FUV Live Sessions

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

Singer, songwriter and musician José González made his way back to WFUV to play a live set and talked to FUV host Alisa Ali about his latest album, Against The Dying Of The Light, how his background in scientific research influences his musical exploration, the nuances of AI and where it can be most useful, and how he navigates songwriting in Swedish, Spanish and English.

Songs: Against The Dying Of The Light, Joy (Can’t Help But Sing) and Etyd

Young The Giant sat down with WFUV host Sam Sumpter after playing a live set in Studio-A to talk about their latest album, Victory Garden, how the band has evolved and taken on more production responsibilities over the past 15 years, the value of writing retreats to flesh out ideas as a group, and how the title for this album originated during an intimate conversation under the stars right before the band finished the record.

Song: Ships Passing, Different Kind Of Love and Mind Over Matter

Ben Gibbard of both Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service talked to WFUV host Alisa Ali about Death Cab’s latest album, I Built You A Tower, what it was like to pull off a combined Death Cab-Postal Service tour post-pandemic, how his songwriting process has evolved as recording technology has changed, and how the band whittled down 90 potential songs into what you hear on this new album.

The live songs you heard in this episode were performed by Death Cab for Cutie at Studio Litho in Seattle, mixed by Jason McGerr, and engineered by Jon Roberts. Photo by Ryan Thrower.

Songs: Full of Stars, Pep Talk and Stone Over Water

Chicago-based band, Ratboys, joined midday host Alisa Ali at WFUV to talk about their latest album, Singin’ to an Empty Chair, how they fashioned both a genre-fluid and cohesive record from this collection of songs, their mission to dispel any negative myths about Ringo Starr, and how a therapy session inspired the title for this album.

Songs: Anywhere, Penny in the Lake and What’s Right?