Lead singer Abisha Uhl reached out for our hands, jumped around, wore suspenders and did all the things that make the girls swoon. The setlist was full of 2205 tracks: "Overexposure," "Kiss Me," "Autograph," "El Paso Blue," and more. They also played some older favorites, including the song from their debut that first caught my heart, "Bittersweet"!

In stride with the general goings ons of the evening, Hunter Valentine came on stage to offer some backup vocals here and there. There may have been some straddling and suggestive dancing involved. It may have been really hot.

It would have been nice to hear Abisha's vocals better (technical difficulties) but people in the crowd were able to help with that by knowing almost every word. Overall, the music and the atmosphere was on point. Sick of Sarah are the kind of band whose energy, edge and sense of humor come through live — on stage, at the bar, out front, etc. They have the talent, and their tight bond as rock star friends doing what they love was no joke either — just check their wrists for the matching 2205 tattoos.

- Jessy Bartlett

Viva Viva

2011-03-30T14:33:00.002-04:00

Viva Viva, a Boston-based band, will be on Left of the Dial today at 4:30PM. Viva Viva will also be performing at the Brighton Music Hall tonight, so get your wallets out galz n palz. This show will not be one to miss. Stream Left of the Dial online at www.wtburadio.org.

Listen to Viva Viva on Left of the Dial or their myspace - http://www.myspace.com/artsexdeathtime

Middle Brother + Dawes and Deer Tick

2011-03-06T14:27:00.001-05:00

On March 3rd, your fellow music directors attended what ended up to be one of the best concerts in Boston. Only the second show of their US tour, Middle Brother performed at the Paradise Rock Club with Dawes and Deer Tick. The interesting part? Middle Brother is a collaboration of Dawes, Deer Tick, and other indie-rock band Delta Spirit. Therefore, throughout the entire concert, each member of each band was asked on stage to perform with the on-stage band. Members of Deer Tick would come on stage and sing a Dawes song and vice versa. Imagine if you saw everyone of your favorite musicians on-stage at one time, singing, dancing, having a ball. It was every folk-indie-rocksy-loving person's dream.

The entire concert was just a melting pot of talent, brilliance, and happiness. This concert was a perfect example of bands influencing audience and audience influencing the bands. The happiness and excitement from the bands on-stage exuded onto the audience, where everyone at the Paradise was also singing, dancing, having a ball. Middle Brother spontaneously ended their encore with lead singer of Deer Tick, John McChauley singing "Twist and Shout." It got every person in the audience jumping and screaming and laughing.

Middle Brother released their first album, "Middle Brother," this year. They are continuing their US tour and most likely are playing your hometown so if you missed them in Boston, make sure you do not back home. I assure you it is all worth it.

Some pictures I took from the concert:

Updated List of Concerts

2011-03-03T15:19:00.002-05:00

Middle Brother @ Paradise Rock Club - March 3rd

The Low Anthem @ Old South Church - March 4th

Telekinesis @ TT The Bears - March 8th

Spirit Kid @ The Great Scott - March 10th

The Pogues & Titus Andronicus @ House of Blues - March 11th/12th

Crystal Castles @ House of Blues - March 19th

Simian Mobile Disco @ Paradise Rock Club - March 21st

Cold War Kids @ House of Blues - March 22nd

Glass Jaw @ Paradise Rock Club - March 25th

DeVotchka @ House of Blues - March 26th

Papercuts @ Brighton Music Hall - March 27th

The Klaxons @ Paradise Rock Club - March 28th

Warpaint @ Paradise Rock Club - March 29th

Jeff the Brotherhood & Juiceboxxx @ Great Scott - March 30th

Cults @ Brighton Music Hall - April 1st

The Mountain Goats @ Paradise Rock Club - April 1st

Mimosa @ Paradise Rock Club - April 2nd

Cut Copy @ House of Blues - April 4th

Starfucker @ Brighton Music Hall - April 5th

The Black Lips @ Paradise Rock Club - April 14th

The Go! Team with DOM @ Paradise Rock Club - April 15th

TV on the Radio @ Paradise Rock Club - April 16th

Iron & Wine and Low Anthem @ House of Blues - April 19th

Neutral Uke Hotel @ Brighton Music Hall - April 20th

Bassnectar @ House of Blues - April 22nd

Trentemoller @ Royale - April 25th

Wolfgang Gartner @ Middle East - April 25th

Battles @ Brighton Musical Hall - April 26th

Beach Fossils @ Great Scott - April 27th

Tame Impala @ Paradise Rock Club - April 28th

Of Montreal @ Paradise Rock Club - May 1st

Foals @ Paradise Rock Club - May 2nd

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ Paradise Rock Club - May 3rd

Peter Bjorn and John @ Paradise Rock Club - May 5th

Echo & the Bunnymen @ Paradise Rock Club - May 9th

Sleigh Bells @ Paradise Rock Club - May 10th

WTBU @ the Great Scott - February 21st

2011-03-02T13:22:00.003-05:00

The Pelly Twins, XL Recordings, and WTBU presented the Ming, Ming, Easter Vomit, Rene, Free Pizza show and the album release party of Jamie xx and Gil-Scott Heron's "We're New Here" at the Great Scott February 21st. Not only did WTBU and XL Recordings actually have free pizza for those who attended, but we also gave away CDs, posters, and other merchandise from such bands like Vampire Weekend, The xx, Jonsi, and Titus Andronicus. To those who missed out on a great event with free food and music - we are deeply disappointed and to those who came and supported WTBU - thank you and glad you enjoyed the show!

The pictures below were taken and presented by Jarrett Carr from AllstonPudding.com. Like them on facebook and follow them on twitter - AllstonPudding

Rooney Interview!

2011-02-21T14:35:00.001-05:00

You Had Me At Nerd interviewed Ned Brower of Rooney last week. Check it out!

Bright Eyes - The People's Key

2011-02-15T16:23:00.000-05:00

As many Conor Oberst fanatics have heard, Bright Eyes are releasing their latest studio album, titled The People’s Key on the 15th (although it has been streaming online on NPR for several weeks already).

Conor Oberst is one of the celebrities of the underground music industry. His unique half-whining voice, sensitive contemporary American poetic lyrics, and wide variety of sounds and influences throughout his career have resulted in a cult-like following of eager fans as well as the rise to fame of the Saddle Creek record label. The almost four year hiatus of Bright Eyes would seem like a long time to leave faithful Oberst fans on the side of their seats, but thankfully for the Bright Eyes-deprived there was plenty Oberst to go around with his side projects, Monster’s of Folk and Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band.

Bright Eyes’ latest album reflects less of the acoustic singer-songwriter and minimal lo-fi sound familiar in more signature albums like Fevers and Mirrors and I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, and more of Oberst’s latest “more mature” indie rock sounds that are common in his recent side projects.

A mysterious philosophical monologue by Randy Brewer kicks off the new record (quite fitting for an NPR streamed album), which eventually erupsts into an epic marching-band riff. The standout tracks include the post-punk influenced “Jejune Stars”, the catchy “Haile Selassie”, and more traditional Oberst track “Beginner’s Mind”. To nostalgic Oberst fans: listen to the album with an open mind and don’t expect to hear the melodramatic vocals over the lo-fi acoustic guitar twang of tracks like “Lua” and “Sunrise Sunset”

By Max Hasan

Theophilus London - Lover's Holiday

2011-02-15T16:17:00.003-05:00

Just in time for Valentines day, Theophilus London dropped his new EP, Lover’s Holiday, this past Tuesday. The 5-track EP features the singles “Flying Overseas”, which features Solange Knowles (Beyoncé’s lesser known younger sister), and “Why Even Try”, which features Sara Quin of Tegan & Sara.

Theophilus isn’t just another rapper, so don’t group him together with your Weezy and 50 Cent albums on iTunes. He serves his raps with a mellow delivery and peppers it with unique influences, which range from electronica, soul, R&B, and indie rock. It’s tough for hip-hop artists to be unique and dynamic with their songwriting while still maintaining a distinct identity from other rappers, but Theophilus effortlessly adds his Marvin Gaye cool to his hip-hop tracks. Theophilus has drawn comparisons to fellow Brooklyner Kid Cudi and the tracks, “Wine and Chocolates” and “Strange Love” display the parallel quite clearly. For fans of Cudi who aren’t completely fixated with the marijuana-themed lyrics, Theophilus London is most definitely worth a listen.

By Max Hasan

WTBU @ the Record and Zine Fair

2011-02-13T12:39:00.001-05:00

WTBU partook at the Record and Zine Fair on February 12 at the Democracy Center located in Cambridge. The fair was in support of the Papercut Zine Library and WTBU sold many of our vinyl records the station has collected over the years and raised quite a few dollars from our own baked goods and the food that was donated by various restaurants. We would like to thank Peace O' Pie Gourmet Vegan Pizza, Bravo Pizza, Boloco, and Tealuxe for their support.

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! -

Sasquatch Music Festival

2011-02-09T17:57:00.000-05:00

2011-02-09T15:53:00.002-05:00

7 Artists You Should Know:
by Will McCall (Doggz on Hoggz, Tuesdays 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.)

1. Chromatic Flights- solo project of Kyle Wyss from Blind Man's Colour. Sunny poppy electronic music with tinges of hip hop
http://chromaticflights.bandcamp.com (free download)
get the albums Sunset Bell and Too Beautiful For Smiles

2. HOUNDSds- 80s, shoegaze-y, chillwave-y
http://houndsds.bandcamp.com/ (free download)

3. Thallus- spacey instrumental hip hop
http://thallus.bandcamp.com/ (free download)

4. First Dog to Visit the Center of the Earth- noisey, very experimental electronic music, think Black Dice but more melodic and structured.
http://firstdog.webs.com/ (free download of all 11(!) of his releases)
download the albums “Every Machine On,” “Black Whale,” “One EP”

5. Walsh- a combination of hip hop and chillwave, greatest album title ever
http://walshmusic.bandcamp.com/ (free download)

6. The Goat- eerie psychedelic/electronic music, lo-fi and minimal
http://thegoat.bandcamp.com/ (free download)

7. Mystery cave- hip hop influenced psychedelic music, he's got a lot of albums
http://mysterycave.bandcamp.com/
watch this music video of his too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_9GU_W2YhI

If you liked this post, check out Doggz on Hoggz, Tuesdays from 12 to 2 p.m.

Free Ticket Giveaway!

2011-02-08T20:17:00.000-05:00

New[ish] Music Tuesday

2011-02-08T15:45:00.002-05:00

Two Door Cinema Club released their next single "What You Know" today. If you're a fan of this Club then this isn't really news for you but in honour of this release old fans, new fans, and those of you inbetweeners should give it a listen. On a somewhat related note, you know when you go to a show and the band plays a song you really love and you start singing it then all ten, hundred, or thousand of you sing along? Isn't that moment great? I feel that this video of TDCC in Rio last week sum's it up well:

Catch Two Door Cinema Club and more on The Fleshy Fresh, Mondays from 8-10pm

WTBU'S Charts For Last Week

2011-02-01T17:54:00.001-05:00

Top 5 Adds:
1 AYE NAKO Demo 2010 Top Shelf Records
2 GO! TEAM Rolling Blackouts Memphis Industries
3 MOGWAI Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
4 CLOUD NOTHINGS Cloud Nothings Carpark
5 GANG OF FOUR Content Yep Roc

Top 30 Chart:
1 RVIVR Black Water [EP] Rumbletown
2 WAVVES King Of The Beach Fat Possum
3 SCREAMING FEMALES Castle Talk Don Giovanni
4 DEERHOOF Deerhoof Vs. Evil Polyvinyl
5 SMALL BLACK New Chain Jagjaguwar
6 GLASSER Ring True Panther Sounds
7 DAFT PUNK TRON: Legacy Disney
8 DECEMBERISTS The King Is Dead Capitol
9 HANDS AND KNEES Wholesome Self Released
10 HOWLER This One's Different So-TM Records
11 WAY YES Walkability Self Released
12 GO! TEAM Rolling Blackouts Memphis Industries
13 GANG OF FOUR Content Yep Roc
14 CLOUD NOTHINGS Cloud Nothings Carpark
15 DELICATE STEVE Wondervisions Luaka Bop
16 BRITISH SEA POWER Valhalla Dancehall Rough Trade
17 GROUPLOVE Grouplove [EP] Canvasback
18 ZACH HILL Face Tat Sargent House
19 PRINCE RAMA Shadow Temple Paw Tracks
20 PUJOL Black Rabbit EP Third Man
21 NOBUNNY First Blood Goner
22 THERMALS Personal Life Kill Rock Stars
23 TYVEK Nothing Fits In The Red
24 BIG BIG BUCKS Crucial Schmooze Self-Released
25 BIG EYES Big Eyes [EP] Don Giovanni
26 LEMURIA Pebble Bridge Nine
27 GET UP KIDS There Are Rules Quality Hill
28 FRANK TURNER Rock And Roll Epitaph
29 TIGERS JAW Two Worlds Run For Cover
30 BLANK DOGS Land And Fixed Captured Tracks

Boston Concerts

2011-01-27T18:28:00.001-05:00

A list of local concerts to see this semester? What more could you ask for? Here is a comprised list of some artists playing in the greater Boston area! Please feel free to comment with other shows you are going to attend or would like to attend. Also, if you go to these shows and would like to write a review or post pictures, please email them to Leahroh@bu.edu.

Tapes n Tapes & Oberhofer @ Paradise Rock Club - February 3rd

Chromeo @ House of Blues - February 3rd

Neko Case @ Wilbur Theatre - February 3rd

The Radio Dept @ Middle East - February 4th

Best Coast/Wavves @ Paradise Rock Club - February 4th

Wakey!Wakey! @ Brighton Music Hall - February 5th

Baths @ Brighton Music Hall - February 17th

Dr. Dog @ Paradise Rock Club - February 19th/20th

School of Seven Bells @ House of Blues - February 19th

White Rabbits @ Paradise Rock Club - February 24th

The Pogues & Titus Andronicus @ House of Blues - March 11th/12th

Crystal Castles @ House of Blues - March 19th

Cold War Kids @ House of Blues - March 22nd

DeVotchka @ House of Blues - March 26th

Warpaint @ Paradise Rock Club - March 29th

Jeff the Brotherhood & Juiceboxxx @ Great Scott - March 30th

Cults @ Brighton Music Hall - April 1st

The Mountain Goats @ Paradise Rock Club - April 1st

Cut Copy @ House of Blues - April 4th

Bassnectar @ House of Blues - April 22nd

Q +A with The Honors

2010-12-13T22:26:00.002-05:00

The Honors, a fun-loving foursome currently stationed in Boston, will be performing on Thursday, December 16th at The Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge. In a light-hearted interview last week, WTBU intern Elizabeth Castillo spoke with drummer Jason Trikakis about The Honors’ latest album xoxo, record labels and performing in Boston.

WTBU: Your music is described as Melodramatic Popular Song. What does that entail?
JT: I see you looked at our Myspace. That was actually a joke; we went through the different genres and chose the most outlandish one. Seriously, we can be described as easy listening or the generic term of indie rock. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, we have fun making music and we like making music that’s enjoyable and high energy.

What is your favorite track on xoxo?
Would it be lame if I said I liked them all? My favorite song to play live is “Give It Up to Me”. Our other songs are very musically structured so it’s harder to add in extra notes but “Give it Up to Me” provides for the most improvising live. There might be an extra-long guitar solo added in and you can really just have more fun with it. But as far as the album goes, each song has a different sound and they all bring something to xoxo.

Love seems to be a pretty big theme throughout xoxo, does the band feel relationships provide the best lyrical inspiration? Are there other life experiences the band hopes to pull from?
This album does largely deal with relationships. Especially in “New Girls”, it really shows the tender side of a genuine relationship whereas “Give It Up to Me” is definitely more aggressive. Overall, different types of relationships were pulled from to create this album not just love. We pulled from our relationships we have between each other and from life in lower Allston and spending time at Great Scott.

How do you like being a part of Boston’s local music scene?
I’d say that we’re not. Really. We don’t have any of those big ties to Boston. We didn’t all go to school together, we don’t really identify with a local Boston social group and we don’t really have that local fan base like other bands. We’re more of Boston transplants. But we are dating—if you could use that term—The Wandas. A shout out to them. They’ve definitely helped us out as a band in Boston. They also helped us get the show at The Middle East. They’re really cool guys.

Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?
We really love Motown. We always have some golden oldies blaring on the radio. We really like Raphael Saadiq. We definitely used him as inspiration for this album; xoxo may not sound very similar, but we paid homage to him and Motown and in this album.
How is it like working independently without a label attachment?
Great! No one tells us what to do, how to make our music or which demographic we should stick with. There’s lots of creative freedom but also a lot of extra work. We have to work harder at maintaining the band and getting a fan base but ultimately it’s fine because we’re allowed to just be ourselves as a band.

You recently were the opening act for Ok Go, how was that experience?
It was awesome! It was really fun but we weren’t really starstruck. We’ve played huge festivals before and we’re more of veterans at this. We can play huge venues but at the same time still have fun just playing in front of six people. But there definitely is a better vibe when the audience is bigger. It was cool to have an all ages audience and have 92.9 help spread the word. Ok Go were really sweet dudes but we couldn’t stay and watch them perform because we had another show right after. Overall it was a fun experience.

