Author: Liz Webb

Frisco Unplugged!

Liz Webb
Guitarists Russ Israel (L) and Ben Mazur (R)

Guitarists Russ Israel (L) and Ben Mazur (R)

Fresh off their three-show run at Main Street’s Home Grown Café, Newark-based band Frisco stopped by The Music Room to chat with Mandorichard and perform some original, acoustic music. Frisco consists of UD students Ben Mazur (guitar, vocals), Russ Israel (guitar, vocals, drums), Will Lescas (bass, vocals), and Matt Beer (drums, vocals, guitar). Drawing influence from both psychedelic rock and R&B, Frisco creates their own unique sound, in turn establishing a genre that they like to call “shake the booty.”

Frisco

Matt goes horizontal

In addition to their in-studio shenanigans, the band discusses their initial formation, artists that inspire them, and their future plans. Currently, Frisco is in the process of recording, mixing, and mastering their music at a local studio. To hear a preview of their upcoming album, check out the band’s first single, “Wonder.”

Bassist Will Lescas and drummer Matt Beer

 

 

Listen to the interview below to learn more about the members of Frisco and to hear their live performance of four original songs (we dare you not to dance along).

 

 

The Interview

Frisco, Host: Mandorichard, Recorded live on WVUD March 22, 2016.
30:00
28.8MB

The Music

Artist Song Source
Frisco Lists WVUD Session, March 22, 2016
Frisco It’s Alright WVUD Session, March 22, 2016
Frisco Going Crazy WVUD Session, March 22, 2016
Frisco Wonder WVUD Session, March 22, 2016

A Synthpop Souvenir: POP ETC

Liz Webb

Pop-Etc-2“‘Cause the future’s getting better all the time,” sings Christopher Chu, lead singer and guitarist of POP ETC, on the band’s new album Souvenir. With sold out shows across the country and singles earning over one million streams on Spotify, these words could not ring truer for the rising indie rock trio.

Originally known as The Morning Benders, the band experienced a shift in location, lineup, and sound when they officially changed their name to POP ETC in 2012. Inspired by music of the 1980s, POP ETC excels at reviving the characteristic synthpop and new wave of the decade while still maintaining a modern and fresh 21st century sound.

Liz Webb with Chris Chu of POP ETC.

Liz Webb with Chris Chu of POP ETC.

On January 29, Souvenir‘s worldwide release date, Liz Webb spoke at length with Chris before the band’s sold out show at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

Chris discusses his admiration for the late, great David Bowie, the powerful, “opposite of Oasis” dynamic between him and his keyboardist brother, and the three year process of recording and producing their new album straight from their Brooklyn apartment.

Check out the interview below to hear selections from Souvenir and to discover more about the unique style of POP ETC.

 

 

The Interview

POP ETC, Host: Liz Webb, recorded Jan. 29, 2016, originally aired Feb. 23, 2016.
30:00
28.8MB

The Music

Artist Song Album Year
POP ETC What Am I Becoming? Souvenir 2016
POP ETC Keep It for Your Own POP ETC 2012
POP ETC Vice Souvenir 2016
POP ETC I’m Only Dreaming Souvenir 2016