Bonnie Donaville | Sunday Live Session Recap

Music Video / Full Performance

On January 5th, friend of the station Bonnie Donaville came in to perform on Live Sessions the day before the start of Winter Term. Bonnie has previously played on Live Sessions back in November, where she debuted some new songs. She came back once again to debut "the best new songs I've ever written" in a fun set that included a cover of a song by TikTok user Irsch Monahan.

Bonnie will soon be releasing her previous Live Session as a Live Album, and plans to record new songs in the future. Bonnie will be playing at Claim 52 Kitchen this month on Thursday, January 30th.

Baby Grendel | Sunday Mini-Live Session Recap

Full Performance

On December 15th, a few members of the PNW group Baby Grendel stopped in for a short performance on an unscheduled day during the Live Sessions block. Though they were not there as a full group, the 3 songs they performed were very sweet and genuine. They recently released a self-titled EP. 

The Baby Grendel recording project was formed in 2022 by Jonathan Suarez and Joe Mengis. The band now consists of Jonathan on Rhythm Guitar and Vocals, Colleen Johnson on Keys/ Backing Vocals, Tomás Sakatani on Lead Guitar, Faith Loomis on Bass and Zach Cardenas on Drums.

The 11th annual Hip-hop Jam poster, posted on Instagram on November 15th by @uohiphopjam.

The UO Hip-Hop Jam is a special event that happens near the end of Fall term each year. It originated in 2014 by the Hip-Hop and Politics of Race FIG (First Year Interest Group) and is still run by the FIG students each year. It’s open to everybody of all ages and completely free! The hip-hop jam is truly a special space to celebrate the culture that surrounds hip-hop.  Hip-hop is a genre born from the streets of the Bronx in New York City in the 1970s. The lyrics of the genre were based on political messages along with social and economic issues within the city. There are four important aspects throughout the history of Hip-Hop. The first is the DJ, who uses turntables to create and mix beats. This would then provide the basis for the MC who would rap and rhyme over the DJ’s beats. While this is taking place break-dancers are…

KWVA Music Blog sits down with Eugene natives and brothers Dana and Alden McWayne to discuss their upbringing’s influence on their music, returning to The Jazz Station as professional musicians, and their efforts to introduce young listeners to jazz aesthetics. Together, they are Dana and Alden and are opening for Remi Wolf on her upcoming tour.

How have Eugene and KWVA influenced and affected the music you make? 

Dana:

I think first off, we have to give a big shout-out to KWVA. We definitely grew up listening to 88.1. I mean, I remember, like, back in high school, I'd be in my mom's minivan driving around late at night, listening to whoever was on, and people would have, their whole squad in the studio, and they would end up playing like three songs in an hour because they were just talking so much. And, yeah, I love KWVA, we played in the little studio there back in…

Henry's Uncle | Sunday Live Sessions Recap

Full Performance / Interview / Live Music Video

On December 8th, new-to-the scene rockers Henry's Uncle joined us for the last Live Session of the Fall term. The group is known for their catchy and Rush/Green Day-inspired jams, and for tearing up living rooms in many houses on campus. The group is looking forward to recording their original songs sometime in the near future.

The Live Session was hosted by KWVA's Music Director, DJ Fud (check out the charts he makes here) and featured Sadie and Timothy as production assistant and camera operator, respectively. Additional photos by Timothy and DJ Taco, taken on digital and film.

GRRRLZ Rock Showcase '24 | Sunday Live Sessions Recap

Full Performance

Last month, a selection of GRRRLZ Rock artists from the non-profit MEPAA joined us live in the studio to perform some original music for Eugene and Springfield. Among the performers was the MEPAA's Executive Director and Founder Matrisha Armitage, Singer-Songwriter Maya Vagner, and a group known as Femme Dagger. The MEPAA previously featured a KIDZ ROCK showcase earlier this year, and we were so excited to have their organization back on the air. This was the first Live Session that I, DJ Taco, had to miss due to sickness (hence, no video…

Peter Iredale | Sunday Live Sessions Recap

Music Video | Full Performance

Peter Iredale (Colby) is a musician known for previously being in the group Deaf Telepathy, and now performs as a solo act. His unique vocal style is punctuated with excellent guitar chops. We look forward to his future recorded music coming in the near future! Three songs are included in the music video.

(The polaroid didn't turn out so good this time whoops)

Bonnie Donaville | Sunday Live Sessions Recap

Music Video | Full Performance + Interview

Friend of the station Bonnie Donaville stopped by the station to perform some of her original music on KWVA's Sunday Live Sessions. Her songs are intimate and full of sorrow, and often about people and experiences from her own life. This differs from her other project, Dogs By Desgn. (Check out this article about them on KWVA's music blog here.) 

I interviewed Bonnie on a gloomy Fall day. In between songs, we talked about dream collaborations and other random stuff. Bonnie is good friends with DJ Housewife and former DJ and KWVA…

“Windows” at Sam Bond’s Garage on Nov. 7, 2024. Photo by Ginger Nunnally.

Vibrant Los Angeles band “Windows” consists of Matteo Arias (guitar and vocals), Julian Ducatenzeiler (drums), Marissa Yardley (keys and percussion), Eyal Lidergot (bass), and Anthony Aragon (guitar). Having toured on the west coast previously but never quite hitting Eugene, Arias and Ducatenzeiler couldn’t wait “to be in actual, real Eugene this time,” playing at Sam Bond’s Garage on November 7. Originating in 2018, “Windows” in its current form releases refreshing singles and EPs with colorful melodies that captivate the listener.

Arias describes the band as “a revolving door”. Though ever-changing, “Windows” consistently contains the same essence and positive energy. “I want everyone to get along emotionally and harmoniously,” Arias says. “Windows” strives to involve members who have their hearts in the music, because if…

University of Oregon’s Album Listening Club provides a special community for those alike that love music. The club consists of a weekly structure that revolves around an album picked the prior week. Members are given a week to listen to the album and formulate their thoughts, then come together to discuss it during the meeting in small groups and as a whole. Album Listening Club is not only a fun way to find new music but also a good way to meet new people with similar interests. Every time I’ve been to a meeting I’ve been welcomed by friendly new people who are intrigued to discuss music. Besides the album listening aspect, the club also starts each meeting by discussing what people are currently listening to as well as new music released in the past week. Each meeting also has engaging activities such as playing a Kahoot based on the week's album, rating the album, and playing “Guess that song.” The community of the club extends past just the meetings with a very active…