Category: Miscellaneous

Random sh*t we don’t know where else to put

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Miscellaneous

Why WKNC?

WKNC 88.1 blog

As a senior at NC State in my final months before graduation, I have been reflecting on everything I’ve done the past few years and the times that have been most special to me. WKNC has been a huge part of my life as a student. I hope that I can help encourage any student who’s looking to become a part of a group on campus to consider joining WKNC as a DJ or student worker.

Community

Joining WKNC is a great way to make friends on campus. Especially if you are a younger or transfer student, being new on campus can be difficult. I have made many friends during my time at WKNC that I continue to keep up with and will still even after I graduate. Making connections at WKNC is easy and is a perfect way to broaden your community at NC State.

Experience

Whether you’re working as a DJ or a student worker, WKNC provides valuable working experience and important skills. As a content creator, I have honed my writing and graphic design skills, become better with deadlines, and have broadened my music tastes. If you love music, working at WKNC is perfect for you.

Flexibility

Being a DJ or worker at WKNC is perfect for students with busy schedules. DJs have flexible hours to choose from and WKNC workers can typically choose their schedules. The management at WKNC is extremely nice and flexible. Jamie and Laura have been so helpful for me from the start and are amazing to work with, and generally allow flexibility in scheduling and let students choose their hours.

Whether you’d like to work for WKNC, become a WKNC DJ, or simply enjoy WKNC’s radio channel and online content, you will not regret being a part of this great environment.

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Miscellaneous

The Saw’s Favorite Horror Scenes

horror movie collage

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and today we will be talking about my favorite scenes that have come from some of my favorite horror movies. It is not a secret that I am a big horror fan, I have to be… I run a Butcher Shop! I also rate movies based on their gore factor, which is a fun hobby of mine when I am not busy in the shop. 
 
There have been some killer (no pun intended) scenes that make me go “oh that’s awesome,” what cinematic masterpieces these movies are. I like the adrenaline that horror movies give me, I like being on edge and trying to guess when jump scares will occur. Horror movies remind me of death metal and studios should totally use death metal songs in their movies, it would work great.
 
In no particular order, here is a list of some of my favorite scenes within the horror genre: 
 
 
Halloween – 1978 

This scene is awesome. Period. When Michael Myers looks at the guy and tilts his head over to look at his most recent victim is still bone chilling every time I watch this movie. 

The Exorcist – 1973 

Fun fact: when this movie first came out in theaters, half of the audience left after Linda Blair spun her head all the way around. Although this may seem pretty tame to us horror fanatics now, back in the day, this was terrifying! This movie is what helped launch the horror genre into something scarier. 

Evil Dead – 2013 

You want to talk about a movie that has a 10/10 gore factor? Then you need to watch the 2013 remake of The Evil Dead. I swear this movie has nothing but gore, and this girl who gets possessed is scary. She makes my skin crawl. 

Hellraiser – 1987 

You already know that I had to put my boy in here! Honestly, any scene where Pinhead talks is my favorite. He has some of the best one-liners and this is one of my favorites! I love to use his quotes in the Butcher Shop. 

Hereditary – 2018 

This movie is probably one of my favorite recent horror releases. This movie did something different within the horror genre; they focused more on psychological horror. By that I mean, they put more emphasis on making the overall movie appear dark and you can empathize and feel the emotions that the characters are going through. This movie did a fantastic job at making the audience feel the tension throughout the entire movie. The scene where the mom continuously bangs her head against the ceiling is so eerie. 

The Shinning – 1980 

Stay Metal, 
 
THE SAW 
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Miscellaneous

Behind the Cover: Horses by Patti Smith

Patti Smith stands against a blank wall with a black jacket slung over her shoulder

“Horses” is easily Patti Smith’s most iconic album. Filled with a glorious fusion of poetry and rock n’ roll, her 1975 release is an early punk masterpiece. Her bold feminity adds a sort of mystique that makes “Horses” stand out against similar albums of the time.

The cover is a testament to her bold beauty and authenticity as an artist. It was shot by the legendary Robert Mapplethorpe, one of Smith’s dearest companions and the subject of her memoir “Just Kids.” She always knew Mapplethorpe would shoot the album cover for “Horses;” Their friendship was so extraordinary and his reputation as a photographer was skyrocketing. Smith recalls that she “had no sense of how it would look, just that it should be true.” The only thing Mapplethorpe asked of her was to wear a clean shirt with no stains on it.

