Back in July, I had the privilege of being able to interview the renowned Todd Rundgren as he was on his Damned If I Do Tour. It was an interview that went pretty dang well all things considered. I feel as though I was really able to get the idea of what this guy's all about, and I found myself interested in what he was all about. Following the interview, I was able to get my name on the guest list for his show at Bell's Beer Garden right here in Kalamazoo on July 17th. What a wonderful treat that was, and a nice show it ended up being. Odd as it may sound, this was actually my first time going to see an artist live at Bell's. I had been to the Beer Garden before, this year on Oberon Day when they had a DJ. But that wasn't a concert, that was more or less a festival that happened to have a guy mixing stuff on his laptop. The difference here though, is that I was actually going to Bell's with the intention of seeing live music, as opposed to getting some citrusy-ale down my gullet. With that said, the Oberon was certainly a plus, but more on that later. I got in line to enter the venue with my super-mega-ultra concert bestie Eden, and we were hoping to have a good time. I remember we were uncertain if the restaurant itself was open, since their website said they were closed on mondays. I am happy to report that the interior of the restaurant was open that night. I would assume they do this whenever they have a concert, but I can’t say for certain. Feel free to toss an orange in my face if I’m wrong. The fit in question: (Pc to Eden, Jeans not pictured </3) This older gentleman behind us in line heard our discussion about whether or not it was open, and he told us that we would have a good time either way and that “Only good vibes are allowed here.” A younger woman next to him, who I would assume is his daughter, complimented my outfit. I was wearing new jeans that I had just gotten from the thrift store. Not long after that, an eccentrically dressed lady in front of us turned around and asked us if we wanted to touch her stone. “I heard you were talking about vibes and I wanted to share this with you.” She explained that the stone supposedly carried good luck. Just within the line, before having entered the concert, I felt a nice sense of community and shared values. These people really did feel like they were around for each other which is great. We got to the end of the line and I was able to tell them I was on the guest list. Let me tell you right now; NOTHING inflates your ego like being able to say that and then enter a paid entry location for free. I would have taken a picture of the list itself, but it contained personal information about attendees which had to remain anonymous. Just know that it happened, and that I’m kinda a big deal around here. B) Lukas and Eden giving a proper cheers with their Tropical Oberons. Once we got in, we both went to get a drink. We both got a Tropical Oberon and man… that feels so good in near 80 degree weather with low humidity. For those unfamiliar, this is the classic Oberon but with passionfruit, pink guava, and mango flavors. Highly recommended to lovers of the base, citrus-infused ale. We both got our drinks, and headed out by the stage to await the show's start. Upon a short moment of looking around us, we found it funny that we were among the youngest people there. I had talked with a few people at the show, and found that for many, this was not their first time seeing Todd perform live. One man I had talked to said that this was his 43rd time seeing him, but his first time seeing him without his wife. I didn’t find it necessary to pry further. Just know that this blog post is dedicated to this man and the life that he continues to live. Todd Rundgren Performing On-Stage at Bell's Beer Garden. At about 7:00pm, Todd and his band come out onto the stage. All things considered, he has good stage presence being 78 years old. He wasn’t doing any backflips or shooting himself out of a cannon or nothing, but he was having fun and you could tell. He also had a good comedic sense about him, which was nice. During an acoustic part of his set, he verbally debated about what they would do if a train came by during the song. There’s a train track that runs behind the stage at Bell’s, and a train had already passed that night before the show. