Author: Amanda Weisman Media

To try and categorize Ashley Colburn into one title would be wrong.

As someone who believes the best jobs are created – not found – Ashley is living her dreams as a travel writer, a television show host, and a production company owner.

She began her journey by producing and anchoring for her college’s campus TV station and interning at ABC in Los Angeles. She later began working at Wealth TV and created her own travel show. Ashley filmed in 24 countries in just 2 years for her show “Take Off!” which was received with much success. From there, she decided to take the wheel on her own and created Ashley Colburn Productions – a choice she refers to as “the best decision I have ever made.” She is now her own boss. A typical week for Ashley involves distributing shows, attending conferences, and networking worldwide.

Forging her own path and achieving her dreams took an immense amount of drive and confidence. For Ashley, being shy was not an option. Her comfort zone was abandoned long ago as she began immersing herself in different cultures and building relationships with those she met worldwide. She has found success by learning to be comfortable in her own skin and eagerly communicating with others despite differences in culture, religion, and language.

What makes Ashley such a natural on camera is that she plays the role of herself. On her show, there are no scripts or rehearsals – just her enjoying cultural experiences while a camera happens to be filming. This allows viewers to connect with Ashley and her travel stories on a more real and personal level.

Though much of Ashley’s life is portrayed as fun and upbeat on camera, it is not to say that her work in the travel media field is without challenge. Ashley says that her number one task to do each day is to problem solve. Hectic situations are constantly thrown her way, and it is up to her to remain collected and resolve them. It is not uncommon for Ashley to find herself lost in a foreign country, facing language barriers, or responsible for taking care of her crew. Through this all, she relies on her problem solving skills to get the job done.

From her extensive travels and incredible experiences, Ashley has acquired many tips for those looking to trot the globe. She recommends fully immersing yourself in a new culture without any restraint. This means trying their foods, participating in their events, experiencing family gatherings, and so on. She believes the experience is much more authentic and rewarding when you are not afraid to indulge in new things and live like the locals. For long term travels, Ashley strongly suggests having an international phone stocked with travel apps. She cites how there is so much helpful technology out there that should be taken advantage of to assist with navigation, offer recommendations, and help you keep in contact with those back home.

When people tell Ashley they “want her job,” she points them in a different direction of thought: for them to not mimic the actions of another, but rather to discover their true passions and from that create their own career. Ashley has faced rejection countless times, joking that she “has been told NO probably more than anyone I know.” What has made her so successful is that she kept fighting on. She says that all it takes is for one person to say “YES” for your life to be changed.

Ashley’s courage and determination through fearless pursuits brought her to where she is today. She wakes up every morning excited to check her email and see if she is one step closer to a new destination. Ashley believes that when you truly love your job, it doesn’t feel like a job at all. Where she will go next and what she will experience ahead is unknown, but that’s all part of the excitement. One thing is for sure, however: wherever Ashley may find herself, she will be welcoming her new surroundings with open arms and the people within them with an open mind. And that’s the way of the traveler.

Coined by The New York Times as “the festival with a New York heart,” the Governor’s Ball music festival has been drawing music lovers from near and far since its creation in 2011. The first year the festival ran, it was held on Governor’s Island. It has since moved to Randall’s Island, and while that has drawn questions about the sense of the festival’s name, it has not changed the spirit of the event. With each successive year, Gov Ball has grown bigger and bigger, expanding its lineup and drawing more popular headliners each year. Even with some unprecedented challenges (its 2013 run will forever be known as “mud ball” in honor of all of the rain that flooded the grounds), the festival has proven strong enough to last beyond a New York minute. After attending Gov Ball every year since its birth, I can say with confidence that this year’s festival proved to be the biggest and most hyped of them all. Here are my top 10 highlights from Gov Ball 2014:

10. Silent Disco Let’s set the scene. You’re walking by a giant tent, and under it are groups of people dancing like madmen and jumping all over the place. The thing is, there’s no music playing.. Or at least, so it seems. For silent disco, each participant is given a set of headphones. Everyone under the tent hears the same music in their headphones, provided by the DJ of the hour. Basically, from afar we all look like a bunch of crazies dancing around in silence. Silent disco made the list mostly because of all of the random friends made while dancing, including some dude wearing a croptop who apparently is internet famous.

