MEET THE EXEC BOARD – WALKER STEWART (’19)
by Walker Stewart on August 3, 2017
Posted in: Music
Hey! I’m Walker (he/him) and right now I’m your WRMC summer manager! I’m from Portland, Oregon and some of my hobbies include (but aren’t limited to) lurking on twitter and frying my attention span by watching 30 minute compilations of shitty vines. Come spring semester I’ll be a music director and am very excited to be on exec board for the first time. If you see me around don’t hesitate to say hello, I’m friendly enough and am always down to talk about something dumb.
These are a few of my favorite albums and tracks from 2017 so far.
ALBUMS:
Steve Lacy’s Demo – Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy first made his mark on the music scene as a producer/guitarist for the rap group The Internet, and since has produced for the likes of Denzel Curry and J. Cole, among others. Steve Lacy’s Demo marks his first solo effort, a series of 6 songs with just a 14-minute runtime. This short tape, made primarily on Steve’s iPhone, spits out gems from a bunch of different genres.
Favorite tracks: Some, Dark Red
Sugar At The Gate – TOPS
TOPS are my baby, I love all their stuff forever. They’re a Canadian group based out of Montreal and they’ve been cranking out fantastic soft rock/guitar pop albums for a couple years now. Sugar At The Gate marks a transition into a bit more patient and precise take on their sound, while still incorporating the fuzzy guitar riffs and catchy synths we’ve come to expect. I double dog dare you to listen to their song Further right now – and that’s pretty binding if you ask me.
Favorite tracks: Dayglow Bimbo, Cutlass Cruiser, Further, Petals
A Place I’ll Always Go – Palehound
On A Place I’ll Always Go, Palehound’s frontwoman Ellen Kempner explores the connection between grief and place on buzzy, 90s inspired lo-fi tracks. It’s a very personal insight into a tumultuous time in her life filled with both loss and new love, and the resulting sound is raw and intimate.
Favorite tracks: Carnations, Room, Feeling Fruit
ON GAZ – A.CHAL
ON GAZ is the second major production from Peruvian R&B singer-songwriter and producer A.CHAL, or Alejandro Chal. This project examines infidelity and vice through a combination of slower, atmospheric R&B and livelier, more dance-oriented tracks.
Jorge Courtade of Remezcla writes: “As pop artists and label heads hustle to quench the thirst for watered-down dembow and dancehall riddims, A.CHAL has instead managed to explore his Latinidad simply by delving into the depths of his own story.”
Favorite tracks: Cúanto, Criminal, Love N Hennessy
Locket – Crumb
Locket is a fun lil EP from Brookyln quartet Crumb. These guys meld jazz and psych-rock to create very soothing, mellow tracks that’ll clean the fuzz out from between your ears. Or maybe it’ll add some fuzz in there, who really knows.
Favorite tracks: Plants, Locket
TRACKS:
Girl Like You – Toro y Moi
This is my favorite track from Chaz’s funky new album Boo Boo. The Pellegrino name drop is the best beverage reference I’ve heard in a minute.
Blacked Out – AJ Tracy
I don’t know much about grime, but AJ always brings the energy. Very stoked for his new project Secure The Bag coming out soon.
Way Back – Amber Mark
In this song off her EP 3:33am (Jay-Z wya?), Amber Mark uses a steel drum backed beat and soaring vocals to cook up a certified summer slap.
Spice Girl – Aminé
Aminé is hilarious and makes feel good music. This song off his new album Good For You bangs – plus he’s one of the first relevant Portland rappers so you know he gets a shout. Not to mention that he had to ask each individual Spice Girl for permission to use their names in this track, and I think that means they’ve all listened to it —- which we like.
Dreams Tonite – Alvvays
I was smashing repeat on Alvvays’ last album, and the first couple singles off their new album live up to the hype.
