Category: Blog

Categories
Festival Coverage

WKNC x NC State University Libraries Hopscotch Day Party 2021

It’s Hopscotch season in the Triangle! Hopscotch is returning to downtown Raleigh for its eleventh year on Sept. 9-11.

WKNC has partnered with NC State University Libraries to present our 2021 official Hopscotch Day Party, on Sept. 9, from noon to 3 p.m. Occurring outside of DH Hill Jr Library facing Hillsborough Street, this event is free and open to the public; you don’t need a ticket to Hopscotch to attend.

The party is not only a showcase of North Carolina electronic musicians but also of WKNC alumni talent; every performer has been involved with WKNC in the past. We’re excited to welcome back former DJs and staff to the campus.

The event will be live-streamed via NC State University Libraries’ Twitch channel.

Check out the official flyer below, and read on to get a short bio of each of the musicians, written by WKNC General Manager Maddie.

WKNC and NC State University Libraries Hopscotch Day Party with midcentury modular, en-decay, JOB and Sand Pact.
WKNC and NC State University Libraries Hopscotch Day Party with midcentury modular, en-decay, JOB and Sand Pact. Design by Maddie.

The lineup is designed in a way to start on the more chill and ambient side of electronic, and slowly turn heavier by the end of the showcase.

Starting off the showcase is midcentury modular. midcentury modular was a WKNC DJ for 3 years between 2011 and 2014, as well as working with our Daytime music block. As the name might suggest, midcentury modular makes modular synth music, exploring the various environments that can be created. Some of his work, like the release “snow,” is more sparse and desolate, while others, like the release “a weekend,” play around with beeps and boops to create a fun, uplifting atmosphere. I’ve always wanted to see a modular synth performance and I’m excited to watch his set.

Changing paces next is en-decay. Cyrus has been producing electronic music and DJing under the name en-decay since 2012, making glitchy, IDM-like music that also takes inspiration from various other electronic genres, such as industrial or ambient. They started working as a freelance DJ for events in high school then as an Afterhours DJ for WKNC for 2 years. They’ve collaborated with a variety of artistic groups such as Windhover, Sinetology, and Maison Fauna, planning and playing events and festivals around North Carolina. They’ve been uploading releases since 2017 to their Bandcamp page, so have fun browsing for a bit.

Next is JOB. JOB started DJing at WKNC in the spring of 2019. In the summer of 2019 he hosted a Sunday underground show called Clocking Out. He also helped record a few live sessions in The Lounge. JOB’s music consists of super fun and fast-paced mixes, consisting of artists like Toro y Moi, Azealia Banks and Ariana Grande. His bio on mixcloud simply says “girls + gays only”, if you can’t already tell what his musical vibe is based on the aforementioned artists. I am very much ready to dance to this set.

And lastly, we have Sand Pact. Hema of Sand Pact was involved with WKNC from 2014-2018, in which she worked as a DJ (first as DJ iCloud, and later as Gudiya), graphic designer, and promotions director, as well as began the WKNC zine. Hema invited Alex onto her DJ sets and the two began their love for playing electronic music together. I discovered Sand Pact a few years ago when I was trying to discover more Triangle-based artists, and I really dug their sound and entire aesthetic. They have a pretty harsh sound, consisting of various strange noises layered over industrial beats. I’m super happy to have them play this set, as I’ve been wanting to see how their live show looks ever since I first discovered them.

I hope you discovered your new favorite North Carolinian electronic musician, and are able to come out to our showcase.

Categories
Blog Miscellaneous Music Education Playlists

Oh, To Be At A Party

Grandaddy's "Under the Western Freeway" Album Cover

Parties. There’s nothing else like them. After a long week of classes, work, and stress, dancing and talking without having to put in much effort is a welcomed experience. Beyond the space, people, drinks, and lighting, one of the most important aspects of a party is the music.

