Dan DaranciangThis coming week, Wash. U.’s own KWUR radio has a 30-year anniversary to celebrate, and they are bringing in the music to do so. KWUR Week kicks off this Mon., Feb. 20, and will host a series of live shows at the Gargoyle, including the exciting hip-hop of Doujah Raze, the emo rock of Appleseed Cast and the progressive indie-pop music of Of Montreal. All shows are free to Wash. U. students with ID, and refreshments and food will also be available.
KWUR Week will begin with an open house at the station hosted on Monday from 12-2 p.m. KWUR Events Director senior Michael Bortinger encourages anyone to attend, saying that “the open house is just to let the public see what we have been doing as a campus radio station. Anyone who is just curious to see how we work and what we do is more than welcome to stop by.” Refreshments and food will be offered, and people will have a chance to check out the inner workings of the radio station.
This year’s KWUR Week is shaping up to be a good one, and with 30 years at their back, the station and all its DJs have reason to celebrate.
“It’s a pretty big deal this year, and we want to make it feel that way,” says Bortinger, who has been working at the station since his freshman year.
Here’s a listing of the week’s upcoming events. For further information, check out the Web site KWURweek.com.
Monday
Movie Screening: “Scratch”
Location: The Gargoyle
Date: Mon., Feb. 20
Time: Doors open @ 8 p.m.
Free to Wash. U. students with ID (closed to public)
“Scratch” is a film documenting the birth and rise of the hip-hop DJ, featuring some of the world’s best DJs and some of the most unknown innovators of the turntable trade. Performances and interviews with DJs Q-bert, Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys and Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5 are just a sample of who’s included in the film. The screening is open to Wash. U. students, so bring your ID and learn some hip-hop history.
Tuesday
Listening Party: The Flaming Lips’ “Zaireeka”
Location: The Gargoyle
Date: Tues., Feb. 21
Time: Doors open @ 8 p.m.
Free to public
“Zaireeka” is truly a one-of-a-kind listening experience. The four-disc set put out by the Flaming Lips in 1997 is definitely an experiment in how one listens to music. The four CDs can be played in any combination or all at the same time – each disc contains composite parts of the same eight songs – to create a unique experience to the listener. KWUR will have four CD players playing each disc at the same time, and everyone is invited to listen in and enjoy something different.
Wednesday
Hip-Hop Show: Doujah Raze
Opening Act: MC Lars
Location: The Gargoyle
Date: Wed., Feb. 22
Time: Doors open @ 8 p.m.
Free to Wash. U. students with ID, $5 for all others
This up-and-coming hip-hop artist, already big in Europe and well known in the American college hip-hop circuit, is sure to impress Wednesday night. Doujah Raze got his start in Alexandria, Va., and also claims the Washington D.C. area as home territory. Still underground, Raze has become more noticeable after his move to New York City and his work with local hip-hop artists such as O.C., Sean Price and Da Beatminerz. His self-titled debut album “Doujah Raze” came out in January to good reviews, and his success in the hip-hop underground continues to garner him respect.
Doujah Raze’s sound is refreshing, and his lyrics help this. Song topics range from his grandfather’s influence on his life and spiritual belief in karma to the more laidback and fun lyrics of tracks like “Clear,” Raze’s self-professed weed-smoking song. These melodies can be soulful, but there is no missing the powerful beats behind them. He definitely puts on a good show.
Thursday
Emo-Rock Show: The Appleseed Cast
Opening Act: Spoken
Location: The Gargoyle
Date: Thurs., Feb. 23
Time: Doors open @ 8 p.m.
Free to Wash. U. students with ID, $8 for all others
The Appleseed Cast is not your typical emo band. Their sound has ranged in recent years from emo-core to the more psychedelic texture of guitars looped with feedback that creates a more spatial atmosphere. The Appleseed Cast has been praised for the intricate nature of their song construction, with complex and layered guitar work a definite highlight. They have toured with bands such as Cursive and will be touring with Minus the Bear this spring.
The Appleseed Cast’s most well known album is its two-volume epic, “Low Level Owl,” which received much critical acclaim upon release. This nearly two-hour, double-volume album established the band as groundbreaking with a studio precision not seen in years by many other bands. Appleseed Cast’s newest album, “Two Conversations,” tells two stories of a couple and is their most accessible “pop” album to date. Expect to hear talented musicianship and good storytelling Thursday.
Friday
Indie-Rock Show: Of Montreal
Opening Act: Maxtone Four
Location: The Gargoyle
Date: Fri., Feb. 24
Time: Doors open @ 8 p.m.
Free to Wash. U. students with ID, $10 for all others
(www.metrotix.com)
Of Montreal, originally from Athens, Ga., are definitely indie. Their music pushes at the scope of exactly what accessible music is, yet somehow pulls their audience in with them. The band veers from playful electronic dance-pop to more folk-style tunes. If there is one thing to know about Of Montreal, it’s that they have fun experimenting with the boundaries of pop music, pushing it into intriguing territory.
In Of Montreal’s newest album, “Sunlandic Twins,” lead singer-songwriter Kevin Barnes plays every instrument and even produced the album himself. The album is their most accessible to date, described as an “electro-pop opera” with some experimental tunes, some dance-pop and even some ballads. Of Montreal are known for their great live performances, and this is a show not to miss.