Monday Feature: Revelry is Coming

Posted on April 29, 2013 by mackens

You know a weekend is going to be great when you’re already anticipating for the week to be over on Monday at one in the morning. Whether you’ll be attending the annual Mifflin Street Block Party, hitting up capitol square for the weekly fresh market, or kicking back and watching a Star Wars trilogy (preferably the original one), there is no shortage of funtivities available for Madison citizens this first weekend of May.

And while all of these funtivities are respectable means of entertainment in their own right, I want to highlight the weekend event I will be attending: Revelry Music and Arts Festival. DISCLAIMER: I am in no way being prompted to write this feature by any member of WUD Music. I chose to write this feature because it’s music related, it’s Madison news, I love music, live concerts are awesome, and I want to give those that are or may be going a small preview of what they can expect out of the musical talent at the festival. So let’s get to that. I am going to give my short, unarticulated opinion of the artists that were highlighted in the wonderfully crafted video below. Here goes nothing.

Toro y Moi - Contrary to what your initial reaction may be, Toro y Moi is actually one man. And he may be one of the chillest men I’ve ever heard on a track. For starters, he combined both the Spanish and French languages to create his stage name. It doesn’t matter as long as it translates to English easily (Bull and Me) and sounds cool, right? Beyond this, his calm vocals and looped electronic beats are combined to him consider him a part of the genre known as chillwave. It doesn’t get any more chill than that.

Hoodie Allen - One of my close friends has been a Hoodie fan well before the Revelry lineup was released, and since its release I have hopped on the bandwagon hard. His All American EP was only $5 on iTunes, and provides eight solid tracks that exemplify his catchy music and smart lyrics. In addition, his newest mixtape Crew Cuts is on his website for free! Outside of his music, the former Google employee and UPenn Sprint Football player has collaborated on comedy videos with CollegeHumor that are just too funny to only watch once.

Phox - This seven-piece band from Baraboo, Wisconsin utilizes instruments that run the gamut of sounds, resulting in songs that are most often whimsical, but can also be hectic and heavy. No songs particularly called out to me, but there’s no doubt that the band is unique.

The Mowgli’s - While the only music I could find of theirs was the five songs from their Love’s Not Dead EP, this pop-rock octet has an established pedigree with a recent performance at SXSW 2013 and a scheduled performance at Lollapalooza 2013. Their eight-person chorus is extremely catchy, and “San Francisco” is an irresistible summer jam.

Chance the Rapper - Chance the Rapper is definitely a different sounding hip-hop artist, with a significantly higher voice than your typical MC. His second mixtape, Acid Rap drops tomorrow, so hopefully Madison will be receptive to his new material come Saturday.

Delta Spirit - This band has a strong alternative rock sound, and many of the songs I listened to have the feel of a live show even though they’re master tracks. I trust that their live performance will be nothing short of a great display of musical talent. In addition, they have a song on the official first volume of The Walking Dead soundtrack, so I am sold.

Julian Lynch - Chill, instrumental, and articulate all at once, Julian Lynch’s music gives off good vibes. With a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology (!?) from UW-Madison, I think concert attendees will give the former city resident a warm reception.

Oh Land - Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Nanna Øland Fabricius serves as singer, songwriter, and producer, for her music. Pianos and an extensive palette of electronic sounds make for a plethora of experimental tunes for Oh Land to sing over. It will be interesting to see how her music translates to a live performance.

So there you have it: A preview of the biggest acts that Revelry has to offer. It would seem that there is a little something for everyone in the festival’s first installment, and I couldn’t be more excited. Here’s to the joys of live music, summer, and the continued success of this festival for years to come. Revel on.

Just Announced: April showers?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by erinberge

As most of you soar off in the sky, escaping your busy student lives by plane to a hopefully warm climate, beg that same warm weather to follow you back to Madison, for the sake of all us. April would then only shower us with sun rays and good music.

