Parsons Playlists: Wasia Project

Posted on October 28, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Eliana (class of 2026) and features the English pop duo Wasia Project.

Wasia Project

Wasia Project is an up-and-coming English sibling alt-pop-duo created in 2019 by Olivia Hardy and William Gao. The name “Wasia” comes from a mix of Chinese and English, reflecting the backgrounds of the two artists. With Olivia on vocals and guitar and William on vocals, keyboards, and piano, the two have made a name for themselves. They released their first track called “why don’t u love me” in 2019 and later released the EP “how can i pretend” in 2022. I personally saw Wasia Project when they opened for Laufey in DC, and even though I had listened to them previously, I fell even more in love with their music after seeing them. Some of my favorites are “ur so pretty,” “impossible,” and “Remember When.” The songs give me a nostalgic and longing feel through the different use of vocals and instrumentals.

Wasia Project – “why don’t u love me”

Wasia Project – “Is This What Love Is?”

Wasia Project – “Remember When”

Wasia Project – “My Lover is Sleeping”

Wasia Project – “Petals on the Moon”

Wasia Project – “ur so pretty”

Wasia Project – “impossible”

Wasia Project – “Takes Me Back Home”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez30OwOKuoVYTWm_LS3hc-r&si=3X0WcyV9kheSFun4

Parsons Playlists: Happy Birthday Grandma!

Posted on October 25, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Lay’la (class of 2025) and features some classic tunes in honor of her grandmother’s birthday this month.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Music has been an integral part of my life since I was a child. My entire family loves music from the 60’s and the love has been instilled in us by my grandparents.
This month my grandma turns 90!
This playlist is dedicated to her.

Bill Withers – “Grandma’s Hands”

Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely”

The Beatles – “Blackbird”

Aretha Franklin – “I Say A Little Prayer”

Ray Charles – “Georgia On My Mind”

Stevie Wonder – “My Cherie Amour”

Toto – “Africa”

The Temptations – “My Girl”

Aretha Franklin – “Respect”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIwIY4RwmQUZ8jmqqta_Rh7dq1kvo1fM5&si=zu7_Ec-GDW-o00FV

WDCE Charts 10-23-24

Posted on October 24, 2024 by marmstr3

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from October 23, 2024 (click the image to see a larger version):

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

Arachnophonia: How to Play Dizi, the Chinese Bamboo Flute – The Dongxiao

Posted on October 23, 2024 by marmstr3

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Tim (class of 2024) and features a book that teaches the basics of learning to play the Chinese bamboo flute. Thanks, Tim!

How to Play Dizi, the Chinese Bamboo Flute: The Dongxiao by H. H. Lee

The Dongxiao is a type of Xiao from the Chinese bamboo flute family. It has a history of over 8,000 years, dating back to the Neolithic Age in China. The entire flute is made of bamboo, and its length is usually over 32 inches. It is either carved with six or eight holes, with an additional “V”-shaped hole on the top serving as the mouthpiece (the blowing hole). Sound is produced by air vibration passing through the “V”-shaped blowing hole. It is primarily used in the Yangtze River Delta, especially in Jiangsu Province.

Unlike major Chinese musical instruments, the Xiao has its own unique cultural significance, closely tied to traditional Chinese culture. Due to its distinctive characteristics, the Xiao cannot project a very loud sound. Its unique timbre makes it an ideal instrument for solo performances or duets. Chinese scholars view the Xiao as an instrument for a Junzi (gentleman), and it is traditionally played by scholars to cultivate their minds, often for personal enjoyment or for a very small audience. The airy sound of the Xiao is considered “ambient.” In Chinese aesthetic terms, this “ambient” quality evokes a sense of vast space where people become mere ornaments, reflecting the vastness of nature and the smallness of human beings in comparison.

The book How to Play Dizi, the Chinese Bamboo Flute: The Dongxiao introduces Western readers to the world of the Xiao. It covers the types, structures, and key signatures of the Xiao, along with relatively simple instructions on how to play it and modern Chinese music notation. This book is especially useful for beginners or those interested in Chinese music and culture.

Parsons Playlists – K-Pop

Posted on October 21, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Sophia (class of 2028) featuring some K-Pop tunes.

K-Pop

Aespa – “Supernova”

Aespa – “Drama”

ILLIT – “Magnetic”

NewJeans – “Super Shy”

BABYMONSTER – “Sheesh”

LE SSERAFIM – “Easy”

(G)I-DLE – “Super Lady”

VIVIZ – “Maniac”

(G)I-DLE – “Wife”

BABYMONSTER – “Batter Up”

YUQI – “Freak”

(G)I-DLE – “Queencard”

BABYMONSTER – “Like That”

LE SSERAFIM – “Perfect Night”

NewJeans – “Attention”

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom”

(G)I-DLE – “Fate”

Aespa – “Spicy”

ILLIT – “Lucky Girl Syndrome”

RIIZE – “Get a Guitar”

LE SSERAFIM – “Antifragile”

LE SSERAFIM – “Unforgiven”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp8XNR9pwF9xKdCequw-rBEjlDzOz6CRE&si=MgWCyZeR2Utk55aV

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists – Interlude

Posted on October 18, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Esther (class of 2025) featuring some songs for taking a break on a hectic day.

Interlude

On days a little more hectic, a moment to pause and breathe can make all the difference. Here’s a playlist of songs that feel like a gentle pat on the back for me.

Rachel Chinouriri – “So My Darling”

Cody Fry – “Photograph”

Ben Platt – “Grow As We Go”

lullaboy – “3 New Words”

Clairo – “Juna”

Cavetown – “Talk to Me”

Wasia Project – “To Get Better”

Sleeping At Last – “Three”

Patrick Watson – “Lost With You”

Chezile – “Beanie”

Anthony Lazaro – “The Midnight Train”

Olivia Dean – “Drive”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewH25ZwTbMS2xB81IK63KhA&si=APtCIKNoyzGK4otP

WDCE Charts 10-16-24

Posted on October 17, 2024 by marmstr3

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from October 16, 2024 (click the image to see a larger version):

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

Arachnophonia: Jazz Funk Play-Along

Posted on October 16, 2024 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Jillian (class of 2027) and features the Jazz Funk Play-Along Real Book Vol. 5, part of a series of “lead sheets” (aka “fake books”) with accompaniment tracks included. Thanks, Jillian!

Jazz Funk Play-Along

Do you like Jazz with a little bit of funk? The Jazz Funk Play-Along score at Parson’s Music Library pulls classics from the Real Book to create a fun setlist when you need something upbeat. From tunes such as “Sidewinder” to “The Chicken” this score provides simple yet energetic melodies that leave room for improvisation.

Parsons Playlists: Seasonal Joy

Posted on October 11, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Marissa (class of 2025) which features some recent music for your Fall Break enjoyment!

Seasonal Joy

Even though the trees are becoming barren and your shorts need to be put away until the spring, this time of year can still be joyous! Here are some of my favorite songs that have recently come out in honor of the temperature drop.

Sabrina Carpenter – “Taste”

Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga – “Die With A Smile”

Dua Lipa – “End of an Era”

Gracie Abrams – “Close to You”

Charli xcx – “Apple”

Ariana Grande – “eternal sunshine”

Ariana Grande – “supernatural”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Juno”

Charli xcx – “365”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s2C6VCyVpUfkP1jiW6MB3U_&si=F0FNXQrgSuqxHIKw