New and improved KSLC radio system

Over the summer of 2013, Linfield's student radio station received several major upgrades that has the station poised for one of the most successful years in its short history.

Using its funds from the Associated Students of Linfield College (ASLC), the station purchased and has installed a new automated music system.

The system will a replace an outdated one and allow for a much more professional style broadcast to come out of the studio. Not only will the system upgrade the flow of music, new features will allow shows to be produces much more like a professional commercial station.

Along with upgrading the automated music system, live-assist and voice tracking, two of the most common features of larger stations will now be possible The new software will allow for recorded pieces to be done in advance and inserted into the system. The equipment inside the KSLC studio wasn't the only thing that received some major upgrades.

The station also purchased a new remote broadcasting system, which will improve the station's already successful sports broadcasts. On top of this, plans are in the works for KSLC to broadcast all comedians and Cat Cabs this year. The new KSLC staff is excited to get a new year started and bring the station's great content to the entire campus. Along with music, the station also provides talk shows on sports, pop culture. News Director Max Milander will be starting up the station's first one hour news show soon.

Technical Director Jeremy Odden has been in the middle of all of the happenings at KSLC. He has been instrumental in the installation of the new automation as well as all of the cleaning up that has gone on at the station. "It's been a long, fun process," Odden said. " We're slowly cleaning up and streamlining the station, and still have a few ideas up our sleeves!"

KSLC is open to any student that wishes to contribute a show. To schedule a show and setup a training time, contact General Manager Jerry Young at jyoung@linfield.edu.

For more information about the station, along with a complete schedule list for in studio, remote, and sports broadcasts, head to http://www.linfield.edu/kslcfm.html.

Jerry Young / KSLC General Manager

Young voice sings of love in new album

The topic of love often plagues the minds of young girls throughout their teenage years, but most cannot express it in such a delicate and soulful way as 17-year-old singer- songwriter Olivia Millerschin does in her new album, "Yes.No.Maybe So."

The Michigan songstress is set to open on a nation-wide tour opening for Teddy Geiger starting this April.

Millerschin has a soulful voice similar to some of her folk-acoustic predecessors like Sara Bareilles or Colbie Caillat.

Millerschin's songs have a light airy feel that is reminiscent of teenage summer days. She has a sound similar to that of acoustic group Garfunkel and Oates and, like the aforementioned, has a knack for humor with songs like "Screw Valentine's Day."

Her music isn't comedic, however. She has an ability to analyze love and look at life and success and the future; all things that kids on the brink of adulthood think about.

She doesn't approach these subjects like a normal teenager, however. She has a maturity about her, and her voice moves you away from images of teen troubles to seeing her lyrics as truly relevant to the transformation into adulthood.

Although only 17 years old, Millerschin has gotten critics to take notice. In her short career, she has been nominated for three Detroit Music Awards and performed at numerous festivals throughout the country.

The album hits its best moments early with her up-and-coming hit "Screw Valentine's Day" and is at its best on the fourth track "I Can Say." The song tackles the perils of letting others dictate your path and hold you back from your future.

"I was once a tree, rising from the ground," Millerschin sings. "Winter, spring, summer, or fall, I still grew tall till you cut me down. Are you really happy now?"

The album has a bit of an up and down feel to me. It isn't well-paced and jumps from fast to slow and deep to light hearted without much guidance for the listener.

This pace certainly doesn't take away from her talent. Millerschin is a well-versed songstress and the album has the ability to capture the attention of the listener for the duration.

To hear Olivia Millerschin's "Yes.No.Maybe So." tune into 90.3 KSLC or listen online at www.linfield.edu/kslcfm and look for her opening nationwide on the Teddy Geiger tour beginning this month.

 

Tyler Sedlacek/KSLC staff

Tyler Sedlacek can be reached at kslcmusic@gmail.com.

Funk band refreshes music scene

Made up of college kids who graduated with an appreciation of rock and punk, Guy Fox is a band of four Bates College graduates who then moved to San Francisco to produce their self-titled EP Guy Fox.

The unique thing about Guy Fox is that all four musicians sing on their tracks, even the drummer Peter Granquist. Even the story behind the name of the band is a story that Guy Fox tells at every performance.

Guy Fox was a 17th century assassin who tried to demolish the British Parliament. The band wanted to exhibit the same passion and drive as the legendary Guy Fox, thus the name of their passionate band.

The band reminds me a lot of a funk band I used to listen to back home call Mingo Fishtrap. Both bands incorporate a soul and electronic feel into their beats and rhythms. The college music grads were able to take everything they learned in their music program and bring it to life through funk sounds.

