University of San Diego Radio

Daytrotter.com

If you’ve spent more than thirty seconds on the Daytrotter website, you can tell the gang behind the project is incredibly passionate about their work. The Daytrotter team–led by Sean Moeller–is dedicated to producing completely live, on-the-spot recordings of the bands dropping into their aptly named “Horseshack” studio. The analog studio is laden with an eclectic assortment of vintage, classic and well-loved equipment that caters to the musician-friendly vision behind DayTrotter. The Rock Island, Illinois studio has played host to artists ranging from blossoming new acts to some of the most well known names in music. Sean took time out of his schedule to talk with us about the project’s beginnings, seeing his passion for music through, and his encouraging perspective on the future of the music.
Full Interview:

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Daytrotter.com

Hey Everybody,

although USD Student Radio is technically still on break, I decided to come in and throw some songs together for your enjoyment. So if you’re looking for some music to listen to while you browse the web, dreading the start of the next semester and the homework to come, head on over to my page and give it a listen. I also uploaded the songs from my live December 10th broadcast, which was the last one before winter break. Hope the new year has treated you well so far!

My Page: www.usdradio.org/shows/the-sasser-shuffle

Here is a short one hour mix i put together before break.  hope you enjoy it and make sure to tune in next semester!

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George Clooney’s official campaign for the Oscar has begun. The man who seemingly gets better with age has turned in arguably the best performance of his already illustrious career. Up in the Air is the story of Ryan Bingham (Clooney) and his joyless career as a corporate downsizing expert. The job carries with it the devastating task of delivering the news to workers that they are no longer needed at the company to which they have dedicated most of their lives. Using real-life employees to fulfill the roles of those being terminated, Director Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking) presents the audience with some of the most heartfelt moments in recent cinema. The pertinence to today’s society, when seemingly every company is downsizing, makes this not only the “Best Picture of the Year,” as it was recently voted by the National Board of Review, but it makes it the movie of this year. Reitman paints a portrait of a man who must face common people and deliver what is more than likely the worst news they will ever receive.

Aside from exploiting the harsh realities of the terrible working climate, Up in the Air is also a movie of finding yourself in the vast sky of life. Bingham’s job naturally requires a great deal of traveling, and he is on a personal quest to become just the seventh person to ever reach ten million frequent flyer miles. However, it is only when he is closest to this milestone that he begins to realize the emptiness that this way of life brings. Insert Alex, a fellow frequent flyer who uses her trips as an ‘escape’ from reality. It is his relationship with Alex, along with the fast-approaching wedding of his sister (who he barely even communicates with) that forces Ryan to begin to reevaluate his life.

Up in the Air is a triumph for all parties involved. Reitman presents his most mature picture to date, and the two actresses, Vera Farmiga (Alex) and Anna Kendrick (Natalie, a co-worker of Ryan’s who tags along on a trip in hopes of learning the ropes of the job) both deliver Oscar-worthy performances. Though it deserves all of its recent critical praise, the most important thing to be said about Up in the Air is that it is the first truly “must-see” movie in a very long time. It tells a story that needs to be told at a time when no one else will tell it. And as for Clooney? Don’t be surprised to see him walking the Red Carpet in March.

Up in the Air comes out everywhere Christmas Day.

Although everyone of us are preparing now for finals, the once cancelled “Fame Kills” Tour, now renamed “Monster Fame” Tour with Lady Gaga and newly appointed wingman, Kid Cudi, is arriving in San Diego on December 19th at the Sports Arena. Even though all of us are set to become bookworms and establish a second home in the library, hopefully some of us who haven’t already been brain fried and exhausted by the constant hours of studying will be able to attend this star-studded concert. Lady Gaga has captured the attention of the music industry not only with her voice but also with her sex appeal and personality. Kid Cudi is relatively new to the game of hip-hop but his album, “Man on the Moon”, is one of the best albums of 2009 that I’ve heard thus far, topping Jay-Z’s “Blueprint 3″ and 50 Cent’s “Before I Self Destruct”.

After Midnight Project @ HOB SD (Photo BC)

It’s without a doubt that one of the rising stars on the alternative rock scene this year has been Los Angeles based band, After Midnight Project. Their single “Take Me Home” has remained on Billboard’s Alt Top 40 for seventeen weeks and still remains toward close to its peak position. It easy to say that with the constant touring continued by the band and the increase in airplay, the song will remain on the charts well into the new year. The success found by this band is no small feat considering the fact that After Midnight Project is such a relatively young band. Not only have the guys been together for just a few years, but their August 11th release Let’s Build Something To Break is their first release on a major label.

