We’ve got some great new music arriving just in time for summer. Enjoy!

Nine Inch Nails - Discipline - Trent Reznor continues to churn out the hits with this newly-released single, which will be on the next NIN record. You can download this song for free right now from the NIN Website.

She and Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - While it seems like just about every pseudo-celebrity on the planet has delusional ambitions of releasing a pop record, Zooey Deschanel (along with musician M. Ward) happens to have a fantastic voice. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, she’s acted in several movies, including Almost Famous, in which she plays the main character’s rebellious sister. You might also remember her from Elf, in which she does some showing off of her voice. Looks like the bar is set pretty high, Scarlet.

Also listen for:

No Use For A Name - I Want to Be Wrong
Annuals - Around Your Neck

It’s here. The mother of all Tuesdays. The big kahuna. The grandest stage of them all. WRESTLEMANIA!!! … I mean… SUPER TICKET TUESDAY!!!

Today, WPGU is celebrating the earth so hard, we just might reduce it to pure rock. (Think about it… you’ll laugh, then hate yourself for laughing.)

Throughout the day, tune in to WPGU for your chance to win a pair of tickets to one of two great shows. First off, we’ve got Indie Hip Hop Showcase on Thursday night at Canopy Club. That show is going to be hot, so be sure to call in and head out.

Next up, we’ve got tickets to give away for the day of the show. That’s right. We’re those guys. Cool enough to have the access you want at the last possible second. What’s the show, you ask? Only The Reverend Horton Heat live at the High Dive as a part of WPGU’s Surfabilly Freak Night! Yah. You stare at the screen in awe.

Also on this fine Tuesday, be on the look out for WPGU Street Teams, who will be roaming about as part of our Eco-friendly “WPGU remembers the planet” Earth Day Extravaganza. All day we will have recycling tips and conservation conversation all over our air waves, plus some excellent music to fit the mood. Don’t worry, it’s bio-degradable.

Around town, all of last week’s lucky winners of OAR Tickets will be scoping out the concert at Assembly Hall, and WPGU DJ’s will be on the air, accepting your requests, should you plan to stay in.

That’s right, it’s an entire week’s worth of programming, crammed into one kick ass day. Tune in, come out, log on, and be happy.

This week marks a U-turn at WPGU. No longer will we simply play the best and brightest on the local music scene. We will also get to know them. We’re going out to dinner and ordering the proverbial lobster! And we’re doing it to make sure that you know them, too! These are to bands that are hot, and we want you to know what’s making them sizzle.

In the case of Snowsera, our inaugural Band of the Week, it was their impressive showing at the Local Music Awards. With two trophies and a live performance, they had one helluva night even after the rest of us blacked out. They’re down to Earth and pretty good to see perform, and definitely deserve all the credit we can give them.

To honor them, this week we will feature a new Snowsera song in the 4 o’clock hour every day, along with interesting tidbits about the band all day long and a live studio interview on WPGU 107.1FM at the end of the week. So tune in to hear it or log on to the217.com to read our full questionnaire with the band today!

Also this week:

• WPGU will be at the new Presby Hall on Thursday to give away sweet prizes and show off some of Campustown’s nicest new housing
• Ticket Tuesday will be a double feature with tickets to both Islands and John Vandrslice live at Canopy Club

Here’s what’s hip. Call in your requests and let us know how we’re sounding!

Wilco - Glad It’s Over - The soundtrack for the TV show Heroes is packed with some great music, including bands like Death Cab For Cutie, My Morning Jacket, and this song from Chicago’s well-loved Wilco. This track did not make it onto Wilco’s latest album, Sky Blue Sky, but I actually prefer it to most of what did make the cut. It has that stripped-down, honest sound that has kept Jeff Tweedy his own special place in the hearts of many.

The Kooks - Always Where I Need To Be - This upbeat, Britpop band’s sophomore release promises to be as entertaining and catchy as their debut effort. Their new album, Konk, drops this week.

We Are Scientists - After Hours - While this band may continue to fail to make a significant splash in the states, their new single is picking up a lot of attention in Europe and on the blog scene. The band describes their sound as “rock music of the thoughtful, sometimes epic, often loud, vaguely danceable, implicitly humanist variety.” I’m not entirely sure what some of that really means, but I’m nonetheless happy that we’re playing the new stuff.

