Amidst 2025’s exciting alternative rock scene, Irish trio NewDad released their second studio album on September 19, Altar. Expanding on punk and soft rock elements from their first studio album Madra, the band also pulls from shoegaze with the explosive, distorted guitars and airy vocals that build the new record’s atmosphere.
Bluff Street, a new band from Cedar Falls is bringing their heartfelt indie rock and to Iowa City, only at the James this Saturday.
Iona Zajac made her way across the pond from Glasgow with The Pogues to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their record “Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash”. We discussed touring with this historic band, the best music coming out of Ireland, and her debut album “Bang” releasing this November.
It is crucial to preface this article with a warning. Without fail, every single set that I saw during ICSF left me in tears. Both Sunny War and Courtney Andrews’ ability to be completely and wholly open in their art showed in every single second of their performances.
Cartels have increasingly looked to social media to move counterfeit medications made to resemble authentic prescriptions, often laced with deadly doses of fentanyl.
Iowa unveiled a far more dynamic offense at Rutgers, mixing creativity with big-play confidence behind Mark Gronowski’s command. The result was a 38-28 road win that felt like a turning point for the Hawkeyes’ attack.
General Manager (tslowinski@krui.fm)
Major: Electrical Engineering
Year: 5th Year Undergraduate
Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Identify ways to connect ourselves with the community that supports us so generously, and fulfill the everlasting goal of making KRUI a public service worthy of that generosity.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Floating Points, David Bowie, Flying Lotus
“Yes, you can kick it!” -Tiger
Editor-In-Chief (jglab@krui.fm)
Major: Journalism and Creative Writing
Year: Junior
Origin: Dubuque, Iowa
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
I want to get more people both on a local and national scale to pay more attention to what is happening in Iowa City and the surrounding areas.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Parquet Courts, Ovlov, feeble little horse, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, Solvent OS, They Are Gutting a Body of Water
“Stop justifying evil over broken windows.” -Glab
Sports Director (awirtz@krui.fm)
Major: Journalism and Mass Communications
Year: Junior
Origin: La Grange, Illinois
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Serve local and nationwide audiences through broadcasting for Iowa sports. We aim to include voices from countless backgrounds in order to create knowledgeable coverage of each and every contest.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Caamp, Noah Kahan, Bob Marley, Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill
“Stop thinking so much. Smile. Just be.” -Aidan
Production Director (pvenable@krui.fm)
Major: Computer Science
Year: 5th Year Undergraduate
Origin: Eaton, Ohio
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Create amazing things to promote our station and community.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Tyler the Creator, MF DOOM, Childish Gambino, Marvin Gaye, Al Green
“Forced to work a 9-5, born to be Spider-Man.” -Preston
News Director (ahassan@krui.fm)
Major: Environmental Policy and Urban Planning
Year: Sophomore
Origin: Fort Madison, Iowa
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Bring critical reporting and valuable information to the readers in our community.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Kendrick Lamar, MGMT, The Beatles, Westside Gunn, Public Enemy, Lou Reed
“I have a dreamm…” -Amman
Marketing Director (akritz@krui.fm)
Major: Marketing and Cinema Minor
Year: Senior
Origin: Dubuque, Iowa
What are you trying to do at KRUI this year?
I’m focused on increasing KRUI’s engagement with the students, alumni, and the Iowa City community. I’ll be collaborating with my staff on projects and creating fun content that elevates KRUI’s presence at Iowa!
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Ethel Cain, Blood Orange, Beach House, Led Zeppelin, St. Vincent, The Last Dinner Party
“I’ve never spoken a coherent sentence ever.” -Anna
Training Director (eraefield@krui.fm)
Major: Industrial Engineering and English
Year: Sophomore
Origin: Iowa City, Iowa
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
I’m working to make KRUI more united as an organization, and ensure that we work as a team to accomplish our goals and be the best college radio station we can be!
Who are your favorite artists right now?
quinn, billy woods, Basic Channel, Beat Happening, Arthur Russell
“Got me squirm as a worm but they talkin’ like we BUMBO!” -Evan
Music Director (amoramata@krui.fm)
Major: Chemistry
Year: 5th-Year Graduate Student
Origin: Caracas, Venezuela
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Initiate a new platform for music sharing in Iowa City through KRUI, called “The Lab”.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
DJ Babatr, Verraco, Regal86, Dj Yirvin, Samuel L Session
“Maduro renuncia.” -Andrés
Communications Director (janderson@krui.fm)
Major: Political Science and Religious Studies Minor
Year: Senior
Origin: McCamey, Texas
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
I’d like to expand KRUI’s involvement in the Iowa City community and beyond! I’m also interested in communicating with venues to make KRUI the hub of information on local music!
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Shilpa Ray, Lana Del Rey, Kari Faux, Michael Jackson, JPEGMAFIA
“There’s never a bad day to start progressing!” -Julia
Programming Director (mdunn@krui.fm)
Major: Human Physiology
Year: Senior
Origin: Davenport, Iowa
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
I am trying to make KRUI broadcasting available and accessible at all hours of the day. I want programming for the early birds and the night owls.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
JPEGMAFIA, Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Denzel Curry, Fontaines D.C.
