FUV Live Sessions

Atlanta-based singer and songwriter, KELS, joined WFUV host Kara Manning in Studio-A to talk about her latest EP, Dirty Blues Princess, the perseverance it requires to play the long game in the music industry, how virality can jumpstart a career in-process, and how important it is for specific songs to find their niche audiences to build up a grassroots fan base.

Songs: Gone, Call Me and 6ft Under

Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical joined WFUV host Sam Sumpter in the Bronx to talk about their self-titled collaboration album, Helado Tropical, how a blind artist date turned into a beautiful friendship, how their different artistic styles complement each other, and their hope that this album inspires listeners to live in the present moment with one another.

Songs: Tocando, Sensación and Soledad

Chilean singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rubio joined Executive Producer Meghan Suma in Studio-A to talk about Rubio’s latest album, Espero podamos ver un ovni juntxs, how she developed this solo project after playing the drums as a session musician and in other bands, her love of all things otherworldly and non-human like extraterrestrials, plants, animals and nature, and how this project has created its own world in lieu of fitting into a specific genre.

Songs: Techno y La Especie, Cosmo and Voy Creciendo

Country-inspired indie-folk singer-songwriter, Andrew Sa, joined WFUV host Sam Sumpter in Studio-A to talk about his debut album, American Rough, how his musical influences helped weave his multi-genre tapestry, the value in vulnerability and how infectious being vulnerable can be, and his late mentor Patrick Haggerty, the first openly gay country singer, who inspired so much of his journey.

Songs: Under You, Your Whisper and Lavender Cowboy

Brian Fallon – frontman of The Gaslight Anthem – joined WFUV’s Director of Music Programming Russ Borris in Studio-A to talk about his latest solo record, Not Bad for New Jersey, how the songs he writes wind up either on solo projects or full band projects, how essential it is for people to embrace their individuality and write songs from that place, and why it’s such a great time to be listening to music right now.

Songs: Not Bad for New Jersey, Better Before and Here’s Looking at You, Kid

Irish singer, songwriter and musician Dove Ellis joined WFUV host Alisa Ali in Studio-A to talk about his debut album, Blizzard, how independently releasing music on Bandcamp turned into opening for Geese on their U.S. tour, his musical influences like Prince and Gillian Welch, and why his love for the saxophone runs deep even though his instruments of choice are piano and guitar.

Songs: “Feathers, Cash” “To The Sandals” and “Nest Among Stars”

Brandon Flowers – the frontman of The Killers – sat down with WFUV’s Director of Music Programming, Russ Borris, to talk about his new solo album, Thrasher, how country music is woven into the fabric of his life, his love of Las Vegas and how deeply it influenced this project, and how special it was to record live in the studio with some of the most esteemed musicians to make music.

The live performances you heard in this episode were recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville.

Full Songs: Paradise and Plans

Seattle-based band, Telehealth, joined FUV host Sam Sumpter at WFUV to talk about their album, Green World Image, why it was important to curate an entire world that revolves around this project, the struggles of being a modern musician navigating today’s “chronically online” cultural landscape, and how art always finds a way.

Songs: Age of Muralcide, Cool Job and Kokomo 2

Niko Kapetan of the Chicago-born band, Friko, joined WFUV host Sam Sumpter in Studio-A to talk about the group’s latest album, Something Worth Waiting For, how this transit-themed project came to fruition while on tour, what it was like to work with the Steve Albini trained producer, John Congleton, and the magical moments that came out of this recording process.

Songs: Seven Degrees, Choo Choo and Certainty

Paul from St. Paul & The Broken Bones sat down with FUV host Sam Sumpter in the greenroom ahead of the band’s sold-out Brooklyn Paramount show in April to talk about their recent self-titled album, the importance of life’s simple pleasures, how the band has evolved since achieving their original goals, and live music as a spiritual journey. The live music in this episode is courtesy of Brooklyn Paramount in New York City. Photo courtesy of Q Prime.

Songs: Sushi & Coca-Cola, Fall Moon and Ooo-Wee