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he said. At another point, Todd was just about to play his biggest song Hello It’s Me. Before starting, he bragged that he had a song that everyone knows. “Not every artist can say that,” he started. “Name me one Kid Rock song. They call him the Mar-A-Lago cowboy!” I regret to inform you dear reader, that I am in fact a Todd Rundgren larper. I had not known of this man’s existence until recently and therefore do not have an intimate knowledge of his discography. Because of that, I cannot accurately relay the information of what songs he played or the order in which he had played them. All I can tell you is what I know and what I have learned. He started with the song Evrybody, which was pretty fun. He had us clapping our hands, waking ourselves up and whatnot. A good exercise for all of us out there. He obviously played his most popular song Hello It’s Me, which peaked at number 5 on the billboard charts back in One song that really stuck out was called Down With the Ship, and this was Eden’s favorite song. It had a slide whistle and featured him doing a caribbean accent. Whether or not that’s politically correct is for you to decide, I’m just stating the facts. It was memorable at the very least. What was really cool was his encore, which consisted of a medley of some of his oldest classics. I know this because I saw someone online tell me that it was a medley of some of his oldest classics. Again, I wouldn’t know. I’m a larper. But overall, the music was good. Some fun jams, some slow jams, not a jelly in the bunch. A Todd Rundgren button from the merch table. Around the middle of the show and after the pee break (yes, there was an actual pee break and Todd himself called it that), he thanked us for coming out to the show. That’s not unusual, but I remember the way he did it really stuck out. “I’m not sure if you heard or not, but we’re at war right now.” Tundgren announced to an audience that booed in response. “And because of that war, everything is expensive as s***. And you chose to spend your expendable income here. And for that I personally thank you.” This was a very aggressively early 70’s way of saying it, and it was red meat to the audience attending the show. He thanked us again at the end of the show after the encore, and I swear that he was literally pointing straight at me and Eden as he said it. Whether this was due to our location being near the center-front of the audience or him recognizing my face from the Zoom interview last month is anyone’s guess, but it was really cool. A special thank you to Todd Rundgren and Bell’s Brewery for having me join you last week. If you’re curious about the interview I conducted with Todd, you can read it right here.

On July 17th, 2026, I sat down for a digital interview with Psychedelic Pop Singer-Songwriter Todd Rundgren. Having been writing and performing original music for about 60 years, Todd Rundgren is embarking on his Damned If I Do Tour. During the interview, he had elaborated that this tour had an intentional focus on his older, fan favorite works. “I want to go out there and see to it that the fans have a good time,” Rundgren stated. At the time of recording, he was at a hotel in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where he was scheduled to play at Bally’s Twin Rivers Casino the following day. A graphic displaying August Dates for Rundgren’s US Tour and September dates for the European Tour. ( @the_todd_rundgren on instagram) When I got in the zoom call with him, I simply had to ask about the radio show he once hosted. During the mid 90’s, he DJed the syndicated program The Difference with Todd, which was nominated for a number of awards. The show ended in November of 1996, however, as a result of an altered show format. Rundgren was able to offer some valuable insight to his experience with the industry and why he left. “The station I was working with started taking advertising money from truck companies, which made them try and brand themselves for a certain demographic,” said Rundgren. “They were trying to get me to play more country music, but I only wanted to play music I truly believed in. That friction grew to a point where I had to step back.” The idea of radio being a space primarily occupied by corporate entities is not new, but hearing an instance of it happening to someone right in front of me was interesting. Todd also shared his perspective on songwriting, and spoke about why he continues to write and perform music. I pointed out that many of his contemporaries no longer release music or tour, and wanted to know what kept him going. “I’m still enjoying it,” Rundgren responded simply. “Groups like the Eagles for example, they only really have the old hits that people want to hear. The new stuff is largely ignored. But if you’re dedicated and you have fans who are dedicated, there’s no reason to ever stop.” Todd Rundgren turned 78 this year in June, and that perspective is one that I have a lot of respect for. His career spans multiple decades of pop culture history and is one full of great stories and experiences. Todd Rundgren (third from the right) in the studio recording A Wizard / A True Star. (Walk on the Wild Side Tours NYC) I was curious to hear from him what he thought the biggest risk of his career was. In his eyes, it was his album A Wizard / A True Star (1973). This was his fourth solo album and his third to be released under the name Todd Rundgren. “Up until that point, I had mostly been doing more conventional sounding music, like I did on Something / Anything?. But with A Wizard / A True Star, I was able to try out a lot of things.” He also took pride in this record as being influential for a number of artists. “Down the line, this one had a lot of staying power,” Todd said. Rundgren