I don’t claim to know how to make the perfect party playlist, but I do have a few ideas. First, make it collaborative. When there’s multiple people contributing to the playlist, you’re almost guaranteed that there’s going to be enough variety to satisfy everyone at the party at some point or another. Second, a good mix of electronic, grunge, throwback, and joke songs (that aren’t really joke songs because everyone loves them) makes for a great time. Finally, I’d recommend keeping the music loud enough that you can’t make out anyone’s conversation but your own, but quiet enough that you don’t get a noise complaint.

For some party playlist ideas, check out my playlist below (inspired by a real collaborative party playlist I recently made with some friends):

  1. “Bicep” by TR/ST
  2. “A.M. 180” by Grandaddy
  3. “Opus3” by dapurr, The Hellp
  4. “The Book Lovers” by Broadcast
  5. “Celestica” by Crystal Castles
  6. “Tu Tu Neurotic” by The Hellp
  7. “Rapp Snitch Knishes” by MF DOOM, Mr Fantastik
  8. “PHONKY TOWN” by PlayaPhonk
  9. “Miss Camaraderie” by Azealia Banks
  10. “Motion” by Boy Harsher
  11. “999” by PlayaPhonk
  12. “Go2DaMoon” by Playboi Carti, Kanye West
  13. “Linger” by The Cranberries
  14. “Idioteque” by Radiohead
  15. “What’s Important” by Beat Happening
  16. “Disparate Youth” by Santigold
  17. “Lake of Fire” by Meat Puppets
  18. “Hunker Down” by Corbin
  19. “EAST” by Earl Sweatshirt
  20. “Brick” by Alex G
  21. “Going Deeper” by Tree Threes
  22. “Melaleuca” by Yu Su
  23. “Call For Help” by Pearly Drops
  24. “Can You Feel It” by Mr. Fingers
  25. “vs Reality” by AYA GLOOMY
  26. “DotA” by Basshunter
  27. “Making Up” by Dead Mellotron

Click here to listen to the playlist on Spotify.

Here’s to Emma, Molly, and Gabe for their epic contributions,

Silya Bennai

Categories
New Album Review

“Solar Power” by Lorde (Album Review)

Cover of Lorde's "Solar Power"

Lorde is notorious for the story-like nature of her albums, often starting and ending an album with similar or juxtaposed themes. On her debut record, “Pure Heroine,” she begins the first track with “Don’t you think that it’s boring how people talk?” and ends the final track with the line “But people are talking, people are talking / Let ’em talk.” And on her sophomore album “Melodrama,” she tells the tale of a house party. The concept for her brand new album, “Solar Power”? Nature. In 2019, Lorde visited Antarctica and that trip bore her memoir/photo-book “Going South.” The book was released in June 2021 as a “precursor” to “Solar Power.”  

It seems to me that Lorde’s proven superb ability to procure cohesiveness has leaned more into sonic repetitiveness this time around. The production, done by Lorde, Jack Antonoff and in part by James Ryan Ho (better known as Malay) leaves something to be desired. I understand that not every album is going to be as blatantly over-the-top pop as fan favorite “Melodrama,” but the whole album falls one step short of whole, and is almost too understated.

However, songwriting is one area in which I’m convinced Lorde will never fall short. “Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen It All),” “The Man with the Axe” and “Big Star” are the three lyrically strongest tracks on the record. The following is a collection of my favorite lyrics from the album:

  • “I should’ve known when your favorite record / Was the same as my father’s you’d take me down” — “The Man with the Axe”
  • “Couldn’t wait to turn fifteen / Then you blink and it’s been ten years / Growing up a little at a time, then all at once / Everybody wants the best for you / But you gotta want it for yourself, my love” — “Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)”
  • “I used to love the party, now I’m not alright / Hope the honeybees make it home tonight” — “Big Star”
  • “In the future / If I have a daughter / Will she have my waist / Or my widow’s peak? / My dreamer’s disposition or my wicked streak?” — “Oceanic Feeling”

And it does possess the aforementioned circularity that her previous albums boast. The first track, “The Path” begs the audience to understand that she is not a savior nor a messiah (despite her stage name). “Oceanic Feeling,” the closing song, ends with the lyric “… I’ll know when it’s time / To take off my robes and step into the choir.”

