Tune In: Clean Bandit

My friend and I decided SUPER last minute that we were gonna go to this concert down at Toad's Place. No regrets! They were so much fun, and more talented than you may think for an EDM group. Catchy, infectious, reminiscent of the workout tracks my mom listened to in the 90's--in fact, they did an awesome cover of Robin S's Show Me Love. I sang all the words of course. If you get the chance to see Clean Bandit perform, it will for sure be a good time. 

I most enjoyed watching these two dance.

The opening act was a pleasant surprise, Roman GianArthur. He's a part of the Wonderland Factory which we found out after my friend commented on how he reminds him of Janelle Monáe (like whaaaaaaaaat). He hyped the crowd with Prince's "Let's go Crazy" which was perfect, and officially won me over when he played this cover of "High & Dry" by Radiohead. We got to talk to him for a bit between sets--really cool dude--and he gave us a copy of his EP. You may have heard his vocals on "Classic Man." He's definitely one to watch. 

New Music: Circle//Circle

Last week I got the chance to see Circle//Circle down at Cafe Nine in New Haven, CT thanks to one of my friends who was playing with them. They're a local group that I'm pretty excited about. Two gals, Emily and Kayla, handle lead vocals while strumming away on their ukulele and banjo. Chris is also on guitar and with the three of them they form some awesome harmonies.

You will not regret checking out their latest album, Guts. Go ahead, have a listen!

Alt Groove links 10.15.13

Image via

• Hare Affairs is an art series of bunnies in different social, political, and cultural issues. Definitely check out his work! He's one of my inspirations for my own artwork.
• In case you haven't heard already, Banksy sold some stuff on the streets of NYC for $60 a piece. I wish I was able to buy one T_T
• What drink changes with the environment? Whiskey does!

ALT Groove Links 10.8 - 10.10

• Featured Janelle Monáe's latest album, Electric Lady! 
• Bertolli takes advantage of Barilla's anti-gay comments by making a pro gay ad. 
• Lady Gaga reveals the cover of her new album Artpop which is a sculpture of her done by the amazing Jeff Koons! This was actually referenced in the lyrics of her single "Applause." Sneaky.
• Yale has a poopetrator on the loose. Someone is putting poop in the dryers and this is hilarious.
• Go Purple for GLAAD's Spirit Day! Support the LGBTQ community. 
• Indiana dog crashes a half marathon and gets a medal! And then he gets a microchip so the owner can find him when he runs off...
• Here's a nifty infographic of everyone the US government owes and how much we owe them.
• OMG this lego installation of freaking HELMS DEEP is SICK. Here's the flickr set.

~*You can catch Alt Groove live every Tuesday and Thursday this semester around 8am to 9am EST on WSIN Radio. All announcements for the show and playlists are on my facebook page. *~

Alt Groove links 10.3.13

T O P I C S:

• Ahhhhh the government shut down. The point I want to drive home the most is we voted these people into congress. They have on average, a 90% reelection rate, yet a 9% approval rate right now. We can't complain about congress if we keep giving them their jobs back every election cycle. I will go as far to say maybe you shouldn't complain if you didn't vote. Maybe people will pay attention to who they're voting for now? One can only dream.
• One local effect of the shut down I wanted to highlight is the Head Start program, A federally funded early learning daycare program, had to close it's doors. Approximately 1,200 children In Bridgeport alone under the age of 5 and their working parents are scrambling around to find child care. On top of that, Many of the workers had to be laid off as a result of this.
• Ikea is in the news again for being awesome. They are now making solar panels. Currently they are only being sold in the UK, but I'm sure they'll make their way to the States.
• A dog named Sundance ate 5 $100 bills and left the 1 $1 bill while he waited in the car for his owners. The owner actually collected the remnants and sent it to the US Treasury and the government actually reimbursed him. Lolz.
• The affordable care act has got tons of people in a tizzy. CT has this fancy new site to guide individuals about selecting coverage, and even have this interactive myth busting game that I encourage everyone to play, even if you're not from CT. You can speak with an insurance broker for free; they will hold your hand and answer all your questions. I think this is a great thing for America, even if people don't fully get it yet. 