added to this when I prompted him to tell me about his memories while recording A Wizard / A True Star. “It was a lot of fun,” he said through a smile. “We were given more or less full creative control there. We would just go into the studio and record anything that came to mind.” Listening to the album, his freeform approach to production, songwriting, and performance bleeds through every facet of the record, for better or worse. To end the interview, I asked Todd if he was a coffee drink, what kind he would be. “I don’t drink a lot of coffee nowadays-” he said through a chuckle. “If I ever do get a coffee though, I would usually want a double shot espresso from Starbucks. I suppose that would be my answer.” As a certified Starbucks not-enjoyer, I was tepid on this response. But maybe the jokes on me for that, and a good joke it is. Rundgren will be stopping in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 17th, 2026 at Bell’s Beer Garden, and tickets are nearly sold out as of the date I am writing this. Fortunately for me, I was given a pair of tickets to this show and intend to share more about that experience when it happens. Written By Lukas Filcek, General Manager '26-'27

The third annual Vine Fest celebration took place on June 20th from noon until 10:00pm, featuring local artists from Kalamazoo and beyond. The free event was hosted at Davis Street Park and was a fundraiser for the Vine Neighborhood Association. This was my first time attending this festival. Every Saturday at 2:00, I host my show Audiophile Hour. I tell you this not as a shameless plug (even though it totally is), but because this quirk of my routine prevented me from being at the Festival earlier than 3:00. Likewise, my friend Eden, whom I invited, wasn't able to be there until about 4:30-ish. I do wish that I could have been there to see Julian Bugbee, who played at 2:15. Their studio recorded music is very well produced and I would have loved to see how they sound live. Alas, I arrived at around 3:15, just in the middle of the Two Dollar Bills’ set. Despite my late arrival and our trip to the bar around 7:00, I was glad to be able to meet most of the musicians that performed after their sets. That kinda stuff is easily the best part of these smaller shows. I was able to find my friend Hach a few minutes later, whom I have had as a guest on my show in the past. Soon after, his band’s guitarist Kyle came up to us as well. I was really glad to meet him, as I had wanted to see Paper Sound live for a while now. (and to ask him what G.E.H.P.O.I. meant (I will not relay this information here for reasons you will have to guess for yourself)) The band Landlines performing (pc to Eden) After Two Dollar Bills’ set, I got to say hey to the band’s guitarist Luke. We had met earlier this year at another show back in April, but it was great catching up with him. Solid guy and part of a cool band. Spirit Soup played after them, and I really liked how elegant yet rustic their set was. Harmonica is always a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing where they take this earthy, bedroom pop sound in the future. It was around during their performance my friend Eden arrived, and we watched the rest of their set from the playground structure. Lots of fun. Landlines is a band I hadn’t heard of until the festival, and their sound was a really solid performance of twinkly emo music with a cool theme. They did a good job getting me interested in their sound and the story that they wanted to tell through their music. I’ll have to look into them some more. The Honey Pot is a band that is based in Detroit, but was founded by some guys who used to live in vine during the 2000’s. Don’t let that age fool you though; these guys know how to have a good time. I specifically remember exchanging information with Pedro, their bassist who gave me their debut album on CD. I’m glad they got to make the journey to Kalamazoo. I’m also glad that Free Joel was able to be here from Indiana. Their classic rock and roll style was inspired and refreshing. You could tell that each member of the band was really excited to be there and talk with people after the show. Eden actually got a shirt from them, and it was a pretty nice design too. I could write an entire blog post just about Paper Sound’s set alone. These guys are awful and there’s no debating it. They tried to pass off a propane tank as a cowbell. Their idiot bassist tried to start a mosh pit on the playground. This utter buffoon dressed in black was running around and playing trombone. Easily the best part of my entire month. The Blank also played at the festival; a self-described goth punk band who as far as my knowledge goes was the highest profile act there. I got to meet the frontman at their merch table before their set, and was able to pick up a sticker as well. Unfortunately, we did not see their set because Eden and I went to the bar for a Guinness after Paper Sound. It was unfortunate, but it’s as rule number one of the Vine neighborhood states: When O’Duffy’s calls, you pick up the phone. We