“KCSU’s Top 10 Songs Spinning this week” is written by the KCSU music directors and describes the top artists that your local 90.5 FM DJs are playing this week. The article is updated weekly on Sundays and discussed on their show, “KCSU Weekly Gem Countdown,” which airs every Monday from 12-1 p.m. Here, you can learn more about each musician or band before tuning in to the top 10 countdowns on Mondays, in which the music directors present to you the latest songs topping the charts and breaking down each song’s sound and feel.

*= Brand new to the charts this week!

1. A Novel Form — Local Alt/Rock — (5 spins on “Plum and Meridian” off of the 2005’s EP “Pictures”)

A Novel Form was created in Colorado Springs, CO, by Adam Keaveny. The band was a powerful rock band with devoted listeners and many influential members. After making exceptional music for four years, A Novel Form decided to break up in 2009, frustrated by the fact that the members weren’t able to make a living creating music. Keaveny said, “We had an amazing ride from all the local support as well as national support when we went on tour. We all just need to do our separate things for a bit and not try and force making this thing happen anymore. We have had fifteen members roll through the band! We will miss playing shows for our fans but hope the music can live on.”

2. *Amber Smoke — Hip Hop/ Rap — (5 Spins on “Money Orders” off of the 2020 single release “Money Orders”)

From her Spotify: “(Amber) Smoke is a rising international music superstar. The Houston native recording artist is an exceptional rapper, singer, songwriter and actress. She conquers many relatable issues head-on like social injustice, difficulties finding love, bridging the misunderstandings created by social inequality in Black relationships and navigating being a young strong woman in the industry willing to pave her own way without compromising her beliefs. Smoke is unafraid to push boundaries and set herself apart from her musical peers. … During the pandemic, she locked herself into a studio alone, wrote and co-produced her newest upcoming project “PINK SMOKE” … which will bring a new sound to the industry that will embody her authentic true self as a new voice of the youth.”

3. Danielle Ate the Sandwich — Local Folk — (5 spins on “On the Planet Earth”  off of the 2009 album “Things People Do”)

Danielle Andersons, or Danielle Ate the Sandwich onstage, started making music in Fort Collins, Colorado. After establishing herself on Youtube through homemade videos that drew in her audience, Danielle began touring nationally in 2009. According to her Spotify, “her songs can be thoughtful, heavy and serious, but Danielle rarely takes herself too seriously. She’s known for her quirky lyrical twists, performing most frequently with a ukulele and delivering witty and honest stage banter in her live shows.”

4. *Geoff Bradford — Alt/Rock — (5 spins on “Seven Fat Years” off of the 2021 albums “Seven Fat Years”)

Geoff Bradford claims New York City as his hometown but grew up overseas (in France, Switzerland, Venezuela, Liberia) which, according to his Spotify, “he believes led to his love for languages, traveling and the ease with which he engages with people from other countries.” Bradford and Kevin Scott formed the band Blues By Six with Brian Knight on vocal and harmonica, Charlie Watts on drums and Peter Andrews on bass. They specialized in Chicago blues and were inspired by T-bone Walker and Willie Johnson.

5. Lady Gaga — Pop — (5 spins of “Babylon (Haus Labs Version)” off of the 2021 album “Dawn of Chromatica”)

From her Spotify: “Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy-winner Lady Gaga is a one-of-a-kind artist and performer. She has amassed over 35 million global album sales and 32 billion streams, making her one of the best-selling musicians of all time.” Among great musical accolades, she also acted as the lead role in the Oscar-winning 2018 remake of “A Star is Born.” Her most recent release is “Love For Sale” with Grammy winner Tony Bennett.

6. Buzzc—s — Rock — (4 spins of “Keep Om” off of the 2003 albums “Buzzc—‘s (Expanded Edition)”)

From Buzzc—s’ Spotify: “With their crisp melodies, Pete Shelley’s biting lyrics and Shelley’s and Steve Diggle’s driving guitars, Buzzc—s were one of the most influential bands to emerge in the initial wave of punk rock. Kicking off with the ‘Spiral Scratch’ single … their initial run of singles was powered by Shelley’s alternately funny and anguished lyrics about adolescence and love backed by melodies and hooks that were concise and memorable. They released two albums in 1978 (‘Another Music in a Different Kitchen’ and ‘Love Bites’), that tightened up and refined their pop-punk sound. … The group’s powerful punk-pop proved to be enormously influential and timeless, with echoes of their music being apparent in bands like Hüsker Dü, Nirvana and The Exploding Hearts.”

7. *Andra Day — R&B/Soul — (4 spins of “Gold” off of the 2015 album “Cheers to the Fall”)

From her Spotify: “Andra Day is a powerful singer and artful songwriter who isn’t merely a throwback R&B specialist; her roots in gospel, jazz and the blues, displayed with ease and finesse, translate to the present.” Not only is Andra Day praised for her musical abilities, but Day also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama for her role in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. 

8. Animal Collective — Alt/Indie — (4 spins of “Doggy” off of the 2003 album “Campfire Songs”)

As stated in their Spotify: “Creating a twisted musical language all their own, Animal Collective grew from a closely knit group of childhood friends with exploratory tastes into world-famous recording stars, defining the face of independent experimental rock during the 2000s and 2010s. Teenage interest in Pavement, Pink Floyd and Sun City Girls expanded into an appreciation for more experimental sounds as the band developed and incorporated the influence of minimal techno.” They have surpassed over 42 million streams on their most popular single, “My Girls,” and have over 800,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Animal Collective has stayed true to its roots and continues challenging the limits of its sound, even as its fan base reaches unforeseen levels.

9. *The Big Pink — Alt/Indie — (4 spins of “Dominos” off of the 2009 album “A Brief History of Love”)

Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell formed The Big Pink in their home studio located in London where the two musicians began mixing. According to the duo’s Spotify, New Musical Express awarded the band “London’s coolest new stars,” and the band responded to this award by giving their fans a limited edition single through their record label, House Anxiety. The band is still making music to this day, with over 80,000 listeners on Spotify.

10. *Black Marble — Electronic — (4 spins of “Somewhere” off of the 2021 album “Lost Idol”)

As stated on his Spotify: “influenced by coldwave, early 80’s synth-pop, … Black Marble is the project of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Chris Stewart. When Stewart debuted in 2012 with ‘The Weight Against the Door’ EP, he remained true to the frosty gloom of his influences, burying his monotone baritone with layers of echo, reverb and analog synths. As time went on, however, he let more light and warmth into his music, particularly on 2016’s ‘It’s Immaterial’ and 2019’s ‘Bigger Than Life,’ both of which reflected his move from Brooklyn to the sunnier climes of Los Angeles.”

The music directors can be reached at music@kcsufm.com.
More Stories for Show: Tester