of montreal

Elephant 6 Recording Co: 7 Key Bands from the Collective

Andy Fenstermaker
September 17, 2023September 17, 2023

The Elephant 6 Documentary is out now, and I can’t wait to see it! I didn’t really discover the label until the early 2000s, when it was in its period of inactivity after the original heyday. For those who aren’t fans of indie rock, it’s hard to convey the importance of this label and the impact and influence it — and the artists within its collective — has had on independent music of the late 90s through today. And with the new documentary that influence is as strong as ever.

Top 10 Indie Rock Songs Over 10 Minutes Long

Andy Fenstermaker
July 21, 2023July 30, 2023

The other weekend I was in Fort Worth and stopped by Doc’s Records & Vintage, a great little record store… Read More »Top 10 Indie Rock Songs Over 10 Minutes Long

Margo Guryan Take a Picture Instagram by @fense

A Perfect Sunday Morning Playlist: 10 Songs to Start Your Day

Andy Fenstermaker
March 19, 2017May 20, 2023

Last Sunday, Twitter told me that #SundayMorning was trending, and I immediately thought of the outstanding song of (almost) the… Read More »A Perfect Sunday Morning Playlist: 10 Songs to Start Your Day

Fense’s Radio Show: February 17, 2012

Andy Fenstermaker
February 20, 2012June 24, 2012

I fixed my tail light. It was a simple matter of checking the fuses, noting that the 8A fuse was blown, and swapping it out. Still having issues with the front indicator and running light, but thanks to the good folk at BMW 2002 FAQ, I should have it figured out in the near future. On to the show. Read More »Fense’s Radio Show: February 17, 2012

Fense’s Radio Show: January 13, 2012

Andy Fenstermaker
January 16, 2012April 28, 2023

Snow

It finally happened. Winter arrived. Snow fell and we woke up this past Sunday with about three inches of the stuff. I’m glad it didn’t arrive earlier, as Friday saw me at KSVR for a four hour stint of music. Read More »Fense’s Radio Show: January 13, 2012

Of Montreal: Dour Percentage MP3

Andy Fenstermaker
January 9, 2012January 8, 2012

In a way, I kind of miss the days when Of Montreal gave us songs like “Disconnect the Dots” and “The Party’s Crashing Us” and even “The Past Is A Grotesque Animal”. Paralytic Stalks seems a different beast entirely, filled with further psychedelic pop experimentation than we’re used to from Kevin Barnes and company. The more I listen to it, the more I get it. This album is not supposed to be an easy listen. Read More »Of Montreal: Dour Percentage MP3

Fense’s Radio Show: December 9, 2011

Andy Fenstermaker
December 12, 2011May 20, 2023

Stuarto Glasser, host of the All Around the World Music Show, called me up a little after 5pm Friday and asked if I could fill in for him. Thinking it would be a great way to attract a few more listeners I agreed. I headed home and put together a playlist of some of my favorite indie artists from around the world.

A Retrospective Top 33 and 1/3: Best Albums of 2007

Andy Fenstermaker
December 18, 2009May 13, 2023

Let me tell you a story. In 2007 some notable things happened. I attended the annual music festival SXSW (the image above is of myself and The Lovely Sparrows’ Shawn Jones, taken by Abandoned Love Records/Virgin Of The Birds’ Jon Rooney), I grew a mustache, and I met a beautiful girl named Andi at the Capitol Hill Block Party. We hit it off and ditched the after-party to get a sprite (her) and coffee (me) at Denny’s in Ballard (sadly no longer there) at 1:30am. I still have the mustache and I’m still dating Andi. A lot of pretty notable things happened that year, and a lot of great releases came out…

A Retrospective Top 25: Best Albums of 2005

Andy Fenstermaker
December 4, 2009May 13, 2023

2005 opened my eyes to a world of new music. I joined the crew at KZUU over the summer, my first summer back in Pullman working toward my Masters in Business. I’d spend my two-hour show pouring over thousands of obscure albums, looking for anything that might spark my interest. While music had always been a borderline obsession, until now it was just that – borderline. In the days that passed, it became a full-fledged consumption of everything me. There are turning points in all of our lives, and DJing at KZUU was absolutely one of mine.

Andy Fenstermaker
November 25, 2009May 12, 2023

What a decade it’s been. 2004 was my first year in the so-called Real World; jobs, car payments, instability everywhere. Things weren’t all happy and seemingly upbeat like the mid 90s. After eight months in Seattle, I found myself unemployed and decided it was time for more education. I moved to the greater Portland area and began prep to enter a Masters in Business Administration program, taking night classes at WSU Vancouver and making a frequent trip out to Pullman, where I’d soon attend graduate school. The overall instability and open-your-eyes wake-up calls of 2004 seemed to extend beyond me. Two of the most honest and disturbing albums I’ve ever heard were released this year – another strong one in music overall.