Since the wild success of breakout album Crazy For You in 2010, indie poppers Best Coast, a.k.a. Los Angeles’s Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, have garnered unrivaled popularity on a global scale, with a down-to-earth attitude that doesn’t conceal their enormous musical talents. Songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Cosentino, a former child actress, fell in love with vintage surf rock as a teen, and since then has been penning hit singles like “Our Deal,” “Boyfriend,” and “The Only Place” – angsty, candid, and infectiously toe-tappable songs about everything from crushes to the beach to the love of a pet cat.

The band’s distinctive sun-kissed SoCal vibe is inspired by garage rock and 1960s girl-group pop, with Cosentino’s sweet, sassy vocals perfectly complementing fuzzy guitar licks. Best Coast’s latest album, 2012’s The Only Place, features an even brighter and richer sound, showcasing Cosentino’s velvety, confident vocals with more folk-y, vivid instrumentation.

The show will take place at the beautiful and historic First United Methodist Church,  located at 214 East Jefferson Street, conveniently close to downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa campus.  Tickets go on sale Monday, March 8th, at 12 p.m., and can be purchased at The Hub box office located on the first floor of the Iowa Memorial Union (where students can U-Bill up to eight tickets) or at all Ticketmaster locations.

The post Show Announcement: Best Coast appeared first on KRUI Radio.

In its third year as an arts-centered camping festival, 2013 marks Seldom Seen’s first effort to include literature, art installations and bands beyond the local area.  The first round of Seldom Seen headliners include PHOX, a seven-member folk outfit hailing from Baraboo, Wisconsin; Kyle Beachy, a Chicago-based master of humorous fiction; and Ted Wittman, a hyper-talented filmmaker from Dubuque.

Other music acts to perform at the festival include: Trouble Lights, Alex Body, Brian Johannesen (formerly of The Grand Tetons and Terrible) & Alexis Stevens, AlienTech, and ION.  The literature showcase will feature Kyle Beachy, Lucas Mann, Anna Meister, Mollie Martin and an expertly-curated group of Iowa City spoken word poets. Art installations will transform the rural farm space into a found-art gallery of sorts, featuring talent by Ted Wittman, Kyle Regan, Erik Dutcher and other local artists to be announced.

Tickets to Seldom Seen will be available for purchase online via Midwestix.com and in Iowa City at The Englert Theatre on Tuesday, April 16. Tickets can be purchased for $15 in advance and $20 on site during the festival. Cost of ticket covers admission and camping on Friday and Saturday nights.  Find more information at: www.seldomseenfest.com

The post Show Announcement: Seldom Seen Festival appeared first on KRUI Radio.

To commemorate our 29th year on-air, we are holding our very first KRUI “art” exhibit, entitled “On The Air: 29 Years of KRUI.”  The exhibit, which will be on view at public space z from April 2-12, will feature KRUI memorabilia and promotional items from throughout the station’s history.

A free opening reception will be held during Mission Creek week on Friday, April 5 from 5:00-7:00pm, featuring refreshments and live music by Iowa City singer-songwriters Megan Buick and Dana T.  We’ll also have new KRUI merchandise to give to all who attend!  We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 29 years of radio greatness.

Can’t make it to the opening reception?  Stop by public space z on Saturday (4/6) or Sunday (4/7) from 1-5pm, Monday (4/8) from 9am-1pm, or Wednesday (4/10) from 5-8pm to see the exhibit.

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What: “On The Air: 29 Years of KRUI” opening reception + performances by Megan Buick and Dana T
When: Friday, April 5th, 5:00-7:00 PM
Where: public space z (lower level of the Wesley Center)
Cost: Free!
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RSVP to the Facebook event HERE.

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The post Show Announcement: “On The Air: 29 Years of KRUI” appeared first on KRUI Radio.


The show will be held in Public Space Z, in the lower level of The Wesley Center, located at 120 N. Dubuque St. The music starts at 7:30, with the doors opening at 7pm. It is free and open to the public, but donations to PSZ are encouraged.

The post Show Announcement: KRUI Presents The So So Glos appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Kicking off the festivities will be Cedar Rapids-based surf rock band The Surf Zombies at 8 PM, followed by laidback blues band Porch Builder at 9:20 PM. Alternative rock group The Treats will continue the greatness at 10:40 PM. Rounding out the lineup at midnight is Iowa City’s own The Uniphonics, who have made a name for themselves in the Midwest music scene with their unique blend of funk, hip-hop, and jazz-influenced tunes.

Along with all of this great music, there will be some sweet new KRUI merch to be claimed by all who attend.  Catch all of this awesomeness for only $5 on Friday, February 1st at 8 PM at Gabe’s in Iowa City!

RSVP to our Facebook event HERE.

To purchase tickets in advance, visit the Gabe’s website.

Band information:

The Uniphonics
The Surf Zombies
Porch Builder
The Treats

See you there!