Prior to their set opening for Papa Roach last week at The House of Blues, I had the chance to sit down with the band and talk about their experiences touring, their influences, and current musical interests as a group. Needless to say, the responses I received for all their questions didn’t seem like the responses I’d receive from a band who spent time opening for bands such as 30 Seconds to Mars, Breaking Benjamin, Trapt. For example, lead singer Jason Evigan describes the band’s sound as “Muse, Nine Inch Nails, Incubus, and Elliott Smith getting drunk at a wine taster. Elegant and raw.” I certainly understand the grouping of the first three, but the addition of Elliott Smith seems to contradict the other examples listed before. Surprisingly, the group pulls the sound off, mixing hostility and aggression with stripped down, heart-on-your-sleeve, anthemic rock.

This past summer, the band played a stint on the Vans Warped Tour, a rite of passage for many groups in the scene. I asked the guys what the experience was like for them traveling with so many like minded individuals and getting to play for thousands of fans. They described it as “exhausting fun” and an “overall very positive experience”. This should be come as no surprise from a band that seems to put interactions with fans as the foremost priority. From the beginning, this group made sure to always listen to what their fans have to say. Be it hanging out with fans after shows or communicating live with them on websites such as Myspace or Twitter, the AMP Army Street Team is group of diehard fans who really seem to help push the band’s success. The overall Warped Tour experience is something the band really enjoyed and they announced to me during the interview that they just signed on to do it again next summer.

The most interesting part of the interview came when I asked the group what music they’re listening to. Given the overall sound of the band, one would assume that they’d be really into some of the more aggressive, cutting edge rock bands on the circuit today. To my surprise, nearly every member of After Midnight Project mentioned bands that shocked me. Hidden beneath the Korn and Paramore were more obscure artists such as Bonobo and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, as well the equally unexpected John Mayer.

After the interview, I went back and listened to the bands music again. I certainly heard why the band was chosen to open that night for Papa Roach, but hidden beneath everything, I found Elliott Smith. On “Take Me Home” Jason’s pleading vocals and words convey recognition of a relationship that is falling apart yet he remains unable to cut the cord. Anyone familiar with Elliott Smith could listen to the song and think that he originally wrote the lyrics, as they match so flawlessly to Smith’s final year of life. It then occurred to me that this band really is unique. Their sound, though easily written off by some as being part of “that” genre, comes from artistic expression of multiple influences, and for that reason, the band will continue to succeed.

Audio Interview:

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Myspace

Ellyn Maybe’s Rodeo for the Sheepish is a CD collection of ten poems which includes favorites like “All My Life I’ve Wanted a Great Love,” “Picasso,” and “Being an Artist.” For those “not in the know” Ellyn Maybe is a very popular poet and spoken word artist based in Los Angeles. She has performed all over the country at venues such as the Bumbershoot and South by Southwest Festivals, Lollapalooza, MTV’s Spoken Wurd Tour in Los Angeles, The New School of New York, The Poetry Project, and on many college campuses. She has also read and slammed in Europe. She’s published a handful of books and chapbooks of poetry and some of her work is anthologized. “Rodeo for the Sheepish” is her first CD.

Each of Maybe’s poems is backed by a soundtrack of R&B laced with pop and jazz. A few tracks feature hot licks of saxophone and trombone. Backing vocalists sing a line from each poem as it plays, creating a chorus-like effect, which thankfully doesn’t get in the way of the poem or the poet’s voice, except on one track, “I Heard What Sounded Like a Song.” It can be a bit frustrating to parse out Maybe’s words from the overlaid song lyrics, but considering the poem’s title, maybe that’s just the right kind of flourish.

On CD Maybe’s voice is slightly lower than her characteristically high-pitched “little girl voice” heard at readings and her delivery is not at its usual quick clip, but these aren’t drawbacks, necessarily. Finding these small but enlightening differences in tone and pacing between her live readings and this recording adds another dimension to experiencing Ellyn Maybe and her poetry. Her trademark quixotic wit is still very much intact and her words, now alongside musical accompaniment, sound familiar and brand new all at once.

It’s worth noting that Maybe recently spent two years abroad in Prague while attending film school. Her poems are the richer for it. They’re accentuated by multiple histories–personal, literary, and filmic–and it’s as much an education to read up on her references to Oscar Levant and Harold Lloyd as it is to hear her describe what it’s like to listen to Sylvia Plath on LP.  Ellyn Maybe shows us that we never really outgrow a certain awkwardness associated with viewing the world from an outsider’s perspective. Charlie Chaplin couldn’t have said it better, even in the age of silent film.

CD: Rodeo for the Sheepish
copyright 2009 Ellyn Maybe
Hen House Studios
$15; available through Amazon.com

Right before Thanksgiving break I was able to see the Atticus Tour at nearby SOMA. Although all bands there were great, two in particular grabbed a hold of my attention. When I found out that these bands were touring together I made the necessary connections to interview them before their set at the concert.