Are you guys planning a nationwide tour anytime soon?
We’d love too but they are very costly! Without a record label to help pay for expenses they are very difficult to do. We used to have a tour van but we ultimately had to sell it because of the expenses. Hopefully we can soon but as of now, very difficult to do.

******

Check out The Honors’ music at Facebook or Myspace. And don’t forget to check them out live on Thursday at The Middle East Downstairs!

-Elizabeth Castillo

Record Review: Sun Araw - Off Duty

2010-12-03T17:25:00.005-05:00

Sun Araw is the electronic solo project of Cameron Stallones, guitarist of the Long Beach, California band Magic Lantern. His new release, Off Duty, is the follow up EP to Sun Araw’s 2010 full length album On Patrol. Off Duty is an EP by name only, stretching over 45 minutes throughout its epic 5 tracks.

The album opens with “Last Chants,” a psychedelic journey through Sun Araw’s strange soundscapes. The song is filled with tribal drumming, distant echo-affected vocals, and a plethora of ambient noise and laser sounding synthesizers. The next song, “Midnight Locker,” is a dark, tempoless meandering of noise. Bouncing keyboards and percussive pounding (you can’t quite call it drumming) guide the song while a background guitar reminiscent of early Pink Floyd floats over the top. “Deep Temple,” the next track, carries on with the tribal and spiritual theme, as tape-hiss filled guitars play over delayed synthesizers and tropical drums. Over its 11 minute span, the track is simultaneously reminiscent of Indian music, reggae, and dubstep, somehow.

The album takes a darker turn with the fourth track, “In the Trees.” The song is a 9 minute, horrifyingly strange psychedelic jam. Stallones trades his echo pedal he used so religiously on the earlier tracks for a distortion pedal; twisted guitars play over a repetitive bass line while distorted vocals shout out from the foreground. The closing track of the album, “Canopy,” picks up where “In the Trees” left off. With another looped bassline, the song meanders over a reggae like groove, conjuring images of a
fantasy beach from some psychedelic nightmare.

Off Duty is a highly enjoyable EP, filled with echo drenched guitars and ambient synthesizers recorded with intentionally lo-fi methods. The EP creates a soundscape of some strange primal meditation, a spiritual reflection of sorts. However, Sun Araw’s drone-influenced, noise tracks are certainly not for all listeners. But for fans of more experimental music, Sun Araw will be very enjoyable experience. And it certainly is an experience.

-Will McCall

If you like Sun Araw and other Woodsist Records projects, tune in to Left of the Dial on Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m.

Things got a little 'Foxy' at the Paradise Rock Club on Commonwealth Ave on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving

2010-12-03T15:28:00.003-05:00

The rock band Foxy Shazam shared the stage with opening act Hollerado and co-headliner Free Energy, but stole the show with their mix of stage antics, a huge sound, and an overall fun atmosphere that rocked the Paradise.

With chants of "Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!" overwhelming the small venue, the six man band took the stage, and created an incredible tone that made the crowd jump and scream back the lyrics to their songs.

Mainly consisting of songs from their first major label release and newest album Foxy Shazam released back in April, the band ran around the stage, and quickly took control of the venue from the first grand note that they played. Mustachioed lead singer Eric Sean Nally jumped on horn player Alex Nauth's shoulders, while keyboardist Sky jumped on top of his keyboard during songs, banged on the keys with his feet, and reached out to touch the heads of the front row of the audience. All of them genuinely looked like they were having just as much fun as the crowd was.

But the real entertainment was centered around singer Nally. Jumping around stage with an eye patch over the eye that he injured during a previous performance, he channeled the late James Brown. He did tricks with the microphone stand, and hit high notes that seem impossible to reach. But, the antics didn't end there. During the set, Nally grabbed one of the drummer's large crash cymbals, put it on his head, and had the drummer beat away on it, not missing one beat.

At one point during the middle of a song, Nally proceeded to light three cigarettes, smoke them simultaneously during the latter half of the song, and then, at the very end, proceeded to eat all three lit cigarettes. Commenting later on stage, the only thing he had to say was: "Yuck. Disgusting."

But all the fun just didn?t happen during the songs. Nally's off the wall non-sequitors and long stories while the crew was "fixing the rock and roll" that seemed to have no real ending, kept the crowd entertained. At the end of "Unstoppable," the flamboyant lead singer proceeded to tell a story about how each of the band members received $965,000 for signing on to a major label deal with Warner Media Group. "I spent it all on FIREWORKS!" the lead singer declared with enthusiasm, prompting applause from the mainly student-filled audience. Then immediately segueing into the next song ?Bye Bye Symphony,? Nally declared "This next song is about being broke!"

Before the show, I was able to sit down with bassist Daisy, and horn player Alex and discuss their band, as well as their sound on their newest album. The interview gave me insight into their influences, their favorite bands, life on the road, and the ?day the music cried.? Check it all out below, with a clip of the show from the Paradise as well).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OOsOPWXzt4 - Interview Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz2Ot1EpR9M&feature=related - Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=726_H-WEMyg - "Unstoppable" + Story

December 8th @ the Great Scott

2010-12-01T10:54:00.000-05:00

WTBU's LEFT OF THE DIAL is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Boston Counter Cultural Compass, a monthly newsletter that posts information about local, DIY, lo-fi, experimental and folk shows happening in and around the Boston area. For more information on the Counter Cultural Compass, please check out the website here.

Come hang out on December 8th! The fee to get in is a $5-10 donation.

30 Days of Dead

2010-11-22T11:47:00.001-05:00

The Grateful Dead’s “30 Day’s of Dead began this month, with a free downloadable Dead track every day throughout the month of November. Organized by Dead.net, the 30 days are great for avid Dead-heads, or for new fans curious why the group has received high accolades, including being listen on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004, and winning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Check out the link below to get a free, never before released download each day in November. Then, get ready to partake in all things Deadhead. Suggestion number one: Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream, and my personal favorite Dead song: Casey Jones.

http://www.dead.net/30days?cmpid=cr/dn/miller

NY metal band EXEMPTION on BU in the Morning today, 10 am

2010-11-17T07:51:00.003-05:00

Hey, do you like metal? Exemption are a sweet metal band from New York. They are on tour celebrating the release of a new record, Public Cemetery. The NY Deli magazine said this about their new record:

The songs are a kaleidoscope of musical styles: thick stoner metal mudslides slam head on into psychedelic landscapes; antehemic pop hooks give way to fiery surf-rock riffs, and crusty blues jams become violent exercises in aggressive funk. The first track “Hyperspiral” is a perfect example of this, moving seamlessly from Mastodon & Torche-esque riffage to euphoric melodies and hooks reminiscent of Rubber Soul.

Following their show Monday night at the Midway in JP, Exemption will be on BU in the Morning today to discuss their new record. Stream it here on their Bandcamp and tune in at 10am!

Senses Fail interview

2010-11-11T14:24:00.005-05:00

Whoa! Here's an interview "You Had Me at Nerd" did with Senses Fail. Cool!

Interview with Senses Fail by wtbusa

WTBU Weekly Charts

2010-11-10T14:04:00.000-05:00

Last week's charts! Check em out:

1    MANNERS    Look Into Look Unto    Whitehaus Family Record
2    MICHAEL JORDYN AND GREG    Demos
3    TOOTH ACHE    Skin [7-Inch]
4    SMALL BLACK     New Chain    Jagjaguwar
5    SCREAMING FEMALES    Castle Talk    Self-Released
6    GLASSER    Ring    True Panther Sounds
7    DEFIANCE, OHIO    Midwestern Minutes    No Idea
8    MALE BONDING    Nothing Hurts    Sub Pop
9    NEEDY VISIONS    Needy Visions    Bodies Of Water
10    HERBCRAFT    Discovers The Bitter Water Of Agartha
11    CHEEKY    What The Heck?    Freedom School
12    EARTHQUAKE PARTY    Dishes [EP]
13    SHELLSHAG    Rumors In Disguise    Don Giovanni
14    WAVVES    King Of The Beach    Fat Possum
15    THERMALS    Personal Life    Kill Rock Stars
16    CLOUD NOTHINGS    Leave You Forever [EP]    True Panther Sounds
17    LIGHT POLLUTION    Apparitions    Car Park
18    PUJOL    Black Rabbit [7-Inch]    Third Man
19    BIG EYES    Big Eyes [EP]
20    AVEY TARE    Down There    Paw Tracks
21    SWEET BULBS    Cybergaze    Self-Released
22    CHEAP TIME     Fantastic Explanations (And Similar Situations)    In The Red
23    WILD NOTHING    Gemini    Captured Tracks
24    DEERHUNTER    Halcyon Digest    4AD
25    DOM    Sun Bronzed Greek Gods    Burning Mill
26    MARNIE STERN    Marnie Stern (2010)    Kill Rock Stars
27    NO AGE    Everything In Between    Sub Pop
28    ZOLA JESUS    Stridulum    SACRED BONES
29    DEMON'S CLAWS    The Defrosting Of...    In The Red
30    FORGETTERS    Forgetters    Self-Released

Upcoming Ticket Giveaways

2010-11-06T13:12:00.003-04:00

Hey hey, y'all. We at WTBU love music and concerts and fun, but we love it even more when our listeners get to have music and concerts and fun. Keep reading for some info about upcoming promotions, prizes, and giveaways on our shows later this week:

"The Weekly AA Meeting" will be doing two giveaways this Sunday (Noon to 2 PM):
1) A Fearless Friends Tour prize pack with a signed Breathe Carolina poster and signed CD's from Every Avenue, Go Radio and Artist Vs. Poet, courtesy of Fearless Records
2) A pair of tickets to see Say Anything, Motion City Soundtrack and Saves The Day at House of Bl
ues on Monday, Nov. 8

"The Girls At The Rock Show" will also be giving away a pair of tickets to see Say Anything, Motion City Soundtrack and Saves The Day at House of Blues on Monday, Nov. 8 on their show, which airs Saturday from 10AM to Noon.

Thanks for listening, and good luck winning those tickets!

So, "Schist that Rocks" has an interview with...

2010-11-06T13:07:00.002-04:00

documentarian Robert Patton-Spruill! Tune in on Tuesday, the 16th, from 2-4PM!

From BU's Film & Television Department:

"Ex-BU film students, Patton-Spruill as director, Marino as producer, have made many features and documentaries, starting with the Sundance hit, Squeeze (1997), and including Welcome to the Terrordome, starring the rap group, Public Enemy. Their newest film, Do It Again, is also their funniest, a quixotic real-life quest of Geoff Edgers, Boston Globe columnist and amateur guitarist, to reunite (mostly against their will) the fractious, dysfunctional, but genius 1960s rock group, the Kinks. With Sting, Zooey Deschannel, and other surprise guests."

Beat's Antique concert review

2010-11-01T10:57:00.001-04:00

A romantic, misty mood set the scene on October 22^nd when Beats Antique took the stage at our beloved Harpers Ferry. Beginning with hit “Beauty Beats,” off their album Collide, Beats Antique got the crowd sweating from the second they stepped on stage. While David Satori and Tommy Cappel jammed on the keyboards, drums, guitar, etc., Zoe Jakes set the pace of the show with her percussion skills and bellydancing routine. Although Zoe usually entertains the audience throughout the Beats Antique’s entire show, she danced during only a fraction of the songs.

While disappointing, it was understandable due to rumors that she was under the weather during the band’s Boston tour date. When Zoe did dance, she was exquisite—her movements put the audience in a trance, making them move along with her, not being able to stop until the song had ended.

Beat’s Antique played a two-hour set that seemed to capture the crowd’s attention. The dance floor was packed and audience members were seriously grooving to the electric beats. However, I did notice that people started leaving only an hour into the show—maybe due to the fact that Beats Antique did not begin playing until after midnight.

I would definitely recommend Beat’s Antique to anyone who craves spirituality in his or her music. A Beat’s Antique show will take you on a magical journey through an African desert, or a Middle Eastern wedding, and will end up wowing you with the incorporation of jazz and hip hop. The band release their third EP, Blind Threshold, in September. Check it out on their myspace: www.myspace.com/beatsantique

Whoa, check this out!

2010-10-22T11:47:00.001-04:00

WTBU's own Music Director, Liz Pelly, is at CMJ this week. Also, she's totally on a panel! She's kind of a big deal. Lookit!

Whoa, check this out!

2010-10-22T11:45:00.002-04:00

WTBU's own Music Director, Liz Pelly, is at CMJ this week. Also, she's totally on a panel! She's kind of a big deal. Lookit!

Tomorrow in-studio: SO COW (from Ireland)

2010-10-13T14:44:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow So Cow, a band from Ireland, will be playing in-studio on Left of the Dial. Tune in at 4pm to listen!

So Cow will be playing tomorrow night at the Paradise with The Thermals and Cymbals Eat Guitars.

Also check out that video above which I shot at a So Cow show in Dublin this summer. It's their cover of "Runaway" by Del Shannon.

Guitar Wolf and Peelander Z Interview on Abuse Substance

2010-10-08T15:54:00.004-04:00

Guitar Wolf and Peelander-Z, two of the most rockin’est bands to grace this Earth. Guitar Wolf, a band consistently filling arenas back at home in Japan, rarely tours the US. Their last tour had brought them to CBGB’s in September 2003 along with Peelander-Z. Unfortunately Bass Wolf died of an overdose, brining the tour to an abrupt end. But now they are back to play the show to end all shows at Andrew WK’s very own Santo’s in NYC. The tall gates of Midgard opened and I was carried by two cute asian scenester valkeries into the halls of roknroll Valhalla. If you don't know anything about Guitar Wolf, here are some hard facts:

They are the loudest band in the history of humankind. Check the Guinness book yourself.

They are the coolest band in the history of humankind. Undeniable proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSm_LW-jJI0&feature=related

These guys don't know how to not kick ass and rock n roll. If Seiji cuts his wrist punching your weak face (shouldn't have touched his sunglasses), he would bleed distortion and raw

power. Playing bad ass driving energetic rawk is all they know how to do and its been coming quite naturally to them for two decades. And what better band to open for them than the legendary self-proclaimed comic-action punk band than Peelander-Z?

These guys put on a brilliant show every time and that’s saying a lot seeing as they’ve been touring Black Flag style for almost a decade, playing upwards of a hundred shows a year. Their performance at Santo’s transcends any words but I’ll throw some shit on the wall to see if it sticks: Squid-guitar, human bowling, congo lines of death, steak anthems, and old school punk rock.

Try to comprehend their awesomeness. Try hard, there’s a lot of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT0ZhOV6Bl8

I caught up with singer and guitarist Peelander Yellow before they played:

Me: No, no espanol…Alright

Peelander Yellow: Okie, no espanol alright but uhh maybe engrish A little bit engrish.

Me: A little bit engrish?

Peelander Yellow: Is cool mike. I don’t know….Hey! This is Peelander Yellow from Peelander Planet to see your mom because I hung out with your mom a long time ago and uh I uh I MADE YOU with your mom you know what I’m saying…Your father is my enemy! No no no, I’m sorry, your mom and I…anyway anyway OK lets start.

Me: Ok. I came down from Boston from the radio sta-

Peelander Yellow: BOSTON! You from Boston?! You know Matazaka?

Me: Uh…nah

Peelander Yellow: Japanese pitcher?

Me: No. Anyways yeah…

Photographer Ian shows Peelander Yellow his Sonny Chiba tattoo…

Peelander Yellow: You know Nanasei? He sister, ex … *gibberish*

Photographer: Uh-huh, from Street Fighter. Yeah from Street Fighter.

Peelander Yellow: Yeah OK so five minutes five minutes!

Me: Like I said, from Boston, from the radio station Abuse Substance, any favorite comics?

Peelander Yellow: My favorite comic is Evangelion you know what I’m sayin. Neon Evangelion?

Me: The anime?

Peelander Yellow: Yeah anime.

Me: Yeah I watched it.

Peelander Yellow: Hokutonoken? Yeah right,

Me: Uhm.

Peelander Yellow: Dragonball Z?

Me: Oh Dragonball Z! Yeah watched that as a kid.

Peelander Yellow: You know Peelander Z, Peelander Z, that name is taken from Dragonball Z and another fast generation Maginga Z. You know Maginga Z?

Me: Yeah.

Peelander Yellow: Anyway that’s the kind of, uh, fast generation Obu, ah, transformer. I grew up with Maginga Z that’s why I use “Z”…They have a new song about Z.

Me: About Z?

Peelander Yellow: It’s cool.

Me: What’s it called?

Peelander Yellow: Uh, building, building Z, right?

[Laughter]

Me: Next question, what’s the worst band you’ve ever played with?

Peelander Yellow: Guitar Wolf!

[More laughter.]

Me: Alright. If you were in a radioactive apocalypse and could have any mutation, what would you want? What would your favorite mutation be?

Peelander Yellow: Nani nani? What do you mean?

Me: Mutation, from like the apocalypse radiation, you know, like extra arms…eye stalks.

Peelander Yellow: Ok, so I need like sorta…

[Gestures to his penis]

[Laugher]

Peelander Yellow: No no, don’t say anything! Your mom going to will kill me. So I either, no so I need more handsome face.

Me: More hands and faces?

Peelander Yellow: I’m already handsome, right? I’m already handsome.

Laughter as he rubs his bald head and pulls his yellow goatee.

