WKNC 88.1 FM - North Carolina State University Student RadioDJ Beowvlf sits down with King Gino to discuss his development as an artist and participation in the collective that is Callisto Records. Independent creators and musical collaborators also participated in this interview that are similarly part of Callisto Records.
In preparation for WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit 17 on Feb. 7 and 8, DJ Beowvlf talks with station adviser Jamie Lynn Gilbert about the history of DBB and Gilbert shares some of her favorite DBB memories.
BEST TRACKS: Dark Green Water, Rosalie, English Garden, Treat Jar
FCC Clean
Recommended if you like: Strange Ranger, Diet Cig, Fleet Foxes, Speedy Ortiz
A lot can change in a just a couple years. Over the past two years, 5-piece indie rock outfit Great Grandpa, who had previously all lived, toured, and made music together, were split 2,000 miles apart when two of the members moved from Seattle to Milwaukee. This drastic change in their lives seeped through to the band’s music as well. If you listened to Great Grandpa in 2017 and now, you might almost think that you were listening to two different bands. With the release of Four of Arrows, Great Grandpa officially marks their movement past the grunge sound of their slightly younger, Plastic Cough days in favor of a more elegant, folksy sound.
In the third track, English Garden, Abby Gunderson goes above and beyond with her blooming violin, which Pat Goodwin’s banjo dances around romantically in an elegant song, flush with hopefulness. Lead singer Alex Menne does this thing where she beaks her voice switching from a chest to upper register. Menne and Goodwin’s voices sound like they were born to blend together flawlessly like fresh snowflakes dissolving in the palm of your hand.
In Four of Arrows, grunge is tossed aside to make room for cinematic flourishes and soft, fairytale melodies. This album is country-tinged and delicate, but far from dull. Intensity seeps through in the raw and emotional delivery of the lyrics, which is, in my opinion, easily the most impressive element of this album and of this band in general.
Four of Arrows is representative of new beginnings and joy. Even its darker moments, this album can’t hide the pride and love that Great Grandpa has for this album. In this album, they’ve achieved the sound they’ve always wanted.
If you used to listen to Taylor Swift in 2008, and deeply resonated with Katniss Everdeen when you watched Hunger Games, this album is perfect for you.
-Safia Rizwan
A few weeks ago, skimming through Spotify, I came across a brilliant track by the East London R&B/Rock Fusion group, The Equals. The song is titled “Michael and His Slipper Tree” and was released in 1969 on their album “Equals Strike Again”. The band was formed by Eddy Grant, Lincoln Gordon, Dervin Gordon, Pat Lloyd, and John Hall when the five were in high school. They began touring by 1965 throughout Europe. “Hold Me Closer” was the band’s first single, however it did not make it big. It was their 1967 song “Baby, Come Back” that put them on the charts. The song did particularly well in Germany and the Netherlands.
I was surprised to discover the band recorded in the 1960s. When I heard “Michael and His Slipper Tree” for the first time, I initially thought the band would have been from the 1980s. They certainly have a unique, timeless sound that will have you singing “Michael! Michael and his slipper tree, slipper tree, slipper tree, brand new shoes for you and me!” all day. Spotify even has a radio and maxi version!I highly recommend giving this band a listen!
-DJ Lizzo
The Local Beat: Thirsty Curses
DJ Beowvlf is live with Thirsty Curses in the studio playing some tracks off their self-titled album. The cover topics such as their music videos, transitions as a band, & where they fit within the Raleigh music scene.
For more on Thirsty Curses’ new album, check out our review from Assistant Daytime Music Director Safia Rizwan.