WFUV's Take Five

Roots rock icon Alejandro Escovedo has long inspired us with his ability to blend genres into an Americana that everyone can relate to. His 2012 album 'Big Station' pulls on some pretty interesting influences — all with a true rock 'n' roll spirit — and that year Alejandro brought his band by Studio A to perform songs for host Darren DeVivo and a lucky audience of FUV members.

Taking their cue from influences like Danny Kirwan-era Fleetwood Mac and the Laurel Canyon lope of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Swedish band The Amazing recorded one of the prettiest albums of last year, called 'Gentle Stream.' Far more self-deprecating and doubtful than their name, The Amazing prefer music to words, and they performed a dazzling Studio A set hosted by Kara Manning.

Aaron Neville has lent his honeyed voice and lilting melodies to over 50 years of songs, and now he brings that special tone to a new album of doo-wop classics. Produced by Don Was and Keith Richards, it's called 'My True Story,' and host Rita Houston and an audience of FUV members were lucky enough to have Aaron himself stop by Studio A for a live preview, with that one-and-only voice.

The Alternate Side's Alisa Ali talks with Portland band The Helio Sequence about its fifth full-length album, 'Negotiations,' the band's DIY ethic, and why they'll probably never get a bass player. The Helio Sequence also performs live versions of the songs 'One More Time' and 'Downward Spiral' in WFUV's Studio A.

Veteran rocker Graham Parker has never left the scene, but it's been over 30 years since the classic days with his band The Rumour. Now they're back, their songs are in the new movie 'This is 40' and they have a great new album, called 'Three Chords Good' — their first in 32 years. So listen in for live tunes and a good chat, as Darren DeVivo welcomes Graham Parker & The Rumour to FUV.

British singer-songwriter Jake Bugg is a precocious 18 year-old — not the age you might expect for an artist who takes serious inspiration from Bob Dylan and Buddy Holly. His debut album jumped onto the UK charts (past Mumford & Sons) and now he's released an EP in the U.S. called 'Two Fingers.' Its release brought Jake back to the States, where he stopped by FUV for a Studio A session with host Alisa Ali.

Atlanta-born Cody ChesnuTT creates music that skirts the line from neo-soul and R&B, to hip hop and even rock. It's been a decade since his killer solo debut, 'The Headphone Masterpiece' and his work with The Roots, but his new album, 'Landing On A Hundred' was well worth the wait. Hear Cody perform solo versions of some of the new tunes, during his Studio A visit with FUV's Rita Houston.

Few expected the reunion of Dinosaur Jr. to stick, but almost 7 years later, a new album called 'I Bet On Sky' finds the band more assured and nuanced than ever before. Distortion and feedback are still prime ingredients, so even though it's 2013, it's nice to know some things never change. Hear for yourself, as Russ Borris welcomes J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph to Studio A.

The Alternate Side's Russ Borris talks with the UK band, 'Alt-J' about the making of its full-length debut, 'An Awesome Wave,' and the challenges of arranging the music.  The band also performs live versions of their songs, 'Fitzpleasure' and 'Breezeblocks' in WFUV's Studio A.

As one of New York's best kept indie-pop secrets, Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro of Savoir Adore spin yarns of love and longing, against a body-moving backdrop of sleek dance beats. With their confident sophomore album, 'Our Nature,' they artfully bridge worlds, splashing smart, irrefutably catchy melodies with Brit-pop flourishes. You heard them at our CMJ showcase, now hear Savoir Adore in Studio A, talking with host Kara Manning.

In his latest incarnation, former Fleet Foxes drummer, Josh Tillman, delivers an album of neo-psychedelia inspired by his move from Seattle to Laurel Canyon. Tillman's always had solo projects cooking, and as Father John Misty, all his experience and hard-won insights come together in a serious artistic brew on the album, 'Fear Fun.' So get ready for some heady conversation, and some stripped-down, solo performances, as Father John Misty joins host Alisa Ali in FUV's Studio A.

Underdog soul singer Bettye LaVette has been crafting her own kind of songbook for 50 years now, and last year she brought all her talent and experience to bear on two new projects: her memoir, 'A Woman Like Me,' and an album, called 'Thankful N' Thoughtful.' On the album, Bettye explores the work of Tom Waits, Sly Stone, Patty Griffin, The Black Keys and more. She performed a few of the songs live, and told some funny and fascinating stories during a Studio A session with FUV's Rita Houston.

Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth have been building grooves together for over 35 years, so you know when Tom Tom Club is in the house, it's gonna be shakin' and shimmyin'. Tom Tom Club recently release the EP 'Downtown Rockers' — their first new material in over a decade — so it gave us a great excuse to invite them to FUV for a guest DJ session, where they also shared some stories with host Rita Houston.

The Alternate Side's Kara Manning talks with UK band, Django Django, about its self-titled, full-length debut. The band discusses the learning process they went through during the recording of the album, and they also perform live versions of their songs, 'Default' and 'Waveforms' in WFUV's Studio A.

The Alternate Side's Kara Manning talks with UK band, Django Django, about its self-titled, full-length debut. The band discusses the learning process they went through during the recording of the album, and they also perform live versions of their songs, 'Default' and 'Waveforms' in WFUV's Studio A.