Peelander Yellow: But I need more handsome face like you…Alright, he’s very handsome. Like you.

Me: Hah, alright cool, uhm oh! I was going to ask Peelander Green a question but whatever he’s not here.

Peelander Yellow: Peelander Green?

Me: You guys have a lot of sensitive vegetarians fans –

Peelander Yellow: Ok ok. Yeah we are thinking about the next album. We gonna be-

Me: Yeah yeah you guys going to have a veggie anthem?

Peelander Yellow: Yeah like the S.T.E.A.K. song. I’m sorry about this but we love steak. I wanna say how would you like cook you a steak medium rare. So for our next album we are going to make a veggie one, maybe tofu song, tofu.

Me: Or like carrots.

Peelander Yellow: Yeah tofu song, tofu.

Me: How old were you when you started doing peelander –

Peelander Yellow: Don’t ask I’m getting old.

Me: Ok how young were you?

Peelander Yellow: Ok how young were you. 17. I was 17

Me: 17?!

Peelander Yellow: 17.

Me: Dang! That’s cool.

Peelander Yellow: I’m jumping flying 17.

Me: 17 years old right now?

Peelander Yellow: Yeah, no I’m not only 17 years old right now, flying pretty 17. Yeah I’m actually 17 light years old. 17 light years old.

Me: Oh that’s old…that’s far!

Peelander Yellow: Ya! I’m no human being.

Me: Yeah.

Peelander Yellow: Yeah yeah yeah-

Me: That was actually the question I was going to ask Peelander Green…like a little bit of history behind him. I know he’s new, all the ladies are blogging about him-

Peelander Yellow: Yeah. Blue, he’s in the, he went back to Planet Peelander to be the king, yea. The king gave up so he’s ready to be the king, and Green, I grew up with him in the Z area of Peelander Z. He’s my friend of the, uh, we went to the same kindergarten. After that we split, OK? I never see. And after one day I found in Japan him, coincidence. And they come with us.

Me: That’s cool. Good timing.

Peelander Yellow: Ok time for two more.

Me: I don’t think I even have two more.

Ian the Photographer: How about Bruce Lee?

Me: Do you like Bruce Lee?

Peelander Yellow: Of course.

[Laughter]

Peelander Yellow: I like Bruce Lee. It’s not only physical it’s not only kung fu, I love him he’s mine.

Ian the Photographer: Who would win in a fight? Bruce Lee or Sonny Chiba?

Peelander Yellow: Woooaah?

Ian the Photographer: Who would win in a fight, Bruce Lee or Sonny Chiba?

Peelander Yellow: Uhhhh Sonny Chiba with Nancy.

Me: With Nancy. Alright that’s all the questions I have but can you say something for the radio?

Peelander Yellow: What should I say for the station?

Me: Always…remember to abuse substance.

Peelander Yellow: No non don’t abuse?

Me: Or could you say that tongue twister? Willy’s real rear wheel?

Peelander Yellow: Willy’s rear. Willilliy’s realialowill?

[Hilarious Engrish ensues.]

Peelander Yellow: November 21th in Boston, yeah we have a show in there. Thank you.

Me: No thank you.

Peelander Yellow: Arigato gozaimasu, uh, bay baaaai

[Laughter]

Peelander Yellow: Shh!

The show was great, Peelander-Z is coming to Boston to play at the Middle East in November, if you haven’t heard of them go see them. I can guarantee that it will change your perspective on shows. The next time you’re trapped in some Allston basemen/dungeon show surrounded by people who look like they need blood splashed on their faces to keep them from yawning while listening to emaciated angsty lumberjack types playing on keyboards, whining about responsibility and girls they stalk, you can look back on that one epically fun time you saw that crazy Japanese punk band you totally didn’t understand. Tilt your head back towards the ceiling and yell “HOW YOU LIKE ME COOK YOU A STEAK”. If anyone responds with an equally enthusiastic “MEDIUM RAAARE!”, you know you have found a life long friend and something to do besides punish your ears with mediocre music.

Listen to Abuse Substance, 10-12 PM. Punk and Hip Hop.

WTBU's "Undead End" Radio Play Feature!

2010-10-08T15:46:00.002-04:00

Check this out! Undead End, WTBU's radio play about the imminent zombie apocalypse, got a feature in the blog College Media Matters. We're so stoked! The full link is here.

Upcoming Interview

2010-10-08T15:45:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, October 9th, The Show About Nothing will be interviewing the band Semi Precious Weapons between 2-4 pm. Tune in to hear the band talk about their tour with Lady Gaga, their music, and their fabulous shoes!

Today on Left of the Dial: HOMEGROWN FEST PREVIEW (local/underground/awesome DIY festival)

2010-10-06T10:54:00.005-04:00

Hey y'all! Today our friend Sam Potrykus from The Needy Visions/ Whitehaus Family Record/Bodies of Water arts and crafts/Boston counter cultural compass/etc etc etc will be guest DJing, spinning tracks by bands appearing at HOMEGROWN II. Tune in to find out about this festival + hear relevant music.

http://www.homegrownfestboston.com/
http://www.homegrownfestboston.com/
http://www.homegrownfestboston.com/

A local/underground Boston show paper!

2010-10-04T23:45:00.004-04:00

Hey, want to check out underground shows in Boston? Want to see local bands?

Check out the October issue of the Boston Counter Cultural Compass, a free show paper pointing you in the direction of lots of local DIY shows:

WEEKLY CHART 9/27 - 10/4

2010-10-04T23:35:00.003-04:00

HEY FRIENDS! THESE WERE THE TOP 30 MOST-PLAYED RECORDS AT WTBU THIS WEEK. THEY RULE, LOOK EM UP!

ANY QUESTIONS? EMAIL MUSIC@WTBURADIO.ORG!!

<3

TOP 30:
1 WAVVES King Of The Beach Fat Possum
2 ARCADE FIRE The Suburbs Merge
3 MALE BONDING Nothing Hurts Sub Pop
4 THICK SHAKES Ooh Mommy
5 FORGETTERS Forgetters Self-Released
6 QUILT Agents Of Play [7-Inch] Breakfast Of Champs
7 BIG EYES Big Eyes [EP]
8 NO AGE Everything In Between Sub Pop
9 THERMALS Personal Life Kill Rock Stars
10 DEERHUNTER Halcyon Digest 4AD
11 BEST COAST Crazy For You Mexican Summer
12 GOLDEN GIRLS U L T I M A T E F R E E D O M Burning Mill
13 SHELLSHAG Rumors In Disguise Don Giovanni
14 BIG SODA Paper Route Evil Weevil
15 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
16 SWEET BULBS Cybergaze Self-Released
17 SQUAREHEAD Fake Blood [7-Inch] Any Other City
18 SCREAMING FEMALES Castle Talk Self-Released
19 LIGHT POLLUTION Apparitions Car Park
20 PRINCE RAMA Shadow Temple Paw Tracks
21 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
22 TNY MNTNS Barricade The Doors Grinding Tapes
23 MODERN HUT Demos Don Giovanni
24 NEEDY VISIONS Needy Visions Bodies Of Water
25 THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]
26 WILD NOTHING Gemini Captured Tracks
27 DIRTY PROJECTORS Bitte Orca Domino
28 TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS The Brutalist Bricks Matador
29 TITUS ANDRONICUS The Monitor XL
30 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days Infinity Cat

WEEKLY CHART 9/21 - 9/28

2010-09-28T22:30:00.002-04:00

HEY Y'ALL THESE WERE THE TOP 30 MOST-PLAYED RECORDS AT WTBU THIS WEEK. THEY RULE, LOOK EM UP:

1 MALE BONDING Nothing Hurts Sub Pop
2 QUILT Agents Of Play [7-Inch] Breakfast Of Champs
3 WAVVES King Of The Beach Fat Possum
4 THERMALS Personal Life Kill Rock Stars
5 BEST COAST Crazy For You Mexican Summer
6 GOLDEN GIRLS U L T I M A T E F R E E D O M Burning Mill
7 SHELLSHAG Rumors In Disguise Don Giovanni
8 ARCADE FIRE The Suburbs Merge
9 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
10 LOCAL NATIVES Gorilla Manor Frenchkiss
11 SWEET BULBS Cybergaze Self-Released
12 SQUAREHEAD Fake Blood [7-Inch] Any Other City
13 THICK SHAKES Ooh Mommy
14 SCREAMING FEMALES Castle Talk Self-Released
15 BEACH FOSSILS Beach Fossils Captured Tracks
16 PRINCE RAMA Shadow Temple Paw Tracks
17 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
18 TNY MNTNS Barricade The Doors Grinding Tapes
19 MODERN HUT Demos Don Giovanni
20 NEEDY VISIONS Needy Visions Bodies Of Water
21 THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]
22 WILD NOTHING Gemini Captured Tracks
23 DIRTY PROJECTORS Bitte Orca Domino
24 FRIGHTENED RABBIT The Winter Of Mixed Drinks Fat Cat
25 TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS The Brutalist Bricks Matador
26 EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS Up From Below Vagrant
27 TITUS ANDRONICUS The Monitor XL
28 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days Infinity Cat
29 SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN Let It Sway Polyvinyl
30 NANA GRIZOL Ruth Orange Twin

September's Boston Counter Cultural Compass (a newsletter of local showlistings!)

2010-09-15T16:37:00.002-04:00

Below is a scan of the September 2010 Boston Counter Cultural Compass, a free newsletter of local/underground/DIY shows around Boston. This is an excellent resource for finding awesome/cheap/interesting things going on in Boston every weekend!

Front:

Back:

Also join the Boston Counter Cultural Compass facebook group for updates on local shows/events/happenings/etc.

WTBU Interviews Blue Scholars

2010-09-13T13:01:00.007-04:00

WTBU's "Speak Easy, Girl," hosted by Lana Tkachenko and Mel Duzyj will interview rap duo Blue Scholars from 2-4PM. They have an upcoming show this Wednesday night at the Paradise Lounge near campus. Here's some more info about the band, and be sure to tune in.

BLUE SCHOLARS

Filmmakers create movies. Bloggers report the news and shape public opinion. Explorers travel the globe, seeking out new cultures and sharing experiences. DJs and producers craft beats and tracks using an alchemical mix of audio artifacts and imagination. Rappers fashion rhymes and navigate the cadences of vocal delivery characterized as “flow.”

Blue Scholars do all these things—and a hell of a lot more—every damn day. First and foremost, DJ/producer Sabzi and MC Geologic are a music group. They do the fundamental things bands have done for decades: Make records and play live shows. But those are just points on a plane, bright stars in Blue Scholars’ ever-expanding universe. “It all revolves around using everything at our disposal to be good storytellers,” says Sabzi. Chuck D famously likened hip-hop to CNN, but frankly, Blue Scholars make Anderson Cooper and company look lazy by comparison.

Blue Scholars informally call their music “cinema art rap,” yet most folks will probably just hear it as smart 21^st century pop. The duo is just as likely to take inspiration from the sugar rush of Empire of the Sun’s feel-good hit “Walking on a Dream” (check out the “Empire Remix” of “New People”) as from a classic Lalo Schifrin soundtrack. The roster of former Seattle Sonics or observations about Fox New commentators may provide the springboard for their next round of poetic musing.

There has always been a visual component to Blue Scholars’ music. Geologic (who also works under the alias Prometheus Brown) is only 15 credits away from completing a major in Film Studies. The lyricist admits he sees images in his head as his words take shape. That element of the Blue Scholars’ aesthetic has taken on greater significance in recent years. Right now, the duo is recording its third full-length, Cinemetropolis. Rather than wait until the album is completed to think about how imagery will complement the music, they are turning over embryonic musical ideas to colleagues in the film world and developing ideas in tandem.

That Blue Scholars are film buffs will come as no surprise to followers of their blog. A couple years ago, during extensive touring, their posts evolved from the usual blow-by-blow of where they played and what they ate into something richer. Informed by prodigious consumption of movies while stuck in the van or killing time after sound check, the entries came to incorporate how what they’d watched shaped the rest of their day. Was Geo’s voice a little hoarse last night? Perhaps viewing the documentary “Food, Inc.” in the dressing room left him unsure what to order from the bar while doing the least damage to the planet… so he wound up dehydrated. “Without intending to, our blog became almost a film blog,” admits the rapper. Movies provided more than just another lens through which to view Blue Scholars’ music; it also encouraged exchanging ideas with colleagues both new and old, which in turn fed into the creation of Cinemetropolis.

Meanwhile, Blue Scholars are constantly churning out new missives as quickly as the inspiration hits them, disseminated via the Internet. Whether provoked by current events like the passage of Arizona’s Immigration Law SB1070 (“Joe Arpaio,” credited to Geo’s alter-ego Prometheus Brown), or contemplating how the Future went from a sparkling wonderland of flying cars and personal jet packs to a post-apocalyptic wasteland shot in shades of ash and bone (“Paul Valéry”), Blue Scholars react to real events in real time—with music that sounds fresh because it is.

Since 2002, Blue Scholars have been based in the 98118, decreed the most ethnically diverse zip code in America by the 2010 Census. Like the greater Seattle region, that neighborhood embodies the multi-cultural miasma that spawned Blue Scholars, the joining of forces between an Iranian DJ/producer and a Filipino rapper. These are dudes who nourish their bodies with Vietnamese coffee, Ethiopian injera, and steaming bowls of phở. Thanks to music, they have mingled with guests at a party hosted by renown glass artist Dale Cihuly, and conducted workshops at a Colorado juvenile detention center.

“I feel very lucky,” admits Sabzi. “So many people are in their own fishbowl, thinking they know what the world is, but never get the opportunity to see anything beyond their immediate environment. We’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to establish real human connections with people we’ve discovered aren’t really any different from us, because music has broken down the superficial barriers that would otherwise keep us apart.”

Blue Scholars actively contribute to the global community of artists and freethinkers in myriad ways. Drawing on Jamaican dancehall culture and the increasingly popular medium of artist mix tapes, Sabzi makes the instrumental foundations of all their songs available as individual riddims, to be adopted and adapted by whomever cares to use his beats. Meanwhile, every time they hook up with another artist, be it Seattle rapper Macklemore (Sabzi’s reworking of his Emerald City celebration “The Town” extended the shelf life of an already hugely popular joint) or Los Angeles’ Bambu, their network expands. New fans find Blue Scholars via new points of entry, and in turn, Blue Scholars discover more fodder for their imaginations.

Towards that end, and meeting more kindred spirits in the real world, Sabzi currently divides his time between New York and Seattle. How has that impacted Blue Scholars’ creative process? Not at all. Even as students at the University of Washington, where they first met and began making music together, Sabzi and Geologic were using the Internet as an integral part of their routine. The former would make a beat, upload it to the server, his partner would download it and write rhymes… and then they’d record together. They do the same thing today, just across bigger geographical distances.

Since 2002, the duo has become renowned live show veterans, rocking over 400 shows with the likes of Kanye West, De La Soul, Immortal Technique, Q-Tip, and supporting such acts on tour Zion-I, Gym Class Heroes, and the Coup on tour. They’ve also played labor organizing conferences and youth-run community center shows, the main stage at Sasquatch! (2006 & ‘08) and Bumbershoot (2006), and in 2007 headlined their own Northwest Hip Hop festival, “The Program,” which sold out five nights in a row. Their discography includes the albums Blue Scholars (2004) and Biyani (2007), as well as the EPs The Long March (2005), Joe Metro (2007), Butter &… (2008), and OOF! (2009).

But enough about the past. What are Blue Scholars doing right now? Find out for yourself at www.bluescholars.com.

This semester's schedule!

2010-09-02T14:05:00.001-04:00

Vids: Twin Sister @ Great Scott

2010-08-11T18:05:00.005-04:00

Last semester, Twin Sister's Vampires With Dreaming Kids spent a few months in WTBU's rotation and on the top of our charts. On Monday night, the Long Island 5-piece played the Great Scott with Memoryhouse. Their set was excellent as always + WTBU was there to capture a few videos. Check out "Saturday Sunday" and "I Want a House" below:

Twin Sister and Memoryhouse are touring the US together throughout August. Full tour dates are posted here.

Listen to Vampires With Dreaming Kids here.

If you like Twin Sister, you might like other music played on Left of the Dial. Check out our blog here and/or tune in weekdays from 4-6pm starting September 2!

What do popular local singer-songwriters sound like anyway? Answer: Will Dailey.

2010-07-14T02:52:00.005-04:00

It's summertime! Like many other BU students, I am back in my hometown hanging with my hometown crew and feeling a little too much like I'm back in high school again. Remember those days? After school sports times, wild Friday nights, and One Tree Hill? That's right — don't act like you could resist watching Chad Michael Murray play the high school hoops star underdog in that gripping WB drama. And who didn't love that feel-good theme song from Gavin Degraw? I don't wanna be anything other than ME!

Speaking of singer-songwriters who frequent popular TV dramas... yes, the singer-songwriter lives on; this species has found a way to survive in the digital age with old fashioned soul and sincerity. So when uber-popular BU alum and friend of mine Dan Chiz sought to highlight local singer-songwriter Will Dailey, I had a listen and ended up feeling so very end-of-a-particularly-sweet-Grey's Anatomy — in a good way.

