Milwaukee's Field Report Dropping Third Album 'Summertime Songs'
Thursday, March 22, 2018, 4:05pm
It’s been a few years since the acclaimed Milwaukee band, Field Report , released a new album. But the wait is finally over. The group is releasing its third album, "Summertime Songs," on Friday. In the lead up to the album drop, the group has been busy. They opened for their friends (and former...
Premiere: Eau Claire's Waldemar Release 'Visions' EP
Friday, January 13, 2017, 9:00am
I can’t listen to the " Visions EP " (released today) from Eau Claire’s Waldemar without picturing a nostalgic American landscape. This four-song set has hills and valleys, huge vistas in the choral vocal arrangements, rocky canyons in the percussion, sun-speckled forest canopy in the horns and a winding river of ambient guitar work. When singer/songwriter Gabe Larson’s voice rises and verse releases to chorus, he wants us to feel it in our chests.
Lissie Embraces Life On The Road, Calls Iowa Farm Home
Wednesday, August 24, 2016, 10:00am
Twelve years ago, the Iowa singer-songwriter, Lissie , moved to California and spent her time working the traditional music industry angles of finding a record label, making albums and touring. After a being dropped by her label and losing interest in her own career trajectory she returned to the Midwest where she now makes music on her own terms. She recently stopped by the WPR studio to play songs from her latest album, and talk about her renewed passion for making music at her own pace.
Janesville's Double Ewes Combine Rural Life, Digital Textures For Unique Sound
Wednesday, August 17, 2016, 10:00am
Janesville band Double Ewes stopped by the WPR studio to play songs from their upcoming album, and talk about the delicate process of combining digital and analog equipment in a live setting. The group's singer, Whilden Hughes VI, describes how working on his family's farm influences his songwriting and how the band fits into the Janesville music scene.
Milwaukee's AUTOMatic Reveals Personal New '3099' Project
Wednesday, August 10, 2016, 10:00am
Milwaukee rapper, Darius Windom (aka AUTOmatic ) stopped by the WPR studio to perform and talk about the experience of rapping for the first time in front of an audience, and explain how the feel of a song is more important than the actual sound we hear.
Eau Claire's Kalispell Mixes Personal Lyrics In A Melting Pot Of Musical Styles
Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 10:00am
Drawing upon influences ranging from Appalachian folk to Gamelan music, Eau Claire’s Shane Leonard and his band Kalispell stopped by the WPR studio to play songs from their new album, " Printer’s Son ," and talk about navigating the continual tension between the love of making music and the rigors of touring in support of that music.
Zed Kenzo Carving Her Own Unique Niche In Milwaukee's Music Scene
Tuesday, July 19, 2016, 10:15am
Milwaukee rapper Zed Kenzo recently stopped by to perform in our studio and talk about her songwriting process, including how maintaining total creative control over the production of her songs helps fend off outside influences on her music.
Davenport, Iowa's The Multiple Cat Are Pushing A River Town Renaissance
Wednesday, July 6, 2016, 9:00am
Led by a founding member of Daytrotter , the Iowa band the Multiple Cat recently stopped by the WPR studio to play songs from their latest album, "Intricate Maps," talk about the evolution of the band’s changing cast of musicians, and assess the impact Daytrotter has had on the Quad Cities music scene.
Minneapolis Artist Caroline Smith Finds Her Voice In Feminism, Neo Soul
Wednesday, June 29, 2016, 9:00am
Minneapolis singer Caroline Smith and her band recently stopped by the WPR studio to play songs from her new album and talk about the role feminism played in her musical transition from folk to neo soul. She shares stories of her early years in music, from growing up in a small resort town in northern Minnesota, to her mom's self-appointed role as her stand-in manager.
Madison's Neens Have A Maker's Mentality, An Updated '80s Sound
Wednesday, June 22, 2016, 9:00am
Self-described as "Dream-Goth-Pop," Madison band Neens takes a minimalist approach and use looping as a foundation for their songwriting. They stopped by the WPR studios to play some songs and reveal why their latest music video is a remake of the final scene of the 1980s movie, "Pretty in Pink."
Hip-Hop Group AUTOMatic Gets Experimental With New Project
Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 10:20am
Darius Windom remembers the first time he ever rapped. Well, he kind of remembers. He was at his grandmother’s house with his cousin, a big brother-like figure who he idolized. As his cousin was rapping, Windom jumped in and the words and rhymes flowed from his mouth. "Things moved in slow motion," Windom said. "I couldn’t hear anything. All I could do is see the faces of my cousin and my sister looking on in pure astonishment. Their jaws dropped and when I stopped they shouted … ‘Yo! That was amazing!’"
Duluth's Charlie Parr Embodies Living History Of American Roots Music
Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 9:00am
Armed with a 12-string guitar and a dobro, Duluth's Charlie Parr recently stopped by the WPR studio to play songs, and reveal how he went from playing Black Sabbath covers in a garage to writing the heartfelt folk songs that he’s made a living on.