“Because people don’t know what nature looks like without trash.” That’s what Jon said to me after we finished filming out on the banks of the Potomac. I asked, mostly to myself, why there was so much trash out there. Stupid question, I know, but his answer revealed an awareness of his environment, and a matter-of-fact-like disappointment with the lack of everyone else’s. Read More »
Each of the artists in this collaboration has revolutionized his respective musical niche. Burial amazed the London electronic scene with his innovative dub step; Four Tet tweaked the electronic music art form with jazz improvisation; and Thom Yorke, singer of Radiohead, needs no further introduction. The combination of these artists is no revolution in and of itself, but the crispness of the melodies and the seamlessness of styles does indicate that these pieces of music are the work of greater visionaries. The minimalism of the A side track, “Ego”, harkens to the stark minimalism which Yorke has adopted as of late, the jangled pianos of Four Tet, and the warped vocals of Burial so seamlessly that it could have only been the work of pure geniuses such as these to make it happen.
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This is a companion piece to the Wed. March 16th episode of Footnotes that streams on WGTB from 9-10pm.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I did a show on seminal folk-punk band The Pogues for their work throughout the 1980s combining Irish folk music with the punk scene from which their leader, and former frontman of the Nipple Erectors, Shane MacGowan emerged. From Shane’s sometimes slurred brogue to Spider Stacy’s tin whistle to the large number of traditional songs that they played to their name – a corruption and shortening of póg mo thóin (“kiss my arse” in Gaelic) – everything about the Pogues smacked of Ireland. However, the band’s members were essentially all drawn from the English punk scene. Thus, they bridged a gap between folk and punk that has created two, mostly distinct subgenres as their legacy. Irish or Celtic Punk, typified by bands such as the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, further adapt Irish themes and instrumentation into essentially a punk rock style. On the other hand, less obviously, but much closer to the Pogues’ actual sound is the folk punk scene, which combines traditional instruments with the fast freewheeling play, with bands including Defiance, Ohio; early Against Me! ; and Andrew Jackson Jihad. Read More »
Let’s admit it. We’re a pretty talented bunch. But with schedules packed with classes, extracurriculars and internships, when do we really get an opportunity to show off? You’ve got your chance this Saturday at 7:30 in Bulldog Alley at our Open Mic Night. Whether you’re a seasoned vet of the open mic circuit or the secret Whitney Houston of your shower stall, it’s your time to shine. Maybe music isn’t your thing? That’s fine, too. Perhaps you’re penning the next great American novel on Leo’s napkins. Or perchance you deliver comedic monologues to anyone who will listen in Red Square. Whatever it is you do, bring your A game to Bulldog Alley. And of course, bring all your friends to clap their hands and eat our pizza. Did we mention it’s free?
Acts are limited to 5 minutes or two songs. Email GM@georgetownradio.com to sign up and guarantee yourself a spot on stage. Walk-ons are also welcome, depending on how many acts sign up beforehand.
When the four ladies of Dum Dum Girls walked out onto the Black Cat mainstage on Sunday night, what first struck me was their presence—and by that I mean the fact that they had such a strong presence in the first place. I won’t make sweeping generalizations, but many musicians I’ve seen at the same venue tend to look like they were run through a dryer filled with dirt and then put down for a nap right before their show, so they walk out onto stage looking disheveled, rubbing the dust and sleep out of their eyes with what looks like actual surprise—“What are YOU guys all doing here? For me? Really?” Not Dum Dum Girls. Dum Dum Girls own their stage. They dress up for their shows—they actually look GOOD for their shows. Four tiny, serious girls with single stage names and killer matching tights walk out onto the stage and immediately fill the room with an unexpected wall of attitude and sound. Lead singer Dee Dee did not engage the audience with much friendly chatter beyond a hello after strapping her guitar on and got straight to business—which could have made the band seem disengaged and disinterested, but instead played completely into their earnest, minimalist aesthetic: what else were they here for then to play for us? And play for us they did. Read More »
Welcome to WGTB’s Show of the Week column, where we highlight one exceptional segment of our on-air programming and tell you a bit more about the faces behind the voices, and why you should be tuning in.
Show: Attack of the Fanny Pack
On-Air: Wednesdays 8-9 pm
DJs: Hannah Klusendorf, COL 2012, aka “Hurricane Hannah Klusendorf”
Lauren Mahon, NHS 2012, aka Lauren “is the” Mahon
With WGTB since: Spring 2010
Attack of the Fanny Pack is a high-energy show from two dedicated DJs, Lauren and Hannah, who will light up your Wednesday night with nostalgic hits from the 90s, classics from artists like Tom Waits, and television show theme songs. Check out what they have to say in their own words, and give their playlist a spin below! Read More »
In the interest of full disclosure, I think I should share that the Drive-By Truckers have been on my mind all year. On the first day of January, I took a short road trip with a few buddies to see the band play a packed venue in Philadelphia. Just a few songs into their set and it became clear to me how the Drive-By Truckers earned their spot as the champions of today’s alt-country scene: hard work and sweat. On stage, the band displays a sort-of gritty energy which is impossible to deny. Three guitars play at full force through Skynyrd-esque solos, a bottle of whiskey is passed around in between songs, and the whole crowd roars along with the band’s unapologetic anthems of Southern living. If I had to boil the experience down to one word it would be “badass.”
With these images of the band I’d seen that night in January lodged in my head, I have to admit I was a little confused when I first heard “I Do Believe” the opening track off the Drive-By Truckers most recent release, “Go-Go Boots”. Read More »
Let’s be real for a second. Child stars don’t have a chance. Even the most normal of them end up pretty effed up. We think of them only by watching super slowed down clips of them singing creepy songs about p.i.z.z.a. or watching their public derailment via a spiral of downer meds and reality TV shows. Yet, we have no remorse in endorsing any child star that pops his cute little pre-pubescent punim on the front page of Teen People, knowing full well that the more we feed the fire, the more barren we will leave the forest of their souls. Their stupid, unknowing souls.
