WKNC 88.1 FM - North Carolina State University Student RadioThe semester is winding down here at NC State, and what better of a time to celebrate then this Thursday at Tir Na Nog and WKNCs Local Beer Local Band night? This week’s lineup is first-rate, with performances from Kid Future and The Light Pines. If you are having a hard time convincing yourself that this show is free, I don’t blame you. Stay tuned to wknc Thursday at 7 p.m. for interviews with the bands.
The show starts at 10 p.m., 21 and up.
Check it – Check it – Check it out!
WKNC has tickets to great shows for YOU! Here are the shows happing during the rest of April that we are giving away tickets to:
Thursday, April 22
Shakori Hills Grassroots Music Festival (April 22 to 25)
**Be sure to tune into WKNC for an interview with The Honeycutters on Friday, April 23 from11 a.m. to 12 p.m. w/ DJ Kligz as the last of WKNC Shakori Interview series**
Friday, April 23
The Old Ceremony w/ Benji Hughes @ Cat’s Cradle
Sunday, April 25
Frightened Rabbit w/ Maps & Atlases, Bad Veins @ Cat’s Cradle
Monday, April 26
Quasi w/ Let’s Wrestle @ Cat’s Cradle
Wednesday, April 28
Clipse w/ XY & Ninjasonik @ Cat’s Cradle
Friday, April 30
Kaki King w/ An Horse @ Cat’s Cradle
As always, be sure to check out The Rock Report for a complete list of local shows. Tune into WKNC 88.1 FM for your chance to win tickets or stream us online.
Rock on!
WKNC had the privilege of providing music for the Taste of NC State event which took place on campus this past Friday. The event was planned as an opportunity for student organizations from across campus to celebrate diversity through food, promotional activities, and shared entertainment in the form of performances by Acapology, Fusion, as well as a hula-hoop contest. Mother Nature brought some breezes but cooperated overall.
The music played by WKNC at the event was a selection of tunes compiled by some of the station’s DJs and kept the atmosphere fun with dancy beats and sunshiney sounds. Along with music, the WKNC cornhole boards were also out. Students stopping by could win tickets or the local music compilation Hear Here if they were brave enough to take on one of our DJs, and all stoppers-by had a chance to hear about their campus’ student-run radio station.
Make sure to catch this week’s episode of Eye on the Triangle, the only place you’ll get a recap of the week’s most important headlines you missed while you were busy wishing you were at Coachella. You’ll also want to call in during the inevitably vexed editorial (the number’s 860-0881 or 515-2400) as well as hear a first-hand recount of the police seizure of James Madison University’s riot photos.
On a lighter note, two local jewelry makers dish about their jobs, products and life in Raleigh, and in Hear This, EOT team members explore the third annual Record Store Day through the lens of one of the coolest independent record stores anywhere, Raleigh’s own Schoolkids Records. They talked to an employee and loyal music lovers to find out what all the fuss was about.
Tweet your comments at us @WKNCEOT or call in during the show.
88.1 Pick of the Week
Still Standing
Monica
In the three years since Monica Arnold’s last album, The Makings of Me, R&B music has become increasingly watered down, and drifted further away from its soulful origins. With her latest release, Still Standing, the Grammy award winner has helped to bring R&B back to its strong roots, where the focus is on vocal ability, meaningful lyrical content, and dynamic production.
We were first introduced to a 14-year-old Monica back in 1995, with the sassy, “Don’t Take It Personal” from her Debut album, Miss Thang. Since then, she has remained one the most consistent and powerful singers to emerged in the past 20 years. Still Standing chronicles the joys and sorrows of love, life and relationships and reminds us why Monica has been able to achieve such longevity in her career.
We begin the album with its title track, “Still Standing” featuring rapper Ludacris. The hard hitting anthem is a testament of Monica’s strength and resilience, despite life’s obstacles and trials. It’s one of the albums best and sets the tone for the emotional journey that is Still Standing.
Next up is, the Los Da Mystro produced piano driven, “One in A Lifetime”, where Monica stresses the importance of appreciating that rare love and recognizing it before its too late. “One In A Lifetime” is followed by, “Stay Or Go”. The Neyo penned tune has Monica demanding an answer from an indecisive lover as to whether or not he wants to be with her. On both up-tempo tracks and throughout the album, Monica sings with an intensity and urgency that penetrates the soul.
