Category Archives: Folk

Just Announced: Life happens before and after spring break

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ragelife-let-me-go-artwork

Hopefully everyone was able to breath a sigh of relief after their end-of February midterms, and for those of you with midterms in the near future, may you study long and prosper.

It is getting towards that time though where everyone just pushes through these last few weeks of March before their much-anticipated spring break. But did you know that you can find insane entertainment before AND after spring break?

WUD Music knew. We’ve always known and just for the enjoyment of students all around campus, we announce these sick shows below:

3/15  RAGELIFE w/ CRASHprez + Lord of the Fly- Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller

4/12 Behind the Beat: John Christensen Jazz Quartet- Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller 

4/13  Deastro w/ Lord Scrummage: Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller 

4/19  Purling Hiss w/ Claps + Spires That in the Sunset Rise- Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller 

4/26  Heavy Times w/ Pleasure Leftists + Dharma dogs- Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller 

4/26 Behind the Beat: Green Means Go- Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller 

5/3 Behind the Beat: Unnecessary Bells- Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller 

Friday Night at Der Rath: The Daredevil Christopher Wright w/ Cuddle Magic

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Every weekend, WUD Music tries our best to bring you bands that are both enjoyable to listen to and entertaining to see. It is time yet again for another weekend with just that, and we are starting it off this Friday night with The Daredevil Christopher Wright and Cuddle Magic in Der Rathskeller at Memorial Union.

The dim lighting in Der Rathskeller will create the perfect ambiance for the whole-hearted and soothing sound of The Daredevil Christopher Wright. You can almost hear the twinkle in Jesse Edgington, Jonathan Sunde and Jason Sunde’s eyes as they produce folk music that sets them apart from most indie bands originating from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Considering that most bands from that area usually fuse the nature of their surroundings in soft and soothing tones, The Daredevil Christopher Wright stand out by pushing their sound further and interacting with physical surroundings.

Ironically, in reference to nature, their latest album release is named The Nature of Things, which was described by Consequence of Sound to “offer a kind of cheery foreboding, a quality that seems uniquely Midwestern.” The song “Divorce” immediately draws you in with the comforting strum of the guitar combined with the intriguing high pitch vocals and percussion that sounds like subtle rain drops- if they had a note on the musical scale.

Splitting that 7″ with The Daredevil Christopher Wright is Cuddle Magic, a perfect addition to the soft, mesmerizing indie music taking place tonight. Although not from Eau Claire, New York instead, Cuddle Magic delights any stage with their harmonic presence. Their name is no lie, songs like “Expectations,” and “Ring of Gold” speak to your emotions and cuddling just seems to be the most enticing thing to do.

The only logical thing to do then is to come to Der Rathskeller and find a cuddle buddy, it is the beginning of the winter season after all. Check out free downloads below for both The Daredevil Christopher Wright and Cuddle Magic.

Download>>The Daredevil Christopher Wright- “Divorce”

Download>>Cuddle Magic- “Disgrace Note”

AV Club Local Wednesdays: Double Ewes & Dietrich Gosser

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Dietrich Gosser

All right, all right, all right, folks! This week, AV Club Local Wednesdays is bringing us two fantastic local acts, Double Ewes and Dietrich Gosser!

Hailing from the not-too-far Janesville, Wisconsin, Double Ewes possesses a unique and experimental sound like none other. The band released Caravilla, which gives listeners a taste of melodic guitar swoons with smidgens of other whimsical instrumentals. You can download it for the price of your choosing at their bandcamp and listen to their full Lost City Music Festival set at J William Sound’s bandcamp.

Also playing on Wednesday evening is Dietrich Gosser, a Madison local with infinite amounts of indie lovin’ to offer. After releasing his debut album, City of Windows, in 2005, Gosser released two follow-up albums. His most recent album, What the Buzzsaw Sings, contains 11 romantic yet nostalgic tracks and can be download for free at his bandcamp page. With emotional voice breaks similar to that of Damien Rice, every listener can identify with Gosser’s creations. The A.V. Club sums it up nicely: “Gosser’s music has a quiet, unassuming quality that can set a convincing mood with just a few patient notes…

Come out to the Terrace on Wednesday night, because you definitely do not want to miss this phenomenal set of local acts. Check out a video of each Gosser in action below.