9. The Leading Ladies of Lucius  Lucius is an indie-pop band hailing from, surprise surprise, Brooklyn. Frontwomen Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig stole the show with their complete coordination, from hair to outfits to dancemoves. The two fabulous ladies were dressed in matching ensembles that were composed of rainbow sequins. They both sported blonde bobs with bangs and long hanging earrings. They sang and danced in unison, their moves perfectly in sync. How’s that for seeing double?

8. Phish Food You may know the band Phish for their music. Or, more importantly, their Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor. B&J’s had a booth set up on the Gov Ball grounds and gave out free ice cream all day, every day, for all three days. Sure there were lines, but the feel of the cold treat on a hot, sweaty day plus the fun photo op was worth every moment on line. So much so that I may have gone for seconds. Or thirds. Or tenths. I lost count. Whatever. Plus, the people handing out the ice cream were super nice. One of the guys saw me use my camera and made a scene. “Wow, I haven’t seen one of those in a WHILE! So traditional of you!” He was referencing the fact that everyone uses their cell phones for pictures nowadays. Does this make me #vintage? Anyway, that was some good ice cream.

7. The Artwork The Gov Ball grounds aren’t home to just stages. Art installations could be seen all around Randall’s Island, many of which were by local artists. It was photo op central with features like a giant picture frame (perfect for group photos), a Hollywood-style G O V B A L L N Y C sign (my friends and I each chose a letter to climb on), and a colorful mural of the notorious B.I.G. Stunning graffiti art was spread throughout the fields, making for great meeting places (“Hey, wanna meet up at the punk jellyfish mural at 6?”). The colorful pieces both supported local artists and added vibrancy to the festival.

6. The Statue of Judging You All Speaking of installations, it would be wrong not to mention the giant Statue of Liberty head emerging from the ground. Lady Liberty was rocking a pair of shades as she stood (err, sprouted?!) in between the Honda Stage and the Big Apple Stage. The apathetic look on her face made it seem as if she was judging everyone who posed in front of her. Especially those girls taking a hundred selfies. And the ones throwing the peace sign up in the air. (Disclaimer: I may or may not have been one of said girls)

5. Empire of the Sun I refuse to pinpoint one specific moment. The entire set was glorious. Empire of the Sun brought the party in a performance unlike any other. It didn’t feel like being at a concert – it felt like watching a Broadway show. Just with a lot more bass and sweaty bodies. The lead singer rocked bright blue eyebrow makeup and a giant golden triangular-shaped neckpiece. Professional dancers performed in the background on stage, grooving to each song. Toward the end of the set emerged a gigantic Dia de los Muertos skull that puffed out smoke into the audience. The set design, lighting, and of course the music had everyone loving every minute and feeling so alive (see what I did there?). Still recovering.

4. Two Words: Food. Trucks. As a New Yorker, I am completely spoiled when it comes to food. I’ll say it. We have the best food around. Much more than just our pizza and bagels (although those are delicious). That’s why it was so incredibly genius of Gov Ball to bring in all their favorite eateries from around Manhattan and Brooklyn and have them set up tents and food trucks to serve their goods. Tacos, sushi, whoopee pies, falafel, and practically anything you could dream of was available for purchase within the grounds. There were also plenty of options for a veghead like me, which I can’t say I’m accustomed to. Can we talk about that crepe cone filled with yogurt and fruit I got? I still dream of it every night. The best part is, these NYC-based eateries are getting tons of exposure thanks to Gov Ball. I keep in mind the names of the food stands I loved at the festival and make a habit to go visit them in the city. Gotta support local businesses!

