Interview with Elizabeth Ziman of Elizabeth & the Catapult!

Elizabeth Ziman of the talented Elizabeth & the Catapult was kind enough to answer some questions for WTBU last week! We touched on the upcoming album, "selling out," and what other awesome artists Elizabeth's been listening to as of late. Below is an excerpt; the full interview can be found on the Girl Powa! facebook group page here.

You can check out E + the C on Myspace and at their official site, elizabethandthecatapult.com. Enjoy!

- Jessy Bartlett

J: How are you and how are things with E + the C? I hear you were recording in Texas last week - how did that go?

E: Really well! we were in Austin recording for a couple of days with jim eno from spoon. Danny Molad(our drummer) is pretty tight with him already from his experiences recording the Via Audio record--so it was super comfortable coming into. We're not really used to recording in studios, since we done everything by ourselves in the past---so it was really a luxury for us. There were so many instruments! We're used to hiking around the city looking for pianos to record, but this studio had a wurlitzer, a helpenschitll, piano and rhodes---all at our fingertips(literally)---I felt like a kid in a candy shop. Also we're used to having Danny engineer everything for us---but Jim gets some pretty amazing sounds, so I'm sure Danny was more than happy just to concentrate on playing the drums for once! We were only in Austin for four days but we knocked a couple out.

J: You guys are not signed to any label right now, which must allow you a lot of freedom, but it must also be a lot of work. Has going it on your own been what you expected?

E: Yeah, for a long time we were completely autonomous, no manager, no lawyer, no booking agent, no producer, no label. And of course we took some pride it in, because every little bit of success tasted that much sweeter. But all that has been changing in the last couple of months. We're slowly building a team together- and it actually feels right. We have a lot of new stuff recorded and we'll probably be choosing which label to put the new album out on in the next month. That's just not the kind of decision you want to rush into.

J: I got this next question from Under the Radar magazine - they asked a bunch of indie artists this question and got some varied responses:

A lot of indie artists have had songs in TV commercials in the last year. What are your thoughts on this? Do you regard these artists as sell-outs or is that an outdated notion?

E: I heard some people making fun of "Of Montreal's" spot in an "Outback Steakhouse" commercial recently---I couldn't understand why. Especially now, when most of the money artists are making are from touring and licensing opportunities, you'd have to have a great deal of "spirit" to say no to a lifetime of residuals from outback steakhouse.

J: So, if Apple called you tomorrow and said, we are coming out with this new iPod and we want Elizabeth and the Catapult singing "Momma's Boy" in the commercial, do you say yes?

E: HELLS YES. We were interviewed on a Berklee radioshow a couple months ago, right after the Boston show---and they asked if there was any specific tv spots we wouldn't be comfortable submitting for--I'd be a bit uncomfortable submitting for a playtex commercial, or a 'hollywood tans' spot, but we recently gave a bunch of mtv reality shows the right to play our songs so I don't think we're that choosy. At a certain point it's just pretentious.

Read the complete interview here.

Drew Danburry: He Gets Drunk On Sleep, Not On Alcohol

An inspiring musician, Drew Danburry is the exception to the stereotypical, alcohol-abusing rock artist. Keeping his morals close to his side, he represents the way an artist should behave by simply being himself. He is an honest, hopeful, and caring young man toward whom others gravitate because they find his qualities so endearing.

Through his music, Danburry subtly sings his soulful message of hope to others. He has released three full-length albums, one live compilation, and one EP since 2004. According to Erasing Clouds’ art reviews (www.erasingclouds.com), Danburry's albums showcase him as a songwriter with a great sense for pop melody, a willingness to bare his heart in song, and also a playful attitude about music. Surprisingly, music was not a major part of his youth, but he played saxophone and eventually wrote songs for fun.'

Danburry insists, “I’m not the kind of person who can sit there and say music has been my life. I was an active, normal kid. I had an all-American youth.”

The soft-spoken musician grew up on the shores of Huntington Beach, California, but claims his home is Utah because he has no roots in the sunshine state. His parents raised him Mormon in a family of 11, although two of his siblings died at birth and one passed away recently. Religion plays a major part in how Danburry views the world and how he sees other people, but he rarely jumps upon the subject in conversation:

“I don’t ever want to bring it up,” states Danburry adamantly. “I don’t want to say, ‘I’m a religious person; I’m a religious singer’ because I’m not perfect. I’m not looking to be a role model or put myself out there. I’m doing the best I can, but when someone says, ‘hey I’m of this religion,’ automatically others are more critical of that person. Judgement can be made when it’s unnecessary. I’m not the prophet of the church. I’m just a member.”

Even for those skeptical of religion, the most striking aspect of Danburry is that he is a good person regardless of his faith. When comparing Danburry to other modern-day musicians, he lives an exceptionally moral life.

Perhaps the most “unique” aspects of Danburry’s performances are the lines of words sung from his lips. He creates scripted scenarios that make people think about life; he literally pulls listeners out of their perspectives and forces them to objectively step away from what is familiar.

According to his brother Gordon, Danburry sees the reality of American consumerism and idealism and decides to take a strong look at whether such ideals are for him. He then acknowledges that all humans are equal—on the same playing field—and treats them lovingly.

For his latest EP entitled, Mother, Danburry is working with Apples and Cats Promotion. When his new album hits in the summer, they will be doing full radio promotion. Getting signed is his next task, although he is not shooting for a major label. According to Danburry, Apples and Cats Promotion calls their clients individually and cares whole-heartedly about what they do.