got back to Davis Street Park just in time for Domain Master’s set, which was the last band to play at Vine Fest. These guys really rocked. They were heavy, fun, and conscious. A really good choice for a closing act too. Seeing them play as the sky swallowed the sun was picturesque. Not long after arriving at the park, I was greeted by the festival’s coordinator (and one of WIDR’s community DJs, known as Wombat Music), Maya. I could tell that she was hard at work and enjoying every minute of it. Throughout the event, she was taking a lot of pictures, video recordings, and smiling the entire time. She did a great job acting as an MC and made the event feel lively and professional. Skai Stelzer was one of the art vendors who also created a poster for the festival (see top of page). In fact, all of the art vendors helped in making the event what it was, and I admire each and everyone of their craftsmanship. I also want to thank Dan and Will: two WIDR alumni who graduated this spring and helped with producing and recording the music that played at the festival. If you want to listen to the performances that took place at the festival, they should be uploaded on Bandcamp in the near future. Written By Lukas Filcek, General Manager '26-'27

The National Weather Service has put out an Extreme Heat Warning starting June 29 through July 2. Here are some resources and information for keeping cool this week! Cooling Centers Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries - 448 North Burdick in Kalamazoo No ID or residency requirements for cooling center use. Guests can remain and transition into dinner service. Ministry with Community - 500 N. Edwards St in Kalamazoo Adults and children accompanied by a parent or guardian are welcomed between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. No ID or residency requirement are necessary, but no pets are allowed. Kalamazoo Public Library: Central Library - 315 South Rose Street in Kalamazoo Open 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Washington Square Branch - 1244 Portage Street in Kalamazoo Open 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Eastwood Branch - 1112 Gayle Avenue in Kalamazoo Open 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Alma Powell Branch - 308 West North Street in Kalamazoo Open 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Library: Oshtemo Branch - 7265 W. Main Street in Kalamazoo Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Salvation Army Kalamazoo - 1700 South Burdick Street in Kalamazoo Open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.). Service animals permitted; no other pets allowed. Greater Open Door Church - 416 Phelps Avenue in Kalamazoo Open 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Portage Zhang Senior Center - 203 East Centre Avenue in Portage Open 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Service animals permitted; no other pets allowed. Comstock Community Center - 6330 King Highway in Kalamazoo Open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. May close during severe weather if staff safety becomes a concern. Public Water Recreation Areas Kik Pool - 1018 Walter Street in Kalamazoo (Open on Wednesday from 1:30 PM – 8 PM) La Crone Park Splash Pad - 535 West Paterson Street in Kalamazoo Florence Street Splash Pad - 534 Florence Street in Kalamazoo Public water fountains are also available for hydration at Dr. Martin Luther King Park, Bronson Park, and Southside Park. Source: WWMT Weather Forecast This Week Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 74. Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 92. Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Independence Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Source: National Weather Service

Happy Pride WIDRites! This month WIDR Music Director, Zoe, asked each of directors their favorite queer artists to recommend. This WIDR PRIDE playlist is made up of recommendations from our lovely music team and directors! Check it out on our Spotify. Stay tuned for National Pride Day, June 28th, for all day pride programming on-air! Now here are your director recs: Elijah: Production Director Ben Platt - Vienna PVRIS - Hallucinations Hayley Kiyoko - Found My Friend Genevieve: Program Director Sammy Rae and the Friends - Coming Home, If It All Goes South, Kick It To Me, Jackie Onassis Elton John - Tell Me When The Whistle Blows, I’ve Seen That Movie Too, Philadelphia Freedom Durand Bernarr - Generous Amelia Day - Skipping Down The Sidewalk Zoe: Music Director Steve Lacy - Dark Red, Sunshine, Amber David Bowie - Sound and Vision, Under pressure (DOUBLE WHAMMY!), Changes King Princess - Jaime, Ain’t Together, You Destroyed My Heart Lukas: General Manager Car Seat Headrest - Nervous Young Inhumans (mirror to mirror), Sober To Death, The Catastrophe Ethel Cain - Janie, Knuckle Velvet, Hard Times Glass Beach - Motions, Forever (check this one out first), Puppy Sarah: Promotion Director awakebutstillinbed - opener, life, fathers Florry - Older Girlfriend, Take My Heart, Drunk And High Yves Tumor - Romanticist, Kerosene!, Limerence Will: Digital Media Director Madonna - Like A Prayer, Material Girl Celeste Allison - UGLY, Blush Rina Sawayama - Beg For You, XS Production Manager/Sam: 100 Gecs - 25 bands and a gecko, where’s my head at Blondshell - Olympus, Two Times Orville Peck - Kansas (remembers me now), winds change

