Blogs

Porcelain Raft & Dirty Beaches Ticket Giveaways

WVAU is back and we’re looking to start the semester off right by offering you not one, but TWO chances to win FREE tickets to some upcoming shows at the Rock & Roll Hotel. For more information, continue reading below: We’re giving away two FREE Porcelain Raft...

WVAU Wants YOU!

Interested in getting involved with college radio? Come hang out, meet the exec board and learn about the many opportunities available within the WVAU community. Stop by and join us at one of our THREE general interest meetings: Go the Facebook event page, RSVP and...

WVAU Q&A: Oshwa

Chicago band Oshwa stopped by the WVAU studio today for a quick on-air chat with WVAU General Manager Maxwell Tani to promote their debut record Chamomile Crush, available to stream and buy on Bandcamp. The Chicago four-piece discussed their place in the local music...

Uncharted: The Rubens

Summer means festival season and this year The Governors Ball Music Festival on Randall’s Island in New York City has an interesting lineup with a variety of artists from different genres. Many of the bands playing this year are quite new, having formed and released a...

WVAU Top Music of 2013 (So Far): Devendra Banhart’s Mala

It may be bit early for “Best of 2013” lists, but it‰'s the middle of 2013 and we‰'re excited to share our most-repeated new albums from the last six months. This week, read about some of WVAU‰'s favorite records released in 2013. Our favorite hippie/freak folk/sex...

WVAU Top Music of 2013 (So Far): Kavinsky’s OutRun

It may be bit early for “Best of 2013” lists, but it‰'s the middle of 2013 and we‰'re excited to share our most-repeated new albums from the last six months. This week, read about some of WVAU‰'s favorite records released in 2013. A quick succession of excerpts from...

WVAU Top Music of 2013 (So Far): Deerhunter’s Monomania

Six months in and 2013 is proving to be an exciting, surprising and fantastic year for music. My Bloody Valentine surprised us with m b v, suddenly releasing the record at midnight on a February Saturday after 20 years of silence. Followed months of teasing, Daft...

WVAU Presents: Caveman in the Studio

Caveman visited the WVAU studio before their Black Cat gig in April, supporting their second, self-titled record, and filled the tiny space with their expansive, shimmering melodies. Guitars surfed on waves of reverb as the punchy melodic bass provided a sonic floor...

Video Voyage: Fire We Make

Alicia Keys and Maxwell. Together. When I first saw that they had a track together on Key‰'s latest album, Girl on Fire, I was elated. I knew that I was not going to be able to handle the sensual experience that was, without fail, going to occur. In my head I was...

No Cover: Finals Week

I know it‰'s finals week and no one could possibly have time to go out to a movie, nonetheless a concert, but there are such cool things happening in D.C. this week that I had to let everyone know about them. I‰'m sure if you actually did your work instead of looking...

Mood Music: A Fond Farewell

It’s that time of year where the dorm rooms are cleared out, finals are completed, and paths diverge as the summer holidays roll in and the semester comes to a close. Feelings of relief, nostalgia and regret mix in the air as friends hug, enemies shake hands and...

WVAU Presents: Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians in the Studio

Where should I begin with these guys? Maybe I should start by explaining that they were a gateway to an infinitely wide ocean of great new music that I would have never discovered without their influence. Or maybe that they put on the most fun live shows I’ve ever...

Deerhunter Hypnotizes at First DC College Radio Concert

This is an edited version of a story originally published on USA TODAY College. Deerhunter’s art-rock noise reverberated off the domed ceiling of D.C.‘s Sixth & I Synagogue, under which the capital’s college radio community united for a first-ever collaborative...

Mood Music: Serenade Suggestions

Whether you want to impress that cutie at the Dav or maybe serenade that one classmate you‰'ve had a crush on just before you leave for summer break, here are a few tracks that are a bit heavy on the sentiment, handpicked for romantic endeavors. Don‰'t be afraid to...

Revenge of Rock: The Virginmarys at DC9

The Virginmarys rocked U Street’s club DC 9 April 2. The rising band from Macclesfield, England is currently touring the U.S. following the debut of their first studio album, King of Conflict. I had the opportunity to talk to the band before the show: Lead singer and...

Mood Music: Guilty Pleasures

Sometimes, fast-paced, nonsensical music is all you need to start the day. Although it‰'s great to have music filled with meaningful lyrics and intricate, unique instrumentals, it‰'s also good to have music that’s just pure entertainment, something to listen to as a...

No Cover: Everything

We‰'ve got everything this week. From great shows to great band names, the only way this week can go wrong is if you choose to ignore all of it and stay inside. Take a chance and see a band you‰'ve never heard of on the cheap or spend a little more for a performance...

The Undercurrent: Daylight’s "Jar"

For months, many members of the punk community have been anticipating the first full-length release from Pennsylvania grunge band Daylight. After releasing a series of EPs over the past couple years and finishing up their tour with Balance and Composure (on which they...

Kaleidoscope Sound: Los Blenders

Have you ever heard the perfect combination between sun, guitar riffs, pool parties and skating/surfing vibes? If not, you should probably start listening to Los Blenders. All the way from Mexico, these four guys became the hottest band from 2k12-2k13 for the Latin...

Transitory Rage: James Blake‰’s Genius is Showing

James Blake made a name for himself as a pioneer of electronic music. Glitched explosive beats, sweeping synth and Joni Mitchell-esque crooning are just a few of the technical weapons in Blake‰'s ever-expanding musical arsenal. His new album Overgrown doesn‰'t break...

Label Review: Dog Knights Productions

“Is that a cat on your shirt?‰” I can‰'t tell you how many times I get that question whenever I wear my navy baseball shirt from this British screamo label. The answer is no, it‰'s not a cat. It‰'s a Shiba making a record with a buzz saw. Duh. Behold the first of many...