Andrew Daniels '15 and Greg Stasiw '15

DJ of the Week: Ashley Bomboka ‘16 and Lara Adoumie ‘16

When did you first get involved with WBOR and why?AB: We got involved first semester sophomore year because Lara really wanted to do a show. Lara really loves indie music and I really love hip-hop and R&B, so we decided to play both and have definitely introduced each other to artists from both genres.LA: She’s picked up on indie music more than I thought she would and I’ve picked up on a lot of hip-hop. She always surprises me with songs she’s found.
Why is the show called “Sweater Weather?” AB: We called it “Sweater Weather” because we both appreciated that song. Also, Maine is really always sweater weather. When are we here when it’s warm outside?LA: I tease her because I’m from Los Angeles and she’s from Minnesota and I’m always walking around bundled up while she’s barely wearing anything. Who makes up your target audience?AB: Anyone who loves a variety of music. In between hip-hop and indie is the pop spectrum. We don’t stay in one particular area.
What is your goal for the show?AB: The goal is to have fun with it! We like to laugh! It’s great that it is local and reaches out to the wider community.LA: It’s de-stressing for us and hopefully it is for anyone who chooses to listen. Ashley, you recently stepped into the role of Programming Manager at WBOR. What does that entail?AB: My responsibility is to make sure everyone has a radio station time and make sure people are treating the equipment well and aren’t swearing. What is your favorite music?AB: I love R&B the most. Drake is one of my favorites. I tried to go to his concert in Philadelphia, but he ended up canceling it. I also love Bon Iver.LA: Drake, too and Jhené Aiko. I will always have a spot in my heart for The Fray. Do you have any musical experience?AB: I used to sing in middle and high school, in addition to playing the viola. Singing is my shower hobby.LA: I used to sing in the chorus here at Bowdoin and play the violin.
What else are you involved in at Bowdoin?AB: I am part of the African American Society and I love to sit in on slam poetry readings. I am also an intern for [Associate Dean of Multicultural Programs Leana Amaez].LA: I’m in the international relations club, I work at the C-Store and with Safe Space.
What is the best music to study to?AB: Jazz with hip-hop influences—low-key melodies that allow me to focus.LA: Slower Beyoncé and Drake are my go-to. What has been your favorite concert experience? AB: This summer I went to the Summer Set music festival in Wisconsin and I saw Schoolboy Q, Wu Tang Clan and Big Gigantic. I’ve always liked Schoolboy Q, he has his own spot in hip hop. He’s establishing himself well. Wu Tang clan is the beginning of hip-hop. Big Gigantic free styled, which was awesome. LA: I went to Of Monsters and Men in New York. It was a small venue and really amazing to hear them live. What do you think people are doing while they listen to your show?AB: I don’t think it’s the best show to study to. We talk a lot as well as playing music, so hopefully you’re just chilling and it is background noise.LA: Yeah, doing things around the room. What song never gets old for you?AB: “Houstalantavegas” by Drake and “Suga Suga” by Baby Bash.LA: “Furthest Thing” by Drake. Who is your musical inspiration?AB: Bob Marley. I grew up with him as a kid and his words spoke a lot to the African diaspora and the idea of struggle. His music was being used to get the world aware of social issues and help his people.LA: Sia, because she really has a variety of talents and different genres of music. Is there anything else you’d like to tell your audience about your show?AB: Nothing’s really planned so be prepared for anything and keep an open mind.LA: Ashley brings the fun and spice! Tune in whenever you’re feeling stressed.

DJ of the Week: Alex Mathieu '15

Why did you get involved in WBOR?Alex Mathieu: One of my good friends, Jennifer Goetz ’15, had a radio show with another student so I thought I would give it a try.
Why is your show called “That One Chick Radio?”AM: Isn’t it obvious? It’s just me.
What kinds of music do you play?AM: I try to do a theme every week. Last week was R&B-themed, this week will be ’80s-themed. It varies week to week.
How do you choose which songs to play for each theme?AM: Just my own personal interest. I mean, I have a wide array of taste in music. I personally like the ’80s, so I play music from the ’80s and I also like R&B.
How do you want your listeners to feel while tuned into your show?AM: I want them to feel happy that they’re listening to my songs and excited that they’re finding new music.
If you could choose one lyric to define your life, what would it be?AM: It’s definitely going to be from a Fall Out Boy song. Probably, “Isn’t it messed up how I’m just dying to be him?” from “Sugar We’re Going Down.” A quintessential Fall Out Boy lyric.
What era would you travel back in time to for the best music?AM: I don’t want to go any farther back than the ’90s. It was a good mix of grunge, super pop with boy and girl bands, weird urban funk, and hip-hop making this really weird shift to electric but still trying to maintain its ’80s groove.
What is your favorite throwback song?AM: “Say My Name,” by Destiny’s Child.
If you could see any performer from any period of time, who would it be?AM: It would probably be Michael Jackson circa the “Thriller” album.
What do you think are the most important parts of having WBOR on campus?AM: I think it’s a great form of self-expression. I relate to music in different ways and it helps me sort through my feelings. It also introduces the local Brunswick community to different types of music, different styles, especially if mainstream pop isn’t doing it so much.
If you have one song that you know can always pump you up, what would it be and why?AM: There is a song that always pumps me up, but it’s weird because I like rap and hip-hop to a certain extent but they’re not my niche. For some reason, Ludacris’ “Get Back” always gets me pumped for anything. I don’t know what it is about that song but for tests, workouts, exams, presentations, it’s Ludacris’ “Get Back.”
What are your favorite aspects of music?AM: I listen to a lot of Japanese—Korean and bossa nova too—and I don’t necessarily understand all of what they’re saying but a good beat is important.There was a reason why, when I was 13, I listened to a lot of Evanescence and Fall Out Boy: I was a little angsty kid. The lyrics mean a lot to me, but it’s how [the beat and the lyrics] work in relation to each other. If the beat is good, then yes I’ll like the song, but if the lyrics are really good and the beat is so-so, I’ll still groove to that song.
Are there any genres of music that you won’t listen to?AM: I won’t lie. I refuse to listen to screamo. I would say that although I understand why some genres are just not for everyone, giving each genre a chance is not a bad idea as well. I wouldn’t say I enjoy country all that much, but there are some country songs that I like. I feel like there is a song for everyone in every genre. Maybe not in screamo for me, but that’s my personal preference.
What else are you involved with here at Bowdoin?AM: I’m an R.A. on Residential Life, I’m on the Judicial Board and I co-direct an a cappella group.
Alex Mathieu ’15 hosts WBOR’s “That One Chick Radio” on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

