Battle of the Bands ‘26: a documentary

by WKCO Blog

WKCO Blog presents a documentary of epic proportions: Battle of the Bands, a night when student bands valiantly duel to the death (to open the sendoff).

filmed by Liv Stripling Sara Yanelli Nina Loofboro Maeve Reichert Daisy Lerner JP Harris

edited by Liv Stripling Sara Yanelli Nina Loofboro

watch here

Contemp. american folk music: a playlist

by Nava Bahrampour and Sophie Garman

A Playlist for the abroad

by Alex Gerstein

 
 
 

Interviews:

introspective conversations

Album Reviews:

thoughtful reflections and reactions

 
 
Album Reviews
Reflecting on the Emotional Landscapes of Sufjan Stevens' "Carrie and Lowell" One Decade Later
WKCO
Reflecting on the Emotional Landscapes of Sufjan Stevens' "Carrie and Lowell" One Decade Later
WKCO
WKCO
Disenchanted to Meet The Life of a Showgirl
WKCO
Disenchanted to Meet The Life of a Showgirl
WKCO
WKCO
Japanese Breakfast Is Sad Again, and We’re Not Complaining
Simon Gess
Japanese Breakfast Is Sad Again, and We’re Not Complaining
Simon Gess
Simon Gess
Our 2024 Albums of the Year
WKCO
Our 2024 Albums of the Year
WKCO
WKCO
Ethel Cain's Preacher's Daughter and the Case for Concept Albums
Sonia Suben
Ethel Cain's Preacher's Daughter and the Case for Concept Albums
Sonia Suben
Sonia Suben
Unearthing The Past And Pondering The Future In Sufjan Stevens’ Javelin
Nava Bahrampour
Unearthing The Past And Pondering The Future In Sufjan Stevens’ Javelin
Nava Bahrampour
Nava Bahrampour
The Tortured Poets Department: A Conversation
Laurel Sanders & Zelda Saltzman
The Tortured Poets Department: A Conversation
Laurel Sanders & Zelda Saltzman
Laurel Sanders & Zelda Saltzman
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan
Zelda Saltzman
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan
Zelda Saltzman
Zelda Saltzman
How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last? by Big Red Machine
Laurel Sanders
How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last? by Big Red Machine
Laurel Sanders
Laurel Sanders
I'm Green by Mali Velasquez
Liv Stripling
I'm Green by Mali Velasquez
Liv Stripling
Liv Stripling
Unraveling ‘The Secret to Life’ by Fizz - An Album Review
Laurel Sanders
Unraveling ‘The Secret to Life’ by Fizz - An Album Review
Laurel Sanders
Laurel Sanders
Hit Parade by Róisín Murphy
Evan Manley
Hit Parade by Róisín Murphy
Evan Manley
Evan Manley
Lemonade Mouth by Lemonade Mouth
Griffin Meyer
Lemonade Mouth by Lemonade Mouth
Griffin Meyer
Griffin Meyer
Appaloosa Bones by Gregory Alan Isakov
Emma Abate
Appaloosa Bones by Gregory Alan Isakov
Emma Abate
Emma Abate
10,000 gecs by 100 gecs
Jack Ross
10,000 gecs by 100 gecs
Jack Ross
Jack Ross
"Untergang" by Urfaust
Conner Gebben
"Untergang" by Urfaust
Conner Gebben
Conner Gebben
So Much (For) Stardust is so much more than an album
Lily Leone
So Much (For) Stardust is so much more than an album
Lily Leone
Lily Leone
Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey
Evan Manley
Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey
Evan Manley
Evan Manley
All You Need is Time by Daisy the Great
Maya Silver
All You Need is Time by Daisy the Great
Maya Silver
Maya Silver
"Desire, I Want To Turn Into You" By Caroline Polachek
Evan Manley
"Desire, I Want To Turn Into You" By Caroline Polachek
Evan Manley
Evan Manley
"The Jaws of Life" By Peirce The Veil
Abby Navin
"The Jaws of Life" By Peirce The Veil
Abby Navin
Abby Navin
"Blue Rev" by Alvvays
Caroline Newhart
"Blue Rev" by Alvvays
Caroline Newhart
Caroline Newhart
"Honey" by Samia
Liv Stripling
"Honey" by Samia
Liv Stripling
Liv Stripling
"Strays" by Margo Price
Emma Abate
"Strays" by Margo Price
Emma Abate
Emma Abate
"Midnights" by Taylor Swift
Griffin Meyer
"Midnights" by Taylor Swift
Griffin Meyer
Griffin Meyer
"Weather Alive" By Beth Orton
Evan Manley
"Weather Alive" By Beth Orton
Evan Manley
Evan Manley
"Goodbye" by The Ghost of Paul Revere
Emma Abate
"Goodbye" by The Ghost of Paul Revere
Emma Abate
Emma Abate
"Melodi" by Kit Sebastian
Caroline Newhart
"Melodi" by Kit Sebastian
Caroline Newhart
Caroline Newhart
"Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You" by Big Thief
Marlena Brown
"Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You" by Big Thief
Marlena Brown
Marlena Brown
"11:11" by Pinegrove
Mia Huerta
"11:11" by Pinegrove
Mia Huerta
Mia Huerta
A Conversation with Victor
Em Townsend
A Conversation with Victor
Em Townsend
Em Townsend
Finding Pathways into Music Journalism, Starting an Independent Publication, & Creating Third Spaces
Nava Bahrampour
Finding Pathways into Music Journalism, Starting an Independent Publication, & Creating Third Spaces
Nava Bahrampour
Nava Bahrampour
Playing God with Levity: Haley Blais on Authenticity and the Past
Liv Stripling
Playing God with Levity: Haley Blais on Authenticity and the Past
Liv Stripling
Liv Stripling
Our Visual Interview with Jacob Cohen
Greer Morgan
Our Visual Interview with Jacob Cohen
Greer Morgan
Greer Morgan
The Voice Behind Werewolf: Ollie Peterson on building an album from the ground up
Liv Stripling
The Voice Behind Werewolf: Ollie Peterson on building an album from the ground up
Liv Stripling
Liv Stripling
Aidan Puntes' Prosodic Proficiency
Liv Stripling
Aidan Puntes' Prosodic Proficiency
Liv Stripling
Liv Stripling
Mount Vernon’s One and Only Record Store: An Interview with Fat Dog Vinyl Owner, Phil Hicks
Caroline Newhart
Mount Vernon’s One and Only Record Store: An Interview with Fat Dog Vinyl Owner, Phil Hicks
Caroline Newhart
Caroline Newhart
Social House: An Exclusive Interview with the Dynamic Duo
WKCO
Social House: An Exclusive Interview with the Dynamic Duo
WKCO
WKCO
Paul Obie on Opening Summer Sendoff
WKCO
Paul Obie on Opening Summer Sendoff
WKCO
WKCO
Alfie Templeman is Just Getting Started
Em Townsend
Alfie Templeman is Just Getting Started
Em Townsend
Em Townsend
Kelly Rose Golden of Rigby on Finding Your Voice After Leaving Home
Ellie Fallon
Kelly Rose Golden of Rigby on Finding Your Voice After Leaving Home
Ellie Fallon
Ellie Fallon
Indigo De Souza’s Productive Quarantine Puts Us All to Shame
Isla Hamblett
Indigo De Souza’s Productive Quarantine Puts Us All to Shame
Isla Hamblett
Isla Hamblett
Catching Up with Nicole Rafiee
Mikayla Connolly
Catching Up with Nicole Rafiee
Mikayla Connolly
Mikayla Connolly
Dayglow: An Unforgettable Experience - Exclusive Interview
Jade Sham
Dayglow: An Unforgettable Experience - Exclusive Interview
Jade Sham
Jade Sham
Maude Latour: Stardom on TikTok
Mikayla Connolly
Maude Latour: Stardom on TikTok
Mikayla Connolly
Mikayla Connolly
An Interview with Haley Blais
Mikayla Connolly
An Interview with Haley Blais
Mikayla Connolly
Mikayla Connolly
Charlie Hickey on Podcasts, Pasadena, and Pop Music
Ellie Fallon
Charlie Hickey on Podcasts, Pasadena, and Pop Music
Ellie Fallon
Ellie Fallon
More Than a Girl in a Bar: An Interview with Anna Vaus
Jade Sham
More Than a Girl in a Bar: An Interview with Anna Vaus
Jade Sham
Jade Sham
U Might Be Mine
Mikayla Connolly
U Might Be Mine
Mikayla Connolly
Mikayla Connolly
 