After their album release of "Lost on You" in March 2026, Tigers Jaw embarked on the second half of their USA tour, starting in no other city but Detroit Rock City! The show was opened by Bleary Eyed and Pool Kids. Bleary Eyed - Image from floodmagazine Bleary Eyed Bleary Eyed is rock group from Philly PA. They threw down, playing some fuzzy, twinkly, sort of shoegaze-y sounds that got the pit all buzzin' around. The singer, Nathaniel Salfi, hadn't slept in 2 days and thought he was still in Philly, which was silly. Such an energetic group, and it reminds me how much I love getting to shows early for the openers, as I often end up becoming a fan after the show. Pool Kids - Image from ourculturemag Pool Kids Originating from Tallahassee, Florida, Pool Kids showed OUT, with some good old fashioned emo and math rock. I was absolutely stoked when I first heard the guitarist play the most twinkly riff that has ever graced my ears. Live and up close. This band really got the energy going in the crowd, as the pit began to spiral. These guys also were very informative and helpful with people trying to crowd surf. Way too many people weren't getting caught, and people were just flying everywhere. The kids in the pit were rambunctious, and I was tempted to jump in, but I knew I had to save my energy for Tigers Jaw. Tigers Jaw Tigers Jaw came on, and lead singer Ben Walsh went right into it, opening with three songs off the new album Lost on You: “It’s Ok,” “Primary Colors,” and “Head is Like a Sinking Stone.” At that point, I moshed my way into the pit, and I wasn’t coming out. “Head is Like a Sinking Stone” was one of my favorite tracks off the new album, so the second I heard that opening, I knew it was time to start moving. Tigers Jaw has cited Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance as some of their influences, and it totally comes across in their punchy guitars and emotional lyrics. What I love most about this band is the balance in their music. They have songs that are slower, emotional, and gut-wrenching, but they also have loud, fast, nasty emo songs that make you want to stage dive, crowd surf, and throw yourself around. Honestly, it helped the flow of the concert too. During the slower songs, there were fewer people crowd surfing, less sweaty moshing, and a chance to breathe before everything picked back up again. Tigers Jaw - Image by Sarah Mainero Soon after, they played my favorite song, “Between Your Band and the Other Bands.” I was with a couple of other girls near the front, and we were all dancing and screaming the lyrics together. That’s another thing I love about this group, the audience isn’t just a bunch of gross old dudes. The front left side of the stage was full of girls, and we all looked out for each other if someone got knocked down or pushed too hard. I felt safe and supported in this crowd, not afraid to jump around and dance as hard as I wanted. The band played almost every song off the album, mixed in with some of their most popular tracks. Some standout songs for me were “June,” “Sun,” and “Plane vs Tank vs Submarine.” Throughout the show, people were constantly stage diving and crowd surfing. I remember seeing this group of younger kids who looked like they had stepped straight out of the proper 2000s emo scene with spiked arm cuffs, aggressive side parts, and heavy black eyeliner. Every time one of them got up to crowd surf, they all started screaming together like it was the craziest moment of their lives. Maybe for a fifteen-year-old emo kid, it was. It reminded me of my first real mosh pit when I was fourteen. Lydia Night, former lead singer of The Regrettes, pulled a Kathleen Hanna moment and called all the girls to the front. The crowd was so packed that every time I jumped, it felt like for just a second, I was floating above everyone. That experience felt absolutely electrifying. Tigers Jaw guitar pick I nabbed :3 The group ended with “I Saw Water,” a song filled with emotion and sadness that perfectly tied off the night. Ben Walsh honestly seems like such a nice guy — he just kept thanking the crowd, and we thanked him too. It’s funny how wholesome he seems for someone writing songs that are so angry and sad. The first time I saw Tigers Jaw was at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo, and I didn’t know any of their music. Now, after becoming a fan and learning the songs and lyrics, the experience felt real and deeply connected. I’m genuinely thankful for these communities of welcoming people who are all there for the same reason, the universal language; music. Written by Sarah Mainero, WIDR Promotion Director '26-27