 

Tonight! Jeremiah Nelson with Cedarwell and Chants

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Tonight the Terrace features three relatively local acts, including a recent expatriate of Madison, Jeremiah Nelson.

In 2008, Jeremiah’s band The Achilles Heel put out the album Take Me Down the Interstate. After the band split up, Nelson followed up with a well-accepted solo EP, Drugs to Make You Sober With a raw, honky tonk sound, Nelson definitely brings a unique sound to the Madison music scene. In its year-end Best of Madison Records list, A.V. Club called the title track to Drugs to Make You Sober “stunning,” with a “clickety-clack percussion leading listeners through the wandering intro and into perhaps the most powerful, arresting chorus you’re likely to hear this year.” Check out that title track and download the album for the price of your choice at Nelson’s bandcamp. Nelson recently relocated to Minnesota, so tonight’s show will be a great (and free) homecoming.

Also playing this Thursday night is Cedarwell, a band from Sheboygan. With his Iron & Wine appearance and Justin Vernon aura, Erik Neave has surely attracted a strong Wisconsin following. Cedarwell is a perfect example of a great Wisconsin folk act. “We’re starting to believe that there really is something lurking over the grassy hills and slipping through the tree trunks and foliage of rural Wisconsin that unhinges a man’s soul, just a little bit more than other hills, tree trunks and foliage,” Daytrotter said in their description that accompanied Cedarwell’s session. Traditionally, Cedarwell is a three-man band, but Neave will often fly solo, and even put out his own self-titled album in 2003. The band’s recent 2010 album, A Stone, A Leaf, A Door, (also available for preview at bandcamp) was received well by the alt-folk community. We can only hope that Cedarwell will obtain the same success that Bon Iver has.

Last but not least is Chants. The solo project of Mama Digdown’s Brass Band’s bass drummer, Jordan Cohen, you’d never guess this talented artist was in a funk-and-jazz outfit by hearing Chants’ music. The title track from the May-released Night After EP draws comparisons to James Blake and Jamie Lidell. Check it out at Chants’ bandcamp. It’s definitely worth your time.

Come on down to the Terrace for great music tonight. Check out Nelson’s “Nothing to Lose” video below.

This Thursday Night: Elephant Revival with PHOX

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Who doesn’t love a transcendental folk band? This Thursday night on the Terrace, Elephant Revival and PHOX will be hauling their plethora of folk instruments to make each and every audience member ogle at their folky awesomeness.

With roots in Colorado and Oklahoma, Elephant Revival is the epitome of Americana folk bands. The band employs a wide array of instruments like washboards, stomp boxes, banjos, musical saws, mandolins, violins, and an upright bass, producing a hauntingly resonant sound for only five members. Not too surprisingly, each member plays multiple instruments during their shows.

In July, 2008, Elephant Revival released their self-titled debut album, produced by David Tiller (Taarka, ThaMuseMeant). Their second album, Break in the Clouds, was released in November, 2010. Now known as one of the pioneers of the genre “transcendental folk,” The band has recently played with Michael Franti, Bela Fleck, and the Yonder Mountain String Band. Akin to Horse Feathers and many other great folky-bluegrass bands, Elephant Revival will undoubtedly make you ready to give up your day job and learn the banjo.

Opening for Elephant Revival is PHOX, who originally started in Baraboo, WI.  The band plays most of the their shows in Madison and surrounding areas. PHOX has that swanky, rock nostalgia sound that is perfect for hand-holding on a warm summer evening. Check out recently released EP Unblushing at their bandcamp.

Get your folk-loving behinds out to the Terrace tomorrow night for some Americana therapeutics. Download Elephant Revival’s “Drop” and check out a video for the unreleased “Remembering a Beginning” below, and head over to the calendar to see what other great shows you can catch on the Terrace.