3. The Crowd at Disclosure We knew British dance darlings Disclosure’s set was going to be a scene and a half. What we didn’t know was that it would take place in broad daylight. Seeing the “Latch” DJs while outdoors under the sun made for a strange experience. When I picture a Disclosure concert, I picture a dark club at night with flashing lights. Nevertheless, having their set in the open during the day made it all the more memorable. It was one of the most condensed crowds I had been in at the fest, and that comes as no surprise. Being packed together like sardines, we were able to make friends with the people around us. Good convos and lots of dancing were had. For most of the set, my friends and I created a circle within the crowd. When anyone would try to walk through it, we would yell “NOOOO” and “YOU RUINED IT!” Obnoxious? Yes. Fun? Extremely. I didn’t realize the full capacity of how immense and energized the crowd was until we played back footage on my friend’s GoPro which we had taken turns holding up on a stick. So much jumping. Sorry, feet.

2. Andre 3000’s “Art or Fart?” Shirt  I have waited my entire life to see Outkast live. That is not an exaggeration. I have stayed a loyal fan from their Hey Ya! days to Speakerboxxx vs. The Love Below (no, I’m not going to take a side) and beyond. The problem was, I could never see them because they stopped touring. When I heard they would be reuniting at Coachella, I screamed in agony because I knew there was no way I could afford a flight out to Cali. But by some miracle, they came right here to New York. And it was everything I’d ever dreamed of. First of all, Andre 3000 was wearing a shirt that said “Art or Fart?” Again, I’m not taking sides. Secondly, what was on his head? A hat? A wig? I don’t know. But it was beautiful. Highlights include: seriously jamming to I Like The Way You Move and me puncturing everyone’s eardrums as I screamed every word to Roses. Almost every word, at least (hey, Big Boi raps really fast). At the end of their performance, I walked up to the barricade to get a closer look at the set design. It was here I met random friend #183472 who when asked my name, I responded with “Amanda 3000.” I think I made him laugh a little too hard.

1. Drumroll please… THE STROKES!!!!!!!!! Every one of those exclamation points was necessary. This was their big reuniting moment. Right here in New York, where all the band members are from. Just to put things into perspective: when the complete Gov Ball lineup was released, there were actual tears of joy in my eyes. Whenever anyone tried to talk to me that day, all I could respond with was “yes, but have you seen the Gov Ball lineup?” I was obsessed. A major reason being The Strokes. And let me tell you, their set was amazing beyond anything I’ve heard/seen/experienced. I’m 99% sure I was projected into another galaxy. The crowd must’ve felt the same, because there were more people jamming their hearts out than any other set I’d gone to that day. Their setlist spanned songs from all of their albums, from Is This It? to Comedown Machine. They played every single one of my favorites. Julian Casablancas wore a bright blue Hawaiian shirt and was smiling and laughing with his bandmates at some inside jokes. It was also great to see Albert Hammond Jr again on stage. I had seen him earlier in the year on his solo tour when I got press passes to photograph him. I met him after the show and he was super friendly and goofy. Those same character traits translated on stage. The crowd lost it when Julian said “YOLO” and proceeded to play the opening chords to You Only Live Once (they coined the saying waaaay before Drake). If only the look on my face had been recorded when the first notes of 12:51 were played. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs, and definitely my favorite Strokes song. It’s also my good friend’s favorite Strokes song who was in the crowd beside me, and we physically held on to each other during the entirety of it to keep from floating away. I have never smiled so genuinely as I did in that crowd, singing along and looking out at the New York skyline. It reestablished to me that I am happiest when I’m surrounded by good people and live music, all in a place I love.

And the award for worst part goes to….
1. The Subway Station to get Home. The photo says it all. I considered crowdsurfing when it was time to get off at my stop.

…And the countdown to Gov Ball 2015 begins!

Things aren’t always as they appear. Take a phantogram for example. By definition, a phantogram is an optical illusion that plays with depth to make a two-dimensional object appear three-dimensional. On their new album Voices, male-female duo Phantogram plays with perspective just the same. Hailing from upstate New York, musicians Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter write and create their music in a barn. Despite their rural surroundings, Phantogram’s sound is an unexpected mix of electronic and rock. At first listen, the duo’s new album may sound like it would merely make for good background music. With a more in-depth listen and attention to detail, however, one can escape this illusion and discover the genius and captivation that is Voices.