Also check out:
Minus the Bear - Thrown Shapes
MGMT - Time To Pretend (From the 21 Soundtrack)

Keep your eyes pealed as you wander around the quad today and tomorrow. WPGU Promotions staff will be on the move, and they will be hauling with them a treasure-chest-sized load of candy. So be sure to receive your needed dose of sugar and sweet for the day by finding us. We be like the next Willy Wonka yo…word to your oopma loompa.

It’s been four days since Local Music Awards, and some of us are still trying to recover from the awesomeness that we experienced.

In any case, we are tracking down our missing staff members and gearing up for another year on the Local Music Scene with some exciting new shows and segments (to be debuted soon!).

This week, we’re going to keep the pace by rocking out as hard as we can with our regular schedule and some kick ass giveaways!

• First off, we’re giving away a pair of OAR tickets every day from now until April 18, plus a handful of backstage passes along with ‘em! Just tune in and listen for when to call in to win!
• Next, we’ve got Bon Iver live at Canopy Club on April 9. Don’t have tickets yet? No problem! We’ve got 5 pairs! Pick up a pair during Ticket Tuesday, all day April 8.
• This Thursday, April 10, WPGU will be at Presby Hall on the corner of 5th and Daniel giving away tons of free stuff! Come check out the newest and best private certified residence hall on campus!

Looking ahead:

• On Monday, April 14, we’re giving away tckets to Ben Folds life at Foellinger Auditorium! When you hear back to back Ben Folds, call in to win!
• On Ticket Tuesday, April 15, We’re giving away tickets for The Islands and John Vanderslice live at Canopy!

Don’t forget to call or IM with your music requests, because we are your True Alternative!

I believe we all are finally recovered from the epic event that was the 2008 Local Music Awards. WPGU and the Buzz would like to thank everyone for coming out and having a great time. I’d also like to personally give a shout out to one of our sponsors. Jack Daniels, there is nothing like a free whiskey sour to convey the message “I love local music.” You, my friend, are a true champion. All the performances were outstanding, ranging from hip hop to blue grass. My personal favorite was Snowsera, and between their catchy tunes and the aforementioned Jack Daniels, I spent most of their performance dancing on the award stage until I was finally shooed off so they could present the next award.

Side note: Does the name “Snowsera” sound like a dinosaur to you?
This connection could be partially stemming from the fact that a dinosaur in The Land Before Time was named Sara.

The show was a great time, and an excellent opportunity for people new to or unfamiliar with the Champaign-Urbana music scene to get to know those who have been a part of it for years. Congratulations to everyone who won an award or was nominated! We might live in the corn fields of central Illinois, but we have one fantastic local music scene.

The hour is nearly upon us! After months of planning, the Local Music Awards will take place tomorrow evening at the High Dive.

However, WPGU will begin its special celebration of local music a bit earlier. Starting tomorrow morning, many of our favorite local bands will be bumped up into heavy rotation as a way to set the mood for the awards show in the evening. Feel free to send in your requests and let us know who you’d like to see take home a Local Music Award!

Hope to see you tomorrow night!

After months of planning, voting, gerrymandering and otherwise preparing ourselves for this week of weeks, the biggest event of WPGU’s year is upon us: The Fourth Annual WPGU & Buzz Local Music Awards!

This Thursday night at High Dive, we’ve got live local bands, recognition of another year’s hard work by some of the best acts Chambana can offer, comedy, emotion and a Jack Daniels sponsorship (which can only mean great things!). Doors open to the public at 8PM and the event is totally FREE!

Also this week, WPGU is giving away tickets to a number of upcoming shows, including:

• Ticket Tuesday featuring Cursive at Canopy Club. Tickets going out on Tuesday, April 1 for the show on Monday, April 7.
• R.E.M. “Win ‘em Before You Can Buy ‘Em” Week. Get a pair of passes to one of the Summer’s hottest Chicago shows before they even go on sale! Call in when you hear back to back R.E.M. songs to win.

Other prizes and station announcements appear right here, sometimes even before they hit the airwaves, so log on often!
Also, be sure to check out the217 all day on Thursday for up-to-the-minute updates on the scene at the Local Music Awards!