Will Dailey reps Boston and has won awards here too. After years of all-or-nothing survival touring to stay afloat, he got the attention of record labels and has since been featured on CSI: Miami, CSI: New York and The Hills. It's no wonder, as Dailey's sound, reminiscent of Gavin Degraw and Sondre Lerche at times, works well on screen. It's simple, relatable and romantic.

Check out "Never Be Your Baby" for the catch appeal, or "Rise" if you're feeling more sentimental. Because not everybody likes indie music. And because those One Tree Hill days were golden ones.

- Jessy Bartlett

Review: Land of Talk @ TT the Bear's, 5/31

2010-06-02T17:44:00.005-04:00

Montreal up-and-comers Land of Talk stole the show at TT the Bear's on Sunday night in front of a lucky summertime crowd. Lucky why, you ask? Because despite three excellent releases top to bottom, the band remains relatively unknown in the States — even in the indie rock scene despite ties to indie rock gods Broken Social Scene (lead singer Lizzie Powell is now an official member). Baffling as that is, it means you can still catch them at a small venue such as TT's for ten bucks opening for other bands. However, perhaps the secret is finally getting out as it seemed that most people came out to see LoT first and headliners the Besnard Lakes second.

Boston native Drew O'Doherty opened first with locally-flavored rock folk tales, complete with a Citgo sign shout out. Easy-going and cool, Drew and his band mates had the little room feeling homey. Headliners the Besnard Lakes played last, their set starting around midnight (complete with smoke machines!) after an extended set from LoT as requested by the crowd (more on that in a bit). The Besnard Lakes, also of Montreal, brought a mixed crowd of old school rock and rollers and young people. Their rock sound falls somewhere in between indie and psychedelic, an interesting blend that is all their own. Check out "Albatross" and my favorite, "Thomasina," to see what I mean.

After Drew and before the Besnard Lakes, Land of Talk played through a subdued but powerful set after lead singer Lizzie Powell announced she was feeling under the weather. It was no matter as the band rallied on through highlights from their library. Equal parts bang and quiet contemplation, the songs showcase Powell's distinctive voice and songwriting that just keeps getting better. They opened with fan favorite "Summer Special" and played songs from all three releases, including their latest, 2009's awesome Fun and Laughter EP.

The more upbeat "May You Never" and "Young Bridge" stood out, but it was the slower fare that really had sparks flying. I usually don't go to rock shows at TT's to cry, but I came damn close over gorgeous renditions of "Troubled," "It's Okay" and a cover of Big Star's "Thirteen."

By the end of the set, we just couldn't let them leave the stage. After Besnard Lakes frontman Jace Lasek proudly announced that Land of Talk is his favorite band, we held out hope that we could get an encore — and did! Grateful for the love from the crowd, the band returned for the opening track off their debut LP Some Are Lakes, "Yuppy Flu." Almost giggling at the line "pissing on the Earth's face" and then ending on the big, dark note, "Stop seeing your own death / and selling it to me!," Powell charmed and killed it like only she can.

Watch out for the much anticipated sophomore album from Land of Talk later this summer. Cloak and Cipher is set to be released on August 24th on Saddle Creek Records and is said to feature contributions from members of Stars, the Besnard Lakes, Arcade Fire and more.

- Jessy Bartlett

Weekly chart 4/19-4/26

2010-04-26T22:34:00.001-04:00

Top 30 Most-Played:

1 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday Sub Pop
3 GREG MULLEN The Hungry Ocean Self-Released
4 SHELLSHAG Rumors In Disguise Don Giovanni
5 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-Released
6 FANG ISLAND Fang Island Sargent House
7 TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS The Brutalist Bricks Matador
8 MGMT Congratulations Columbia
9 ADAM GREEN Minor Love Fat Possum
10 GOLDEN GIRLS U L T I M A T E F R E E D O M Burning Mill
11 AWESOME COLOR Massa Hypnos Ecstatic Peace
12 PAVEMENT Quarantine The Past: The Best Of Pavement Matador
13 TITUS ANDRONICUS The Monitor XL
14 GONJASUFI A Sufi And A Killer Warp
15 VARIOUS ARTISTS Whitehaus Family Record Family Record Whitehaus Family Record
16 CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS Genuine Negro Jig Nonesuch
17 HUMBLE TRIPE Counting Stars Knox
18 LAURA MARLING I Speak Because I Can Astralwerks
19 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
20 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
21 TORO Y MOI Causers Of This Carpark
22 SPOON Transference Merge
23 SLOTHBEAR Qids
24 LOS CAMPESINOS! Romance Is Boring Arts And Crafts
25 YAWN Yawn [EP] Self-Released
26 MANY MANSIONS/TRUMAN PEYOTE Peaced Together whitehaus family
27 WILD ASSUMPTIONS Wild Assumptions
28 SHOUT OUT LOUDS Work Merge
29 VARIOUS ARTISTS Mozart Park All-Stars Breakfast Of Champs
30 THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]

New in Rotation:

1 DOOMSTAR! Rainbow Bloodsucker Self-released
2 BIG BIG BUCKS Crucial Schmooze Self-Released
3 QUILT March Appropriation
4 BLUNT MECHANIC World Record Barsuk

Attention Fans of Every Avenue (and WTBU)

2010-04-22T12:54:00.002-04:00

Saturday Morning (April 24) from 2 to 4 AM, during The Girls At The Rock Show, WTBU will be giving away an Every Avenue prize pack! When you hear an Every Avenue song, call in at (617) 353-6400.

Prize pack includes:
-An Every Avenue T-Shirt
-A Signed Poster From The Band
-An Every Avenue Sticker
-A Copy of their latest release, Picture Perfect

First person to call in wins the prize pack. Prize pack courtesy of Fearless Records. For more information, visit: http://thegirlsattherockshow.tumblr.com

Don't forget to catch Every Avenue as they stop by Boston on the AP Tour, next Thursday, April 29 at Boston House of Blues, doors open at 6:00 PM. Other acts include The Summer Set, The Cab, Hey Monday and Never Shout Never.

Weekly Chart

2010-04-20T11:06:00.002-04:00

Most played records from 4/12 to 4/19:

1 AWESOME COLOR Massa Hypnos Ecstatic Peace
2 SHELLSHAG Rumors In Disguise Don Giovanni
3 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
4 FANG ISLAND Fang Island Sargent House
5 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
6 SLOTHBEAR Qids
7 HARLEM Hippies Matador
8 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday Sub Pop
9 MARK SULTAN $ Last Gang
10 PAVEMENT Quarantine The Past: The Best Of Pavement Matador
11 WILD ASSUMPTIONS Wild Assumptions
12 GREG MULLEN The Hungry Ocean Self-Released
13 XIU XIU Dear God, I Hate Myself Kill Rock Stars
14 TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS The Brutalist Bricks Matador
15 DUM DUM GIRLS I Will Be Sub Pop
16 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
17 BLACK TAMBOURINE Black Tambourine Slumberland
18 SHAI ERLICHMAN Home Recordings 2007 whitehaus family
19 SPOON Transference Merge
20 JONSI Go XL
21 DOM Sun Bronzed Greek Gods Burning Mill
22 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
23 GONJASUFI A Sufi And A Killer Warp
24 CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS Genuine Negro Jig Nonesuch
25 VARIOUS ARTISTS Whitehaus Family Record Family Record Whitehaus Family Record
26 RUBY SUNS Fight Softly SUB POP
27 SLOW CLUB Yeah, So MOSHI MOSHI
28 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
29 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-Released
30 BEST COAST "When I'm With You" [Single] Black Iris

TONIGHT is our fundraiser at the Great Scott

2010-04-18T16:32:00.002-04:00

Tonight is our fundraiser at the Great Scott in Allston!

More info about the show here on the Facebook event.

Here is a free mix of songs by the bands playing:

tracklist
Dom - Living in America
Quilt - False Eto
Golden Girls - Newports
Turtle Ambulance - Bueno Pues
The Lord Jeff - I Dont Wan't to Live 2X
Quilt - Disco Music For Trees
Dom - Jesus
The Lord Jeff - Cheer Up Charlie
Golden Girls - Dreams
Turtle Ambulance - Child
Dom - Burn Bridges
Turtle Ambulance - Cubierta
Dom - Rude As Jude

DOWNLOAD HERE. More info here.

WTBU's Redefined Interviews Australia's Hillsong United

2010-04-14T17:20:00.002-04:00

Tune in to Redefined this Friday night (4/16) at 10PM.
DJ Jacqueline Lacy interviewed Hillsong United backstage after their sold-out show in downtown Boston last night. Check out the full interview on Jacqueline's show Redefined.

wtbu fundraiser show

2010-04-07T09:39:00.003-04:00

sunday april 18 @ great scott in allston
golden girls

quilt

dom

the lord jeff

turtle ambulance

9pm
18+
$5

there are no classes at BU the next day!

there's a facebook event for the show here.

weekly chart for march 29 --> april 5

2010-04-07T09:37:00.001-04:00

top 30 most played records from march 29th --> april 5th

1 DUM DUM GIRLS I Will Be Sub Pop
2 BUNDLES The Bundles K
3 RUBY SUNS Fight Softly SUB POP
4 VARIOUS ARTISTS Whitehaus Family Record Family Record Whitehaus Family Record
5 TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS The Brutalist Bricks Matador
6 TITUS ANDRONICUS The Monitor XL
7 MANY MANSIONS/TRUMAN PEYOTE Peaced Together whitehaus family
8 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-Released
9 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
10 WILD ASSUMPTIONS Wild Assumptions
11 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday Sub Pop
12 SPLINTERS Kick Double Negative
13 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
14 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
15 BLACK TAMBOURINE Black Tambourine Slumberland
16 PAVEMENT Quarantine The Past: The Best Of Pavement Matador
17 SLOW CLUB Yeah, So MOSHI MOSHI
18 EVELYN EVELYN Evelyn Evelyn Eleven
19 VARIOUS ARTISTS Future Magic Vol. 1 Mushpot
20 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
21 FANG ISLAND Fang Island Sargent House
22 JOSIAH WOLF Jet Lag Anticon
23 THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]
24 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
25 GONJASUFI A Sufi And A Killer Warp
26 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
27 QUASI American Gong Kill Rock Stars
28 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days Infinity Cat
29 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
30 TORO Y MOI Causers Of This Carpark

new in rotation this week

1 HARLEM Hippies Matador
2 AWESOME COLOR Massa Hypnos Ecstatic Peace
3 SHELLSHAG Rumors In Disguise Don Giovanni
4 MARK SULTAN $ Last Gang
5 LAURA MARLING I Speak Because I Can Astralwerks

SaintSeneca In-Studio Performance

2010-04-02T20:57:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, March 25th, the Ohio based folk band Saintseneca performed on The Show About Nothing. Zac Little, Grace Chang, Luke Smith and Steve Jacobs comprise this incredibly talented group. These Ohio State students spent their spring break touring, and stopped by the studio in between performances in Allston and Cambridge.

Although there are only four members, Saintseneca filled the studio with the melodies of guitars, banjos, violins, dulcimers, trash-can-percussion, stomps, claps and voices; it sounded as if there were ten people crammed into Studio B. Saintseneca put tambourines and maracas in the plastic trash can to produce different sounds for different songs, creating the illusion that they were using an actual drum set. The band performed all four songs off of their 7”EP, as well as eight others. They played for about a half hour total, and talked for the rest.

Saintseneca spoke about their tour, which consisted of three stops in Boston and three others along the east coast; about how they got started after they all met at school; and about their lack of future plans (they hope that they keep playing together, as they have a great thing going, but don’t want to over-plan it too much). Saintseneca hopes to tour this summer, but does not have any dates set yet. They are, however, playing the Weapons of Mass Creation Festival in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 22nd and 23rd. If you’ll be in the area, go check them out!

For videos of the in-studio performance, as well as other musicians that have come into the station, check out The Show About Nothing’s facebook group or youtube channel.

  -Brittney, Kristin, and Deb; The Show About Nothing

Tune in Friday at 4pm ++ hear Manners

2010-04-01T00:29:00.006-04:00

Look Into Look Unto is the most recent record by Manners. It was released earlier this year by Sun of Bees and the Whitehaus Family Record and the Grinding Tapes Recording Company. It has also been one of WTBU's most-played local albums this semester! Tune in to Left of the Dial on Friday at 4pm to hear some of these songs performed live in-studio. More info here and here and here and here.

Weekly charts/adds

2010-03-30T23:19:00.003-04:00

Top 30 most played records this week:

1 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
2 SPLINTERS Kick Double Negative
3 GONJASUFI A Sufi And A Killer Warp
4 SPOON Transference Merge
5 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday Sub Pop
6 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
7 RUBY SUNS Fight Softly SUB POP
8 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
9 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
10 TWIN SISTER Vampires With Dreaming Kids
11 GORILLAZ Plastic Beach Virgin
12 TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS The Brutalist Bricks Matador
13 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
14 AVIATOR Thank You, Come Again Base Trip
15 DUM DUM GIRLS I Will Be Sub Pop
16 TITUS ANDRONICUS The Monitor XL
17 SHOUT OUT LOUDS Work Merge
18 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
19 FANG ISLAND Fang Island Sargent House
20 TORO Y MOI Causers Of This Carpark
21 GIGI Maintenant Tomlab
22 REAL ESTATE Real Estate Woodsist
23 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
24 PAVEMENT Quarantine The Past: The Best Of Pavement Matador
25 VARIOUS ARTISTS Mozart Park All-Stars Breakfast Of Champs
26 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-Released
27 BEST COAST "When I'm With You" [Single] Black Iris
28 THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]
29 CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS Genuine Negro Jig Nonesuch
30 EELS End Times Vagrant

New in rotation this week:

VARIOUS ARTISTS MtyMx: A Pitchfork Mix For DIY Mexico (Compilation)
VARIOUS ARTIST Don Giovanni Records Sampler (Don Giovanni)
WILD ASSUMPTIONS Wild Assumptions (Self release)
EVELYN EVELYN Evelyn Evelyn (Eleven)
JOSIAH WOLF Jet Lag (Anticon)
SLOW CLUB Yeah, So (MOSHI MOSHI)

Bad Kids From Georgia: The Black Lips

2010-03-29T12:57:00.002-04:00

It’s rad to be able to listen to real rock and roll music again; thank God for The Black Lips. The Georgia-based revivalists have been making a dirty, lo-fi mix of rock and roll and blues for about 10 years now. They tour extensively, including places Western rock bands don’t frequent including India and Israel. The four garage-rockers have also become famous for their wild live shows.

I caught up with Black Lips bassist Jared Swiley on the phone. We talked about everything from boiled peanuts to his grandmother.

So How’s it going?

Jared: Good, I’m building a fence in front of my house.

That’s pretty awesome, do you still live in Georgia?

Yeah, I live in Atlanta.

You and Cole [the rhythm guitarist] started The Black Lips right?

Me and Cole started a band in high school called The Renegades before that and we just morphed in to the Black Lips. And then Joe [the drummer] joined. And then Ian [the lead guitarist] came a few years after. He’s our fourth guitar player.

I read somewhere you and Cole used to bully Ryan Seascrest in high school, is there any truth to that?

Uh, [laughing] he went to our high school but I think he graduated before I did, he’s a lot older than us. I think Cole was joking around in an interview, saying that. He used to do the morning announcements before I got there. I wish it was true.

So what of you think of being signed to Vice? They are your third record label.

It’s been great for us, cause we did seven years kind of touring, just as much as we do now, but no one knew who we were. It’s hard to survive off nothing, when you’re in that much poverty. So, Vice gave us a lot of exposure we wouldn’t have gotten before so, it made it easier for us to do this full time.

They also filmed you guys in India right? You guys got in some trouble right? You’re pretty well known for your stage antics.

[Laughing] Yeah. It was so silly because I worked on booking that tour with them for a year and they knew everything about us. We were the ones being up tight when we got there because we thought it was so strict; we were on our best behavior. Then the guys doing the tour were like, “You don’t have to hold back, you can do whatever you want, just be yourselves.” And right when we did that the promoters kicked us off the tour and we didn’t get to finish it. It was kind of a bummer, but we didn’t let it get us down.

Last Summer I saw you guys in Chicago. A guitar was broken and thrown in to the crowd on the very first song, there was fire extinguishers shot at everything, and you asked the crowd to rush the stage. The security guards were pissed. They wanted to get you in trouble.

We usually don’t ask people to [rush the stage]. I think we did it then because we had just gotten back from doing a bunch of festivals in England. English kids would break down the barriers and run on stage. We thought it was really funny because they would freak out on us, and yell at us, but we didn’t do anything. Actually we shoulda yelled at them for letting the crowd get through security.

But, usually security guards hate anyone that’s doing anything awesome. Which I can understand but, I think it’s fun for everyone. I got beat up by security after a show in London we did last year ‘cause kids invaded the stage. And it was an all ages show, so it was like really young kids, like girls jumping on stage and getting thrown off. They were really man-handling people so I was trying to get them away. Afterwards I was running my mouth at them, and they ‘bounced’ me.

We haven’t gotten in to much trouble lately. It was mostly in the early days, in the smaller clubs. Cause we wouldn’t bring anyone in, so we’d do stuff like that and they’d freak out. But, if people come to see you, you get a little more leeway.

What’s the most fucked up thing you’ve done on-stage?

