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Music
An Interview With Eric Johnson Of Fruit Bats

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Fruit Bats are an indie rock band out of Chicago formed by singer and songwriter Eric D. Johnson. With a career spanning three decades, Johnson has served as the band’s permanent member, with various musicians joining the band for studio recordings and live performances. With their latest release, The Landfill, Fruit Bats are touring and making a stop at The Englert in Iowa City on Wednesday, October 21st. KRUI’s Myles Ackman and Kade Grierson met and spoke with Johnson over the phone for an exclusive KRUI interview. MA: Going back to your early years, can you tell us a little … Continued

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In Conversation with “Dis/Comfort: Confronting Histories of African Art in the United States”

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On October 15th, I had the pleasure of a guided tour through the student-curated art exhibition “Dis/Comfort,” created by a class that collaboratively uses a semester to build its own African art exhibit for the Stanley Museum, “Curating African Art for the American Museum.” Being who I am, naturally I wanted to highlight this extremely valuable opportunity to have a hand in professional curation for college students. For my class this semester, How to Write About Art, we were given the opportunity to have a guided class period through the exhibit with the help of two students who worked on … Continued

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The Best Releases of January: Music Staff Picks

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Earl Sweatshirt – SICK! On the newest album from Earl Sweatshirt, the rapper continues his streak of thoughtful and melancholic bars–this time with a slightly more approachable selection of beats, supplied by the likes of The Alchemist and Black Noi$e. Avant jazz is still a key piece of the production, though some of the pianos here have a midi sheen to them, and some of the trap-influenced drum tracks will be familiar to fans of contemporary hip hop. One such track featuring this style of production is “2010”, with a bright, yet off-kilter synth loop. Here, as with many spots … Continued

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The Best of 2021: Music Staff Picks

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20. Snail Mail – Valentine “Snail Mail retains the same wounded lover ethos and hazy, scorned vocals but with a noticeably more pop-inspired instrumental palette. Indie rock guitars and peppy drums provide a sturdy melodic base, while additions of piano or dreamy synths give this album a sometimes danceable effect.” –Sydney Sjobakken 19. Lingua Ignota – Sinner Get Ready “Lingua Ignota has always incorporated a regal and grandiose instrumental palette, but SINNER GET READY shows a slightly softer side to her work with elements of religious hymns and neofolk. Yet, despite drawing back a bit from her more abrasive tendencies, she still … Continued

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