Aside from the previously mentioned production collaboration, the album also contains much collaboration with other artists. Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, Lawrence Arabia and Marlon Williams provide backing vocals on numerous tracks. Swedish musician Robyn, co-wrote and did the spoken outro on “Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen It All).” Jack Antonoff also has songwriting credits on eight of the twelve tracks. 

Fan and critical reception has been decent but far below par for a Lorde album. In my opinion, she had a vision and executed it, which is all you can ask for in art. She wasn’t trying to make another “Melodrama,” she was trying to make “Solar Power,” and she did just that.

Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Charts 8/24

The Turning Wheel Album Cover
#ArtistAlbumLabel
1SPELLLINGThe Turning WheelSacred Bones
2PINK SIIFU AND FLY ANAKINFlySiifu’sLex
3BLACK MARBLE“Somewhere” [Single]Sacred Bones
4BUTCHER BROWN#KingButchConcord Jazz
5FLYING LOTUSYasukeWarp
6HIATUS KAIYOTEMood ValiantBrainfeeder/Ninja Tune
7JOESEFDoes It Make You Feel Good [EP]AWAL
8KANASHIIKanashii [EP]Cardigan
9LAVA LA RUEButter-fly [EP]Marathon
10MANNEQUIN PUSSYPerfect [EP]Epitaph
11MARKEE STEELEVet & A Rook [EP]Thee Marquee
12NATIVESON 91Come Back DownInner Tribe
13SHYGIRLALIAS [EP]Because
14SQUIDBright Green FieldWarp
15TYLER THE CREATORCALL ME IF YOU GET LOSTColumbia
16ACID DADTake It From The DeadRAS/Greenway
17A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERSHologram [EP]Self-Released
18ENUMCLAWJimbo Demo [EP]Youth Riot
19JAPANESE BREAKFASTJubileeDead Oceans/Secretly Group
20FILM SCHOOL“Isla” b/w “Superperfection” [Single]Sonic Ritual
21SNAPPED ANKLESForest Of Your ProblemsLeaf
22ORIELLES, THELa Vita OlisticaHeavenly/PIAS
23MAGDALENA BAYMini Mix Vol. 2 [EP]Luminelle
24EVIDENCEUnlearning Vol. 1Rhymesayers
25BILLY DEAN THOMASFor Better Or WorseSelf-Released
26TY BRISweet LickSelf-Released
27JIMMY EDGARCheetah BendInnovative Leisure
28ILLUMINATI HOTTIES“Pool Hopping” [Single]Snack Shack Tracks/Hopeless
29POM POM SQUADDeath Of A CheerleaderCity Slang
30CRUMBIce MeltSelf-Released

Top Adds

#ArtistAlbumLabel
1ALEXALONEALEXALONEWORLDPolyvinyl
2A GREAT BIG PILE OF LEAVESPonoTopshelf
3MAGSSay Things That MatterOneRPM
4DAY WAVE“Before We Knew” [Single]PIAS
5MEDIA JEWELERThe Sublime Sculpture Of Being AliveFire Talk
6GINGER ROOTCity Slicker [EP]Acrophase
7FOXINGDraw Down The MoonGrand Paradise/Hopeless
8LINGUA IGNOTA“PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE” [Single]Sargent House
9QUICKSANDDistant PopulationsEpitaph
10JOE TAYLOR SUTKOWSKIOf Wisdom And FollyDanger Collective
Categories
Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 8/24

Bicep- isles album cover
#ArtistAlbumLabel
1BICEPIsles (Deluxe)Ninja Tune
2CECILE BELIEVEPlucking A Cherry From The VoidSelf-Released
3DISCLOSUREENERGYCapitol
4FJAAKFJAAK 006Self-Released
5JESSY LANZA24/7Hyperdub
6JULESDelta Ajax [EP]Happy Life
7LEON VYNEHALLRare, ForeverNinja Tune
8LOGIC1000You’ve Got The Whole Night To Go [EP]Therapy/Because
9ULTRAFLEXVisions of UltraflexStreet Pulse
10YEHNOTomorrow We’ll Be Here [EP]Disques Durs
Categories
Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 8/24