DJ of the Week

Andrew Daniels '15 and Greg Stasiw '15

October 3, 2014

Jessica Gluck

NOT YOUR DAD’S RADIO SHOW: Greg Stasiw (left) and Andrew Daniels (right) host “No Dad Rock,” a radio show on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.

What prompted you to create the show “No Dad Rock”?
Andrew Daniels: We had a show for two years called “Escalator Music.”
Greg Stasiw: The reasoning behind that name was that we played progressive rock and metal exclusively. We said, “This sure as hell isn't elevator music, so it must be escalator music!”
AD: But it was pretty defined.There was a lot of stuff we wanted to play that we thought didn’t really fit in that range so we wanted to expand our horizons this year.

Where did the name for your show come from?
GS: If you can picture a middle-aged dude wearing a “Life is Good” t-shirt, flipping burgers and listening to a song, that’s “Dad Rock.” You know, Aerosmith, Steve Miller Band, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd. There’s nothing wrong with those, but of all music, I mind those the most.

Who do you think makes up your audience? Who do you hope listens to your show?
AD: Parents and close friends, I guess. We hope anyone who is in their car driving and happens to turn the radio to WBOR says, “Hey, this is kind of cool!”
GS: Our dads. To be honest, they’re the only ones who probably ever listen to the show. With the name and the theme this semester, we’re kind of risking alienating about 50% of our listener base.
AD: But we like to emphasize: we have nothing against dads.

What’s the best part about having a radio show?
AD: It really gives you a chance to explore new music.
GS: You’re forced to find new music, in a way. Our listeners would get very bored if we were always playing the same stuff over and over. And we would get bored too. Having a show every week forces us to explore music more.

Are there any artists you've discovered through having the show?
AD: You’re more interested in trying to find new stuff to listen to because you know you’ll have to find stuff to play on the radio show.
GS: In terms of style, we’re both starting to get into more postrock and electronic music, which is fun. Both of us have always been explorers of music. Last year and the year before, on the radio show we’d play metal and prog rock but in our room we’d be blasting anything from Saint Pepsi to Stravinsky. But we had this task of sticking to this theme, so this year we’re just saying, “To heck with the theme.” You’re more creative when you have some kind of constraint, so that’s why we have the “No Dad Rock” thing.

Who is your favorite musical artist?
AD: It would have to be Deafheaven, within the last year or so.
GS: The Antlers, just going by play count on my iTunes.

What is your guilty pleasure song?
AD: “Nights on Broadway” by the Bee Gees.
GS: I guess we could share that one. There would be a lot of Bee Gees happening in our room last year.

What has been your favorite concert experience?
AD: A concert we both went to: Voyager and Rhapsody of Fire.
GS: Probably Explosions in the Sky. Instrumental post-rock, no lyrics, you just kind of stand there. It’s this weird trance experience. You have to make up your own story for the song, so I just decided to go through all my memories while they were playing—my whole life was the theme of music.
What is your least favorite band or genre?
AD: Country. If it comes up on Spotify on an advertisement, I’m like “I never listen to this stuff any way, why would they target me for a country advertisement?”
GS: If I have to be truthful about a least favorite band, it would fall under “Dad Rock”: Aerosmith. Something about Aerosmith just really turns me off.

What music do you like to study to?
AD. Post-rock.
GS: My Chemical Romance.

What are your majors?
AD: Math and Computer Science double major.
GS: Anthropology major with a Japanese minor.

If you could hang out with one famous musician, who would it be?
AD: I’d probably say Frank Zappa. He definitely seems like a character.
GS: David Bowie. Just ’cause he’s amazing. He just seems like a character I want to know.

Tune in to “No Dad Rock” with Daniels and Stasiw every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on WBOR 91.1 FM or stream online at wbor.org.

Editor’s Note: Daniels is the Web Developer for the Orient.

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