Let's Get It

My night began by spending some time with the opening act, a band I believe will soon be huge on the scene, Let’s Get It. Now some of you may be asking: “Let’s get what?” but allow me to explain. Let’s Get it is an up and coming band that is looking to create a new sound. This group’s influences range from synth-based pop to symphony driven, hard rock, but this range of sound is expected out of a band who says that their car ride to San Diego was filled with a mix of The Black Dahlia Murder and Eminem. The good news is that this combination works perfectly and each of their songs sound surprisingly unique. This band’s music will get you pumped and get you ready to party; it just carries an energy that makes you want to move. This energy carries with them when you see them perform and it makes for an all-out awesome show. If you’re tired of looking for a new band to listen, only to find the same sound over and over, you can finally stop search. Let’s Get It is a band that I would highly suggest you check out or catch on their next tour in early 2010.

Blessthefall

As I’m walking to class in Zombie mode on a Monday morning, I scroll through my iPod looking for the band that will get me ready and make my walk from the Vistas a somewhat enjoyable experience. I realize that I often end up only to the B’s and choose the band Blessthefall . Ever since I got their new album Witness I can’t help but stop on their name every time I’m looking through my music.

After catching up with Let’s Get It, I was able to spend a few minutes with Blessthefall’s bassist Jared Warth to talk about what has changed with their band since the release of their first album His Last Walk and what created the greatness behind their new album Witness. Since their first album, they had undergone a lead singer change from Craig Mabbitt to new singer Beau Bokan. Jared explained to me that Beau brings a whole new, positive energy to the band that shows up on Witness. He also told me bands such as Killswitch Engage, Thrice, and Story of the Year inspired the style and sound of Witness, so if you like these guys you should check out the band’s most recent album. The combination of bands like these, mixed with Blessthefall’s original style creates an awesome listening experience. They are bringing it hot and heavy and have an intensity that few bands can match.

If you are looking to check Blessthefall out, Jared suggested to get a feel of their music by checking out these songs of their new album: “What’s Left of Me”, “Witness”, and, for a more pop sound, “Hey Baby, Here’s That Song You Wanted.” I would suggest those who like to listen to hardcore music to check these guys out and try to catch them when they are on tour again. Overall, I had a great night, catching up with a long time favorite, and learning more about one of the newest and most promising bands out there today.

J Tillman

In an anxious state of mind, trying to complete my editor work for the newspaper on Tuesday night in the hopes that I would at least catch the majority of J Tillman’s set at the Casbah, my hopes of making the show on time began to diminish while driving on the 5 South at 11:10 P.M. on December 1. Frantically charging down the street, leaving the Mrs. a good ten steps behind, I turned the corner where the bouncer studied the guest list for our names. Our names not being there, I began by explaining my friend had just been down here to do an interview with Tillman. As the words rolled off my tongue, Tillman walked around the corner, glaring at his cell phone and asked, “Are you Ryan and Kaitlin?”
This was a fortunate stroke of serendipity. However, I feel I have the right to speculate that he was waiting for our arrival to begin the show because not a moment later, he regrouped with his band members and began plugging in on stage. Tillman’s kindness echoed in his soothing voice and gentle words. Even when drunken bystanders in the back continually spoke over his soft and mellow songs, he didn’t have the heart to ask them to be respectful but only remarked in his charming tone, “I just want them to like me.” With this he asked if anyone had any songs they would like to hear and “James Blues” was requested politely by a man in attendance to hear some music. Alone on his guitar, lightly strumming, Tillman beautifully sang the song with words decorating a depressed soul quite gracefully.
Best known for his role as the drummer of Fleet Foxes, Tillman epitomizes the musical ear, having the capability to move between an array of instruments flawlessly. Aside from his acoustic guitar and gorgeous voice, he shared intimate moments with a flute, vertical cymbal, and tambourine, making for an experimental session, aesthetically pleasing to anyone with taste. Many of the songs were approached with a slow-paced fashion, but eventually transformed into a heavy jam, dropping down to his knees to slam the vertical cymbal he had set up to the right of his feet. After the show I praised his choice to bring such a heavy tone into a melodious style of music and conveyed my hope that he would continue in that direction. Tillman responded, “A lot of people have said that so it is something I definitely think about.”
It’s unfortunate that he only played about eight songs. I don’t know if he was tired or fed up with the rudeness of the drunkards but I would like to have heard much more from this musician. The peacefulness of the music had me in a trance, yearning for more. I can only wonder how it might feel to be disrespected like Tillman was at the Casbah. He said it was upsetting but he couldn’t really hear them all that much. I think that statement was Tillman just being the humble man he is, but it was evident that the other members of the band were irritated. When at a small venue there is nothing more disconcerting than people who feel the need to converse during a performance. However, there is nothing more pleasing than a performer who is so self-effacing.

Hello everyone, thanks for tuning into Late Night Trance this week.  In case you missed it, here is the recording of the show.  It was the second week of mixing the show live and things went very well, let me know what you think.  Have a great break, good luck on finals, and make sure to tune in next semester!

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