We’ve never really done anything too bad, never intentionally hurt anyone, or intentionally break anything unless it’s our stuff. Nothing too fucked up. Nothing I’d want my grandmother to see, but stuff my Mom wouldn’t be too offended at. I mean there has been some gross stuff.

How and why do you do your stuff lo-fi?

We just record everything analog. That’s already gonna give it an older, warmer feel. We try not to overdo it on microphones. Even when The Beatles were recording, they were one of the top-selling bands ever. They didn’t use very many microphones. It’s about placing everything right. We’re more into minimalism than lo-fi. There’s a lot of stuff that’s too lo-fi where you can’t hear anything. We just use old equipment, we only use tape and a lot of tube microphones.

Anything new coming up?

We pretty much have the new album written. And we’ve done a couple of sessions; over the spring we’ll have the album done. So hopefully it’ll be done this year.

Top three bands you’ve been listening to right now. Go.

Hmmm. I just got this French girl group compilation. I’ve been listening to that a lot. French sixties girl groups. I’ve been listening to Reckless Eric a lot. And Alex Chilton a lot.

What do the Black Lips eat for snacks on the road?

Boiled peanuts are our favorite, but you can’t really get those outside of the South. And beef jerky. I usually eat a lot of that.

Very cool. I will see you when you’re in Boston.

Take it easy.

You can check out the Black Lips this Thursday at Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge at 8:00 p.m.

Lady Gaga Bake Sale Slideshow

2010-03-24T19:25:00.004-04:00

Some of you may remember several weeks ago when a couple E-Board members and hardcore WTBUers/bitchin' friends took over some spots on campus to peddle baked goods. What the WTBU devotees will remember is that these were no ordinary cookies--they were themed around Lady Gaga, everyone's favorite pop star, fashion icon, Illuminati conspirator, and Twitter-er.

In case you aren't up on the baking world, WTBU's own Renee made a slideshow featuring fantastic photos and baking pointers, all set to the Lady's music. Check it out here:

Lady Gaga Cookie Slideshow

SPRING BREAK

2010-03-09T11:41:00.001-05:00

WTBU programming will resume on Monday, March 15th.

Thanks!

WEEKLY CHART FEB 22 --> MAR 1

2010-03-02T13:25:00.001-05:00

TOP 30 MOST-PLAYED

1 RUBY SUNS Fight Softly SUB POP
2 SHOUT OUT LOUDS Work Merge
3 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
4 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
5 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
6 SPOON Transference Merge
7 MANY MANSIONS/TRUMAN PEYOTE Peaced Together whitehaus family
8 TWIN SISTER Vampires With Dreaming Kids
9 CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS Genuine Negro Jig Nonesuch
10 GIGI Maintenant Tomlab
11 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
12 XIU XIU Dear God, I Hate Myself Kill Rock Stars
13 THICK SHAKES Ooh Mommy
14 QUASI American Gong Kill Rock Stars
15 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-Released
16 VARIOUS ARTISTS A Grinding Tapes Promo Disc Grinding Tapes
17 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
18 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
19 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days Infinity Cat
20 THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]
21 FUCKED UP Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009 Matador
22 BYNARS Party All Nite
23 MIDNIGHT MASSES Rapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body
24 MAGNETIC FIELDS Realism Nonesuch
25 NANA GRIZOL Ruth Orange Twin
26 LOS CAMPESINOS! Romance Is Boring Arts And Crafts
27 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
28 KAL MARKS Recovering After The Storm Self-Released
29 EELS End Times Vagrant
30 OUTERNATIONAL Eyes On Fire [EP] Self-Released

NEW IN ROTATION THIS WEEK

1 GONJASUFI A Sufi And A Killer Warp
2 SPLINTERS Kick Double Negative
3 FANG ISLAND Fang Island Sargent House
4 LIARS Sisterworld Mute
5 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday Sub Pop

Jason Boesel plays at WTBU

2010-02-23T16:12:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday night Jason Boesel (of Rilo Kiley and the Elected) came in studio to perform and promote his new solo album Hustler's Son.

Check out this video of him performing the song "Burned Out and Busted" in WTBU's studio:

For more information check out SHUT UP ZINE online.

TOP 30 MOST PLAYED 2/15 -- 2/22

2010-02-22T16:21:00.003-05:00

1 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
2 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
3 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
4 SHOUT OUT LOUDS Work Merge
5 ADAM GREEN Minor Love Fat Possum
6 SPOON Transference Merge
7 NANA GRIZOL Ruth Orange Twin
8 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
9 TWIN SISTER Vampires With Dreaming Kids
10 YAWN Yawn [EP] Self-Released
11 LOS CAMPESINOS! Romance Is Boring Arts And Crafts
12 BYNARS Back From Outer Space [EP] Self-Released
13 XIU XIU Dear God, I Hate Myself Kill Rock Stars
14 PAST LIVES Tapestry Of Webs Suicide Squeeze
15 MANY MANSIONS/TRUMAN PEYOTE Peaced Together whitehaus family
16 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
17 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
18 REAL ESTATE Real Estate Woodsist
19 GROOMS Rejoicer death by audio
20 GIGI Maintenant Tomlab
21 MIDNIGHT MASSES Rapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body
22 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days Infinity Cat
23 TORO Y MOI Causers Of This Carpark
24 JAKE JENKINS No Folk Luck Swallows Everything Get Young
25 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
26 THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]
27 KAL MARKS Recovering After The Storm Self-Released
28 EELS End Times Vagrant
29 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-Released
30 BIG TROUBLES Freudian Slips Blackburn

NEW IN ROTATION THIS WEEK

VARIOUS ARTISTS A Grinding Tapes Promo Disc Grinding Tapes
QUASI American Gong Kill Rock Stars
THIN HEIR Thin Heir [EP]
CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS Genuine Negro Jig Nonesuch
RUBY SUNS Fight Softly SUB POP
THICK SHAKES Ooh Mommy Snugglehound

WTBU Interview w/ All Ages Movement Project

2010-02-17T21:08:00.001-05:00

Today WTBU interviewed All Ages Movement Project coordinator Kevin Erickson. AMP is a national nonprofit that connects all-ages venues and youth music organizations around the country, so that people who run all ages spaces/organizations can learn from one another, become stronger, and grow.

We talked about the history and goals of AMP, their tactics for connecting organizations, and the importance of all ages venues/organizations. Download an mp3 of the entire interview here.

AMP is currently in the running to win $50,000 from Pepsi's "Refresh Everything" contest! If AMP wins, they plan to put some of the money towards publishing a book on organizing all-ages venues, and funding a national book tour. Check out the contest here, vote for AMP, and help make all-ages music happen in every town!

AMP: The What What from Shannon Stewart on Vimeo.

Redefined interviews Glenridge

2010-02-17T11:23:00.002-05:00

Tune into Re: Defined this Friday from 10PM to Midnight to hear a live interview with New Hampshire band Glenridge!

Charts and Adds! (week of 2/16/10)

2010-02-16T13:44:00.001-05:00

top 30 most-played this week, feb 8--> feb 16

1 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
2 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
3 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days Infinity Cat
4 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
5 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
6 MANY MANSIONS/TRUMAN PEYOTE Peaced Together whitehaus family
7 REAL ESTATE Real Estate Woodsist
8 GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
9 SPOON Transference Merge
10 MAGNETIC FIELDS Realism Nonesuch
11 TWIN SISTER Vampires With Dreaming Kids
12 MIDNIGHT MASSES Rapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body
13 BEST COAST "When I'm With You" [Single] Black Iris
14 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
15 NANA GRIZOL Ruth Orange Twin
16 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
17 GROOMS Rejoicer death by audio
18 TORO Y MOI Causers Of This Carpark
19 VARIOUS ARTISTS Underwater Peoples Winter Review Underwater Peoples
20 BYNARS Back From Outer Space [EP] Self-Released
21 FUCKED UP Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009 Matador
22 BONUS EVENTUS Canaceros Dinosaurs In Vietnam
23 BEN SOLLEE AND DANIEL MARTIN MOORE Dear Companion Sub Pop
24 LOS CAMPESINOS! Romance Is Boring Arts And Crafts
25 VARIOUS ARTISTS Whitehaus Family Record Family Record Whitehaus Family Record
26 YAWN Yawn [EP] Self-Released
27 KAL MARKS Recovering After The Storm Self-Released
28 VARIOUS ARTISTS Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010 Matador
29 VARIOUS ARTISTS Mozart Park All-Stars Breakfast Of Champs
30 TUNE-YARDS BiRd-BrAiNs 4AD

new in rotation this week:

1 XIU XIU Dear God, I Hate Myself Kill Rock Stars
2 PAST LIVES Tapestry Of Webs Suicide Squeeze
3 ADAM GREEN Minor Love Fat Possum
4 SHOUT OUT LOUDS Work Merge

Give-Aways and Interview on Schist that Rocks!

2010-02-14T18:17:00.003-05:00

Schist That Rocks, Fridays 2-4AM, is giving away a 3 day pass to the New England Americana Festival on the show and having The Autumn Hollow Band, festival organizers and headliners, on the show for a performance and interview.

Switchfoot interview on "Redefined," Friday at 10PM

2010-02-11T13:59:00.003-05:00

Tune into Redefined this Friday night, 10pm-Midnight to listen to a special Boston interview with Switchfoot's Tim Foreman, the bassist for the band. Listen to him answer questions about Switchfoot from BU students and from those around the Boston area and hear about his history, back when he was a Boston boy.

Tea Leaf Green concert review, Paradise Rock Club, 2/6/10

2010-02-09T15:47:00.003-05:00

Tea Leaf Green can play many different ways – well-written songs, powerful rock and roll, dirty funk, loose jams, and sometimes all these at once – making its live show a potentially different experience every time. The band’s last two albums, 2005’s Taught To Be Proud and their 2008 effort Raise Up The Tent has seen a trend away from the earlier, longer jams of its first three records and towards a more concise, well-developed songwriting style. Saturday night at the Paradise Rock Club reflected this evolution.

That being said, Tea Leaf hasn’t dropped the early songs from its set lists and an early “Freedom” showcased guitarist Josh Clark at his apex. Equally at home digging into heavy metal or bouncing around a bluegrass tune, Clark’s versatility is a big part of what makes this band tick. With “Freedom,” Clark was able to take over the jam and build it to a high-intensity climax before the band switched gears into the earnest ballad “Faced With Love.”

“Faced With Love” echoes another aspect of the band, in that the song doesn’t appear on any of their studio albums. While most bands use studio albums to showcase and fine-tune its best songs, they are used as mainly just benchmarks for Tea Leaf Green, and its catalog of songs is so extensive that “Freedom” was the only song in the first set that has ever been recorded in the studio and released.

Midway through the first set the band took the show into uncharted territory with a cache of new songs. “Without A Broom,” “Oklahoma Home” and “Cottonwood Tree” were all part of the trend toward shorter and more focused songs that Tea Leaf seems to be embracing. The buoyant, energetic “Cops Took My Weed” was a fun romp through some lighthearted storytelling by keyboardist and singer Trevor Garrod.

The second set followed a similar trend to the first, with an absolute blow out of a jam in “Wet Spot” > “Invasion” > “Wet Spot” before settling back into more of a stop-start, song after song approach. “Jackson Hole,” another new song, preceded the feel-good “Papa’s In The Backroom” before crowd favorite “The Garden (Pt. III)” brought the show back to the level of intensity achieved during “Wet Spot.” “Incandescent Devil” showcased Garrod’s impressive harmonica skills as he stood on his keyboard stool to deliver his solo.

The encore of “Morning Sun” with guitarist Rusty Kelly from opening band Elmwood was another high-energy romp and served to underline the theme of the show. While some of the experimental and exploratory jams were missing from the set list, Tea Leaf Green’s multiple personalities and wide-ranging abilities assure that no show is ever a bad one.

- Dan Rys

WEEKLY CHART 2/1-2/8

2010-02-08T19:47:00.001-05:00

TOP 30 MOST PLAYED

1 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
2 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
3 SPOON Transference Merge
4 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days Infinity Cat
5 MAGNETIC FIELDS Realism Nonesuch
6 GROOMS Rejoicer death by audio
7 REAL ESTATE Real Estate Woodsist
8 BEST COAST "When I'm With You" [Single] Black Iris
9 QUILT Quilt Self-Released
10 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
11 GIGI Maintenant Tomlab
12 LOS CAMPESINOS! Romance Is Boring Arts And Crafts
13 EELS End Times Vagrant
14 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
15 NANA GRIZOL Ruth Orange Twin
16 VARIOUS ARTISTS Whitehaus Family Record Family Record Whitehaus Family Record
17 YAWN Yawn [EP] Self-Released
18 BONUS EVENTUS Canaceros Dinosaurs In Vietnam
19 TRUMAN PEYOTE AND MANY MANSIONS Peaced Together Whitehaus
20 THE BYNARS Party All Night Self-release
21 KAL MARKS Recovering After The Storm Self-Released
22 VARIOUS ARTISTS Underwater Peoples Winter Review Underwater Peoples
23 FUCKED UP Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009 Matador
24 MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
25 VARIOUS ARTISTS Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010 Matador
26 FOUR TET There Is Love In You Domino
27 FREELANCE WHALES Weathervanes Frenchkiss-Mom And Pop
28 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-Released
29 VARIOUS ARTISTS Mozart Park All-Stars Breakfast Of Champs
30 TUNE-YARDS BiRd-BrAiNs 4AD

TOP 5 NEW ADDS

1 MANY MANSIONS AND TRUMAN PEYOTE Peaced Together Whitehaus Family Record
2 MIDNIGHT MASSES Rapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body
3 TITLE TRACKS It Was Easy Ernest Jenning
4 BEN SOLLEE AND DANIEL MARTIN MOORE Dear Companion Sub Pop
5 TWIN SISTER Vampires With Dreaming Kids

Killswitch Engage at the House of Blues - Boston, MA 2/4/10

2010-02-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

When Killswitch Engage took the stage at about 9:30 pm at the House of Blues last Thursday night, the House of Blues crowd exploded at the opening riffs for Rose of Sharyn, the band’s hit from their 2004 album, The End of Heartache. As lead singer Howard Jones said, the band hadn’t played in Boston for far too long. Their devoted fans could not have agreed more.

Dark Tranquility and The Devil Wears Prada set the table nicely for Killswitch. Taking advantage of an early-arriving crowd, both bands did their job getting the moshing going and crowd pumping fists before the headliners.

At the first stop on their US Headline Tour, Killswitch did not disappoint. Playing on their home turf, the Massachusetts-based band ripped into a mixture of new songs and classics. During Arms of Sorrow, the crowd clapped in unison during the melodic opening notes before moshing as one as the song grew heavy. Though they are unquestionably a heavy metal band, one aspect of Killswitch’s music that cannot be understated are their deep lyrics and ability to fuse melodic harmony with brutal riffs.

Killswitch also has the ability to connect with their audience in ways that few headliners can. There is a mutual respect that is authentic and real and appreciated by the fans. A few songs in, Jones saluted a security guard at the foot of the stage for having an awesome Afro. Adam D made sure that Tom “Dice” Cavanaugh, his guitar tech who dealt with numerous technical difficulties during the show, was recognized for his efforts. It was also “Dice’s” birthday, so of course the band led a heavy metal version of Happy Birthday before launching into Take Me Away off the band’s self-titled 2009 release.

The band’s set list was almost tailor-made for the old, hardcore fans. During My Last Serenade, off 2002’s Alive or Just Breathing, the entire floor was engulfed in a most pit that was not for the weak. Although if someone fell, the pit stopped until the fallen soldier was lifted. Even though a pit is anything but friendly dancing, there is an unspoken code - if someone falls, pick them up.

Before closing the set with My Curse, off 2006’s As Daylight Dies, the band sincerely thanked the crowd for coming out and offering support. For the encore, we were treated to the band’s incredible cover of Dio’s “Holy Diver.” For a few minutes after the show, fans leaving continued singing the chorus in the hallway. At the beginning of the set, Jones asked that we make this show count. It sure did. If this tour is stopping at your city, be there.

--Josh Friedman, Boston 2010

Today: BUITM interviews the Vagabond Opera

2010-02-03T08:51:00.002-05:00

Today around 11:30 BU in the Morning will be interviewing The Vagabond Opera, a 6-piece bohemian cabaret klezmer ensemble from Portland, Oregon! The band includes accordion, tenor saxophone, cello, violin, musical saw, banjo-lele, stand-up bass, drums and lyrics in thirteen languages, and has played with Pink Martini, The Decembrists, Gogol Bordello, Devotchka and more.

We will also be giving away 2 sets of tickets to their show tonight at Johnny D's in Boston so tune in!

