Press Play: Leon Bridges

There’s a new rhythm and blues presence causing a stir in college music radio and it comes by way of singer, songwriter and guitarist, Leon Bridges, whose debut album, Coming Home, just hit airwaves to critical acclaim. Bridges, who was born in Athens, Georgia and grew up in Texas, draws many comparisons to iconic soul musicians Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. In addition to his smooth voice, he can play guitar and write melodies that compare strikingly. The twenty-five year old cites these two rhythm and blues pioneers as some of his greatest…continue reading →

Mavis Staples to be Honored with 2nd Annual Woody Guthrie Prize

Mavis Staples, the iconic rhythm and blues singer and civil rights activist, is to be awarded the annual Woody Guthrie Prize on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, California.  Staples will be the second recipient of the prestigious award that is given to artists who best exemplify the spirit and life work of Woody Guthrie by using their art form to speak up for the less fortunate and evoke social change in America. Pete Seeger, the American folk singer and activist, was posthumously honored with the prize in…continue reading →

Press Play: Mates of state

       Kori Gardener & Jason Hammel are the masterminds behind the pop duo ‘Mates of State.’ The two have been on a music journey since 1997. They began in Larence, Kansas. Through the years the two have worked hard to create music to fit their lifestyle, and listeners around the world.   ‘You’re going to Make it’ is a self produced EP that just hit airwaves in mid June. Tracks are majorly sharp with meaningful lyrics. For nearly two decades the duo have been in a relationship and this can be heard through…continue reading →

Press Play: Yukon Blonde

Indie rock group Yukon Blonde is looking to make an impact on college music radio in the coming weeks with the release of their third full length album, On Blond. Working out of Vancouver, Canada, the group consists of Jeff Innes, Brandon Scott, Graham Jones and James Younger. Their confidence is currently at an all time high. Recently, the band was nominated for a Juno Award, which is the Canadian equivalent to our Grammy’s, for Breakthrough Group of the Year for their work on their 2013 album, Tiger Talk.  On Blonde is a…continue reading →

Music Director’s Top Albums of the (half) Year

American Wrestlers - American Wrestlers A Place To Bury Strangers - Transfixiation Banditos - Banditos Belle and Sebastian - Girls In Peacetime Want to Dance The Bright Light Social Hour - Space is Still the Place Buxton - Half a Native Corners - Maxed Out on Distractions Current Swell - Ulysses Diamond Rugs - Cosmetics The Dodos - Individ Drug Cabin - Yard Work/Wiggle RoomDu Blonde - Welcome Back To Milk Go Betty Go - Reboot Guster - Evermotion JD McPherson - Let The Good Times Roll Kuroma - Kuromarama of Montreal -…continue reading →

Press Play: John Moreland

  Oklahoma folk singer John Moreland, is back with a rollercoaster of emotion. This is his 3rd album release 'High on Tulsa Heat' that’s hitting the airwaves all around the world. The native Tulsan has fine-tuned his baritone voice and lingers in listener’s ears. Moreland’s voice is full of wisdom, mixing touches from his home and life experiences into each track, this time around.   In 2013 Moreland released his album, 'In the Throes' a heavyhearted album that he wrote based on his love for punk and hard-core groups. The album explored a dark…continue reading →