 
 

Analyses:

In-depth explorations

Analyses
Maggie Rogers and the Joy of Living
Maggie Rogers and the Joy of Living
Taylor’s Version (and the Eras Era): A Memoriam
Taylor’s Version (and the Eras Era): A Memoriam
This is the Day: A Retrospective on Junior Year
This is the Day: A Retrospective on Junior Year
Doechii: Unparalleled Artistry, Authenticity, and Style
Doechii: Unparalleled Artistry, Authenticity, and Style
What We Can Learn From Singing About Sex
What We Can Learn From Singing About Sex
"Belinda Says" by Alvvays: A Track Review
"Belinda Says" by Alvvays: A Track Review
Experiencing Car Seat Headrest
Experiencing Car Seat Headrest
Death Grips Discography Ranking: Your Comprehensive Guide to Stay Noided
Death Grips Discography Ranking: Your Comprehensive Guide to Stay Noided
Bladee and MBV Being Cool n Crazy n Shit
Bladee and MBV Being Cool n Crazy n Shit
How The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Engages with District 12’s Appalachian Roots
How The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Engages with District 12’s Appalachian Roots
The Image of America: Lana Del Rey’s “National Anthem” as a reflection of race, gender and power
The Image of America: Lana Del Rey’s “National Anthem” as a reflection of race, gender and power
The Guided Stroll of “Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching”
The Guided Stroll of “Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching”
On Mapping New Territory to "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
On Mapping New Territory to "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Matty Healy is Gonna Save the Planet, But Kill Me in the Process
Matty Healy is Gonna Save the Planet, But Kill Me in the Process
Lucy Dacus and Adia Victoria’s Musical Documentation of Religious Trauma
Lucy Dacus and Adia Victoria’s Musical Documentation of Religious Trauma

