So many artists released albums this week, it’s ridiculous. Let’s take a look!
1. Xiu Xiu – Dear God I Hate Myself

Xiu Xiu released their follow-up to 2008’s Women as Lovers, which received a 7.9 from Pitchfork. Xiu Xiu worked with Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier on the album. The album is full of tonal complexities, and the occasional jarring on the album is something fans of the experimental side of Xiu Xiu will love. However, for those looking for a bit more melody, check out Chocolate Makes You Happy:

2. K-OS – Yes!

Toronto-based alternative rapper K-OS has released his new album, Yes! His trademark slow, thought-provoking delivery still holds strong on this new installment, and the beats and rhymes work excellently together. According to multiple reviews, the best song on the album is “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman,” and it’s hard to disagree:

3. Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me

Joanna Newsom has released her new album, Have One On Me. The album is 2 hours long, and contains a lot more bluesy chord progressions than the folk modes of her critically-acclaimed Ys. Pitchfork gave the new album 9.2/10, and it’s clear from the song “Good Intentions Paving Company” why that is:

Other notable album releases: Michelle Branch, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Fan Death, Fang Island, The New Loud, DJ Khaled, Lifehouse, The Rocket Summer, The Streets

-nc

Memorial Union- Der Rathskeller

3/5/2010 8:00pm

Pimps of Joytime are a multi-ethnic group that hits all the marks and crosses all the barriers, bridging the gap between underground funk, soul, pop, dance, afrobeat and latin, filling every song with soulful harmonies and uplifting vibes. Mixing samples and dance beats with tasty live musicianship and sweet vocal harmonies, The Pimps of Joytime have evolved into the current five-piece that gets crowds on their feet from London to San Francisco. Somehow, The PJT’s found a way to put a modern twist on a retro sound, creating dirty, ass-shakin grooves like no one else out there. In 2009 Pimps of Joytime were able to play over 100 shows from South Carolina to Alaska and finished their newes album, Funky Brooklynn on Wonderwheel Recordings

Chicago native, Andrew Ripp, combines a voice that invokes both vulnerability and soul with a talent for undeniable hooks. Ripp works independently from a label and focuses on touring, he has traveled with the likes of hanson, Dave Barnes and Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers. He and his band recently spent a month overseas performing for U.S. troops stationed abroad in the UK, Mediterranean, and Middle East

Pittsburgh’s Steve Moakler has been making music for the past five years. He has a gift for for sweet melodies and moving narratives that stick in your head like happy memories. Moakler is emerging as as one of the best of a new generation of pop-rock songwriters who call Nashville home.

Hey guys! Here are photos from Saturday’s Bird Peterson / Patrick Awesome show. I figured out how to get decent pictures out of Der Rathskeller, so start expecting them more often.

-Dylan Hill

Patrick Awesome

Bird Peterson

Bird Peterson

Bird Peterson

Bird Peterson

Memorial Union-Der Rathskeller

2/26/2010 8:00pm-12am

WSUM is turning 8! It will be a dance party! Free birthday cake for everyone! All of the cool kids will be there. Featuring Kate chanba, Sasha and The Strand, Dylan Blaiwes, DJ Pablic and JD Woody

Hey you! Take a little moment to get to know WUD Music Campus Outreach Assistant Director Gabriel Herrera/ El Guapo/ @gabrielherrera. So get ready to uncover the mystery. Meet the man behind the legend.

Year:
Senior.

Major(s)

Engrish. I’m currently regretting not double majoring in com arts too

What are you currently listening to?

Aeroplane mix charts
Toecutter
The Isley Brothers
Television
Björk
Sébastien Léger
Charles Hamilton

Has your cultural heritage shaped your attitudes towards music?
Explain (please).

Undoubtedly. Why do you think I have such a good sense of rhythm?

If you could trade places with one person in the music industry, who
would it be?

Matt Forrest. That man has everything I could ever want, and more.

Favorite live show:

Ever?! Yes, ever. I don’t know, here are a few memorable ones:
Grizzly Bear at the Pabst in MKE, Alan Braxe at the Smart Bar in
Chicago, Flogging Molly at Lollapalooza, and Public Enemy at P4K a few
years back. In Madison, It would be either The Black Lips, Cool Kids,
or Dan Deacon at the Majestic.

Favorite music news source (blog/magazine/etc):

I don’t really follow any one music source consistently because I have
the attention span of a small child. Something that I have been doing
recently is finding websites that host disco/funk/r&b albums on
rapidshare and downloading them all and then never listening to them;
that’s fun.

Favorite music committee memory:

There are several, and they each have different names.

Top 5 most played songs on iTunes:

1. My Secret Lover – Private
2. Peach – Louis La Roche
3. Do You Remember? – Louis La Roche
4. Far Away – Cut Copy
5.Loomer – My Bloody Valentine

Two truths and a lie:

I have shot a gun before.
I used to work in the basement of Memorial Union making sandwiches.
I comb my hair when I wake up in the morning.

Memorial Union- Der Rathskeller

4/10/2010 9:00pm

Memorial Union- Der Rathskeller

3/13/2010 9:30pm

England’s singer/songwriter David Ford released his debut solo album, I sincerely Apologize for all the Trouble I’ve Caused in 2005. It was later signed over to Columbia Records and afterward traveled for the first time throughout the US. His second album Songs for the Road was released to widespread critical acclaim that was even greater than for his first album. With MusicOMH saying, “It is decorated with delicate, sensitive sounding notes and perfectly placed key changes, layered with deep thinking, complex lyrics.” Ford is an independent artist again which seems to be what he feels most comfortable with. He released his latest album in early 2010 and has described the songs as being different from the last two albums because of the “shortness and snappiness.”

Ever since they blew us away at the Daytrotter Barnstormers tour in Lodi, WI, WUD Music and Madison can’t get enough of this quickly rising LA band. Dawes returns to Madison tonight at the Union for FREE show.

Dawes will be playing 2 sets. First, they will be backing opener Jason Boesel and then they’ll play their own set. Finally, headliner Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons will finish off the bill.

Here’s a song from the Lodi show with commentary by WUD Music’s own Ethan Berlin. “This IS great.”

And here’s Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons with “Born Again.”

So come out tonight for what is sure to be a great night of music at Der Rath. Show kicks off at 9. Be there.