You may recognize Sam James as a contestant on The Voice. He is a singer song-writer that grabbed everyone’s attention with his version of “Imagine.” Originating from Massachusetts, Sam James has been pursuing a music career from the beginning while developing his unique vocal style.

So, unique artists are what you like? Check out Mark Kroos at the end of April as he performs two guitar necks at the same time. According to his biography, he is the only artist touring as a solo artist with this instrument. Yes, two is better than one.

4/5/13 Sam James w/ tba- Union South: The Sett

4/27/13 Mark Kroos w/ tba – Memorial Union: Der Rathskeller

Check out more April “showers” of music at our WUD Music Calendar.

Just Announced: Life happens before and after spring break

Posted on March 6, 2013 by erinberge

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

Ra Ra Riot ANNOUNCEMENT: Free Ticket Distribution

Posted on January 29, 2013 by erinberge

Last semester, we announced the mind-blowing news that Ra Ra Riot will be performing at Memorial Union on March 2nd in Great Hall.

Now, we have some vital information about the show itself: Free tickets will be distributed at the Union Box Office in Vilas Hall for UW Madison students, Faculty, Staff and Union Members on Thursday, January 31. Ticket distribution for the remaining tickets to the general public will then begin on Monday, February 4.

These tickets are FREE, so make sure you get to the Box Office in time to pick yours up!

Monday Feature: Johnny Foreigner

Posted on November 5, 2012 by benwimmel

Let me tell you about the greatest band you’ve never heard of. Johnny Foreigner is a Birmingham, England based indie rock band that, for once, isn’t just trying to soundtrack every nap I’ve ever taken. They also happen to be COMING TO THE SETT NOVEMBER 16th, so pay attention.

I suppose you’d like a description, yeah? Well the band’s music is a bit bipolar. One side is filled with hyperactive guitar riffs and lyrics that are yelped out like there are only three minutes left until the world ends. A perfect example of this is perhaps their most famous song, “Our Bipolar Friends“. Frontman Alexei Berrow and bassist Kelly Southern trade lyric lines back and forth over virtuosic guitar lines, while drummer Junior Elvis Washington Laidley plays drums and keyboard at the same time.

The other pole of Johnny Foreigner’s musical spectrum is best shown on an EP called There When You Need It. It’s filled with mostly acoustic songs that would fit more in a playlist full of Elliott Smith and Bright Eyes than it would with punk music. Doesn’t matter though, because the EP is fantastic. In between these two types of music you can find songs like PS, Not Soon Enough, which combine slower, sadder elements of their acoustic songs with overdriven guitars they otherwise use.

They write like they mean it, and they play like it might be their last night on earth. How is that unappealing? They even like vocal harmonies! As a punk band!

It’s been a very busy year for my favorite band. Nearly a year ago, November 7th, they released their third album Johnny Foreigner vs. Everything. Since then, they’ve added a second guitarist, their friend/visual artist Lewes Herriot, announced and begun only their second America tour, and released a new EP titled NAMES, which you can find over at their bandcamp page. One song directly lifts a line from “Airplanes” by B.o.B. That has to be a little convincing, right?

Which reminds me of their lyrics. They’re all about girls or family or Birmingham. They’re basically all relatable on some level. Just trust me.

Just listen to them.

Please?

“but i worked it out: the last however many months of fleeting friendships, goodnights and good nights, on that beach under those stars i would have spilled everything to the first pretty face i fell across. and, at least i picked the prettiest“

“Things We Should’ve Left On The Beach”

“With Who, Who and What I’ve Got”

And because it’s close enough to Christmas, “Santa Fucking Claus”

This Friday Night on the Terrace: Pat McCurdy

Posted on August 9, 2012 by mollymagnolia

Do you like music? Do you have any semblance of a sense of humor? If you responded “yes” to both of the former questions, you CANNOT MISS Pat McCurdy, who is returning to the Terrace this Friday night to blow your minds on the Terrace.

