Jared Iversen

Cinematic Recap: WGTB’s Spring Open Mic

Posted by on June 28th 2011 5

Screen shot 2011-06-28 at 3.31.34 PM

A little while ago we had our annual Open Mic night (if you missed last year’s, you can catch up here) in Bulldog Alley. As always it was a really enjoyable evening of music, slam poetry, and a whole lot of acoustic guitars, and the house was packed. We recorded all of it and have posted it here for you.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is a video? I don’t do math, as a policy, but it seems like that would be a ton of words, so here, then, are a lot of words. Never mind that these are a bit belated; memories fade but videos are forever! Enjoy this footage of our variously talented student body and let us know what you enjoyed best in the comments. Read More »

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Artist of the Week: Dawes

Posted by on August 23rd 2010 0

Artist of the Week: Dawes
by Jared Iversen

I stumbled upon Dawes, a four-piece band from Los, Angeles, at this year’s Newport Folk Festival, and I was instantly taken with their endearing folk rock. Hailing from the renowned Laurel Canyon region of California, they don’t shy away from their influences, infusing the warm harmonies of CSNY and the comforting melodies of The Band into their familiar sound. Read More »

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Recap: Newport Folk Festival

Posted by on August 12th 2010 0

DJ and Biz Director Jared Iversen took to the New England countryside to catch some folk-rockers new and old and reported back to us with some sweet pictures. Check out his review and the gallery below.




The Newport Folk Festival began in 1959, and is probably best known for launching Bob Dylan’s career and as the site of his notorious 1965 performance, where he went electric and changed the face of both folk and rock music. This past weekend, nearly 18,000 people descended upon Fort Adams, an 18th Century military base situated on the pristine shores of Newport, Rhode Island, for the 51st performance of this historic concert. It was my first time at a music festival, and the relaxed air of the folk fest proved to be a great introduction to the festival experience. Read More »

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Review: Admiral Radley, I Heart California

Posted by on July 20th 2010 0

I Heart California

Admiral Radley
I Heart California
B

Admiral Radley is a union of four long-time friends and indie musicians – Jason Lytle and Aaron Burtch of Granddaddy with Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray of Earlimart. They initially tried to express this collaborative effort in the band’s name, wavering between Grandimart and Earlidaddy, but realized that these were not very good names for a rock band. Inspiration struck when the band mates had a chance encounter with a mysterious seaman, who called himself Admiral Radley and suggested they name their band after him and “go forth and play shows and spread [their] loose and enjoyable message.” They took his advice. This proved to be a much more fitting name for the Golden State musicians, who make music intimately tied to their coastal roots with an understated coolness.

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Sounds of Summer: A Summer Music Preview

Posted by on June 25th 2010 0

by Jared Iversen
We are now more than half-way through 2010,
and it has been a phenomenal year for music so far. We have seen (or rather heard), top-notch albums from high profile names such as The National, LCD Soundsystem, She & Him, and Beach House, as well as some surprisingly great albums from up and coming artists like Delta Spirit, Avi Buffalo, Surfer Blood, and The Tallest Man On Earth. Things don’t seem to be slowing down either, as a slew of summer releases will keep the good music coming through the sunny season. Here are some of the season’s albums we’re eagerly awaiting.
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Review: The Moondoggies, You’ll Find No Answers Here EP

Posted by on June 18th 2010 0

by Jared Iversen
Rating: B

The Moondoggies are a four-piece band from Seattle, Washington who blend blues, soul, rock, and country to create an infectious sound that radiates with whiskey-soaked Americana. Their music is fresh, but familiar, harkening back to the woodsy, psychedelic sounds of greats like The Grateful Dead and The Band, while sharing elements with fellow west coasters Fleet Foxes and The Donkeys, namely soft harmonies and laid back guitars, but a bit rougher around the edges. The Moondoggies effortlessly combine all of these different components, comfortably living in a nearly unclassifiable genre (at least not without using multiple hyphens) with a sound that lies somewhere between the west coast and the south, classic rock and modern folk. There’s something endearing about these long-haired, bearded guys and the music they make, or maybe it’s the name. Read More »

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Review: Delta Spirit, History from Below

Posted by on June 2nd 2010 0

Note: Delta Spirit will be performing at the 9:30 Club on July 3rd. You should totally go.

by Jared Iversen

Rating: A

I know what you’re thinking, “Another A album? WGTB has more grade inflation than a high school English class.” Maybe, but Delta Spirit’s sophomore album History From Below is a wonderfully crafted portrait of Americana that is deserving of such praise. The five-piece San Diego band delivers a mature and intelligent album that aims to say something meaningful about life with genuine emotion and conviction. Read More »

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