After a trip to the Salvation Army, Smith found a pile of white button-downs. The one she chose had an RV embroidered on the breast pocket, which she says reminded her of the movie “Barbarella.” The portrait was taken in their friend’s apartment, bathed in natural light against a blank wall. Smith tried several poses before throwing her jacket over her shoulder “Frank Sinatra style,” leading to the portrait we all know and love today. In total, Mapplethorpe only took twelve photographs.

“When I look at it now, I never see me. I see us.”

Patti Smith, “Just Kids”

The true beauty behind the “Horses” cover is Mapplethorpe and Smith’s connection. After crossing paths in New York during the cultural explosion of the mid-1960s, they formed a life together by exploring art in all its forms. Though they drifted apart as their careers took them down different roads, they always managed to find each other again.

To read more about their relationship, you can read the book review I wrote on “Just Kids.” If you haven’t heard “Horses,” give it a listen!

– DJ Butter

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Miscellaneous

WKNC Thanks Audience for Donations in Support of Prison Books Collective

Yellow, orange and green graphic with a person peering from behind a book.

WKNC 88.1 FM recently partnered with Prison Books Collective to host a book drive. From March 15 to March 26 individuals could drop off books in labeled bins outside of WKNC’s studios on the NC State University campus.

Thanks to WKNC’s audience, the drive was able to collect 125 books for Prison Books Collective, a Carrboro-based nonprofit that distributes paperback books and zines to incarcerated people across North Carolina and Alabama. 

The collected books spanned a wide range of genres including Black history, biographies, self-help guides, legal texts, language dictionaries, and a multitude of science fiction of fantasy novels. More information on how Prison Books Collective serves incarcerated individuals, with the aid of community donations, can be found at PrisonBooks.info. 

WKNC has its own relationship with the North Carolina prison system, as inmates across the state tune in every Friday night to listen to Penitentiary Rock. This segment broadcasts song requests mailed in from inmates to the show’s host, Uncle Paul. Uncle Paul not only plays the requests but reads inmate letters on-air, which has helped the development of the show’s popularity amongst inmates, who even use the show as a means to communicate with one another via shout-outs in their letters. Thus, a partnership between WKNC and Prison Books Collective seemed natural. WKNC is grateful to be able to give back to a community so often overlooked by mainstream media and one that has supported WKNC for decades. 

Within the pandemic in particular, these individuals have had little-to-no access to visitors and have faced increased restrictions placed on the small amount of literature that may be available in the prison. Ivy Shelton, Prison Books Collective’s Outreach Coordinator, commented that, “COVID-19 has limited the operations but, Prison Books Collective (PBC) has been working hard the past year to fulfill book requests. PBC has continued to send 35-45 packages of books on average a week to individuals based on letters of request. The book drive WKNC 88.1 is hosting makes PBC’s continued work possible. Paperback donations from the WKNC 88.1 book drive will make a difference in someone’s life.”

WKNC would like to thank the audience for their continued support, both for the station and the recent donation drives.

WKNC 88.1 FM is 25,000-watt student-run non-commercial radio from North Carolina State University featuring indie rock, electronic, metal and underground hip-hop. WKNC is on social media @WKNC881.

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Miscellaneous

WKNC honored by advertising organization

First Place Best Audio Ad or Underwriting Spot NC State Student Media NC State University Submission 1

Student radio station WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2 received its first-ever award from College Media Business and Marketing Managers (CMBAM) in an awards ceremony at the organization’s annual convention on March 20.

A donor announcement for Live Nation’s Greensky Bluegrass concert produced by Romir Seth was awarded first place best audio ad or underwriting spot.

WKNC also received an honorable mention for best self-promotion audio ad for an underwriting and social media promo written by Gab Scaff and produced by Tegan Kelleher.

The radio station took a second honorable mention for best non-advertisement multimedia project for a station tour produced by Minh Pham with Laura Mooney and Erika Bass.

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Miscellaneous

O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack Review

WKNC 88.1 blog
A movie poster depicts three convicts escaping a chain gang

A recent episode of a musical podcast reminded me of a movie I hadn’t seen in years. O Brother Where Art Thou played on repeat in my house growing up. A loose retelling of the Odysseus myth in turn of the century Mississippi, the soundtrack included some of the first music I ever heard as a child. It was a movie so beloved by my parents that I mentally assumed it was an artifact of Southern culture as old as they were, from the nebulous time of “the 1900’s” before I was born. I was shocked to realize the movie came out in 2000 and was made by two Midwestern Yankees. The movie has been so thoroughly co-opted by southerners that it simply felt like it had always existed, and while I may have been wrong about the movie, this impression certainly held true for the soundtrack.

