Music

In a music rut? Or want to know what’s hot in the college music world? The KWVA music blog is your solution!

The KWVA music blog is a creative space for all musically curious folks. You’ll find coverage of station and local events, album reviews, interviews with local bands, oh-so-perfectly curated playlists, the weekly charts so you know what’s cutting edge, and more music-related topics.

Henry's Uncle | Sunday Live Sessions

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.

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GRRRLZ Rock Showcase '24 | Sunday Live Sessions

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…

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Peter Iredale | Sunday Live Sessions

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)

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Bonnie Donaville | Sunday Live Sessions

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…

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A Window into L.A. Band “Windows”

“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…

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Club Spotlight: Album Listening Club

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…

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An Insider Look Into Thunderegg Records

Thunderegg Records Logo. Image developed by Jonathan Tom. 

Thunderegg Records is a student-run record label at the University of Oregon. The idea for this organization started two years ago when current junior Peter Repins wanted to get more involved with the music scene in Eugene and at UO. It wasn't until last year, however, that Thunderegg Records began. The original idea for this record label was to be a student club that could give student bands and artists the resources to make music, perform, and gain access to marketing. 

The club started in November of 2023 and struggled to become an official student group through the university. In January, they were denied as a student group meaning they couldn’t become a club. It wasn’t until February that they decided to become a business. They began working on imagery, and branding, and according to Repins, “[Thunderegg] sort of just kind of took a life of its own. The ideas and…

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Pom Pom Squad "Mirror Starts Moving Without Me" Album Review

Photo Credits: Eliza Jouin

In 2021, Pom Pom Squad released their first full-length album, which was brimming with references about being young, queer and countering preconceived notions. The album sent a shock down my spine. First I heard one song from it, then I became obsessed with the entire album, and finally I saw them in Portland when they came. I got a signed setlist, which is a prized possession. On October 25th, 2024, Pom Pom Squad’s sophomore album, Mirror Starts Moving Without Me, was released. The album is filled with the same clever references and witty songwriting that Mia Berrin, the lead singer, has become known for. 

 

With this album, gone is the campy high school imagery from Death of a Cheerleader, replaced with a different stage of growth and images reminiscent of a house of mirrors. The visual-steeped music that was a hallmark of the debut album is revisited in the…

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Sounds Like Autumn

Eerie barren forests of Eugene - Photo by Fiona McMeekin

 

1.     Introduction (Private Press Version) - WITCH

 

Besides the obvious reasons I’ve chosen this song to start off our fall playlist, WITCH, (We Intend to Cause Havoc) will always be a band I return to when the leaves begin to turn crimson in color. I started listening to WITCH back in 2020 when I had more than enough time on my hands to discover new music and spent what feels like hours strolling the forest by my lonesome blasting this 1970’s Zamrock. The funky psychedelic tunes that seem to transport me to a different dimension are such an underrated gem. I recommend everyone go and check out the rest of their discography if you like this song.

 

2.     Babay (Eat a Critter, Feel Its Wrath) – The Blow

 

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Blotter Boyz | Sunday Live Sessions

Blotter Boyz | Sunday Live Sessions Recap

Music Video / Full Performance + Interview

Blotter Boyz came to Live Sessions on October 27th and absolutely rocked our station!

At the moment, they are better know as as Brown Stallion, a Ween cover band, but their original music which they perform as Blotter Boyz is incredibly good. Their sound can be described as a mix of psychedelic rock with just a splash of goofiness and lo-fi energy. Blotter Boyz' 6-track…

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