New Artist Spotlight: The Polychromatics

This week, the WDCV music directors added a few featured artists, and we’ve decided to shine a light on one of the newest bands.

The Polychromatics are an indie rock band based in Philadelphia, and their EP is a perfect depiction of the versatility of their talents. They’re refreshingly open to experimenting with their sound. John McKenna, the guitarist of the band and featured vocalist on two songs off the EP, describes each song on the EP as an island, but I disagree. While the songs sound sonically different – in four songs they manage to play everything from folk, to garage jam band, to psychedelic – the lyrics convey a claustrophobia and existential anxiety that feels genuine and relatable to anyone in transition.  

According to the guitarist, the band’s influences go hand in hand with their favorite music, such as Pink Floyd, Ty Segall, King Crimson, Gandalf, and The Doors (some of my favorites as well). McKenna specifically said that the song that is most prominent from his youth is The End by the Doors, which led him to pursue music. He says, “When I first heard Robby Krieger’s skill on that song, I made the decision to become a guitarist.” (He also recommends we listen to the psychedelic band Wand.)

If you’re interested in listening to them, they’ll be circulating through our automation, and they’re also on Soundcloud. When I asked how they felt about how the internet affects the music business, a controversial issue, they said, “It’s giving our band the ability to reach an audience quickly [which] we might not have had the chance to do if we took the old school method…I can’t help but see the benefits of instantaneous communication on a free platform for unknown bands like ourselves.” 

If you have any questions for the band about their work, or event opportunities, you can contact them at their email, the.polychromatics@gmail.com, on twitter or on facebook.

If you have questions for the author of this article, please email logiurab@dickinson.edu or post on her facebook page

College Radio Day-Friday October 3rd 2014

One day every year we get to celebrate our very existence in a world of rapidly changing technologies and over produced Top 40 hits. College Radio Day is the day everyone should take a little extra time to appreciate this unique and free entertainment outlet.

We play the music that others overlook or wouldn’t even consider because they are under-appreciated independent artists on tiny labels.  Often, those artists have gone on to become the giant acts that sell out venue after venue but you heard them first on college radio. We bring you shows like Democracy Now! that give an in depth look at news from across the globe and connects you with the people fighting for democracy everywhere.  We give students the chance to find their voice and connect directly with people outside of the borders of Dickinson College.  Our programming stays diverse by intentionally mixing student produced shows along side community djs and syndicated programming.

We are always striving to do better, find better shows, connect with the community in fun and meaningful ways, and be the Voice of not only Dickinson College but the greater Carlisle community.  If you listen to College radio and like what you hear, give a call to the DJ (245-1444) and tell them they are doing a good job.  We love to know that someone out there is listening.  If you have an idea, a gripe or just a comment feel free to email us at wdcvfm@gmail.com.  We have been around for over 50 years and we aren’t planning on going anywhere (except a more visible location in the HUB would be much appreciated!)

Tune into WDCV-FM all day on Friday October 3rd and listen to the special programming for College Radio Day. Stop By Britton Plaza while we broadcast live from 12-2pm. Thanks for listening!

12-2pm Live on Britton Plaza-Free stickers & buttons, DIY spin art on cds & vinyl, tunes, glow in the dark spider rings……
2:00pm & 8:00pm – World Wide Broadcast of College Radio Day Simulcast
3:00pm & 9:00pm – Interview with Andrew W.K.
3:20pm & 9:20pm – Interview with Matt Kelly, drummer of Dropkick Murphys
3:40pm & 9:40pm – Interview with Jeremiah Fraites, drummer and founding member of The Lumineers
4:00pm & 10:00pm – “The College Radio Road Trip” An original radio documentary by Nikki Marra as she travels across America from the East to the West coast and visits college radio stations along the way. 

 

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College Radio Day-October 2nd 2012

Thank you for supporting WDCV for over 50 years!  Many colleges have sold their broadcasting licenses for a quick profit so we are very grateful that Dickinson has shown that we mean something to this campus and community by giving us the financial and administrative support we need to keep broadcasting.  Check out the College Radio Day page for more information and keep listening to WDCV at 88.3 on your FM dial or online!

COLLEGE RADIO DAY!!!

 

October 11th is the first ever College Radio Day!  This is super awesome and we are so excited to participate in it.  College Radio Day was created to help showcase the wonderful stations across the country that may be seen as secret gems within in community they serve.  Many colleges have been selling their radio licenses to fill gaps in their budget, but once that happens, you aren’t going to get the station back and a void is left on campus and the community.  Please support WDCV by listening in and telling others what a great station we are.  We love Dickinson & Carlisle and we plan on being around for a long, long time!