The post Show Announcement: KRUI Back-to-School Bash appeared first on KRUI Radio.

You can see Paperback Rhino in action this Friday, November 30th at 10 PM in the IMU Main Lounge, where they will open for acclaimed, nationally-touring improv troupe Upright Citizens Brigade (whose former members include the likes of Amy Poehler and Doug Benson).

Want more Paperback Rhino in your life?  Check out their Facebook page to stay updated on all of their comedic endeavors.

The post Interview: Paperback Rhino appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Your actual freshman orientation can only tell you so much. Sure, you get the basics, such as the vague outline of campus (that’s what your planner’s map is for, anyway), the briefest glimpse of dorm life, your schedule of classes, and the free black and gold t-shirt with your assumed graduation date. But, as you soon learn upon your first week of school, there is much more to the University of Iowa and Iowa City than what two days can tell you. More than what weeks, months, even years can tell you.

So, are you wondering what orientation never got around to telling you? Are you still figuring things out as you go through your days here in Iowa City? The Real Freshman Orientation is here to help, to be your second orientation. No, you don’t get another free t-shirt (it becomes a pajama shirt, anyway), but this orientation will offer you much more than two day’s worth of forgettable information.

Every Tuesday night from 8 to 9, KRUI hosts, Vanessa Ruiz and Melissa Messer, and their various guest hosts will tell you “what you really need to know about life in Iowa City.” Each week, they’ll tell you something different: everything from the best study spots to the cheapest yet most delicious food downtown, from the best and worst classes to the best and worst music venues.

Whether you’re a freshman who is discovering new things about Iowa City every day, or a well-immersed senior who knows just when and where to eat for the best deal, you’ll get something out of listening to The Real Freshman Orientation. Not only are the hosts here to give you advice, but they’ll also amuse you with stories of personal experiences and the latest tracks on KRUI’s playlist. Perhaps you’ll learn where to find the best holiday coffee drinks, or perhaps you’ll simply find yourself entertained. Either way, The Real Freshman Orientation is an hour for all students living in Iowa City.

So if you’re wondering if there’s something you’ve missed, whether it’s about the University or life in Iowa City, The Real Freshman Orientation is here to help and reorient you to the workings of life in Iowa City. Be sure to like The Real Freshman Orientation’s Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest events downtown, as well as the show’s weekly topics.

The post Show Spotlight: The Real Freshman Orientation appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Every weekday, Jordan Kabialis and Ryan Murphy discuss relevant sports news of the day. Combining discussion, opinion, analysis, and predictions, Jordan and Ryan dissect the latest sports news to start the day.

With plenty of opinion, debate, and humor, The Morning Drive is both entertaining and fulfilling for hardcore and light sports fans alike. Jordan and Ryan are passionate and knowledgeable sportscasters who make The Morning Drive one of the most informative and entertaining shows on KRUI.

Whether you like the NBA, the NFL, NCAA sports, or sports in general, you can be sure to find something to love in The Morning Drive.

Tune in to The Morning Drive every weekday morning from 8:00 – 9:00 A.M.

The post Show Spotlight: The Morning Drive appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Happy College Radio Day!

Founded in December 2010, College Radio Day is an annual, non-profit event aimed at raising awareness of college radio and celebrating the important creative contribution of college radio to American media.  By promoting the event nationwide, both online and on the airwaves of over 350 registered stations, the hope is that people who may not normally listen to college radio will tune in today and like what they hear enough to become regular listeners.

As the organizers of College Radio Day say, “College radio is one of the last remaining bastions of creative radio programming, free from the constrictions of having to be commercially viable, and a place where those involved in its programming believe passionately in its mission… together, for one day, we can lift the national profile of an important form of North American media: college radio.”  KRUI is proud to be a part of this great event!

To learn more about College Radio Day, check out its website – and be sure to tune in to KRUI 89.7, your sound alternative.

The post Happy College Radio Day! appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Kicking off the festivities will be up-and-coming Iowa City post-rock band Mirror Coat at 8 PM, followed by psychedelic blues rockers Velcro Moxie at 8:45 PM.  Indie-funk group Gone South keeps the greatness going at 9:45, with the self-described “power trio” Das Thunderfoot rocking the stage at 11:00 PM.  Rounding out the lineup is ICYC Battle of the Bands winner Zeta June, who will have you dancing with their funky bass lines and energetic drum beats from 12:30 AM to close.

Along with all of this great music, word on the street is that there will also be a costume contest with some sweet prizes for the winner – so be sure to come decked out in your Halloween best.  Catch all of this awesomeness for only $5 on Wednesday, October 31st at 8 PM at the Iowa City Yacht Club!

RSVP on our Facebook event HERE.

To purchase tickets in advance, visit the ICYC website.

Band information:
Zeta June
Das Thunderfoot
Gone South
Velcro Moxie
Mirror Coat

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