TOP 30 MOST-PLAYED ALBUMS 1/25-2/1

2010-02-01T16:45:00.002-05:00

1 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
2 REAL ESTATE Real Estate Woodsist
3 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days
4 NANA GRIZOL Ruth Orange Twin
5 GROOMS Rejoicer death by audio
6 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
7 LOS CAMPESINOS! Romance Is Boring Arts And Crafts
8 TUNE-YARDS BiRd-BrAiNs 4AD
9 YAWN Yawn [EP] Self-Released
10 SPOON Transference Merge
11 BONUS EVENTUS Canaceros Dinosaurs In Vietnam
12 KAL MARKS Recovering After the Storm Self-released
13 EELS End Times Vagrant
14 VARIOUS ARTISTS The Underwater Peoples Winter Review Underwater Peoples
15 FUCKED UP Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009 Matador
16 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
17 VARIOUS ARTISTS Casual Victim Pile Austin 2010 Matador
18 FOUR TET There Is Love In You Domino
19 BEST COAST "When I'm With You" [Single]
20 QUILT Quilt Self-released
21 SURFER BLOOD Astro Coast Kanine
22 MAGNETIC FIELDS Realism Nonesuch
23 FREELANCE WHALES Weathervanes Mom And Pop-Frenchkiss
24 KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW Invisible Girl In The Red
25 BANG! BANG! ECHE! Sonic Death Cunttt Self-released
26 PANTS YELL! Received Pronunciation Slumberland
27 MAGIC MAN Real Life Color Self-release
28 VARIOUS ARTISTS Mozart Park All-Stars Breakfast of Champs
29 XX The Xx Young Turks-XL
30 TRUMAN PEYOTE New Wife, New Life [Single] Self-released

NEW IN ROTATION THIS WEEK

COMPILATION Whitehaus Family Record Family Record Whitehaus Family Record
MANNERS Look Into Look Unto Whitehaus Family Record
TORO Y MOI Causers Of This Carpark
GIGI Maintenant Tomlab
GIRLFRIENDS Girlfriends Self-Released
MAGIC MAN Real Life Color

What to Look Out for in 2010:

2010-02-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

David Cooper runs down upcoming releases (Updated 1/31/10).

Here’s my attempt to gather most of the upcoming releases for this year. I’m really excited for The Avalanches, Flying Lotus, Broadcast, Panda Bear, Battles, Growing and the new Animal Collective-scored film, Oddsac. Currently, I can’t stop listening to the Beach House album that just came out this week, so I would recommend that if you haven’t heard it yet. My apologies if I forgot something. This should be a great year for music. Cheers!

Already Released:
Beach House – Teen Dream
Four Tet – There is Love in You
Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
RJD2 – The Colossus
Spoon – Transference
Pit er Pat – The Flexible Entertainer
Jaga Jazzist – One-Armed Bandit
The Knife – Tomorrow, In a Year
Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM
Owen Pallett – Heartland
Vampire Weekend - Contra
The Magnetic Fields – Realism
The Chicago Underground Duo – Boca Negra
Night Control – Life Control

February 2:
Toro y Moi – Causers of This
The Album Leaf – A Chorus of Storytellers

February 9:
Yeasayer – Odd Blood
Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Pantha du Prince – Black Noise
Gigi – Maintenant

February 16:
Field Music – Measure

February 23:
Eluvium – Similes
Xiu Xiu – Dear God, I Hate Myself
Yellow Swans – Going Places
Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
Wolf People – Tidings

March 2:
The Ruby Suns – Fight Softly
Loscil – Endless Falls

March 9:
White Hinterland – Kairos
Liars – Sisterworld
jj – jj no 3
Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
Broken Bells – Broken Bells

March 15:
Jonas Reinhardt – Powers of Audition

March 23:
Serena-Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss In B Minor
Jonsi – Go
She & Him – Volume 2
High Places – High Places vs. Mankind

March 30:
Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be

March:
LCD Soundsystem

April 6:
Harlem – Hippies
Growing – Pumps
Dr. Dog – Shame, Shame
Mi Ami – Steal Your Face

April 12:
Disappears – Lux

April 20:
Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma
Caribou - Swim
Javelin – No Mas

May:
Arcade Fire
Broken Social Scene

September:
Panda Bear – Tomboy
The Thermals

TBA:
Gang Gang Dance
The Books
Wavves
The National
Outkast
Thee Oh Sees – Warm Slime
No Age
Broadcast
Battles
Of Montreal – False Priest
The Strokes
Fleet Foxes
Interpol
Here We Go Magic
School of Seven Bells
The Avalanches
Ariel Pink?
Universal Studios Florida?
Kanye West?
Radiohead?
Sigur Ros?
Julianna Barwick?

I wish:
The Olivia Tremor Control
Pavement
My Bloody Valentine
Boards of Canada

-David Cooper, Boston

This week's recommended live show: JEFF the Brotherhood!

2010-01-28T19:39:00.006-05:00

JEFF the Brotherhood's album Heavy Days has been getting a ton of spins by WTBU DJs this semester! They are a totally badass 70's metal/80's punk influenced duo from Nashville, and they are playing at "The Spot" at Bay State College on Tuesday, February 2nd. The show is open to the public and $7 for non-students. You definitely don't want to miss this!!!!

Check out this sweet video of JEFF's song Bone Jam:

More details here on the Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=287307891666&ref=mf

Also check out some photos from their last show in Allston here http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/11/jeff_the_brothe_6.html

Also, check out The Zookeepers, who are opening:
http://www.myspace.com/thezookeepers

Interview w/ Damon Krukowski today on Left of the Dial

2010-01-27T09:26:00.003-05:00

Damon Krukowski of Damon & Naomi (and formerly of Galaxie 500) will be calling in to Left of the Dial today around 4:30!

On Sunday Damon & Naomi will be performing at the Brattle Theatre for a special event: 1001 Nights: An Evening of Music, Film and Conversation. The night will feature a screening of Naomi's films from the Factory 25 DVD 1001 Nights; a Q&A with D&N moderated by Haden Guest, Director of the Harvard Film Archive and author of the liner notes to 1001 Nights; and a live show featuring sets by Sharon van Etten and Damon & Naomi w/ Michio Kurihara.

WEEKLY CHART!

2010-01-26T22:46:00.001-05:00

Top 30 MOST-PLAYED THIS WEEK:

1 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
2 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
3 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Campfire Songs Pawtracks
4 NANA GRIZOL Ruth Orange Twin
5 TUNE-YARDS BiRd-BrAiNs 4AD
6 NEON INDIAN Psychic Chasms Lefse
7 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days
8 BONUS EVENTUS Canaceros Dinosaurs In Vietnam
9 GROOMS Rejoicer death by audio
10 BEST COAST "When I'm With You" [Single]
11 PANTS YELL! Received Pronunciation Slumberland
12 THEM CROOKED VULTURES Them Crooked Vultures Interscope
13 FLAMING LIPS Embryonic Warner Bros.
14 THAO WITH THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN Know Better Learn Faster Kill Rock Stars
15 KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW Invisible Girl In The Red
16 XX The Xx XL-Young Turks
17 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
18 SPOON Transference Merge
19 BANG BANG ECHE Sonic Death Cuntttt [EP] Self-Released
20 COLD CAVE Love Comes Close Matador
21 JAPANDROIDS Post-Nothing Polyvinyl
22 MISSION OF BURMA The Sound The Speed The Light Matador
23 VARIOUS ARTISTS Underwater Peoples Winter Review Underwater Peoples
24 BRILLIANT COLORS Introducing Brilliant Colors Slumberland
25 TOM WAITS Glitter And Doom Live Anti
26 FANFARLO Live [EP] Canvasback
27 VIVIAN GIRLS Everything Goes Wrong In The Red
28 YO LA TENGO Popular Songs Matador
29 BLAKROC BlakRoc BlakRoc
30 R.E.M. Live At The Olympia Warner Bros.

TOP 5 NEW ADDS THIS WEEK:
1 FUCKED UP Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009 Matador
2 LOS CAMPESINOS! Romance Is Boring Arts And Crafts
3 COMPILATION Mozart Park All-Stars Breakfast Of Champs
4 EELS End Times Vagrant
5 SPOON Transference Merge

ALSO NEW IN ROTATION THIS WEEK:
Quilt - s/t (self-release)
Golden Girls - Amateur Teen Sex Attics (self-release)
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Magnetic Fields - Realism
Various Artists - The Underwater Peoples Winter Review (Underwater Peoples)
Kal Marks - Recovering After the Storm (self-release)
Various Artists - Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010 (Matador)
Yawn - Yawn EP (self-release)

MARTAY interview.

2010-01-21T19:02:00.003-05:00

Tune in to Redefined this week (Fridays, 10PM-12 Midnight) for an exclusive live in-studio interview with BU's very own MARTAY!

This is her bio:

Her name is Martay and what she does is point people towards the "Most High". Taking into account what St. Francis of Assisi says - "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words", Martay views music as an influential avenue to reach others with the Great news of Jesus Christ. "There's no need to always be speaking and letting my mouth run. The Gospel is bigger than that. It's absolutely necessary to walk it out.. demonstrate it.. perhaps even depict it through music" says the wise, beyond-her-years, 20 year old.

"Most of the world is seeking for something that's deeper than what we can see, hear, taste, and touch. And most are tired of people talking about it.. we want to witness it first hand." This is why Martay, birthed- Gabriella Williams, does what she does. She sees it necessary to bring music to the table that glorifies Jesus and empowers spiritual maturity. The music that this young innovator is putting out is something that's never been produced before: Catchy, soulful melodies laid perfectly over edgy, modern instrumentation.

It's terribly hard to put this young woman in a box and say she's going to be the next "so-and-so". The passion for Christ she demonstrates, the edgy sound she's equipped with and her determination to make good music are qualities that give her a genre of her own. To say where this witty, fun-filled musician is going to be in the near future is like predicting what God will do next. We must all stay in tune for this one, she is a mighty voice of this generation.

Top 30; Top Adds this week

2010-01-21T18:58:00.002-05:00

Recent plays and adds this week

"Top 30" is a list of the 30 most played albums this past week; "Top Adds" is a list of the new albums we added to the rotation this week.

Top 30:
1 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
2 FLAMING LIPS Embryonic Warner Bros.
3 THEM CROOKED VULTURES Them Crooked Vultures Interscope
4 BEST COAST "When I'm With You" [Single]
5 NEON INDIAN Psychic Chasms Lefse
6 R.E.M. Live At The Olympia Warner Bros.
7 TUNE YARDS Bird Brains Marriage
8 VAMPIRE WEEKEND Contra XL
9 BONUS EVENTUS Canaceros Dinosaurs In Vietnam
10 RAIN MACHINE Rain Machine Anti
11 THAO WITH THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN Know Better Learn Faster Kill Rock Stars
12 KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW Invisible Girl In The Red
13 MISSION OF BURMA The Sound The Speed The Light Matador
14 BANG BANG ECHE Sonic Death Cuntttt [EP] Self-Released
15 GROOMS Rejoicer death by audio
16 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days
17 GOLDEN GIRLS "Amateur Teen Sex Attics" [Single]
18 AWESOMELIES MAKE WAY Self-Released
19 VARIOUS ARTISTS Underwater Peoples Winter Review Underwater Peoples
20 BRILLIANT COLORS Introducing Brilliant Colors Slumberland
21 PANTS YELL! Received Pronunciation Slumberland
22 TOM WAITS Glitter And Doom Live Anti
23 GIRLS Album True Panther Sounds
24 VIVIAN GIRLS Everything Goes Wrong In The Red
25 YO LA TENGO Popular Songs Matador
26 PASSION PIT Manners Frenchkiss
27 BLAKROC BlakRoc BlakRoc
28 COLD CAVE Love Comes Close Matador
29 TIMES NEW VIKING Born Again Revisited Matador
30 BOAT Setting The Paces Magic Marker

New adds
1 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Heavy Days
2 BEACH HOUSE Teen Dream SUB POP
3 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Campfire Songs Pawtracks

Get to Know: the Grinding Tapes Recording Company (+++free mp3s)

2010-01-14T09:46:00.010-05:00

Since 2005, The Grinding Tapes Recording Company has released beautiful and interesting records by sweet folk-influenced bands like The Points North (who stopped by WTBU for an in-studio last semester), Elijah Wyman (now making music with the name tiny mtns), and Mr. Sister. The Boston-based label's catalogue ranges from an EP of folky sing-a-longs with friends, home-recorded straight to cassette (Elijah Wyman's tiny mtns) to a collection of pop songs inspired by Nordic and Eastern European folk (Detektivbyrån's Wermland). Grinding Tapes founder Jason Rozen recently answered some questions for WTBU about the label's history, upcoming releases, their socially-conscious mission, and more.

How/when did Grinding Tapes Records form?

I started Grinding Tapes back in 2005 to release Elijah Wyman's Why We Never Go Swimming... album on vinyl. I mostly just wanted to be able to own the album on vinyl, but Elijah encouraged me to expand the project and start looking for more artists. It quickly became apparent just how much unrecognized talent existed in the Boston indie scene, and Grinding Tapes was born! Since then, several friends got involved and we have now released 18 albums in all kinds of formats including vinyl records, CD, digital download, and cassette tape.

Who is currently on the roster and what releases do you have coming up?

Nine artists have released music on Grinding Tapes so far and most of them have plans for upcoming releases with us. We're usually described as a folk label, and for good reason. Many of our releases are by top-notch Boston-area folk artists like The Points North, tiny mtns/Elijah Wyman, and Mr. Sister. We have, however, recently started branching out to other music styles. For example, we just released our first straight-out rock EP by a local band called Dreamtigers. We've even started expanding geographically, as well. Vinegar Socks is an amazing folk band from Italy and Detektivbyrån are from Sweden. We've also been working with this great orchestral rock band from Brooklyn/Montreal called Slowest Runner.

Looking forward to early 2010, we are pumped to have releases from Mr. Sister and Manners in the works, plus a super-exciting collaborative record, which will include contributions from most of the Grinding Tapes artists. We're also having great success with our mp3 subscription service, where we send out rare and unreleased Grinding Tapes songs each month, so we're planning to continue that. We have some other crazy ideas as well, but we should keep those as a secret for now.

What is your mission as a label?

We're music fans first, so our priority is to make sure these great artists have an outlet for their talent and to maintain the highest standard of quality. We're also dedicated to maintaining our role as a socially-conscious record label by continuing to donate proceeds to charity, treat artists & fans fairly, and implement ethical & sustainable business practices.

What is the most awesome part of running a DIY record label in Boston, Massachusetts?

The best part is seeing the music get the recognition it deserves, and in that sense, this past year has been our most rewarding yet. We had some really successful showcases at venues like Club Passim and the Middle East. We released a total of six albums in 2009, all of which are doing very well. Some of our artists have had some exposure on local radio stations like WFNX. The Points North's new record was recognized by The Boston Globe as one of their top local albums of the year and Grinding Tapes even had a feature article in the Globe. It's just great to see all our hard work starting to pay off!

mp3: The Points North - Stone Wall
mp3 The Points North - Swift River Lament
mp3: Elijah Wyman - Thicket Holds a Ram
mp3: Elijah Wyman - We try too hard.
mp3: Detektivbyrån - Om Du Moter Varg
mp3: Detektivbyrån - Partyland
mp3: Slowest Runner - As the sea swells she bleats and moans like a goat in heat
mp3: Vinegar Socks - Life in the Sewer
mp3: Vinegar Socks - Chimney Sweeper

Interview: SUNSET

2010-01-10T03:58:00.003-05:00

Bill Baird released his fourth solo album in two years on November 24th under the name SUNSET. Baird answered some questions for WTBU about the new record and living in Austin.

How would you describe your most recent album to someone unfamiliar with your music?

Acoustic guitar dispatched by rocket to observe alien civilization trying to advance and shooting itself in the foot. This acoustic guitar, strangely gifted with the power to walk, talk, and look at things, realizes that he is actually looking at the human race. So he decides to head off to Mars and party hard with some large red rocks who are also strangely anthropomorphically-endowed. They drink purple drank and champagne and pass out.

What is your favorite track on the album? What is it about?

Favorite track is "Fishtown." The song is about a neighborhood in Philadelphia, actually one of the oldest settlements in America -- where William Penn signed a treaty with the Deleware Indians. In looking at the history of this little neighborhood, it's like a microcosm of human development, with all its seeming contradictions that hang alongside one another -- beauty/decay, futility/meaning/meaninglessness, health food/mystery meat.

The only time I've ever been to Austin is during SXSW. What's it usually like to live/play music in Austin?

It's a great home base and generally pretty supportive. Still pretty cheap to live here. Main problem is being stuck in the middle of Texas, which is often pretty culturally conservative. I'm Texas-born, but the best part of the state in my opinion is West Texas... Big Bend, Marfa, the Chihuahua desert, and the Chisos mountains. Lots of artists and open space and cactus.

As an album, what is Gold Dissolves to Gray about?

It's just a general exploration of dissolution, both cultural and personal, and hopefully pointing at the possibility for a rise from the ashes.

mp3: SUNSET - Our Dreams Did Weave a Shade
mp3: SUNSET - Hill Country Smog

WTBU 2009 YEAR-END REPORT

2009-12-29T03:40:00.000-05:00

Out of all the fantastic new music spun this year by WTBU's DJs, here are the charts for our most-played rotation albums and tracks...

WTBU's Top 10 Most Played Albums of 2009:
10. Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk
9. Passion Pit - Manners
8. Built to Spill - There Is No Enemy
7. Metric - Fantasies
6. Vivian Girls - Everything Goes Wrong
5. Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
4. Dark Was The Night compilation
3. Girls - Album
2. Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs
1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

RUNNERS UP: The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love, Dan Deacon - Bromst, Why? - Eskimo Snow, Matt and Kim - Grand, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

WTBU's Top 10 Most Played Tracks of 2009:
10. Girls - "Hellhole Ratrace"
9. Vivian Girls - "Walking Alone at Night"
8. Monsters of Folk - "Say Please"
7. Yo La Tengo - "Here To Fall"
6. Girls - "Lust For Life"
5. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Higher Than the Stars"
4. Animal Collective - "Summertime Clothes"
3. Matt and Kim - "Daylight"
2. Passion Pit - "Sleepyhead"
1. Animal Collective - "My Girls"

RUNNERS UP: Sondre Lerche - "Heartbeat Radio", No Age - "Losing Feeling".