All of the playlists will now be in an album on my facebook page. woo!

Alt Groove 9.24 - 9.26 Links

Alright, so I've come to terms with the fact that I really wish I was better at posting all the links here after every show. It will happen eventually, I promise! but for now, check out my facebook page to see every playlist I've ever played on the show. I've been debating whether or not to just post the links on my facebook page for all of the stories I talk about but that seems it might turn into borderline spamming and I'm not about that life. 

Also Links is a funny word.

T O P I C S :

• It's banned books week! Apparently my favorite childhood book series Captain Underpants is on the top of the list of "most challenged" books. Boo you whores.
• Chico MacMurtrie has been welding musical robots for decades. He's bringing them all together for orchestral performances throughout the month of October.
• Ikea introduced DIY flat pack homes last year. This year, they joined forces with United Nations' refugee agency and are modifying them to be refugee shelters for those in need in Syria.
• Losing is good for you! Stop unnecessarily over praising little kids, they can handle rejection every once and a while. It'll mess with their minds in the long run.
• Guess how many snakes were found in this guy's home. Just guess.
• George H.W. Bush is witness at a same sex marriage of friends. How sweet! Filed under republicans being awesome.
• City Wide Open Studios is just around the corner! This is an art event that has something happening every weekend in October. Be sure to check it out as all of it is free!

Alt Groove: 1st show of the semester!

Yay I'm back on air! I'll be doing my show live tuesdays and thursdays 8am to 9am. For those who've never heard my show, it's a collection of alternative, soul, r&b, indie, electropop, and everything in between somehow miraculously making a cohesive playlist. I talk about news, art, and happenings in New Haven and NYC areas.

T O P I C S :

• Indian court convicts 4 in fatal gang rape case. This was a "wake up call" for India. It's a shame that this sort of thing is happening. Don't think the US is exempt from things like this or think we're more advanced by any means. This was an important case for India but it's an important case for rape victims every where.
• Toys 'R' Us teams up with Let Toys Be Toys to become more gender neutral! This is great news for children and parents alike. We'll see how this pans out come Christmas time.
• Two men dressed as Captain America and Batman rescue a cat from a burning building. Doesn't get more awesome than that.

P L A Y L I S T :

You can listen to this episode and others on my spreaker too!

Alt Groove 3.13.2013

I'm not sure why I like this gif so much. But I do. ANYWAYS this show's theme was spring break. More specifically what I am doing/what I would like to do on spring break:

1. I'm going to NCECA! In case I haven't mentioned it enough, I'm going to a conference all about ceramics. I'm hoping to suck up as much knowledge and inspiration as I can.
2. I want to go to NYC. I'm not sure what exactly I want to do in the city this time around, but I found this site that lists mounds of events all year round. Check it out, yeah?
3. I am going thrifting. I need to update my wardrobe and there's so many benefits to thrifting!
4. I want to go hiking. There's plenty of good places in CT for this and it's about time I take advantage of that.
5. Hulu has a vast selection shows that people should take advantage of! I plan on vegging out on hulu quite a bit.
6. I have a wedding to plan and I haven't done too much yet, but during spring break I might get a little somethin' started
7. Lastly, I plan on blogging a couple of posts scheduled in advanced. huzzah!

NEWS TOPICS

• Dad hacks a video game to gender swap the hero and victim. How awesome is that?
• Twinkies are making a comeback sooner than I expected :O) <--(double chin)
• Advertise on thighs. What do you think?
• Boy Scouts Association sent a survey to troops regarding gay members.

PLAYLIST

Alt Groove 2.27.13

This show was dedicated to Black History Month. I have my own person qualms with the idea of highlighting topics each month, but it's more pros than cons methinks. I went over this list of super awesome women in black history and little known facts about them. My personal favorite is Condoleezza Rice.

