This was hinted at by a co-blogger and fellow Matt about a week ago, but I just thought I’d let it be known that this show is OFFICIAL. Hats off to Starcourse on this one. Ben Folds will be coming to Foellinger Auditorium on April 15th and he’ll hopefully be doing all of those Ben Folds-y things we’ve so-enjoyed seeing him do over the last ten years. The throwing of piano stools and heartfelt renditions of Dr. Dre classics (and others) are just a couple of the many very real possibilities that are likely to make this show a memorable one.

My history with Ben Folds live performances has been a cruel, unlucky one. My first chance fell through my fingers when I learned that tickets to the small Chicago venue he was going to be playing had sold out almost immediately. My second effort was foiled when I attempted to see him at the Ravinia Festival north of Chicago. Three insufferable hours on the Edens expressway - filled with unspeakable swearing, the shouting of graphic death threats to nearby drivers, and, inevitably, tears - made this second defeat especially disheartening.

My third effort took me all the way to Indianapolis - on the school night before my AP History test. (Sorry, Mom.. it was BEN FOLDS!) The drive and all of the hassle went relatively smoothly, the show was incredible, I got to see a great city, made it home before dawn, and still got college credit from my test. And so my point - it was completely worth it. And looking back at all of that trouble I went through three years ago, the prospect of being able to walk ten minutes to see one of the most talented musicians and entertainers around perform in the same building where I have my accounting lecture just seems pretty freaking awesome.

Hope to see you there!

Now that the semester is well on its way, we at WPGU have tried to settle back in to kicking out the latest and greatest jams. I hope to provide frequent updates with information about the new music we’re most excited about playing and I’d love to receive any comments about these songs or recommendations for songs you think we should be playing.

Here’s the newest stuff to listen for on WPGU:

1. Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place

2. Jason Collett - Out of Time - This song is off Jason Collett (Broken Social Scene) ’s fifth solo effort, Here’s To Being Here. It starts off with a cool, slow, Dylanny swagger and the chorus is catchy as hell.

3. Rivers Cuomo - Blast Off! - After Weezer’s Blue Album was released, Rivers wrote a rock opera set in space. Nyerd. The album was never released but a few songs made it onto Rivers’ solo B-sides and rarities album. If you’re still wincing from “Beverly Hills” this song will alleviate the pain.

4. Bon Iver - Skinny Love - I am admittedly a huge sucker for acoustic songs, but I think this one really stands out. I definitely recommend giving it a listen right now.

5. The 1900s - When I Say Go This band is on Urbana’s own Parasol Records. Their new album, Cold & Kind, is really effing good.

Stream WPGU

Kind of hard to start with anything that tops that headline. The dates and venues for Radiohead’s North American tour are still up in the air, but they released the list of cities they would be playing on their Myspace. Looks like they’ll be playing in St. Louis and Indianapolis, as well, so at least the odds of getting tickets look a little better this time around. I don’t know why they don’t just make a stop at the Canopy on their way through… More to come as soon as I hear about it. Get excited!

WPGU107.1 is recruiting staffers for basically every one of its departments right now. There will be two info nights for those interested in working for WPGU and the Illini Media Company that will be held on Thursday, Janurary 17th and Wednesday, January 23rd. Both meetings will begin at 7 PM and will take place in the Illini Media Center (5th and Green - the building with the DJ Studio and Apple store in it).

If you have any interest in becoming a DJ, making commercials, promotions, marketing, sound engineering, or music in general, you should definitely come check out one of these info sessions.

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Rockband me looking almost as moody as real me.

Can’t say that 2008 is off to the best start, what with U of I being savagely beaten like a red-headed stepchild on national television and tomorrow’s forecasted high of 7 degrees. Even so, I have little to complain about, for I now have ROCKBAND. If you’ve had a chance to play the game, I’m sure you understand this last week’s lack of postings from me. Playing drums to The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is a cathartic experience. Listening to your friend’s attempts to sing “Sabotage” by The Beastie Boys is devilishly entertaining. And those are just a couple of the gems on Rockband’s monster tracklist.

And so, here is a Rockband themed playlist for your listening pleasure. Here’s to hoping I’m allowed more than one ubernerd posting per year.

1. Pixies - Wave of Mutilation
2. Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock
3. The Who - Won’t Get Fooled Again
4. David Bowie - Suffragette City
5. The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
6. The Strokes - Reptilia
7. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s - Maps
8. Weezer - Say It Ain’t So

(Added 1/3/08 - Conan O’Brien sings “Sabotage.” Golden.)