Interview: I Love You

2009-12-27T02:27:00.005-05:00

Last month a radio promoter sent me Bell Ord Forrest, the new album by Kansas City band I Love You. It said "RIYL These Are Powers, Abe Vigoda" and those bands are both pretty cool. On their MySpace, I saw they'd be playing in December at Whitehaus, who I also like. Then I actually listened to their album, and it was really fun. I unfortunately had something else going on when they played Boston but was intrigued enough to interview the band about their music, Kansas City, and their Boston show. I totally recommend reading their responses and downloading that free mp3 down there!

How would you explain I Love You to someone who has never heard your music?
Art punk African house, or art punk African kraut rock dub punk. Loud obnoxious and weird.

What is I Love You's mission?
Be Your Own Boss

What is it like to live and play music in Kansas City?
Living here can be great. It's extremely inexpensive and there's a huge/supportive art scene. Lots of great things are happening here now because of bad things that happened earlier. Land here has always been cheap and at one point the cheapest in the nation; therefore, white flight hit us hard and now Kansas City is one of the most vacant cities in the nation. But that also means that half of the people I know bought a house or warehouse space for about $1000-$3000 at the land auction or through land trust. Urban farming is huge. Really though, the greatest thing about this city is that if you want to do something and need help there is always someone willing to help you out and that's how most of KC's finer points survive, like the bike collective or co-op housing.

If you had to make a 5-song mixtape of essential bands from Kansas City, what 5 bands would be on there?
Abbe Findley, Expo 70, New American Trance, Ad Astra Akrestra, Gross Plank

How was your recent Boston show?
It was a lot of fun! We were able to play with our friends in the band CAVE and the Whitehaus people are super nice. I've (Justin) have played with I Love You in Boston once before Charlie had joined the band. We played at P.A.'s Lounge. It was a nice place, but the show was not too awesome. Are you aware that the 'P.A.' stands for Portuguese American?

What were some high and low points of your recent tour?
Low: Having a cup of tequila go into a laptop and being told it would cost $1255 to fix it. High: Fixing the computer with a $5 can of electronic connection cleaner.

Free mp3: "The Colloquialism is simply Gas" - I Love You

Video: The WTBU Awards!

2009-12-17T13:24:00.002-05:00

The 2009 WTBU Awards, video by Peisin Yang Lazo on Vimeo.

Taken Out of Context on Blabbermouth.net!

2009-12-09T20:43:00.003-05:00

As we mentioned before, Josh Friedman of the Metal/Talk show Taken Out of Context interviewed the guitarist from Killswitch Engage last Thursday night. His interview was picked up by Roadrunner Records and Blabbermouth.net! Check out the audio recording of the interview here.

Get to Know: Inspector 22

2009-12-08T10:28:00.004-05:00

Free MP3: Inspector 22 - "Hey Man"

Inspector 22 is the Chapel Hill, NC-based project of Todd Emmert, who has been making music under this name since 1997. He has released several records, including 15-20 cassettes, an avant-garde a cappella album, a best-of album, and various others. His most recent album is the home-recorded Hey Man, I Understand, which was released on October 13, 2009 via Carrboro, NC-based label Odessa Records. Todd answered some questions for WTBU about his new album, North Carolina, and recording cassettes.

How would you describe Inspector 22 to someone unfamiliar with your music?
I would describe Inspector 22 as "home-recorded-avant-garde-folk-rock". Sometimes pretty sounding, sometimes not.

What is your favorite track on "Hey Man I Understand"? What is it about?
"Of Broom And Bride" is my favorite. It's about how not having a wife can make you feel sad and alone and fed up.

What is it like to live and play music in Chapel Hill? Is there a supportive DIY music community there?
Living in Chapel Hill is nice. It can be real laid back and easy going. There are quite a few people who play music in the area, so finding people to play music with is relatively easy. There is a supportive music community here, quite a few clubs, bars, and house shows to play and people that are genuinely interested in hearing your music.

Who are some of your favorite bands/artists from Chapel Hill?
My favorite bands from the Triangle area are Waumiss, Spider Bags, and Whatever Brains.

Your initial recordings were on cassettes. Why did you record to cassettes instead of pressing CDs or vinyl? What are the benefits to recording to cassette?
Cassettes for me were the cheapest way to duplicate and trade music with friends at the time. Cassettes can provide a different sonic and textural atmosphere than CD's or vinyl, sometimes a murky and more intimate vibe. All formats have their advantages and disadvantages I guess. Now I record mostly with a digital 8-track that I am very happy with.

How does recording cassettes affect your ability to distribute music? Why do you think so many artists are ditching CDs and going straight to vinyl/mp3s?
When I made cassettes, I really had no problem distributing them because the editions were all so small. Distributing the music was more dependent on postal rates than the listening format. A vinyl record seems more fun to interact with than a CD to me, cassettes seem better as well. CD's can seem cold and disposable sometimes. Adding a digital download of an album to the vinyl just seems like the decent thing to do.

If this sounds intriguing, read more about Inspector 22 and other cool North Carolina bands on the Odessa Records website, and/or tune in to Left of the Dial on WTBU next semester, where Inspector 22 will certainly be getting some spins.

Free MP3: Inspector 22 - "Hey Man"

In-Studio Performance: REDEEMER'S CROSS on Re:defined, Fri 12-2a.m.

2009-12-03T22:55:00.004-05:00

Tune in tomorrow night (Friday) to RE:defined from midnight to 2 a.m., to hear a live, in-studio interview and on-air performance by Redeemer's Cross, a new Christian band out of New Jersey!

Review: Russian Circles @ Middle East Upstairs, 12/2

2009-12-03T22:47:00.003-05:00

Before you assume you would never like a metal band, consider seeing Russian Circles live. They’ll take you on a unique, orchestrated journey—without any lyrics. The instrumental metal trio from Chicago headlined a sold-out show at Cambridge’s Middle East Upstairs Wednesday night.

Hailing from Louisville, The Phantom Family Halo opened the show with “Blackouts and Runaways” off their double LP entitled “Monoliths and These Flowers Never Die” which came out in October. The song’s eerie, monotone verses are grow increasingly ominous when vocalist and drummer whisper lyrics like “saw you dancing in your dreams wearing a dead man’s shirt; saw you sleeping like a queen, your crown was covered in dirt.” Their music can be described as rock laced with LSD—meshing psychedelic bells and pumping whammy bars with classic 1970’s battle cry, rock chants. This oxymoronic juxtaposition results in surprisingly catchy music with a strong percussion backbone.

Fellow Louisville natives, Young Widows, followed with a more direct metal sound. Steady, pounding drumbeats and screeching guitars exemplified the rougher and heavier sound Young Widows aggressively bring to the table. The epitome of this loaded style was their performance of “Old Skin;” in which, lung-emptying screaming and almost mechanical guitar sound sufficiently riled up the crowd and the hardcore head banging ensued. Once Young Widows finished, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by lyrics being screamed into my face, rampant crying guitars, and the constant swelling of the drums thumping.

Russian Circles provided the pleasantly surprising alleviation from the smothering math rock of Young Widows. Their music was refreshingly narrative and it constantly developed into something bigger and better within each song by itself.

Their songs are epically progressive, beginning like an elementary, dreamy lullaby evolving into a full-blown, melodious medley. Russian Circles take their listeners through the transformation from a simplistic, intimate moment into a fully developed symphony. The band was like a three-member orchestra, conducted by the pulsing energy of the audience. Intricate guitar riffs, packed drum patterns, mile-a-minute bass lines, and looping all fused together seamlessly to create a musical ensemble much like a classical orchestra. A combination of this synthesis and the music’s natural ability to connect with the live audience without the band having to utter a single word on stage is the pivotal factor that makes them unmistakably more than just another metal band.

So don’t deem off metal until you hear to Russian Circles play live. Their newest album, “Geneva,” frankly cannot stand up to their live versions of their title track and “Malko.” As a member of the audience accurately said, “The thing about falling in love with live bands is that listening to their album almost always breaks your heart.”

-Renée Trilivas

Video: WTBU Presents The Static Jacks @ the Middle East

2009-12-03T22:39:00.003-05:00

Check out this video from Tuesday night's cosponsored show at the Middle East, featuring New Jersey band THE STATIC JACKS! More videos to follow!

The Static Jacks - My Parents Lied from Peisin Yang Lazo on Vimeo.

Killswitch Engage on Taken out of Context Tonight, 8-10pm!

2009-12-03T14:45:00.002-05:00

Tune in to Taken out of Context from 8-10 p.m. EST tonight to hear an on-air interview with Joel Stroetzel, guitarist of Killswitch Engage!

Two of the founding members of Whitehaus Family Record are guest DJing on WTBU this week

2009-11-30T13:09:00.004-05:00

This Wednesday, Atomfoam and B-Law of the Whitehaus Family Record will be guest DJs on American Folk Festival from 2-4 p.m. Atomfoam and B-Law are two of the founding members of Whitehaus, a Jamica Plain-based community of musicians, poets, and artists, who host shows and other happenings at their house.

Atomfoam and B-Law will be spinning tracks by Whitehaus regulars, talking about the origins and history of the Whitehaus, and playing some tunes for us live in-studio! It should be an exciting, fun, and interesting two hours, so be sure to tune in at 2 p.m. via wtburadio.org!

Learn more about the Whitehaus Family Record at whitehausfamilyrecord.com.

WTBU Presents: The Static Jacks with Nightmare of You, 11/30 @ Middle East Downstairs

2009-11-27T00:55:00.003-05:00

Nothing like partying on a Monday night.
DEFINITELY nothing like partying on the first Monday back from Thanksgiving break.

Click here to find out more about the Static Jacks and hear some of their music.

WTBU's Night at BU For Show!

2009-11-24T23:02:00.003-05:00

What better way to start back after Thanksgiving than an impromptu jam?

WTBU is hosting an open mic night at BU Central as a part of the BU For Show series on Tuesday, DECEMBER 1 @ 7-10 pm.

Interested in performing? Contact liveevents@wtburadio.org.

For more information and to RSVP (not necessary to attend, but you know, just for a reminder!), check out the Facebook event.

Review: Alternative Press' Fall Ball @ HOB, 11/5

2009-11-20T22:08:00.004-05:00

Each year, Alternative Press magazine forms a tour of the music industry’s current noteworthy rising acts. Although that tour usually rolls around every spring, 2009 gave AltPress so much good music, they decided to create a special tour called “The Fall Ball,” stopping at the Boston House of Blues on Thursday, November 5. With the show approaching capacity, the night was filled with a highly energetic crowd and an even more energetic lineup for a night to remember.

UK up-and-comers You Me At Six opened the show, owning the stage for their first time playing in Boston. The band found the exact balance of hard rock, guitar riffs, and screaming with their catchy melodies and easy-going swagger to please many ears throughout the set. Although the band had few singing along (simply because many haven’t been exposed to the band yet), audience members’ ears perked up as they went into a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” As they closed out the set with their catchiest tunes, “Save It For The Bedroom” and “Finders Keepers,” many knew that You Me At Six would be a name to watch out for.

The Secret Handshake kept up the momentum as the audience got down to their pop-inspired dance-rock set. As the only apparent dance act of the night, The Secret Handshake stood apart from other acts with its fusion of dance beats and rock sounds. Their covers of Skee-Lo’s “I Wish” and Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The USA” added some extra excitement to their already upbeat set.

In what was unarguably the most hardcore set of the night, California rockers Set Your Goals lit up the stage. The band brought a different kind of energy to the night as mosh pits popped up around all parts of the floor. While following a pop punk and a dance act, this energy brought a new element to the show. Midway through their set, the band changed and came out in Hurley T-Shirts supporting their Living The Dream foundation.

Then, it came time for co-headliner, Mayday Parade. After recently releasing their new album, Anywhere But Here, the band found a good mix between new songs and old favorites for their set, getting the crowd to sing louder than they had done all night. The feel-good vibes generating throughout Mayday’s music jumped off the stage filling the audience making every body dance and move. Members got the sense that their songs came alive before them as the band brought out the right amount of energy at fitting times. Overall, Mayday Parade proved how they gained the co-headlining spot on the tour.

The Academy Is…, the other Fall Ball headlining act, closed out the night with a fifty-minute set making the tour a memorable experience overall. While many criticize the band for making their latest full-release, Fast Times At Barrington High, somewhat lighter than previous material, these critics have not seen TAI’s live set. The breakout songs from Fast Times fit in well with the overall set. Just like my previous TAI experiences, the band’s stage presence blew the audience away. The expressions William Beckett (lead singer) gives while performing keeps eyes peeled to the stage, and the energy from the rest of the band keeps them glued there.

The energy felt throughout the night from The Academy Is… and Mayday Parade, as well as the other acts, previews a year of high energy in the music scene. As rumors already swirl over Alternative Press’ spring tour, the Fall Ball made its mark as an exciting start to the music of 2010.

-Adam Azahari

Review: Medeski Martin and Wood @ HOB, 11/13

2009-11-20T14:50:00.002-05:00

As I entered the House of Blues on November 13^th, Medeski Martin and Wood sat unassumingly on stage, practically dwarfed by their setup – John Medeski hunched over a gigantic keyboard contraption, Billy Martin tinkering with a loaded drum kit, and Chris Wood between them, upright bass in hand. Once the trio started to play, however, opening with a lively rendition of “Flat Tires,” there was nothing low-key about their presence. MMW played an electrifying show, rocking the House of Blues until almost 1:00 a.m.

The group moved seamlessly between songs, deftly swinging between jazz and funk in their extended jams. MMW teased the audience with these improvisations, dipping into arrhythmic, discordant sections that kept the audience on their toes before melting into yet another groove, during songs such as “Is There Anybody Here That Loves My Jesus.” The constant motion of the band’s performance kept the crowd’s attention riding high all night.

I was constantly bowled over by each of the members’ musicianship—together, Medeski, Martin and Wood delivered an incredibly tight performance, but they each shone solo as well. Billy Martin wowed the crowd with his drum solo following “Agmation,” while John Medeski’s work on the keyboard was nothing short of virtuosic. Chris Wood was impressive on both double bass and bass guitar; I was particularly excited to watch him playing slide bass, a unique and funky touch.

Though MMW played for well over two hours, the audience only seemed to grow in excitement throughout the show; even the encore, “F*ck You Guys” had the crowd in a frenzy. Medeski, Martin and Wood put on an impressive show that’s sure to be one of the most memorable at the House of Blues this year.

-Lana Tkachenko

WTBU & the WRC present: Open Mic Night

2009-11-14T14:23:00.004-05:00

Come one, come all! WTBU and the Women's Resource Center at BU are teaming up to host Open Mic Night on this Thursday, November 19 at 7 p.m.

All artists are welcome. Sing a song, read your poetry, do magic?... Just do it up right! If you would like to perform, please give a shout on the Facebook event wall, send us a message, or sign up at 6:50 p.m. before the show begins.

The evening will take place at the WRC, in the basement of the GSU (775 Comm Ave) and will be hosted by WTBU's/WRC's own Jessy Bartlett!

ALL are welcome in this comfy space and we hope to see you there for a great night of music and fun!

Review: Bassnectar @ the Paradise, 11/10

2009-11-14T14:09:00.003-05:00

I found myself standing in the middle of a sweat bath. As I turned to check out the crowd around me, I noticed a girl crouched on the ground next to me, with her hands touching the floor. Out of nowhere she yelled, “it feels like the floor is going to cave!”

Earlier, as I walked into the Paradise on Tuesday, November 10^th, it seemed so serene—with only a few people smoking cigarettes and the bouncers flirting with the occasional passer-by—but on the inside a massive party was brewing. The entire floor of the Paradise was packed, making it impossible to move without elbowing someone covered in glow sticks. The stage emanated light and the floor shook from the sheer force of the bass. Who was the cause for all this madness? Lorin Ashton, otherwise known as Bassnectar. Bassnectar has grown in popularity, and his new album, Cozza Frenzy, has created fresh buzz within his fan base. He played to a sold-out crowd.

When trying to explain Bassnectar’s music it might be easy to compare him to the well-known DJ Girl Talk—both sample songs that are known for their catchy, dance-heavy beats. Bassnectar, however, has a unique method to creating his songs that focuses more on the underlying bass track of a song, rather than creating a mash-up like Girl Talk. His sound centers on heavy tempos that you can feel throughout your entire body. At a Bassnectar show, it is impossible to just stand around and bob your head; Bassnectar will force you to dance—for hours. This show was no different. For over two and a half hours, the crowd was enveloped by the Bass.

Bassnectar’s show at the Paradise was incredibly free format. He remixed old and new songs alike, in addition to playing entire tracks from his albums. “Cozza Frenzy” stood out during the show. As described by Lorin, the song is “an electro based song with a dup step beat and heavy vocals.” Bassnectar shows are addictively fun. It is possible to see him again and again and never get bored because of his huge repertoire of music. After getting through the playlist he had made for the show around midnight he announced, “You are all welcome to take the train home if you like but if you want stay I’m going to keep playing.” Not even one person stopped dancing or turned to leave. Bassnectar kept the crowd moving for another 45 minutes.