TOPICS

• The new advertising fad is to bring famous people back from the dead. I personally think this is a bit degrading to their legend. Having Audry Hepburn in your ad is great n' all, but is it really necessary?
• Man reunites with his dog from ten years ago. Such a feel good story!
• Super exciting news for the LGBT community and equality supporters! Over 75 republicans are now supporting same sex marriage! Who cares why they've flip flopped on the issue, it's a step in the right direction.
• Climate change is among us, what will a hotter summer mean?

PLAYLIST

TTFN!

-Avé

Alt Groove 2.20.13

IT'S BACK! Finally, right? First show of the semester ya'll, and it felt better than expected. 

TOPICS:

• Around this time, those diet and eating healthy resolutions start to fade. But fear not! here's a list of some helpful heathy tips to keep you on track. One that's not mentioned that's great for college students: use less of the seasoning pack to cut out some sodium, and add things like frozen veggies, chicken, tofu, or beans to add protein, fiber, and other awesome nutrients that are lacking from this typical meal. With all that added goodness, you could split the meal and save half for later. Other favorites were don't drink calories, don't skip meals, and end calorie consumption 3 hours before bed time. 
• Google glasses are here! But only for a select few to start. You could get your hands on a pair to test out if you're willing to drop $1500. THE FUUUTUREEE.
• The new health care law will allow employers with more than 50 employees to charge overweight employees more for their insurance if they so choose. I do think this is a good idea since lets face it; with extra weight comes extra health risks. Employers are also implementing programs rewarding those who lose weight. 
• Gaga cancelled the remainder of the Born This Way Ball. I'm heartbroken that she's injured, but excited that I'll be able to go to her concert whenever she recovers. She would have been in my area in March and March is booked for me. Selfish? Maybe just a little, but I wish her the best in her recovery!
• Meteor hits the atmosphere over Russia. 500+ injured, but no fatalities. I think it was the illuminati. 
• Woman accused of threatening Gateway Community College with a mass shooting. This is so scary because it's my alma mater, so I pray that this will be dealt with swiftly. The FBI currently has her in custody.
• Blade Runner from South Africa shot his girlfriend through the bathroom door. Accident or not?

PLAYLIST:

Missed this show? that's ok. Click here!

That was a mouthful. Till next time!

-Avé

P.S. New thingy on the side bar: Events! Mostly galleries/exhibits that I've seen or would like to see in the CT and NYC areas. huzzah! 

Tune in: "Thrift Shop" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat Wanz

via

Genre: Alternative hip hop, comedy hip hop
First Listen: Yesterday
Released: August 2012
Found out through: My sister
Listen to this while you: sift through racks at the thrift store

This song has already hit KC101 (our local clear channel radio station; i.e. Z100 for you NYC folk) and I don't even care; this song is effing awesome. My sister was hesitant to show it to me but she said "I found this song you might like....you might not like their other stuff but this song is about thrifting and it's really funny soooo....."

She was so right about this track. Added bonus: I like their other stuff too! "Thrift Shop" has this kinda swanky sax riff for the loop with a nice, easy beat. The lyrics are clever, relatable, and absolutely hilarious if you frequent Goodwill. Wanz singing the chorus is the cherry on top.

TTFN! <3
Avé

P.S. First day of class today! *stoked*

Tune in: "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" by Pomplamoose Feat. Wade Johnston

• Not on an album (to my knowledge)
• Genre: Jazz fusion, indie rock
• Released: December 2008
• First Listen: December 2008
• Found out through: Youtubing covers of random songs
• Listen to this while you're: wrapping presents!

I've been following Pomplamoose for quite some time now and since 'tis the season, I'm going to showcase one of their best christmas songs. Natalie and Jack already have an awesome blend of talents and to add Wade for this track = success. Their harmonies really give me the willies throughout this song and I love the modern take with the instrumentation. I especially enjoy the accordion (and Jack's facial expressions when he plays it). I highly encourage you to check out their Christmas album!