Curated Playlists:

artfully compiled songs

Playlists
Contemporary American Folk Music
Liv Stripling
Contemporary American Folk Music
Liv Stripling
Liv Stripling
A Playlist for the Abroad
Alex Gerstein
A Playlist for the Abroad
Alex Gerstein
Alex Gerstein
"Happy Blogidays": a holiday playlist
WKCO
"Happy Blogidays": a holiday playlist
WKCO
WKCO
Autumn Jazz
Maeve Reichert
Autumn Jazz
Maeve Reichert
Maeve Reichert
Rosh Hashanah: Songs for a Fresh Start
Alex Gerstein
Rosh Hashanah: Songs for a Fresh Start
Alex Gerstein
Alex Gerstein
Exec Summer Picks
WKCO
Exec Summer Picks
WKCO
WKCO
ushering in spring
Em Townsend
ushering in spring
Em Townsend
Em Townsend
Valentine's Day Playlist: Exec Edition
WKCO
Valentine's Day Playlist: Exec Edition
WKCO
WKCO
fields of muted hues (jazz & soul for autumn)
Em Townsend
fields of muted hues (jazz & soul for autumn)
Em Townsend
Em Townsend
The Evolution of Newport Folk Festival
Sophie Garman
The Evolution of Newport Folk Festival
Sophie Garman
Sophie Garman
the boys in the better land: Britpop is Back
Salomeja Stonys
the boys in the better land: Britpop is Back
Salomeja Stonys
Salomeja Stonys
Soft Summer Playlist: 2 Hours and 10 Minutes of Mellow Vibes
Em Townsend
Soft Summer Playlist: 2 Hours and 10 Minutes of Mellow Vibes
Em Townsend
Em Townsend
This is the Playlist of a Killer, Bella
Laurel Sanders
This is the Playlist of a Killer, Bella
Laurel Sanders
Laurel Sanders
Chill-Bitten: Ode to Late Winter Melancholia
Em Townsend
Chill-Bitten: Ode to Late Winter Melancholia
Em Townsend
Em Townsend
Kenyon I Think WKCO Like Likes You
WKCO
Kenyon I Think WKCO Like Likes You
WKCO
WKCO
Happy Blogidays: Celebrate with WKCO’s Festive Playlist
WKCO
Happy Blogidays: Celebrate with WKCO’s Festive Playlist
WKCO
WKCO
POV: You Went to WKCO BBQ
WKCO
POV: You Went to WKCO BBQ
WKCO
WKCO
James Murphy's Top Picks
Liv Stripling
James Murphy's Top Picks
Liv Stripling
Liv Stripling
A Jane Austen Novel Told by Taylor Swift
Shea Humphries
A Jane Austen Novel Told by Taylor Swift
Shea Humphries
Shea Humphries
My Favorite Artists With Under 50,000 Listeners
Laurel Sanders
My Favorite Artists With Under 50,000 Listeners
Laurel Sanders
Laurel Sanders
Dark Witchy Music
Ella Newgarden
Dark Witchy Music
Ella Newgarden
Ella Newgarden
Help, I’m Growing Up: A Playlist for Life’s Transitions
Maddie Vonk
Help, I’m Growing Up: A Playlist for Life’s Transitions
Maddie Vonk
Maddie Vonk
Right on Time
Jade Sham
Right on Time
Jade Sham
Jade Sham
Honey & Lavender
Lara Knopf
Honey & Lavender
Lara Knopf
Lara Knopf
Five hundred and twenty-eight tons
Emma Abate
Five hundred and twenty-eight tons
Emma Abate
Emma Abate
Up & At ‘Em! (or, Thoughts on Morning Music from a Non-Morning Person)
Em Townsend
Up & At ‘Em! (or, Thoughts on Morning Music from a Non-Morning Person)
Em Townsend
Em Townsend
I Knew Happiness When I Saw It
Mikayla Connolly
I Knew Happiness When I Saw It
Mikayla Connolly
Mikayla Connolly
Heartbreaks: A Taxonomy
Jade Sham
Heartbreaks: A Taxonomy
Jade Sham
Jade Sham
Good Morning, Vanna
Isla Hamblett
Good Morning, Vanna
Isla Hamblett
Isla Hamblett
Songs About Georgia
Ellie Fallon
Songs About Georgia
Ellie Fallon
Ellie Fallon
 
 
 

Artist Bios:

in collaboration with the horn gallery

Reviews & Photos:

concert write-ups and event documentations

Margaux (2.19.26)
Margaux (2.19.26)
Racing Mount Pleasant & Victor (1.30.26)
Racing Mount Pleasant & Victor (1.30.26)
Allegra Krieger (11.15.25)
Allegra Krieger (11.15.25)