It is evident by watching Bassnectar on stage that his music means a lot to him. He uses projectors during his shows, which present not only "trippy" or hallucinatory pictures but pictures of soldier’s abroad, death, capitalism etc. The images are a powerful compliment to the music, exposing the audience to issues that Bassnectar would like them to think about throughout the show. During my interview with him, Lorin mentioned several times that he would like his music to lead to a social movement. He received a bachelor’s degree in community studies and uses his music as a vessel for change—offering an alternative to a faith based perspective. The next step for Bassnectar is convincing listeners to harvest the energy they get at shows to make a difference in their communities. To participate in Bassnectar’s community, and to download his new album, visit bassnectar.net.

-Lana Tkachenko

Concert Review: 11/4 Justin Nozuka @ the Paradise

2009-11-05T17:41:00.003-05:00

Paradise Rock Club featured Ontario native and soulful crooner, Justin Nozuka, on November 4. His current tour is an attempt for the singer to test out some of his new music on the crowd to see how receptive the audiences are to them.

Justin had two openers lined up to play before his set. First were Elizabeth and the Catapults hailing from Brooklyn, whose folk inspired melodies and infectious choruses attracted much crowd involvement. She showcased songs in which she sings about being "vertically challenged adults," boyfriends who wish their girlfriends were their mothers, and not taking yourself not too seriously. Her voice was soft, but soared unexpectedly when she would occasionally hit those high notes, sending the crowd into a state of shock. Her refreshing alternative styled music was a lovely way to start the night.

The next opener was Sam Bradley, a 23-year-old English native whose band hails from Vancouver. Perhaps you've heard the song "Never Think" sung by Robert Pattinson in the film, Twilight during a dinner scene between R-Pattz and Kristen Stewart. Perhaps you haven't heard it. Perhaps it's for the better. His set seemed to have dragged on for quite a bit. His musical style sounded like Americana folk rock, if such a combination is even fathomable coming from a Brit. Unfortunately his songs live sounded like a conglomeration of the same thing.

After waiting for quite some time and enduring the two opening acts for nearly two hours, Justin Nozuka finally graced the stage ever so charmingly. The soft-spoken 21-year-old commanded the attention of the audience before the lights were even turned on. A single candle was lit near the drums and an ambient environment was channeled. Each song had an instrumental opening in which he would stand in the center of the stage with his head leaned back directed toward the ceiling. It was as though the vibrations from his acoustic guitar and the slow vibrations produced by the wa-wa pedal from his electric guitarist were consuming his entire being. It wasn't until after his fourth song that he finally approached the microphone and thanked everyone for coming out to his show. He then explained how earlier in the day he had a freak skateboarding accident in front of a huge crowd of people. His awkward and timid nature was quite endearing for the entirety of the evening. He played eight new songs all of which sounded as though they had great potential. The rest were songs from his debut album Holly that was released in 2007. He is working on his sophomore album entitled, Gray. The release date is still tentative.

-Stephanie Ciotta

Concert Review: Thievery Corporation 10/26 @ House of Blues

2009-11-01T11:20:00.003-05:00

As I was studying for a midterm on Monday evening, October 26th, I seriously considered skipping the Thievery Corporation show later that night. It was cold and drizzling out, and I was comfortably settled on the couch with a nice warm cup of coffee. Then I remembered last semester when I saw Thievery Corporation at House of Blues; the band had blown me away. Though it took a lot of energy, I somehow dragged myself out the house. As soon as I arrived at the House of Blues, the scent of incense and the first few notes of Garden State hit “Lebanese Blonde” enveloped my senses.

The band had a similar demeanor that they did last year: relaxed yet with an uncanny ability to make the crowd want to dance. [While Thievery is notable for having a rotating ensemble of players, the main cast of characters stayed mostly the same. Founders Rob Garza and Eric Hilton hung toward the back of the stage, mostly serving as DJ’s, with two drummers were on either side of them. Two horn players and a bassist completed the band, while a variety of vocalists performed solos. One major difference between the two shows is that instead of the two Jamaican main singers the band performed with last time, this performance featured a vocalist who toured with Femi Kuti this summer.

Thievery Corporation is known for their funky Brazilian jams, and these definitely came through. The band seemed to be having a good time and was particularly energized. They got they involved the audience into many songs by encouraging them to sing along. I was surprised that although they played hits like “Radio Retaliation” and “Amerimacka,” there was not much deviation from the show they performed in Boston in February. The lighting and backdrop were the same, and they even played the same songs. Thievery Corporation has not come out with a new album so I was surprised that they even went on tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the show but the entire time I felt like I was experiencing déjà vu.

Even though the show felt familiar, there were still a few songs that stood out. At one point, bassist Ashish Vyas sat down in the middle of the stage and began playing his bass upright. As always, he played without shoes, and seemed really into the music. The bass was so distorted that the audience could feel the bass vibrating in their chest. Vyas was a highlight of the show—his presence is incredibly animated on stage. In addition to Vyas, another exciting part of the show were the performances from vocalist LuLu, who sang “La Femme Parralle” and “Sweet Tides,” two hits of Thievery Corporation’s newest album, Radio Retaliation. The crowd seemed delighted with her tunes and she got the most applause at the end of the set. Overall, Thievery Corporation played a great show; unfortunately, it was a show that I had seen before.

-Lana Tkachenko

Kids and Guitars, 10/24/09

2009-10-25T22:21:00.004-04:00

Saturday night at the Democracy Center in Harvard Square, Mama Bird Recording Company put on a sea-songs-themed hootenanny.

The event, which had previously found its home in an attic in Allston, was held in a VFW-hall-style, historic, public space. And it was pouring. The rain made it difficult to trek all the way over to Cambridge, but it was well worth it. The dim chandeliers with electric candles and wood paneling lent itself perfectly to the sea-inspired folk. Acts like Vikesh Kapoor, Old Hannah, Barna Howard and Spitzer Space Telescope, were coupled with other kids who just wanted to sing some songs, touting their guitars, voices, violins, and banjos. Theses acts, associated with Mama Bird Recording, put on fantastic performances. Red-faced and shaking Spitzer Space Telescope belted out (a cappella) a powerful traditional sea shanty. Old Hannah performed some originals that loosely fit the theme. Vikesh and Barna also put on solid performances. And what's more, there were some gems performed by nameless kids who showed up just with a song to play.

The next hootenanny could be anytime and anywhere. You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for posters at Espresso Royale, ask around with those kids who ride fixies and wear flannel, or ask that cute girl who you’ve always had a crush on. You know, the one that wears all those grandma dresses and rings. You always see her smoking cigarettes outside Allston Café and Urban Renewal. She’ll know where it is.

For now, you can catch Vikesh Kapoor at the YMCA theatre (820 Mass. Ave.) October 26 with Faces on Film at 7 p.m.

-Joe DiFazio

The Music of "Entourage"

2009-10-22T17:19:00.002-04:00

"I put in work and watch my status escalate,” rapper Guru, the vocal half of Gang Starr, proclaims as Vince and the boys walk in to a Bentley showroom in the first season of HBO’s wildly successful comedy Entourage (Episode 2, “The Review”). Of course, Guru had no intention of summarizing in 1998 the premise of a television show that didn’t premiere until 2004. The producers—or editors or sound engineers or whoever gets the enviable job of choosing a television show’s soundtrack—however, have their ears on the pulse of the music scene. They also have a time machine, because they have a knack for finding songs from various eras. By not limiting themselves to whatever the top 10 charts say that month, they can find whatever sound fits the scene best.

That’s not to say Entourage doesn’t date itself. Years from now, when our children look through and watch our DVD collection from the ‘00s, they will laugh when they hear both “Hey Ya!” by OutKast and “Cold Hard Bitch” by Jet in the pilot episode. They will also cringe when they hear “Ms. New Booty” is Turtle’s ringtone (“Crash and Burn”). In order to keep the show current and hip, the soundtrack needs to have some of those regrettable track choices.

Entourage, since its inception, has always had a strong relationship to music. Unlike a more serious show in which the entire score is orchestrated and rehearsed and arranged and composed, Entourage is more like a Quentin Tarantino (Death Proof comes to mind) movie in that most, if not all, the music comes from prerecorded pop songs. This gives a facet to the show that further engages the music nerds in the audience. I remember watching my first episode of Entourage in the summer of 2006 and feeling very proud for recognizing Jane’s Addiction as the performers of the theme song. I’ve also been known to send my friends very excited texts saying things like, “Holy balls, The Cool Kids just came on Entourage!” Not only does it make me feel cool to recognize a little-known group on a big-name show, but it also makes the show look very “with-it” to include something like that. Street cred all around!

Entourage, beyond using music well, has been a unique source for new music. In season three, Turtle became the manager for an up-and-coming rapper, Saigon. Saigon is an actual rapper who got a gig on Entourage to play a fictionalized version of himself, illustrating how his manager helps him become popular. Unfortunately, even after being on the show and putting his raps in the soundtrack, Saigon is still a relative unknown and it appears as though his fifteen minutes are over. He did prove, however, as Turtle explains to Ari, “All rappers act!”

Saigon isn’t the only rapper to have a debut on Entourage. Before Episode 53, “No Cannes Do,” America had not heard the song “Good Life (feat. T-Pain)” by Kanye West. To promote the album “Graduation,” Mr. West made a cameo. Thanks to him, and his superior thoughtfulness and success, the boys can go to the Cannes Film Festival on ‘Ye’s private jet; apparently he and Turtle are close friends. However, debuting “Good Life” on Entourage was a smart move; the show becomes an important player in pop culture, and Kanye caters to a target market.

In addition, HBO’s website offers an episode-by-episode breakdown of the songs used and in which part of the episode. If you hear a track you like, you can jump on your laptop and see that the song played during the end credits of Episode 74 (“The Sorkin Notes”) was Yeasayer’s “Sunrise,” another musical sighting (hearing? listening?) that triggered one of my blast texts.

Which brings us to the end credits. In any motion picture, from TV commercials to feature films, the music in the background tells the audience how to feel about what’s happening on screen. The score sets the tone. Think about it: would Up have made you cry without sad orchestration in the background? The music adds another emotional dimension, and nowhere is this truer than in Entourage. Every episode, almost without exception, ends on only a handful of feelings: happy and auspicious, dubious or doubtful, or completely dejected. Usually, the characters will say something that illustrates this emotion, there will be a short pause while the characters look at each other, and then a corresponding song will play over the entirety of the final credits. It’s an excellent formula, because no matter how you feel, it makes you want to watch next week. If you’re happy, you want to keep that going. If you’re worried about Vince’s next career move, or how he and E are getting along, then you want to keep watching next week to see if things get better. All these thoughts are set to a song that tells you how to feel. For example, when we learn that Vince may not get to act in “Smokejumpers” because Ed Norton has the lead and the project is fronted by a man who hates him, we’re a little bummed (“Fire Sale”). But then we’re totally skeptical when Cold War Kids’s “Something Is Not Right With Me” comes on and we hear singing that’s just off-key enough to be off-putting, rather than grating.

Season 6, the most recent iteration, has continued the show’s tradition of excellent music, crossing boundaries of genre, chronology, and obscurity. Some artists included this year: Eazy-E, The Cure, The Verve, Santigold, LL Cool J, The Buzzcocks, Paul McCartney, Van Halen, Three Dog Night, NWA, Testo, Vi, Yeasayer, Cut Chemist, Aqua, Pop Levi, Marvin Gaye, Andre Allen Anjos, The Stooges, and, of course, Michael Jackson. Admittedly, there are some obscure names on this list, and there are people who I’ve honestly never heard of before. However, even those little-known artists are talented. I’m not sure if I’ve consciously said to myself this season “Damn, that scene was cool, but that song sucked!” That only happened when Gnarls Barkley’s dismal cover of The Violent Femmes’s “Gone Daddy Gone” came up during season 3 (“Vegas Baby, Vegas!”).

Unfortunately, if you were to go on Amazon and find the CD soundtrack for Entourage, you’d be disappointed. Because of the nature of ongoing TV series, the official soundtrack for the show is lacking. Only 14 tracks long, HBO released the disc in 2007, so it’s already several seasons behind. The show’s songbook is too vast to be released on a compilation CD. To truly nerd out and appreciate the show’s repertoire, even a casual viewer will need the DVDs and an Internet connection, perhaps with a bookmark to Wikipedia.

Entourage is not the kind of show to jump the shark or start declining in quality as it gets older. This is partly because of HBO: being a premium network, it can afford to cancel shows that are still going strong, such as Rome. The feeling is that more important than keeping a show running is making sure it stays a quality show. However, Entourage is also too tight a show to slip, and it is too broad in scope. The characters are well rounded, the show is exceptionally well-written, and there will never be a dearth of things for our five main characters to do in the heart of Hollywood and the movie industry, which is itself vast enough to fuel a series such as Entourage. Not only will the show continue to be great television, but its soundtrack will never be exhausted. Music, new and old, mainstream and indie, will continue to “put in work” for Entourage, always creating another level to the narrative of the lives of Vince and the boys.

- Adam Lauria

Artist Profile: Allison Francis

2009-10-16T13:17:00.003-04:00

Taken from the author's blog, The Fleshy Fresh.

www.myspace.com/allisonfrancis

www.basetriprecords.com

She stands idle and alone at the center of a black stage with an acoustic Fender six-string around her neck. The flashiest apparel she wears is her pair of red and white Nike kicks that walk life into the rest of her otherwise plain outfit: a white T-shirt and jeans. Her physical appearance is unassuming and pure. The look on her face is half mystified and half terrified as she looks out at a sea of people crowding the basement of BU Central. And then she sings, and the depth within Allison Francis is released.

Her voice is rough, like a smoker who has lit enough cigarettes to make her voice warm and scratchy, but not enough to warrant a laryngectomy. She remains humble when the first song ends, saying thank you between sips of her water bottle before quickly launching into the next folk tune.

It is this simple and grateful attitude that sets her apart from an indie-alternative Boston music scene that spins around music snobbery and elitism. What Francis has that the rest are lacking: authenticity.

Many artists these days spend their time trying to convince other people how ironic their lives are because of how misunderstood they are, says Conor Loughman, the founder of Base Trip Records who signed Francis in the summer of 2008. ”There’s a hipster folk scene but I don’t think many of them actually like folk. They’re just trying to be cool,” he said.

The 21-year-old folk singer-songwriter will not admit to being better than the other musicians of her genre, because that would not be her style, and that would not fit her description here. ”I think it’s so funny that people take themselves so seriously,” Francis said, and that is about all she has to say on the matter.

Loughman met Allison Francis in a dining hall while she was telling people about her music. While some artists would waste money and time coming up with fancy promotional artwork and designs, she was handing out pieces of paper torn from her notebook with her MySpace address written on them, Loughman said.

In some ways, though, Francis fits the mold perfectly. She presents an alternative image, but only as though it was an accident. She fantasizes about fronting a flashy indie band but worries that it would come across disingenuous. And after spending the entire summer collaborating with other songwriters and playing in parks in and around Boston, she said that she has found new confidence in more natural song writing. ”It’s the only way I can really get high these days,” she said.

Despite a more sophisticated musical style and significant street cred among other musicians, Francis is not ashamed to say that she started playing guitar seven years ago because of an obsession with Avril Lavigne, someone to whom most people would not admit listening.

The paradox is thus: she is as much a part of the hipster, indie-folk-rock scene as horn-rimmed glasses and plaid t-shirts, but she sets herself apart from it with her down to earth perspective. The odd thing, Loughman said, is that she is secretly confident. ”It’s this weird contrast where she doesn’t think she is better than anyone, but she still knows she is awesome,” he said.

Stephanie Barrak, another singer signed to Base Trip Records describes it as subdued determination. Francis is able to express and share her talent to other people, without being overpowering. ”Some people whore their music out, but she doesn’t do that,” Barrak said.

The simple fact is that Francis fits into the indie-music scene because that is where she has made friends and set up her life. She enjoys the niche of artists that has cropped up around Boston University, but wishes that there was more of an overlap between genres. ”Most people here appreciate good home grown music,” she said, and that is enough to satisfy her.

It is clear, though, that Francis” relationship with music is more than one of appreciation. ”I think music can connect with people in their soul almost. It connects with emotions that they’re not necessarily even conscious of or in touch with,” she said.

Jennifer Brown, the music director at WTBU, Boston University’s student-run radio station, said that Francis offers more than the average indie musician and has the opportunity to fill a void in the music industry that is lacking a female folk musician like her. ”She captures something real about the way human beings are,” she said. ”She’s not afraid to show who she is in her lyrics and to put it all out there.”

Francis does not have much to say about all of this except that she has nothing to hide. ”I do not usually try and disguise what I am saying in my songs.” She insists that music will always be a part of her life and if she is able to make a career out of it then that is just an added bonus. “I just want to make music that connects on a really personal level with people.”

Back at BU Central, the cluster of people who have gathered to see Francis play sit on the floor in total silence, taking in every word out of her mouth and every chord from her guitar. The room is comfortable, like a gathering of friends enjoying some honest music. ”I liked that one,” someone comments between songs. Clearly, connecting with people is something that she can check off of her bucket list.

-Joey Gerber