The music from O Brother Where Art Thou was recorded by folk music heavyweights like Ralph Stanley and Allison Krauss, but the songs themselves are as old as dirt. They include traditional hymns like “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Down to the River to Pray,” “Angel Band,” staples of the Carter Family like “Keep on The Sunny Side” and “In the Highways,” as well as numerous traditional pieces.

However, it’s their use in the movie that makes this compendium of standards so memorable. A song like “Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby,” which my mother sang to me as a child is put to unconventional use when sung by the Sirens analog to seduce Odysseus and turn John Turturro into a frog. “O Death,” is sung in a similarly memorable (though admittedly problematic- see the podcast for details) scene where the Klan sings the song prior to an attempted lynching. These individual scenes and songs match the episodic nature of the Odyssey, and the attachment of images and narrative to folk songs has made some forgotten folk music rise from the ashes to be reincorporated into modern Southern culture.

The O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack is a meticulously researched and expertly performed work. If you haven’t seen the movie or heard these songs, I highly recommend them, and if you haven’t heard the music in a while, take another look, the album is rewarding time and time again.

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Miscellaneous

Behind the Cover: “Vacation in Hell” by Flatbush Zombies

The members of FBZ stand between two girls covered in pink and green glitter

In my previous series “Album Art Gems,” I shared my favorite album art of all time. This time, I wanted to do a deep dive into the coolest stories behind how some of the most iconic covers were made. The creation of album art goes much farther than a designer or photographer’s concept. Oftentimes, there’s an incredible narrative at the root of the covers we know and love.

This week, we’ll be looking at Flatbush Zombies’ 2018 album, “Vacation in Hell.” It was shot by long-time musician photographer Jessica Lehrman (@jessierocks on Instagram). She was inspired by the classic 1968 photoshoot of the Jimi Hendrix Experience in Hawaii (pictured below).

The day of the shoot was miserable. It was a dreary, rainy day in California but it was the only time that the models, FBZ, and the photographer were available. It was their one shot. Meech, Juice, and Erik spent most of the day hiding under umbrellas, helping their fully-glittered models keep warm. Their photographer tried to get as many photos as she could under the cloudy skies, but they all knew the day was pretty much ruined. Suddenly, just as they were packing up their bags in defeat, the sun burst through the clouds, right at sunset. As they scrambled to get the shot before the light disappeared, a rainbow appeared overhead. The Zombies described the moment as “the final piece of the Vacation In Hell puzzle,” and “an image that will live forever as a piece of rap history.”

One members of FBZ walks with one of the models under an umbrella
One of the members from FBZ walks with a model in the rain. Photo via @flatbushzombies on Instagram.

You can read the full “Vacation in Hell” story here. Look out for more “Behind the Cover” blogs in the future!

– DJ Butter

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DJ Highlights Miscellaneous New Album Review

What I’m Listening to This Week

doohickey

Does your weekly song rotation need an update? Well I’m here to help. Trust me, I know how easy it is to get stuck in a cycle of listening to the same few songs from the same genre on repeat, however breaking out of this routine feels so good once you start to find some new music. So here is my list of new finds for the week. 

“Trophy” by Crumb 
Crumb has such a unique, lovable style. You could pick out a song of theirs from a playlist with ease. With their wavy guitar riffs and distorted lyrics, Crumb’s music always transports me to a dreamscape. 

“Whisper (Want My Love) [feat. Steve Lacy]” by Patrick Paige II 
This new song is made by Patrick Paige II, one of my favorite members of The Internet. He and Steve Lacy blend together perfectly on this track as they complement each other’s styles. 

“Silver Lining” by Mount Joy
Ok this is definitely an older one, but I was recently reminded of its existence and honestly I’m at the perfect time in my life to where this song finally makes sense. Even if this semester isn’t turning out as planned, there’s still a silver lining in everything. 

“Sign Here” by Doohickey Cubicle 
I love the constant flow of this song. It’s relaxed yet upbeat; subtle but still has a lot to say. Something that I’d dance to while sitting down. It’s perfect. 

Other honorable mentions include “Never Gonna Give You Up” by the Black Keys, “Small Worlds” by Mac Miller, “Black Magic Woman” by Santana, and “Long Distance” by the Districts. 

Well that’s all for this week, hope you guys enjoy the tunes 
-The DJ Formerly Known as Chippypants 

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Miscellaneous

Why Does Everyone Cover Gloria?