Preface: This review was written by Lukas Filcek, and Airstaff and Music Team Member. Slayyyter is currently not available 89.1 WIDR FM , and there are no current plans to add it to WIDR's rotation. Another queer midwest princess in LA from Missouri??? Make no mistake, neither Slayyyter nor Chappell are going anywhere, and the former's newest release ensures that there can and will be more than one icon in this niche going forward. Growing quickly on social media, Catherine Garner has amassed a cult following as early as her first Mixtape Slayyyter, named for her alias. Songs like Daddy AF and Alone from that project spread fast in LGBTQ+ circles, and a steady supply of new music has snowballed into the magnum opus that is her newest album, WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA. Slayyyter herself carries a spirit and presence similar to Charli XCX, but maintains a grounded appeal. You get the feeling that she could be anyone, but also displays clear signs that she is someone bigger than that. This is most clearly expressed in the track I'M ACTUALLY KINDA FAMOUS, but songs like GAS STATION display rare authenticity and a look into a more downcast picture. Of course, the primary draw here is still the unapologetic tea being served with tracks like BEAT UP CHANEL$, CANNIBALISM!, and OLD TECHNOLOGY. It’s all delectable and delicious sleaze. Sleaze. It’s a word that’s thrown around in a derogatory context, particularly to look down upon decadent behavior and “low brow” entertainment. This term is not one that people often find themselves openly associating themselves with, but you’d be blind to not see how this album fits that label. In that way, WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA makes itself vulnerable. Slayyyter channels the shame that comes with sleaze into something both picturesque and distinctly human in nature. The third LP from Slayyyter is a turning point for her career and another pin connecting the interwoven world of modern dance and electronic music. If you’re ever been banging in the club and woke up the next day unsure of how it all happened, this record is sure to resonate with something in you.

This week at WIDR, we're enjoying some of the spring weather coming through Kalamazoo as the semester comes to an end. We're still hard at work making sure your source for radio evolution is stocked up on brand new tracks every week! We'll be starting off with Caity Ahearne and some of her thoughts on the track Laid Back by Heat Above: " It's giving futuristic vibes with the synth going on. I really enjoy how it's upbeat, the vocals come in and it slows down a bit, but then the chorus hits and BOOM. So good. I very much enjoy this one. " Laid Back is a track off Heat Above's most recent album Lifers . Heat Above is a genre-blending band from Michigan formed in Flint in 2021. They recently played a show at the Old Goat Tavern in Kalamazoo and are currently on tour across Michigan. If you are interested in seeing Heat Above on tour, you can find tickets on heataboveband.com . You can listen to Lifers on the WIDR App and anywhere you get 89.1 WIDR FM. On the other side of Michigan artists spectrum, we have underscores! April Grey, a.k.a underscores is an (honorary) Michigan artists due to her last album Wallsocket being a concept that takes place in the fictional town of Wallsocket, Michigan. Gabriel Williams shares some of their thoughts on the new track Music : "This song starts hard with some funky beats mixing with soft vocals. The artist knows how to mix talking, singing, electronic beats into a crazy combo that works so well. There is also a crazy switch up about 2 minutes in where the beat goes away to something entirely different, a strange mash, but honestly somehow it works?? Love this artist." Music was one the first singles for U , underscores more recent album. U represents a departure from April's regular sound, leaning more into electronic pop instead of her usual brand of hyper pop and rock. You can listen to U on the WIDR App or anywhere you get 89.1 WIDR FM. underscores has announced a tour for the album, if you are interested you can find tour dates and tickets on underscores.plus . For our final highlight of the week, we turn to Black Country, New Road's contribution to the complication album HELP(2) by War Child Records. We previewed one of the lead singles previously on the blog, Opening Night by Arctic Monkeys, with the full album coming out last month. HELP(2) features tracks from Damon Albarn, Cameron Winter, Fontaines D.C, and King Krule. As a charity album, all funds generated goes to support children living in high conflict areas. Will McManus shares his thoughts on the Black Country, New Road track Strangers : " I liked the folky vibes on this, the female vocals, mandolin, and eventual fiddle were cool. What really sticks out to me is the tape saturation, which sounds too good to be an emulation. I love how the whole mix distorts when the kick and cymbal hit at the same time, that is very cool. Overall a great song. " You can listen to Strangers and other tracks on HELP(2) on the WIDR App and anywhere you can listen to 89.1 WIDR FM.