Stand outs on the album include, the sample heavy, Missy Elliot produced “Everything”, which samples Deniece Williams R&B classic “Silly” and “If You Were My Man”, sampled from Evelyn “Champagne” King’s, “Betcha She Don’t Love You”. On the albums first single,” Everything” Monica proclaims how her love means the world to her and on the up-tempo “If You Were My Man”, she boast of how good her love is to prospective mate.
Although Still Standing is very strong, it does not go without its share of missteps, including the generic and gimmicky, “Super Man”, where Monica croons how she will be her mans Lois Lane. Never fear, Monica shines on the other slower songs, showcasing her vocal prowess on the sensual “Here I Am”, the inspiring “Believe In Me”, and the Jermaine Dupri helmed “Love All Over Me”, where Monica explains the feeling of being covered in love. On another gem, the radio friendly mid-tempo urban pop “Mirror”, Monica relays how she has discovered that love and not material things makes life worth living.
Overall, Still Standing is a well balanced and cohesive collection of what we’ve come to expect from Monica, impassioned delivery and relatable music. What separates Monica from her female counterparts is her ability to tackle material with emotion, conviction and a sense of sincerity. Monica proves that she is able to remain current and relevant, while bringing a sense of maturity and timelessness to her music, which is why, in a fickle industry, she is Still Standing.
For more information on Monica visit here and follow her on twitter.
88.1 WKNC DJ Pick of the Week is published in every Thursday print edition of the Technician, as well as online at technicianonline.com and wknc.org.
“Saturday Night Soul and R&B” with host Mir.I.am airs weekly from 9 to 11 p.m.
If you’ve been following along with us these past two Fridays, you’ll know that we’ve been participating in a small interview series featuring many of the talented acts at this spring’s Shakori Hills Grassroots Music Festival. Last week, DJ Mick and DJ Kligz sat down with Bowerbirds and the ever so comical Inflowential. On this particular Friday, I had the pleasure of interviewing two great local bands, The Beast and Orquesta GarDel.
As an avid local music lover, The Beast, of course, was no stranger to my earbuds. I last caught the band last at WKNC’s fall Fridays on the Lawn series where they opened for Kooley High. Obviously, I was going through a bit of a withdrawl, and with promises of on-air free-styling from Pierce Freelon, the Beast’s front-man, the interview was too hard to pass up. Orquesta GarDel was a newcomer to my music pallet. Based in strong Latino roots, GarDel plays classic and modern salsa music with a sound heavily influenced by the New York-Puerto Rico connection of the 1970s. Eric Hirsh, Beast’s keyboardist, is also a major part of GarDel, which has ultimately led to some interesting collaboration in the past. I won’t give away too much, but I experienced firsthand the powerful forces and talent when these two groups collide. Be sure to check out the whole interview including the free-style performance:
Part 1: The Beast. The Beast
Part 2: Orquesta GarDel.Orquesta GarDel.
Next Friday, tune in to DJ Kligz as she will be talking to The Honeycutters as they gear up for their performance at Shakori that weekend.
The Mynabirds- What We Lost in the Fire We Gain in the Flood
What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood
WORD, this is my new jam. I am always a sucker for female vocals, and ta-boot, she is the woman from Georgie James! This album has an older feeling, reminiscent of the Dusty Springfield era. A mixture of soul and country makes this album extremely hard to put down. Infectious R&B numbers filled with blues and country influences soaks up all your feelings like a sponge, and when it’s over it squeezes everything out of you and you feel so much better for having experienced it.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPJ-GZ2Vv9Y
Kings Go Forth-The Outsider’s Are Back
This is exhilarating. You start instantly sweating listening to this, your heart beats faster, your feet start tapping, your body starts moving. Kings Go Forth bring a 70’s soul band sound and an extremely happy vibe all around. I don’t know what else I can say about this but enjoy!
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvemEJGo8Dc
New Young Pony Club- The Optimist
The Outsiders are Back
There is a clear distinction between this album and their first. Both include dance-able rock music, an evolution of the almost forgotten new wave genre, but this album feels much darker. There is a more mature feeling in the music and in their lyrics. Regardless, this will keep your ass moving!