“We’re all dogs in god’s hot car.” -Mason
Underwriting Director (nlayeux@krui.fm)
Major: English
Year: Senior
Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
I hope to broaden KRUI’s relationships with small, independent businesses in the Iowa City community.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Guided By Voices, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Sparklehorse, Pavement, Ted Hawkins
“Let it simmer.” -Nick
Finance Director (edelgado@krui.fm)
Major: Journalism
Year: Senior
Origin: Chicago, Illinois
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Help set up a strong financial foundation for the next forty years of KRUI.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Lana Del Rey, Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, Chappell Roan
“This song was in Glee!” -Emily
Operations Director (alenaers@krui.fm)
Major: Music Composition and Computer Science
Year: 5th Year Undergraduate
Origin: Dubuque, Iowa
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Fix, fix, fix!
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Masego, Jesse Welles, Sophie Hunter, Leonard Bernstein, Caroline Shaw
“We’re all going to die soon anyway, who gaf?” -Alex
News Director
Major: Education and creative Writing
Year: Senior
Origin: Grinnell, Iowa
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
I want to create a space where we make far-fetched dreams a reality, where we make the news as often as we tell it, and where everybody is safe, welcome, and validated.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Destroy Boys, Indigo Girls, The Mountain Goats, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Orville Peck
What’s love got to do with it?
Everything man, everything.
Sports Director
Major: Sports Studies and Journalism
Year: Senior
Origin: East Moline, Illinois
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Further expand the Sports Department and put out more social media and online content throughout the year.
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Marlon Craft, Kota the Friend, J Cole, Aaron May, Dominic Fike
What’s your favorite sport to cover?
Basketball is easily my favorite sport to cover because there is always so much action on the court at once. Plus being able to commentate and watch Caitlin Clark in person is an insane experience.
Underwriting Director
Major: English, Creative Writing and Screenwriting
Year: Junior
Origin: Haddonfield, New Jersey
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Learn new skills, meet new people, and help grow the organization!
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Taylor Swift, Eminem, AJR, Kesha, Marina
What is your greatest achievement?
When I was twelve I won three Kate Spade wallets and one Coach wallet with five dollars from a claw machine. The arcade put me on their Instagram.
Majors: BA Viola Performance and BBA Management
Year: Senior
Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
This year, in KRUI… I’m most excited to work with so many new directors and see our broadcast schedule grow!
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… The Neighbourhood, girl in red, George Michael, Coldplay, and Halsey.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: Everything She Wants by Wham!
Majors: Journalism and English with a minor in Spanish
Year: Senior
Hometown: Grimes, IA
This year, in KRUI… I am most excited to collaborate with my fellow directors and meet new staffers!
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… Duran Duran, Taylor Swift, The Strokes, Blur, and Gorillaz.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: One Way Trigger by The Strokes
Major: Printmaking
Year: 2nd-year graduate student
Hometown: Chicago, IL
This year, in KRUI… I’m stoked to workshop shows with any and everyone interested in radio to curate a more diverse sound at KRUI.
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… Townes Van Zandt, Unwound, DEVO, Pile, and Loretta Lynn.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: Diamond Sea by Sonic Youth
Majors: Sculpture/Intermedia and Printmaking
Year: 2nd-year graduate student
Hometown: Vanleer, TN
This year, in KRUI… I am eager to rejuvenate and continue cultivating purposeful and lasting relationships both in our local community in Iowa City and within our incredible listeners at the university.
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… Dead Sara, Fleetwood Mac, Kings of Leon, Brittany Howard, and Cake.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: Blackbird by Tash Sultana
Major: Journalism and Mass Communication with certificates in Entrepreneurial Management and Writing
Year: Senior
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
This year, in KRUI… I’m most excited about upping our merch and social media game! Also, being able to blast music on-air again.
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… Beach Boys, Neil Young, Richard Goldman, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, and The Staves.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: Just Like Heaven by The Cure
Major: Library & Information Science
Year: 2nd-year graduate student
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
This year, in KRUI… I’m excited to bring in as much new music as possible!
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… Amber Mark, Mayer Hawthorne, Organized Konfusion, Marvin Gaye, and SZA.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: What It Is by Amber Mark
Max, aka “DJ Samlive,” hosts “The Archives” every Friday night, from 9-11 p.m. The Archives plumbs the depths of the KRUI catalogue as well as Samlive’s personal collection, bringing you an eclectic mix of booty shaking vibes to encourage and enhance your Friday Night!
Finance
Major: Economics
Year: Senior
Hometown: Chicago, IL
This year, in KRUI: I am excited to see the station active again.
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… Cage the Elephant, PUP, ROSALÍA, Dorian Electra, and COBRAH.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: Charmander by Aminé
Training
Major: Communications with a minor in Sports & Recreation Management
Year: Senior
Hometown: Deerfield, IL
This year, in KRUI… I am most excited for my sports talk show!
In 2021, my top 5 artists were… Hardy, Koe Wetzel, Morgan Wallen, Nickelback, and Riley Green.
The song I wish I could hear for the first time again: A Rock by Hardy
Director of Communications and Community Engagement (jroberts@krui.fm)
Major: Journalism and Mass Communications
Year: Junior
Origin: Hinsdale, Illinois
What are you trying to do with KRUI this year?
Help the station flourish and have fun doing it!
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Pharrell Williams, Larry June, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Doors, The Beatles
What’s your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of day is the hour after the sun rises or sets. One of my favorite things is to be outside and feel the beautiful energy of the day starting or closing.
Kris Yambao