TTFN!<3

-Avé

P.S. It's been a while since I posted one of these, yeah? I took my last final today *HOOrahh*

ALT Groove CHRISTMAS EDITION!

HEY GUESS WHO'S IN THE SPIRIT?! I am! Finally! I took my hardest final today and I'm finally relieved of a ton of work. Not that finals are over, but I can officially relax. And this particular show went smashing; probably my best show to date.

Not a typical show I should add. I went over this list of top 5 things NOT to do in NYC, and some nifty gift ideas, some from this site here and some I've either done or want to do. Here's the list!

• Secret compartment book - This is super inexpensive and great for anyone! I actually made a tutorial a while ago for this too.
• Themed gift basket - It can really make a gift fun, give you direction, and if you're on a budget it could be within your price range!
• Date Jar - purchase gift certificates, gift cards, and/or write down some "freebies" like go for a hike and put them in a jar with a pretty ribbon. So next time your boo asks "What do you want to do tonight?" BOOM decided.
• From-Scratch cookies in a jar (dry ingredients) - I did this a couple of years ago and it was a really yummy idea, especially for some one who enjoys really good cookies but isn't so great at baking.
• Memory Jar - This one requires some planning, but it seems worth it. Gather photos and/or little stories from as many people as you can for lets say grandma. So everyone who knew granny submits something to you, you print out the memories on small cards and if you have 365 memories, you'll have one for every day for granny to cherish.
• Gift hotsauces! there's so many different types! anyone who likes it spicy would love this, and they average around $4 a bottle.
• Tea cup candles - Nice DIY, I'm not sure if it makes a cool christmas gift, but I can dig it.
• Experiences are always more fun than objects, in my opinion. Concert tickets, a cooking class, and a hot air balloon ride were some of the things the blog post mentioned that I'd be into.

P L A Y L I S T

I'm really proud of this play list! I did cut a few songs so maybe later I'll have this playlist in it's entirety up on spotify for all to listen? We'll see.

For now, you can listen to this episode in it's entirety on my Spreaker account!

Merry Christmas!
-Avé

Listen to Alt Groove any time you want!

I've found a site to host podcasts of my show :O) You can now listen to the episodes any time you want. You can click this cat on the side bar to head over to my spreaker page. Spreaker gives you so many ways to listen too! *EXCITEMENT*

Also, Bulbasaur ads on my blog are free. woop woop!

TTFN<3
-Avé

Alt Groove 11.14.12

IT'S BEEN SO LONG I MISS DOING MY SHOW ;~; Super storm Sandy came by the week of Halloween, then it was the freak nor'easter last wednesday, so here I am two weeks later with a shortened show because I have to do homework ughh what is that.

T O P I C S :

• A Cleveland judge sentenced a woman to hold a sign that reads "Only an idiot would drive on the sidewalk to avoid a school bus" for ~you guessed it~ driving on the sidewalk to avoid a school bus. 
• Cursive is on it's way out from school curriculums--say it ain't so! Three states already gave it the boot. Is this a no no? Or is cursive becoming too archaic?
• There's a petition that's gaining traction to get Macy's to dump Donald Trump. I think this would be a good move. No one likes him and he's a meanie (among other things, like sexist, racist, and in denial). What do you think?
• The WSIN webpage is now a blogging tumblr with posts about show times, artists we support, events we're doing...stuff like that. So excited! have a tumblr? go follow! Also, if you click the listen button on the sidebar, not only can you creep on the DJ during the show, but you can comment in the chat box on the side! as long as you're logged into your facebook you can chat away.

M U S I C:

Next week the campus is closed for thanksgiving break so I will not be having my show. HOWEVER I'll be using that time to upload some past shows onto spreaker.com! You'll be able to download podcasts via itunes or just listen on spreaker, so that's exciting.

