Editor’s note: Just Emma here again! There are opinions below that are mine and are not necessarily the views of the station. I don’t think they’re polarizing, I just want to acknowledge my biases.

Sometimes, we just wanna keep you posted on what’s going on in music. There’s usually quite a lot. Welcome to What’s Up Wednesdays.

Album Releases: There are a ton of albums coming out on Friday

• Alternative artist Alex Lahey is releasing The Answer is Always Yes.
• Dave Matthews Band is releasing their tenth studio album Walk Around the Moon. You’ve heard “Madman’s Eyes” here on the station for the last could of months. This Friday, you’ll be able to hear all of the new and interesting things Dave Matthews Band have cooked up.
• Kesha is releasing Gag Order, which refers to her difficulty in releasing the album itself due to the ongoing legal battle with Dr. Luke. It’s produced by Rick Rubin. At one point, Kesha described it as a “folk” album, although the final product sounds more like alternative pop to me. The singles that are out now feel deeply personal, with videos that match the energy of the songs. Kesha stunned me with “Praying,” so I am interested to see what she has to say as she still attempts to regain control of her life.
• Paul Simon is back again with Seven Psalms. Simon says the idea came to him in a dream, and that he would wake up to write the album between 3 and 5:30 am.
• Sir Chloe is releasing I Am the Dog.
• Sufjan Stevens is releasing Reflections, his first album since 2021’s 49-track album. 2000s alternative fans such as myself have a lot of nostalgia for Sufjan Stevens. Hopefully, this will deliver what everyone is expecting.
• The Used has a new one coming out called Toxic Positivity, a phrase gaining traction to describe people who essentially ignore the existence of the chemical components of depression (think Rob Lowe in earlier seasons of Parks and Recreation). It kind of serves as a perfect retort for an emo band to latch onto. The second single (released in February) is “People Are Vomit,” and I can already see it scrawled on someone’s arm in Sharpie during study hall. Lead singer Bert McCracken describes the song as “cute and fun,” which seems like the opposite of The Used’s vibes. I listened to it and I’m assuming that description was sarcasm.
• Finally- Yes are releasing another studio album Mirror to the Sky.

Overall, Friday is a real red-letter day for fans of 2000s music between Kesha, Sufjan Stevens, The Used, and even Dave Matthews Band. 

Also, don’t forget that Dolly Parton is releasing her first rock album in November. After her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was announced, Parton came to the conclusion that she would just need to make a rock album so that her inclusion would make sense. She performed the lead single, “World on Fire” at the American Country Music Awards last Thursday and it is wonderful. It sounds new and fresh, political but heartfelt, and it still has just enough country twang to sound organic to Ms. Parton. The track listing for Rockstar looks incredible too, with covers mixed with original Parton compositions and more collaborations than you can shake a stick at (including her fellow 2022 inductees). 

Upcoming Events:

In case you haven’t had a chance to check out our events calendar, here are the events coming up this week:

• The “Interwoven” event is taking place at Riffe Gallery all the way through July 7th. This event is a celebration of fiber and the many forms it takes. Artists included utilize fiber to “explore topics such as contemporary culture, personal narratives, influences, and emotions that lie just below the surface of our consciousnesses.”

5/17

• Tonight is the Modelo Gameday Crew Party! Join the CD 92.9 FM Scene Team for a Modelo Pre-Game Party 2-hours before starting kickoff at Whistle & Keg for games and prizes before cheering the Crew on to victory. Wear Black and Yellow, Drink Gold. Modelo: Official Import Beer of Columbus Crew SC.

5/18

• Pioneers of Queer Cinema is taking place through May 25th at the Wexner Center. On 5/18, the feature is Blackstar: Autobiography of a Close Friend.
• Every Thursday, you can still catch Flower Power over at Shadowbox Live! If you miss it Thursday, no worries! You can always catch the matinee on Sundays at 2 pm.
• David Cross (Small Soldiers, Arrested Development, etc.) is coming to Cincinnati with his “Worst Daddy in the World” tour.

5/19

• Koe Wetzel is playing a SOLD OUT show at KEMBA Live! on Friday with support from Pillbox Patti and The Cadillac Three.
• Rebounder will be playing another SOLD OUT show at The Basement on Friday with Shane T.
• Wonderball will be taking place, celebrating black and white fashion at the Columbus Museum of Art.

5/20

• Pioneers of Queer Cinema is taking place through May 25th at the Wexner Center. On 5/20, the feature is Dottie Gets Spanked along with Parting Glances.
• 5/20-5/22 will be the third annual Big Bike Drive, presented by Johnny Velo Bikes and Ohio’s Five Two Nine Plan, with support from CAS and Franklinton Cycle Works. Dust off your old bicycles, bicycle parts, and cycling equipment, and consider giving them new life by donating to help someone in need. Donations will be refurbished and redistributed throughout central Ohio, so bring your bikes of all sizes to the lawn at CAS.
• The Orphan The Poet and openers Moontower will be playing at Natalie’s Grandview.

5/21

• The Junior Diabetes Research Fund One Walk is taking place on the lawn at CAS. Help raise money for Type 1 Diabetes research by joining the walk!
• The Blue Stones will be performing at The A&R Music Bar with openers The Velveteers.

5/22

• The Moss will be performing in our very own Big Room ahead of their show at The Basement Monday night.

5/24

• Next Wednesday, you can catch Radkey at the A&R. 

Here at the station:

You still have chances this week to win tickets with all of the weekday DJs. 

• Brian and Grayson have tickets to see Alex from All Time Low in our Big Room on 6/9.
• Brian can also get you tickets to Hotel Fiction on 6/8 or Sumbuck on 6/9.
• Laura can get you into The Big Room on Monday (5/22) to see The Moss in our intimate performance area.
• Laura and Grayson also have your tickets to All Time Low with Mayday Parade and Games We Play on 7/9 AND she’ll send you “Out to Lunch” with a $25 gift card to The Old Mohawk.
• Finally, Laura has two tickets to Joseph on 6/13.
• Grayson can get you two tickets to Hippo Campus with Gus Dapperton on 5/30 or The Sad Summer Festival in Cincinnati on 7/19 (featuring some of your favorite emo bands).
• Tom Butler has two tickets to see Sparta on 6/11.
• You can still catch some of your fellow listeners as guest DJs through the end of the month (brought to you by The Diamond Cellar). It’s great to hear some of their takes on songs, and a few songs you may not have heard as well!
• Don’t forget to sign up for a lounge account so you can get started with those 929 lounge points. And, of course, keep tuned in for lounge tips because you never know what concerts you might be able to win tickets to or who will be in The Big Room next!

–Just Emma (JustEmma@CD929FM.com)