Preface: This review was written by Lukas Filcek of the Music Team as part of his Music Review for that week. Singin' to an Empty Chair is currently playing on 89.1 WIDR FM, and you can listen through widrfm.org, The WIDR App, or anywhere 89.1 WIDR FM is available. Chicago has long been a bastion of indie and alternative rock music in a region of the US that isn’t often thought of as an exporter of artistry and culture. It is in the southwestern elbow of Lake Michigan that well-regarded producer and writer Steve Albini set his base of operations, becoming a low-level deity in modern music. Beneath its lofty Industrial skylines is where bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Wilco, Alkaline Trio, and Fall Out Boy became household names. This long standing tradition hasn’t slowed down either, as bands like the sugary Beach Bunny and cinematic Friko have made sure of that. Another such group is Ratboys, founded by college-aged lovers Julia and Dave who moved back to the windy city after completing their degrees at Notre Dame. Eleven years after their first album AOID, they have a discography that spans across six studio LPs. The most recent of these is Singin’ to an Empty Chair, a record that shows a more country persuasion. These cues taken from a more rural sound make it a natural progression from their 2023 release, The Window, and set Ratboys apart from their peers. Julia’s voice in particular has a folksy charm to her pen game and delivery that makes her a good personality to lead you through this record. David also features prominently, getting many opportunities to show off some fun guitar noodlings and solid solos that create the feeling of a second lead character in response to the vocalist. Songs like Know You Then carry a poppy yet moody sound that evokes the aesthetics of Kim Deal. Burn It Down is a progressive track that makes the most of its seven minute runtime and features the whole band giving it their all. What’s Right takes cues from modern emo and is generally a good song for moping. At times, the formula of this record can feel, well, formulaic. Most of the songs are built with simple structure: Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Guitar Solo, Chorus. Of the songs that employ this structure, the aforementioned Know You Then is probably the real standout. Still, I would be lying if I were to say that every song is distinct and original, and it’s regrettable that I need to admit this record does have what I would call filler. I can call out Strange Love in particular for failing to carry its weight. But truth be told, there aren't really any large, gaping structural problems here. Despite not being too varied, the songs here that break from the mold or make the most of the stylistic choices are nice gems that make Lake Michigan’s indie rock tradition proud.

