In most urban school districts across the country, black and Latino students don’t perform as well on standardized tests as their white and Asian peers. KUT’s Claire McInerny explores the reasons for this gap and looks at one teacher’s possible solution.
Archives for April 2019
Jakuzi: “Istemezdim”
It’s still chilly across the United States and because we could all use some bubbled up heat, let’s dive into Jakuzi. What started on cassette three years ago quickly gained widespread attention for this Turkish group, whose debut Fantezi Müzik showed off their native underground sound to the rest of the world. And while the upcoming sophomore release Hata Payı expands on Jakuzi’s synthpop sound, it does so in a decidedly darker realm. Turkish-language vocalist Kutay Soyocak credits this shift to his personal journey and an exploration of relationships, mental health and the human condition, with touches of post punk, krautrock, and ’80s synth sounds supporting his lyrical tones.
You can pre-order Hata Payı before it comes out on Friday and get the ball rolling today with a free download of “Istemezdim”!
Extremely Lit
There were a couple of things that triggered the formation of SWMRS. One was seeing the film School of Rock, which put the idea into their brains, although none of them knew how to play their instruments at the time…but since when has that deterred any inspiration? And two, all four bandmates experienced an intense performance by rap/hip-hop artist Skepta at Reading Leeds Festival one year. That alone was a life-changing moment, enough to “set us off on this journey to figure out how to make our music have that same kind of intensity to it, while slowing it down,” explained front man Cole Becker in a recent interview with Studio Brussel.
“We come from punk, but it sounds like the ideas of punk put into a modern context with a lot of dance, a lot of rock,” Max Becker added.
SWMRS’ Berkeley’s On Fire tour includes a show tonight at Barracuda, 611 E. 7th St. They share the bill with The Regrettes and Beach Goons. Doors at 8 p.m. Recommended.
-Photo courtesy of the artist.
Texas Standard: April 1, 2019
It may be April first, but the President’s team is doubling down: the threat to close the southern border is quite serious. Mexico is Texas’s top trading partner, and concerns are growing over the possibility and the viability of a border shutdown. Also, the border agent who had a secret: he too, was an undocumented immigrant. And Houston, we have liftoff: a race for space-related books on the 50th anniversary of the 1st moon landing. Plus researchers trying to save Texas bats: a danger of doing more harm than good? All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Rudiger: “Woof!” [PREMIERE]
Does anyone really care about free music more than cute animals?! Heck no! It’s time for your KUTX Dog of the Day!
Meet Rudiger. Rudiger is a thirteen-month-old labradoodle who lives in East Austin. In addition to being an adorable ball of fluff AND man’s best friend, Rudiger is also a producer, vocalist and turntablist with a knack for avant garde, sample-based hip hop. And when he’s not busy chasing his tail or antagonizing the mail man, Rudiger’s in the studio crushing beats! Complete with canine sensibilities and with the help of his fellow neighborhood pooches, Rudiger just released his debut and the first ever song written by a dog, “Woof!”
Happy April Fool’s Day!
Dr. Robert F. Jefferson (Ep. 17, 2019)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Dr. Robert F. Jefferson, Associate Professor of History at the University of New Mexico and author of Brothers in Valor: Battlefield Stories of the 89 African Americans Awarded the Medal of Honor.