Till next time cool cats,

-Avé

Alt Groove 10.10.12

T O P I C S :

• My take on the debate from last week: NPR and PBS mean way too much to me for Romney to take any funding away from them. I sorta stopped paying attention to anything else after he said that bit. Besides, that would be like a raindrop in a garbage can in comparison to the national debt. So I played a techno remix of Sesame Street in honor of PBS and NPR.
• Some genius kid decided it'd be a great idea to lick a handrail in an NYC subway FOR A DOLLAR. blegh. 
• A woman was caught riding a manatee, and then decided to turn herself in. I can't help but find this funny.
• NPR's Collin McEnroe was talking about african american hair on his show. I wanted so badly to email him but then I forgot. He brought up a very interesting point: If Michelle Obama and her daughters had natural hair or dreadlocks, would the country still have elected Barack Obama into office?

M U S I C :

TTFN!

- Avé

P.S. I'm driving myself crazy curating the Post-It show for the gallery space at my school. Regulary timed posts will resume soon, I promise!

Tune in Tuesday: "Cosmic Girl" by Jamiroquai

• Album: Traveling Without Moving
• Genre: Jazz Funk, Acid Jazz
• Released: September 1996
• First Listen: Childhood, but more recently last year
• Listen to this while you: groooove

This song has been on heavy rotation in the studio as I'm working on my sculpture (because really that's where ALL OF MY TIME GOES). It really gets me in the zone and helps me concentrate, believe it or not. I think this song is a stress reliever for me. It's light, fun, and too groovy for it's own good,

TTFN!

-Avé

Alt Groove: 10.3.12

This was a successful show I think.

T O P I C S:

• I learned how to sing "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes" in CHINESE. This is the video she used to teach us.
• There's such a thing as flexitarianism, which means you only eat meat occasionally (that's me!) 
• I'm most likely getting the iPhone 5 this weekend. I have this to look forward to.
• Man breaks the record for largest pumpkin; speaking of pumpkins, the Durham Fair was amazing! *adds to the ever growing list of things I must blog about*
• This poor little pooch survived being caught/dragged in the grill of a car for 11 miles! 
• FiveThirtyEight is a really rad site if you're curious about the presidential election. It's a site full of stats, projections, and information--all unbiased, too! Unlike me. I'm biased.

E V E N T S:

• same as last week. i think i'll just make a thing of it on the side bar.

M U S I C:

TTFN! <3

- Avé

Tune in Tuesday: "Gangnam Style" by Psy

• Genre: K-pop, electro house
• Released: July 2012
• First Listen: August/September 2012
• Found out through: My friend Samson
• Listen to this while you: 강남스타일

So I'm not sure how many of you have ever heard this song; I mean K-pop isn't really big in the US...but there's this awesome new song out called "Gangnam Style!" lolz OK seriously though, if you haven't heard this song you've been living under a rock. A cold, dark, dusty rock. This song is boss and it's been stuck in my head for the past couple of days because it's highly addictive. It's everything I love about K-pop and J-pop! Dare I say the Asians do it better?

TTFN! <3

-Avé

Alt Groove Recap: 9.26.12

T O P I C S :

• EASTER ISLAND HEADS HAVE BODIES. Seriously, how did we not know this? or am I the only one?
• Rosa Parks did more than just sit! I think we all knew this, but I don't think we all knew just how much she did for the civil rights movement. Daniel McGuire wrote a fascinating book that I can't wait to read titled At the Dark End of the Street. She was actually a detective figure for rape cases :O
• The first male to attend a famous nanny college.
• Buy a ring for $2,499, get a free rifle.
• There's a cat named Skinny whose 41 lbs and up for adoption in Texas

E V E N T S :

• Stay in the Dark: Art show at SCSU in Earl Hall, October 8th through the 12th
• Post-it Show: Art show at SCSU in Earl Hall, October 15th through the 19th
• Durham Fair! September 27th through the 30th; my first time, can't wait!
• Lorraine Warren talkin' 'bout GHOSTS October 24th, 8pm at Lyman
• Vintage Steel: Show up at Fair Haven Furniture till January 11th

M U S I C :

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

TTFN!<3

-Avé