It's a new week here at 89.1 WIDR FM, and we're starting something brand new. It's the New Music Highlights! Each week, I'll be taking some of my favorite reviews the Music Team typed out to highlight new tracks that are now playing on WIDR! It's a great way to give dedicated listeners a taste of what's new at WIDR each week and another reason for them to tune in! Without further ado, the first highlight of the week is from local artist, Hach , with the rerecording and release of his album These Twisted Reveries . Hach has appeared multiple times on our station, with the earlier version of these tracks as well! On the track Gloomy Sunday , Music Team Member and DJ Gabriel Williams had this to say: "Very jazzy start. The vocals are intentionally soft and whispering. The song picks up with heavy guitar, making a solid rock segment before fading beautifully into a jazzy tone again. I can see the singer in a 40s club singing in a dim club with smoke in the air, and a moody detective slipping in the back to listen after being threatened and questioning if he should continue investigating. This artist, in just 4 songs, has become one of my top 10 favorites." If that's not a killer endorsement, then I don't know what is. You can check out Hach's new album on 89.1 WIDR FM and the WIDR App! Moving on, we have one of my personal favorite releases of the past year and an EP I've been dying to get my hands on, It's Jane Remover's <3 EP . Jane is an artist we've flirted with having on the station for several months, either never getting files that fit our standards or only getting music from her contemporaries, but at long last we finally have real Jane Remover content on our station! The highlights for this project are Flash in the Pan and How to Teleport . Lukas Filcek, another Music Team Member and DJ, offered these thoughts on each track: Flash in the Pan - "Can I just say when I was assigned this EP I thought the album was called "<3" instead of the heart emoji? That was disappointing to see, I like <3 more. :/ But yeah this is another pretty moody song. This track in particular is a good case study on how Myspace alternative music would become hyperpop. I feel like it's a really solid channeling of emotion and earnest feeling. Relatable." How to Teleport - "It's super quiet for the first 10 seconds or so. I do believe that this track is a standout otherwise and follows a progression that flows so well. I haven't talked about it at all yet, but she's got a really cool voice when the production actually gives you the space and room to process it. The beat kinda turns reggaeton for a moment? It uses those sounds and conventions in an ingenious way. Adore this song thoroughly." Our final highlight of the week is part of our weekly singles pack; it's Opening Night by Arctic Monkeys . This single was released in collaboration with War Child, the charity organization, as part of their newest album Help(2) . War Child is a charitable organization that gives psychological and physical support to children living through conflicts. Help(2), set to be released March 6,2026, was created to raise funds and spread awareness to the organization. Eliza Davis, a Music Team Member and DJ, shared these thoughts on the latest track: Opening Night - " This is AWESOME. Maybe just because everyone loves Arctic Monkeys, but it starts off chill and you get kinda nervous nothing else will happen, then boom it just gets so groovy and the lyrics are just great and unique, nothing repetitive or off putting. Very beautiful listening experience." You can check out each of these tracks (and many more!) by tuning into 89.1 WIDR FM through widrfm.org and the WIDR App. We'll see you here again next week for more New Music Highlights!

89.1 WIDR FM presents, WIDR Live! - Jazz Combo. Live Jazz music Performed every Sunday at 5PM. Tune in!! widrfm.org

Western Michigan University's Unified Clinics are presenting a program for those struggling with social anxiety, with a focus toward WMU students and young adults. it is a 6-week clinic at the WMed building which you can participate in at no charge to you! "It is a safe, script-free space to build the confidence you need for job interviews, presentations, and meeting new people, and to be in social situations." For information on Participating, reach out to Scott Baron at scott.baron@wmich.edu OR call the Unified Clinics' front desk at 269-387-7000 Yes, And… Improv for Social Anxiety Stop Overthinking. Start Playing. Applications Open | WMU Unified Clinics --- What is this? Yes, And… Improv for Social Anxiety is a 6-week interactive group experience. It is not a drama class. It is a space to retrain your nervous system using Improv Games. If you struggle with social anxiety, perfectionism, or overthinking, this group helps you get out of your head and into the moment. · No Acting Experience Required. Seriously. None. · No Scripts. · No Grades. --- How It Works We know walking into a room of strangers is hard. Here is exactly what happens: Phase 1: Safety (Weeks 1-2) We start in a circle. We play simple games to learn names and get comfortable. You will learn that "messing up" is safe here. Phase 2: The "Yes, And…" Rule (Weeks 3-4) We practice the core rule of improv: accepting what is happening right now. You will practice speaking before you have a "perfect plan" in your head. Phase 3: Practicing Uncertainty (Weeks 5-6) We use advanced games to simulate moments of ambiguity. You will practice sitting with the unknown and reacting without fear. You build the nervous system memory to handle awkward silences and surprise situations. --- What You Get At the end of the 6 weeks, you will walk away with: · Less Fear: A proven reduction in physical stress during social interactions. · More Flexibility: The ability to handle surprise without panicking. · A Certificate: You will receive a Certificate in Applied Behavioral Agility to put on your resume. --- "Do I have to be funny?" No. This isn't comedy. This is about connection. This doesn’t mean you can’t be funny! And you have full permission to have fun!