Download Elephant Revival’s “Drop”

This Saturday: Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles with Save the Clocktower

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As University of Minnesota natives, Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles started off in a regular college house, not expecting much to rise from their jam sessions. However, Lucy Michelle’s personal lyrics mixed with her bright ukelele sounds really gave this band a unique vibe to spark nationwide intrigue. She’ll bring that successful formula to the Terrace this Saturday at 9:30.

On June 11th, MTV premiered the band’s fourth album, Heat, which was written about Minnesota’s chilling temperatures during the winter of 2010. The album was produced by Brooklyn’s own Matt Boyton, who has previously worked with bands like Beirut, Bat for Lashes, and even MGMT.  With their energetic and refreshing rock sound, this band will undoubtedly blend perfectly with the Terrace’s summer feel.

Opening for Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles will be Chicago’s own Save the Clocktower. The band’s sound is a combination of alternative melodies with a laid-back, electronic beat. It immediately makes you ready to roll down the windows and take a drive.  The band will surely play songs off their upcoming third album, Through the Glass, due in July. (Update: Download new single “Like That” at Ear Milk)

See you on the Terrace this Saturday for some home-grown, Midwestern entertainment. Grab the “Just A Kid” mp3 below, watch the video for it (Spoiler: there’s a cute bunny at the end), and head over to Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles’ site to stream all of Heat.

Download Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles – “Just A Kid”

Friday at the Terrace: Peter Wolf Crier + Chris Bathgate + Sampēa and The Lady Strangers

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This Friday evening, plan to make your way to The Terrace because you will not want to miss this lineup.

Originally from Eau Claire but established as a Minneapolis band, Peter Wolf Crier has impressed crowds with both their lyrics and music. As quoted by Pitchfork, Peter Pisano’s songwriting on 2010 debut Inter-Be is “ragged, understated, and striking above all else.” Their sound is a mixture of harmonized voices and key guitar tones, which can be heard in “Hard as Nails,” or “Settling it Off.”

Chris Bathgate will lead in with his indie folk music. He surprisingly started out in the metal scene, but then gravitated towards folk/indie songs and certainly has made himself known for his acoustic sound that includes guitar, piano and string instruments. Examples of this can be found in “No Silver,” and “Yes, I’m Cold.”  His voice is also a peaceful complement to these tracks and is similar to Iron & Wine.

Madison’s own Sampēa and The Lady Strangers will start off the night. Pronounced “Sam P,” this ensemble have combined interesting acoustic sounds with the vocals of what could be compared to as The Parlotones, or even The Beatles. Songs such as “I Might Stop By” and “Forest Fairies/Winter Landscape” are prime examples of this rock/folk sound. You can check their music out at their bandcamp.

This lineup is dominated by the folk/indie sound, but all of these bands alter that genre to make a completely different experience. I believe, we’ve just made your Friday night plans. Download Peter Wolf Crier’s “Right Away” and “Settling It Off” and check out the video for the latter below.

Download Peter Wolf Crier – “Right Away”
Download Peter Wolf Crier – “Settling It Off”

Friday at Der Rath: Lower Dens w/ Yellow Ostrich + Grace Weber Band + 1,2,3

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Baltimore’s Lower Dens formed in 2009 and hasn’t stopped makin’ music since. Vocalist Jana Hunter was previously known for her folky experimental work as a solo artist. However, the quartet of Lower Den is something more along the lines of drone-pop/ post-punk. Hunter is known for her haunting and enthralling vocals that are backed up by echoing guitar and bass. Their second album, Nootropics, is set for release on the first of May off of Gnomonsong Records, and with the growing craze over their mesmerizing single, “Brains” (released back in January), it’ll be awesome to finally hear what other alluring beats the band has in store for us. They’ll be at Der Rath this Friday so come hear them play for free!