Lorna Shore Album Cover
#ArtistAlbumLabel
1LORNA SHOREAnd I Return To Nothingness [EP]Century Media
2DESTRUCTIONLive AttackNapalm
3IXTLAHUACTeyacanilitztli NahualliNuclear War Now!
4I THE NIHILIST“Wonderlust” [Single]Self-Released
5MANNVEIRAVitahringurDark Descent
6IMMINENCE“Temptation” [Single]Arising Empire
7CRYPT CRAWLERFuture UsurperBitter Loss
8GODSLAVEGodslaveMetalville
9PISTOLS AT DAWNNocturnal YouthJFL
10CANNIBAL CORPSEViolence UnimaginedMetal Blade

Heavy Adds

#ArtistAlbumLabel
1BONEHUNTERDark Blood Reincarnation SystemHells Headbangers
2VALRAVNESome Kind of VampireSelf-Released
3CURTA’N WALLCurta’n Wall [EP]Grime Stone
Categories
Weekly Charts

Underground Charts 8/24

Pink Siifu Album Cover
#ArtistAlbumLabel
1PINK SIIFU AND FLY ANAKINFlySiifu’sLex
2BUTCHER BROWN#KingButchConcord Jazz
3JOESEFDoes It Make You Feel Good [EP]AWAL
4LAVA LA RUEButter-fly [EP]Marathon
5NATIVESON 91Come Back DownInner Tribe
6TYLER THE CREATORCALL ME IF YOU GET LOSTColumbia
7BILLY DEAN THOMASFor Better Or WorseSelf-Released
8SHYGIRLALIAS [EP]Because
9EVIDENCEUnlearning Vol. 1Rhymesayers
10FLYING LOTUSYasukeWarp
Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Julian Cope Artist Profile

Julian Cope stands in strange Neolithic garb while belting out a note at a presumably very loud volume
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Do you like alternative neo-pagan psychedelic folk punk rock? Well your about to, because today we have one of the weirdest and most wonderful artists I’ve ever been cursed to discover: Julian Cope. Get ready for some label drama, norse myth, and polemics against cars.

If that name sounds familiar, and you’re really into post-punk, it might be because Cope was a founding member of post-punk and neo-psychedelia outfit The Teardrop Explodes, who had a few minor radio hits in Britain. Julian Cope would later say of this band “Would you go back to having your mother change your diapers?” indicating both his sense of artistic evolution and his…. the most diplomatic way I can put it is ‘unique personal character.’

Julian Cope dresses like a BDSM Viking pirate, swears like a Viking pirate, and more or less acts like a Viking pirate would. It’s a very niche and well established brand. Ordinarily I wouldn’t call this obvious attention-seeking from celebrities’ “campy” but in Cope’s case I feel confident this isn’t a publicity stunt. His music is trying to be serious and failing; Cope is camp in its purist form. I say this because his personal eccentricities are reflected in his music in a way that feels genuine, rather than gimmicky. His primary musical touchstone is European folk music, which he blends with trippy effects and heavy guitar tunings into a unique, but not altogether unapproachable style. His music, despite his look, is pretty accessible and mainstream, if you ignore the personality pervading it. A good comparison point would be legendary hippie group, the 13th Floor Elevators, or the less prominent but no less influential Legendary Pink Dots, both of whom share his slightly manic, but focused creative energy.

Beyond the rather mainstream, but immaculately constructed outsider folk, Cope’s most identifiable feature is his lyrics. The topical choices are strange, as you’ve no doubt guessed, but what makes his lyrics unique is the fact they’re somehow grounded and emotionally compelling. I know I said earlier that Cope failed to be serious, and that is true, but in his ridiculous access, he writes some heartfelt music about well-worn topics.

His take on the classic bad romance banger with “Pristine,” is a good example. Usually, these songs emphasize big emotional swings, Hot and Cold relationships where you’re either in pure bliss or pure agony. Cope takes a novel approach by blending the two in one anecdote, asking “How much does it take to go down on someone that you hate?” which is a question that will haunt me to my grave. Cope is very good at these kinds of lyrics, one liners that make you look at a situation in a new light, usually from a very off-putting or alienating perspective. His masterpiece album, “Jehovakill,” opens with the line “Living in the middle of your soul desert,” which is both fantastical and grounded in real emotion. It’s a unique trick, and one that makes Cope an engaging artist.