Rasputain's Music and Artist of the Month by San Francisco Deli Magazine labeled Guy Fox Buzz Band of the Week.
Guy Fox has now sold out shows all of San Francisco as it continues to host guest appearances and go on radio talk shows all across the Bay Area.

The second song on Guy Fox's self-named LP, "Live Forever," gives a jazzier recap of what it could be like to go to sleep and never get to wake up.

It connects with the listeners on a deeper level, which I think has to do with its attention to detail and lyrics throughout the EP.

Guy Fox just released a brand new single called "San Francisco" on Feb. 19. The new single can be streamed online through its website and is definitely worth a listen. The new track brings a newer sound that leans toward a more soul-pop sound.

Listen for Guy Fox, an alternative modern-day funk that will make you want to dance, on KSLC. To hear more songs and to check them out for yourself you can go to KSLC and listen. We are now streaming online so go to our website and listen to the Best in the Northwest Student Station, KSLC 90.3 FM, www.linfield.edu/kslcfm.

Haydn Nason

KSLC General Manager

Haydn Nason can be reached at kslcmusic@gmail.com

Del Rey leaves listeners lost in paradise

The self-proclaimed "gangsta Nancy Sinatra" releases the follow- up to her debut album, her much-anticipated EP "Paradise," just in time for the holiday season.

With the EP's nine tracks, "Paradise" is what you would expect from the 26-year-old singer, who shot to fame via YouTube videos.

Though I never heard Del Rey's debut album in full, her singles, such as "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" offer an eerie sense of what type of musician Del Rey is and strives to be. It takes a lot of guts to call yourself the "Nancy Sinatra" of our generation.

Born and raised in New York, Del Rey suffered through a tough childhood and found solace in music.

Citing Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Janis Joplin as some of her inspirations, Del Rey wanted to create music that was reminiscent of '50s and '60s Americana.

"Paradise" includes direct references to pop culture icons, such as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe in "Body Electric" and Bruce Springsteen in "American."

The top three tracks to check out on "Paradise" are "Ride," "Gods & Monsters" and its closing song, "Burning Desire."

"Ride" references Del Rey's dark days as an adolescent, regarding her alcohol abuse, parental problems and depression.

"I don't really wanna know what's good for me," Del Rey sings in "Gods & Monsters," which may also parallel the criticism she has received since she's been under the spotlight.

What's intriguing about Del Rey is her ability to be a breath of fresh air for the music industry. Her voice is unique and distinguished, which allows listeners to emotionally connect to her lyrics, as well as the cinematic sound she has embodied.

With lyrical content regarding Americana, love and lust, loneliness, and suffering, Del Rey's "Paradise" creates an atmosphere for listeners to get swept away due to her deep, sultry soulful voice. In other words, listeners will find themselves 'lost in paradise' and enchanted by Del Rey's refreshing sound that the indie/pop industry is now lacking.

While "Paradise" contains some explicit content, it's worth a listen. Del Rey takes some risks on her follow-up to "Born to Die," and though it's not an extreme departure from the latter, her musical experimentations are certainly appreciated.

Tune into KSLC 90.3 FM to hear Lana Del Rey: "Paradise." You can also listen online at www.linfield.edu/kslcfm or stream the station on iTunes.

Vanessa So

Assistant Music Director

Band combines catchy beats and bluegrass sound

The unique sounds of bluegrass and country-rock collide to bring you Boston native band Comanchero.

This five-member band works together to bring catchy yet rhythmic music to Linfield's radio station, KSLC.

Comanchero is defined as western Hispanic traders who were known for being the best customers of trading in that region, which inspired the western sounds found in the band's music.

The band has performed together all across the United States for more than seven years. They have opened and worked with bands like Passion Pit and The Mother Truckers.

They have continued to travel after playing in more than 100 shows from coast to coast.

One of the tracks, titled "Jimmy Carter," brings bongos and eclectic guitar sounds together to create a lively, foot-stomping beat. Clever lyrics are guaranteed when you listen to any of Comanchero's songs.

Many different bands and artists, such as Wilco, Mumford and Sons and Led Zeppelin, influence Comanchero's unique sounds. It is easy to pick up on these important contributors when you listen to this bluegrass and funk music.

Comanchero is continuing to grow in number of followers on the East coast after releasing its third album, "The Undeserved," which can be found on its website.

Listen for Comanchero, a fun bluegrass band that will make you want to dance, on KSLC.

To hear more songs and to check them out for yourself, you can go to KSLC and listen.

We are now streaming online so go to our website and listen to the Best in the Northwest Student Station, KSLC 90.3 FM, www.linfield.edu/kslcfm.



Haydn Nason/For the Review
Haydn Nason can be reached at kslcmusic@gmail.com.