Pat McCurdy is a household comedian/musician in the Midwest. Throughout the past 30 years, McCurdy has recorded over 13 albums and has played hundreds of shows. He often frequents UW Madison campus to play his infamous song “Sex and Beer,” of which you can feel free to download at the bottom of this post. Wisconsin State Journal praised McCurdy’s live show, saying his “fans get hooked on his presence, his lyrics, his banter with the audience, but also on each other.”

McCurdy does a phenomenal job of providing an interactive experience for his audience, often having fans come up on stage to join in on his politically incorrect banter. There is no topic that McCurdy won’t cover. From friends with benefits to lesbians to the Green Bay Packers, Pat McCurdy has a song for everyone.

If you’re in the mood for a Terrace show unlike any other, you do NOT want to miss Pat McCurdy this Thursday. Feel free to download “Sex and Beer” below and watch a little preview of Pat McCurdy’s tribute to the 80′s.

Download >> Pat McCurdy – “Sex and Beer“

BBU & DJ Diox at MODA Runway Show

Posted on March 14, 2012 by cassygolightly

This Friday, join WUD Music and MODA Magazine for a night of fashion at UW Fashion Week’s finale event: the UW Runway Show in the Sett, cosponsored by WUD Music. The show begins at 8 PM but be sure to come early for upfront seating and red carpet photos with friends. Chicago’s BBU and UW Madison’s very own DJ Diox will be the show’s entertainment. DJ Diox will be performing the fashion show and BBU, describing themselves as a “loosely organized group of high-flying hooligans united under the common goal of world liberation,” will wrap up the evening with a high-energy DJ/rap combo. Check out a sample from BBU below. It’s sure to be a great time, and be sure to stick around for DTF after the show if you haven’t had enough fun for the evening!

Saturday in the Sett – Los Campesinos! with Parenthetical Girls

Posted on January 25, 2012 by cassygolightly

With the release of LC!’s newest album in November, this long-awaited show is finally here! Pitchfork described Hello Sadness as “their fourth straight great album,” ultimately giving it a solid 8.0. Check it out for yourself below.

Although Parenthetical Girls haven’t released a full-length album in some time, they’re definitely not to be overlooked. If you haven’t heard of the Oregon-based group, their indie pop sound with an experimental edge is sure to win you over Saturday night. Follow this link to see for yourself: Careful Who You Dance With – Parenthetical Girls

Come to the Sett at 9 PM this Saturday for Los Campesinos! and Parenthetical Girls. Check out the Facebook event HERE. See you Saturday!

This Saturday in the Sett

Posted on November 18, 2011 by cassygolightly

Yellow Ostrich

After a series of unfortunate events (check out details here), Ra Ra Riot informed us that they would not be able to attend their show this Saturday in the Sett. However, Delicate Steve and Yellow Ostrich will still be playing! In August, Yellow Ostrich rereleased their album, The Mistress, with 3 new bonus tracks. Both bands have been touring with Ra Ra Riot this fall.

If you haven’t heard them before, here’s a sample!

See you Saturday at 9:30 PM!

This Saturday in Der Rathskeller: Memoryhouse

Posted on November 10, 2011 by cassygolightly

Picture from Pitchfork

Come see Memoryhouse, The Loom and Cat Martino this Saturday in the Der Rathskeller at 9:30 PM!

Memoryhouse, a dreampop ensamble from Sub Pop Records, is currently in the final stages of production for their first LP after a September release of a fully re-recorded, remixed and re-mastered version of their EP, The Years. If you haven’t yet, check out the dreamy sound of Memoryhouse in the video below.

The show will kick off with indie-folk songstress Cat Martino, who has opened for the likes of Rufus Wainwright, RIDE frontman Mark Gardener, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and more.

Yr Not Alone – Cat Martino

Following, WUD Music is proud to bring the Brooklyn-based indie-rock band, The Loom to Madison. NPR‘s World Cafe assures us that they’re sure to put on an “electrifying onstage performance that combines lots of instruments and lots of chemistry, and now lots of buzz as well,” according to an article released just this month. Check out their sound below:

See you Saturday!

WUD Music

we book bands.

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