Usually when I review music this niche or unusual, I add a caveat to the effect of “This won’t be for everyone,” but with Julian Cope I actually feel confident in recommending him to a general audience. Even if this isn’t your genre (lord knows it’s not mine), Cope is worth your time. His major label work from the early 90s is where I’d start, they’ll also be the easiest albums to find on streaming. Happy listening!

Categories
Playlists

Walking-Around-Campus-Feeling-Weird Playlist

WKNC 88.1 blog

Coming back to campus has been an absolutely insane experience. For me, after living at home for over a year, just seeing so many people in one place feels so surreal. I know I’m not the only one that’s going to have to adjust to this transition, so what better way to cope than with music? In times of great change, I often find that music is really the only constant that I can depend on. Having my set at WKNC is especially helpful for finding a sense of grounding during all this back-to-school craziness. Our studio feels almost like a weird little sticker-filled haven amidst a chaotic campus atmosphere. If you haven’t been by, make sure to come check us out on the third floor at Witherspoon Student Center.

Here’s a playlist of the songs I’ve been blasting through my headphones on the bus, while walking to class and just otherwise hanging out around campus:

1. I Wanna Know If It’s Good To You – Funkadelic

2. New Zealand Spinach – Babe Rainbow

3. Good Times Bad Times – Led Zeppelin

4. SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE – Tyler, The Creator

5. Stay All Night – The Black Keys

6. Spoonful – Howlin’ Wolf

7. When I – Steve Lacy

8. An Idea – IAMNOBODI

9. Honey Moon – Mac Demarco

10. Jenny – John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers

11. Corcovado (Quiet Night of Quiet Stars) – Stan Getz & João Gilberto

12. Raspberry Jam – Allah-Las

Categories
Miscellaneous

“Tweet Cute” by Emma Lord: A Book Review

book cover of tweet cute by Emma Lord

“Tweet Cute” is a charming, captivating, and impressive debut novel by Emma Lord that came out in January of 2020. Lord brings a refreshing and new take to the world of YA romance novels. 

The main characters of this novel are Pepper Evans and Jack Campbell, two high school seniors living in Manhattan, New York. Pepper and Jack’s lives are intertwined in many complicated ways, some of which are unbeknownst to them as the book unfolds. But foremost, Pepper helps run the Twitter account for her family’s big fast-food chain restaurant, Big League Burger; similarly, Jack runs the Twitter for his family’s small business, a grilled cheese restaurant, Girl Cheesing. When Big League Burger launches an item remarkably similar to an item on Girl Cheesing’s menu, a Twitter feud begins, and it quickly becomes larger than life. Between the feud and them being the respective captains of their swim and dive teams, they’re spending more time together than ever before. As time progresses, their feelings toward each other become more complicated and they discover more secrets than they were ever expecting.

To me, what sets this book apart from others in the genre, is that it remains grounded in the fact that the main characters are teenagers. Oftentimes, dramas and romances across mediums will forget how teenagers act, either dramatizing them into caricatures of themselves or treating them like they’re full blown adults. Lord does an amazing job of capturing the awkward and tense essence of adolescence, never once wavering in this ability. Covering topics like family drama, college applications, unrequited crushes, competition between peers, and feelings of inadequacy, “Tweet Cute” fully captures the mindset of a teenager. 

This book is narrated by the both of them, flipping back and forth between their perspectives throughout the novel. Lord does an amazing job of writing both characters’ point-of-view distinctly and develops their individual voices with ease.

This book is just too cute. Granted, I love romance novels, but the plot alongside the romance was just as interesting as the romance. Although not far removed from my adolescence, this book took me back and put me in the mindset of my 17 year old self. 

I rate “Tweet Cute” five stars, I mean, how could I not? I highly recommend this as a fun and fast read. If you haven’t read in a while, this would be a great book to get you back into the swing of things.


Happy reading,
Caitlin