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wwXLkpwt58
Sarah Jaffe-Suburban Nature
Remember Cat Power back in the day, all she had was her depressing lyrics and a guitar? That is pretty much Sarah Jaffe, except Jaffe includes musical compositions that resemble Neutral Milk Hotel. I know, right? Awesome.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPOnh6R1cOA
Trampled by Turtles-Palomino
Suburban Nature
Now this is for the people who like to bring the house down with BLUEGRASS. Extremely frantic, upbeat bluegrass music that is so damn catchy I needed to get tested after listening to this album. If you enjoy listening to those Avett guys you will probably enjoy listening to this band.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVaonoikASA
Mantler-Monody
Monody
Hmm, now this was the only album I listened to that I just didn’t get. Sounds like mixture of Chromeo and Kings of Convenience. Sort of has an 80’s retro R&B theme to it, but sometimes that doesn’t translate as well as he wanted it to. However, there are some catchy tunes so take a listen and judge for yourself!
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWkQ4a-o9Bs
The Radio Dept.- Clinging to a Scheme
This dreamy pop album cues light synths at the best moments possible and relies on a steady drum beat. This is alongside distorted, atmospheric vocals that have you feel like you’re walking on air.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsuLsb-jrt0
Inlets- Inter Arbiter
Singer/songwriter baroque pop that layers vocals and incorporates more fanciful instruments in a way that distinguishes themselves from the typical lounge act.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2RSoJn-DN4
Family Cactus- Come Howling
Slower, darker vocals match on top of faster paced rock songs. They range from light to heavy in sound, and this breaks the album away from what could have been rather mundane.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwdWnmqAYzM
Kate Nash- My Best Friend is You
More relationship enraged pop. This time Nash diversifies her sound well. She mixes high energy pop songs with cynical and jealous lyrics to create another fun experience.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqV-embx_tA
The Pack A.D. – We Kill Computers
We Kill Computers
Think White Stripes. Garage rock duo who are unapologetic and take no prisoners especially on their instruments. A showcase of spill out your guts vocals, distorted guitars, and relentless drumming that rarely lets up.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV0cYFjULmw&feature=related
Sally Seltmann – Heart That’s Pounding
Heart That’s Pounding
Verging on FROU FROU, this album is a JEM and pretty FEIST-y. Sally is a bright and sunny Australian who warms your heart from the start and invites you to listen to the rest of her album. I feel like she was in wistful love when she wrote all these cheerful pop melodies. Play on a pretty day!
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mYUAh0WdTk&feature=related
Wesley Wolfe – Storage
Storage
A very short and seamless collection of acoustic songs played mainly by Wolfe himself. The lyrics and melodies contradict themselves somewhat – introspective vs upbeat and it totally works! You might think he’s just another songwriter making music to complain, but check it out and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Cate le Bon – Me Oh My
This album creeps up on you. Beginning with a slow bass line and then added dark layers of crystal clear vocals and psychedelic guitar riffs, Cate really likes to mix things up but the albums main sound is folky. A Welsh version of Nico, even looks wise, Cate’s sometimes weird and awkward vocals have created a hauntingly beautiful album.
Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History
Me Oh My
This could quite possibly become the anthem for your summer. Catchy, upbeat, synthy… could be categorized as electro-pop. You can’t help but bop your head and pretend to know the lyrics when listening to this. Not quite sure if these guys have their own sound just yet, but this debut is very promising.
[youtube width=“425” height=“25”]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcmlshqyQ_s
The Princess of So So Def records, YouTube singing sensation, Dondria aka Phatfffat will be interviewed on "Saturday Night Soul and R&B" this coming Saturday 4/17. Tune in to hear Dondria discuss her new single “You’re The One”, upcoming album Dondria Vs. Phatfffat, working with Jermaine Dupri and so much more.
Originally discovered on YouTube, Dondria is fastly becoming one of R&B’s most promising stars, with her soulful voice and empassioned delivery.
To find out more about Dondria visit here or here and follow her on twitter.
“Saturday Night Soul and R&B” with host Mir.I.am airs weekly from 9 to 11 p.m.
It is a beautiful day for baseball and because of that there will be no Local Beat this Friday evening, April 16. Barring weather and field conditions the NC State Baseball team will be playing Maryland at College Park, Md. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with broadcast starting at 5:30 p.m. right here on 88.1 WKNC. Typically, games last around 3 to 4 hours. If the game does end earlier then feel free to listen in to local music up until 8 p.m., but the Local Beat will not be broadcasted.