Danburry manages to garner excitement at every show on tour; his goal is to have the best show he can possibly have every night. According to The New Hampshire, Danburry could easily fit in on a bill with Saddle Creek heavy-weights Bright Eyes or even Cursive. Danburry will be playing at The Collective A-Go-Go at 266 Olean Street in Worcester, Massachusetts on May 8th. For more information, visit Danburry at www.myspace.com/drewdanburry.

-Jen Brown

On Air With Captain Awesome Interviews Porn Star

"This interview feels like hope to me. It's equally everything we are and everything we aspire to be. It's a mirror to our faces. I'd also like to dedicate it to Danielle Kosaan."
-Andy Hoglund.

Part 1: http://www.sendspace.com/file/nke2jn
Part 3: http://www.sendspace.com/file/2h4mwn
Part 4: http://www.sendspace.com/file/op571i

WTBU DAY!!!

WTBU PRESENTS "WTBU DAY 2008"
FILM SCHOOL
THE KING LEFT
SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE

SATURDAY APRIL 26TH
8 PM @ B.U. CENTRAL
FREE FOR B.U./$5 NON B.U.


Please come out Saturday night and support WTBU at WTBU Day! It will be lots of fun, awesome bands, free givaways. WTBU would also like to send a huge "thanks" to our sponsors. (Support these local businesses!)

Boston Pizza and Grill
270 Babcock St.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 562-1400

Better Place Realty
1038 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 713-4404

University Barber Shop
728 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 247-2789

WTBU Fundraiser @ Boston Pizza & Grill

Boston Pizza & Grill and WTBU are working together this week, Thursday April 26th to Thursday May 1st, in a fundraiser which ends up giving customers 10% off their order! You can receive the discount for take-out, eat-in, and even when you place a delivery order!

All you have to do is mention WTBU when you order your pizza, sub, calzone, or anything from the menu and good ol’ Eli and his family down in West Campus will give you 10% off your order while 10% of the sales come back to WTBU.

So please remember to help us out while you save some money on take-out!

Boston Pizza & Grill
270 Babcock St.
Boston, MA 02215
*** (617)562-1400 ***

Thanks so much, and keep us in mind this week (or weekend) when you’re thinking about where to eat!

--Kristen Fleury

Mariah Carey: E=MC²

Pop icon Mariah Carey is back with her long awaited 11th studio album. Unfortunately, she continues her unimpressive streak with E=MC², another RnB, hip-hop, dance hybrid with too many duds.

It's disappointing that Mariah still seems to be grasping for what's hot right now instead of being true to herself. While she will continue to sell (some) records and keep the mainstream interested with marketable hits such as "Touch My Body," she seems to be merely playing the part of hip and current pop star rather than committing to the inspired songwriting she's capable of.

The album opens with "Migrate," a beat-heavy track from producer-of-the-moment Danja. It falls flat even with T-Pain's help on the last verse (I know, it's hard to believe). Mariah is capable of making the urban sound work, as she proved with 1997's Butterfly, arguably her best album to date. However, the majority of her hip-hop collaborations in recent years have come off sounding contrived and unoriginal. That trend continues on this album, though "Side Effects" with Young Jeezy stands out.

Jermaine Dupri's signature Island/Def Jam production is stamped all over the album. Not surprisingly, it (still) doesn't work. His beats get repetitive while similar-sounding songs tend to bleed into each other; you'll quickly grow tired of the same uninteresting boom-boom-clapping found on most tracks.

Just when you think there is not much salvagable here, Mariah's true talent resurfaces at the close of the album. She ends doing what she does best; "I Wish You Well," a soulful piano ballad with a heavy gospel sound, showcases Mariah's vocals. She knows she can't sing with the power and range she brought in the 90s, but she tactfully relies on her vocal control and restraint with success here.

The magic is still there somewhere, buried underneath the gimmicks and the Glitter, but there is too much mediocrity on Mariah's latest effort to earn a satisfactory grade.

Mariah, forget about street cred, ditch JD, and get back to the piano. To quote The Pipettes, "baby, just be yourself!" Until then, let us take comfort in the fact that for every "Touch My Body," there's a "Hero."

--Jessy Bartlett

Music Department Update, 4/1

This Week's Top Five New Adds:
1. The Black Keys- Attack and Release. You know you will like this album, so give it a play. If you haven't heard of TBK, you should have and I'm sorry for you. Great guitar parts with the sound of rock perfected on this much-anticipated album. BAD-ASS.

2. Drew Danburry- Mother. Drew Danburry is my favorite artist in the United States. His music is extremely raw and beautiful—his lyrics are his strength. Drew has toured the US for a few years now… he is slowly making a name for himself… he is the nicest person I have ever met and I would love it if you play his CD. Sounds like Elliott Smith slightly/Doveman.

3. Foals- Antidotes. A subpop album worth acknowledgement. Hip, British music: Oxford University drop-outs! A little like Bloc Party vocally.

4. The David Wax Museum- I Turned Off Thinking About. Beautiful, quiet music with soft vocals. Think Iron and Wine with more strings. So much time and effort was put into this album musically. All tracks are playable.

5. Moby- Last Night. Moby's out with his latest! He returns to his old form with this album of dance music. Try "Ooh Yeah" and "Disco Lies" from this 42 year-old Vegan.

Current Top Five Most Played Albums:
1. Kenny G – The Essential Kenny G
2. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
3. R. Kelly – Trapped in the Closet (Chpts. I-XXIII)
4. Michael Bolton – Swingin' Christmas
5. Ronny James Dio – Holy Diver

--Jen Brown & Keith Simpson