WFUV's Take Five

The Alternate Side's Alisa Ali talks with the Brooklyn band, The Antlers, about their latest EP, 'Undersea,' and why it sounds a bit different from their previous releases. The band also performs live versions of 'Crest' and 'Drift Dive' in WFUV's Studio A.

You'd think Benjamin Gibbard would have enough on his plate fronting Death Cab for Cutie, but in addition to his side projects, he's also had a solo career simmering away for awhile. This year, Gibbard released his first full-length album purely under his own name, and it's called 'Former Lives.' Check out a couple of the songs performed live during Gibbard's recent conversation with FUV's Russ Borris.

'Holiday Cheer for FUV' artist Shelby Lynne continued to follow her own musical path on her 2011 album 'Revelation Road,' and shared some of the songs in bare bones fashion when host Rita Houston welcomed Shelby (and her acoustic guitar) back to FUV.

Ahead of an appearance at this year's Holiday Cheer for FUV, the Brooklyn trio The Lone Bellow taped their first-ever radio interview at FUV, and it was a great chance to get a taste of their forthcoming debut album. Zach, Kanene and Brian create a gospel-rich sound, with a hint of Laurel Canyon and some soulful, layered harmonies too. You might have seen them opening for The Civil Wars this year, or maybe you were in the audience at one of their Rockwood Music Hall shows in NYC. Well, welcome into Studio A for this session, as host Rita Houston introduces you to The Lone Bellow.

Richard Barone first made his name in the early '80s with The Bongos, but it was his 1987 live album, 'Cool Blue Halo,' that really got the critics' attention and started his solo career. Richard recently celebrated the album's 25th anniversary with a new 'Cool Blue Halo' concert and film, and he stopped by Studio A to talk with host Darren DeVivo about that project (and more), and to perform a few songs live.

The Alternate Side's Russ Borris talks with the Omaha band, Icky Blossoms, about its self-titled debut and what it was like to work with TV On The Radio's Dave Sitek as a producer. The band also performs live versions of 'Babes' and 'Perfect Vision' in WFUV's Studio A.

Songwriter Dan Bern has long celebrated the bohemian troubadour spirit, and has spent his life creating - whether it be music, literature or visual art. Although he's always been prolific, this year he put out not one, but two new albums: 'Drifter' and 'Doubleheader.' So from baseball to travel, there was a lot to talk about when Dan and his band Common Rotation stopped by FUV for a visit with host Rita Houston.

'Holiday Cheer for FUV' performer Shawn Colvin celebrated the release of her new album, 'All Fall Down,' and her new memoir, 'Diamond In The Rough,' with an FUV Live show at City Winery back in June. Between performing tunes with her backing band - Buddy Miller and Viktor Krauss - she spoke with host Rita Houston about writing more than just songs this time around.

Born and bred in Modesto, California, Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle moved to Montana six years ago and discovered a whole new universe of soundscapes within him. He's done a few shows with Grandaddy this year, but he also has a brand new solo album called 'Dept. of Disappearance.' He was solo in his latest Studio A visit too, where he treated us to reworked versions of some new songs, and talked with FUV's Alisa Ali.

Tori Amos has always looked at her songs as if they had lives of their own. Now, backed by an orchestra, she's extending those lives on a new album, called 'Gold Dust.' It's also been 20 years since her debut album, 'Little Earthquakes,' so there was a lot to talk about with Tori, during her recent Studio A visit with host Darren DeVivo.

The Alternate Side's Alisa Ali talks with the Minneapolis-based band, Poliça, about their use of auto-tune as a signature sound on their debut album, 'Give You The Ghost.' The band also performs live versions of 'Lay Your Cards Out' and 'Fist, Teeth, Money' in WFUV's Studio A.

The multi-talented Clarence Greenwood has spent the last 20 years perfecting his poetic and soulful approach to rock, and as Citizen Cope he's gained one of the most dedicated audiences around. To celebrate Cope's fifth album, 'One Lovely Day,' Clarence and a string quartet performed a fantastic FUV Live set at Electric Lady Studios, hosted by Rita Houston.

From Mott The Hoople to his solo albums to his latest work with The Rant Band, Ian Hunter still has the signature shades, the mop of curls, and a lot of serious rocking out to do. He proves it yet again on the new album 'When I'm President,' and it brought Ian to FUV with James Mastro of The Rant Band for a great conversation with host Darren DeVivo.

A.C. Newman deftly juggles his solo career with his band, The New Pornographers, but even he admits that his new album, 'Shut Down The Streets,' might be the release that most successfully bridges both worlds. It's also his most personal album to date, and between live performances at FUV, A.C. spoke with host Kara Manning about family, Woodstock, Neko Case and even honeybees.

A.C. Newman deftly juggles his solo career with his band, The New Pornographers, but even he admits that his new album, 'Shut Down The Streets,' might be the release that most successfully bridges both worlds. It's also his most personal album to date, and between live performances at FUV, A.C. spoke with host Kara Manning about family, Woodstock, Neko Case and even honeybees.