“Gloria” is a 1965 garage rock song by Van Morrison originally recorded by his then-band Them. The song is extremely simple, basic even. It consists of three chords on a loop, multiple verse-like ramblings, and a chorus containing exactly one word. The song is amateurish even by 60s garage rock standards, and it’s not exactly high in the pantheon of British Invasion hits. However, there is one thing about the song that might grab your attention. It’s been covered by everyone, and I mean everyone.

Immediately after release, it was covered by a slew of nearly identical British bands with names so stupid I refuse to believe they’re real, including but not limited to: Shadows of Knight, The Boots, The Gantz, The Fruit Eating Bears, The Human Beingz, The Belles, The Other Half, The Wheels, The Deejays, Thee [sic] Midnighters, The Chellows, and my personal favorite King Beezz. This doesn’t even scratch the surface of cover versions by actual famous people including The Doors, The 13th Floor Elevators, Jimi Hendrix, multiple reworkings by Van the man himself, David Bowie, AC/DC, U2, John Cougar Mellencamp, Rick Springfield, The Tragically Hip, Tom Petty, Billie Joe Armstrong, Bill Murray feat. Eric Clapton (yes really), not to mention countless covers by the guy who insists on bringing his guitar to your party.

This rather impressive list of artists would make more sense if the Them version was, you know, good? Your mileage may vary as to how much you can enjoy the original song, but to me personally, it’s no “You Really Got Me.” It’s structureless, tuneless, and a little creepy. So, returning to the title of this article, why does Gloria persist in our cultural memory? The easy answer is that it’s Wonderwall-easy to play on guitar, and the singing features nothing resembling notes one might be expected to hit, but a more honest answer is harder to come by. Simplicity is certainly one aspect. Decades of prog bloat and studio recording have long severed Rock’s original tether to the blues, and Gloria is a fun throwback to those early days. Another is the versatility; the song can be adapted to almost any style as long as it’s energetic. The sing-along elements of the chorus certainly help as well. And then there is Patti Smith.

Patti Smith’s 1975 song “Gloria: In Excelsis Deo,” is a brilliant song. A heavily reworked cover version of the original Gloria, it’s so far removed from the original song that I hesitate to even call it a cover, it’s more of an adaptation. Smith stays true to the spirit of the original song, but mostly discards the body, and in doing so she reveals what really makes the song work, and why it endures. The song, ostensibly about sex, is given a greater sense of nuance by Smith’s alterations. The famous line “Jesus dies for somebody’s sins but not mine,” reveals the emotional core behind Rock’s macho posturing. The desire for freedom and empowerment, the spiritual tension, all conveyed in six letters,

“G-L-O-R-I-A.”

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Miscellaneous

Musicians and Their Pets

WKNC 88.1 blog

Written by Miranda

Everyone has a special relationship with their pets, and musicians are no exception. As fans it’s heartwarming to see our musical idols caring for and loving their pets. Check out these five musicians who adore their pets.

2 Chainz and Trappy

Trappy is a bulldog 2 Chainz adopted in 2015. Trappy and 2 Chainz together co-host “Most Expensivist” where the two try extremely rare and luxury items. 2 Chainz continuously spoils Trappy, including in 2017 when he ordered a $15,000 birthday cake for Trappy. See more pictures of Trappy and 2 Chainz on his Instagram, @trappygoyard.

Thundercat and Turbo Tron

Thundercat’s pet, a cute little cat, is named “Turbo Tron Over 9000 Baby Jesus Sally Uzi Clip.” Thundercat rescued Turbo Tron as a tiny kitten and immediately fell in love with her. In an interview with Pitchfork, Thundercat reminisced about bringing Turbo Tron to an Odd Future pop-up shop inside his hoodie pocket. 

Greta Kline and Joe 

Frankie Cosmos’ Greta Kline adored her dog Joe, who is featured on the “Zentropy” album cover. Kline said in an interview that many of her early songs featured Joe in the background. Sadly, Joe passed away, but Kline dedicated much of the “Zentropy” album to Joe. 

Mitski and Midori 

Mitski adopted her kitty Midori when she was in 7th grade. Her now-senior kitty is loved and spoiled by Mitski. She says Midori adores food and warmth, but that “there is no love in a cat’s heart.” 

Phantogram and Leroy Brown 

Currently the Phantogram duo is enjoying their quarantine by spending it with their puppy Leroy, who is a Yorkie/Maltese mix. Leroy is a rescue pup who often joins Phantogram on tour. You can see more cute pictures of Leroy on Instagram, @leroythegoodboy.