Formed in Brooklyn, Yellow Ostrich is currently made up of three very talented musicians: Alex Schaaf, Michael Tapper, and Jon Natchez. However, Schaaf started Yellow Ostrich independently back in 2009 as one-man-band project. They just released their second album from Barsuk Records this past Tuesday (March 6) available on iTunes or at your fave record store. On the same label are indie legends Death Cab for Cutie and favorites such as Rilo Kiley and Phantogram.  On the new album you can expect to hear upbeat rockity rhythms that are a bit different from their 2011 album, The Mistress, but excellent and catchy all the same. “Strange Land” will get your head bobbing and heart throbbing so come be one of the lucky few to hear it live at Der Rath on Friday! Also, want a sampler of 9 Yellow Ostrich tracks for free?! Click here!

Did you hit up Starbuck’s sometime this past January? Of course you did—who can resist those holiday-friendly beverages of the gods? While you were waiting in line for your caffeinated goodness you may have heard Grace Weber’s track “Baby Come Down” off her self-released album Hope & Heart. A Milwaukee native and past member of the city’s Inner City Youth Gospel Choir, Weber’s music is both soulful and poppy. With the release of Hope & Heart back in September, Weber made a top ten spot on iTunes singer/songwriter charts and was Billboard Magazine’s “Artist to Watch.” She’ll be hitting up Madison after a show in Milwaukee in which she’ll be opening for Men at Work / singer-songwriter legend Colin Hay at Turner Hall. Weber describes her musical output as a “modern version of soul, in that I try to tell stories through my lyrics that I hope can touch people, and I always try to sing from an honest place.” You can read a full WUD Music interview with her posted earlier this morning by clicking here. With a presence and passion as fierce as Weber’s, it’s obvious you won’t want to miss her show.

Touring the country with Yellow Ostrich is 1,2,3. This up-and-coming band is comprised of four members: Nic Snyder, Josh Sickels, Mike Yamamoto, and Chad Monticue. Last June, the band released its first album New Heaven (it’s on iTunes!) through Frenchkiss Records. This label has discovered some excellent bands, such as The Dodos, Local Natives, and Passion Pit… I wouldn’t mind french-kissing them. Anyway, their music is both soulful and delicious— definitely worth being heard, so come see them along with Lower Dens, Yellow Ostrich, and Grace Weber Band this Friday 3/9 at Der Rath!

Check out a music video from each band below and check out Lower Dens, Yellow Ostrich, Grace Weber Band, and 1,2,3 in Der Rath tomorrow with a 8:30 start.

Download A Lull’s “Some Love” Single + 3 Remixes

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It’s a brutal truth: It’s almost time for school again. But on the bright side, the beginning of a new semester also means a return of WUD Music concerts. One of the concerts we’re pumped for is Deleted Scenes / A Lull on February 4th at The Sett, and the following news only makes it harder to wait.

For the moment, if you “like” Mush Records’ Facebook page, you can download A Lull’s “Some Love” single, along with three remixes of the track. The original is excellent, with pulsating drums and daybreak harmonies. Head over and listen for yourself, and be sure to make it out to The Sett when the band hits the stage in a few weeks.

This Friday: Kids These Days w/ Fresh Cut Collective at The Sett, 9 p.m.

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Someday, Kids These Days will out-grow their name, and it seems that day is quickly approaching. The Chicago natives possess talent and maturity well beyond their years, a group of six men and one woman all under the age of 20. How many 20-year-olds do you know that have shared the stage with Snoop Dogg, played to an endless sea of fans at Lollapalooza, and recorded an album with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy producing?

KTD is diverse in every way, blending funk, soul, hip-hop, acoustic rock, and rap to create something truly original. There’s something for everyone, which is why they regularly sell out shows in Chicago and have played with a vast array of popular artists. They attract extremely energetic crowds with their own energy, giving the feeling that each concert is a party. Believe me, this Friday’s show will be a party – and a free one at that!

The action starts at 9 p.m. when Fresh Cut Collective takes the stage, a Milwaukee band that won a WAMI award this year for the best Hip-Hop/Rap act in the state of Wisconsin. That’s no small feat, my friends. They’re an excellent complement to the energy and uniqueness of Kids These Days.

Head to the Facebook event and KTD and FCC‘s band pages for more details. Check out some videos of each band below for a taste of what you can expect to see Friday night.