The 2014 release is the first full-length the band has put out since 2009’s Eyelid Movies. Despite the five year time gap, the duo has stayed true to their sound. Voices maintains the same atmospheric and mysterious melodies that longtime fans have known and loved, but with more precision and firmer roots. Singer Sarah Barthel’s verses are hauntingly captivating, featuring soaring vocals and impassioned chants. Guitarist Josh Carter also makes vocal appearances on two tracks, titled “Never Going Home,” and “I Don’t Blame You.” The range of the male and female tones brings a refreshing diversity to the chill-inducing sound that is Voices.

“Fall In Love” was the first single Phantogram put out from the new album. The song made waves within a relatively short period of time. In the past, Phantogram has kept in the shadows, only reaching the ears of those driven enough to discover the sounds of the underground. This is no longer the case. Playing sold-out shows, performing in larger venues, and receiving more airtime, Phantogram has earned great exposure since the release of the single. With lyrics such as “The night has swallowed my soul / Could it be that I fell apart / It shows / The lines on my face ate away my smile,” the single is dark and twisted, but nonetheless entrancing. This may very well be the mood for the album as a whole.

“The Day You Died,” the strongest track on the album, showcases the vocal and instrumental abilities of Phantogram at their highest. The lingering “ohhh”s and “ayyy”s of the song combined with the looping guitar rhythms are dangerously catchy. The song radiates with energy and passion that can easily be transmitted on stage during a live performance.

The album slows as “Bill Murray” opens with sweet and melancholic notes reminiscent of a lullaby. Barthel’s vocals are expansive and drifting as she croons “Am I wanted inside? / Say goodbye, do you feel liked? / Wave goodbye, and your heart’s not in line.” The track’s title is yet another illusion: despite referencing a comedic actor, the song is actually wistful and somber. The dreamy melody of “Bill Murray” is something you’d listen to right before shutting your eyes and welcoming sleep.

The album picks up again with the energetic “Celebrating Nothing.” The track muses on living and dying, themes Phantogram frequent in their music. Even with changes in tempo, it is evident the songs on Voices piece together. The tracks are more patterned and consistent than the experimentation and choppy variety experienced on 2009’s Eyelid Movies.

The depth and profoundness drawn from Voices is in the details, from the microphone buzz in opener “Nothing But Trouble” to the mesmerizing background drum beat in “Bad Dreams.” It may take a few listens for the untrained ear, but the ethereal sounds created by Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter will prove to gratify. While phantograms may be based on trickery and distortion, the quality of Voices is no illusion.

        

It may be called the Boston Marathon, but Bostonians aren’t the only ones running it.

Runners and spectators from around the globe joined together for the 118th Boston Marathon. Hundreds of planes made their way into Boston and thousands of miles were traveled leading up to the race.

For runners, many months of hard work and dedication were put into this day. 26.2 miles is no walk in the park (literally), and preparation can be challenging and grueling.

All of this pays off once runners reach Boylston and cross the finish line.

“When I crossed it, I cried. This is my dream. For all the marathon runners of the world, the dream is of Boston,” said Chilean runner Diego Vanesuela.

And for many runners, it may be the last time they cross the finish line. Marathon participant Billy Lapidus says that this will be the last marathon he runs. He and many others felt this was a significant race to end on, considering the events of last year. Many see running this marathon as a symbol of the resilience and strength humanity still holds, even after an event as tragic as a bombing.

From Hopkinton to Copley, fans lined the roads and cheered runners on as they sped by. Many spectators wore Boston Strong shirts and blue and yellow attire, holding signs for loved ones and waving flags from their native countries. 

After the marathon, runners could be seen in the Public Garden and Boston Common or walking throughout the city, smiles on their faces and gleaming medals around their necks. Regardless of whether attendees came from across the ocean or across the street, they all shared the feelings of unity and glory.

“Just the spirit of the event and all the others running, and all for the same purpose, keeps me going,” said Lapidus.

 

To hear more about how runners prepare for the race and celebrate after, listen to the full interview with runner Billy Lapidus from Birmingham, Alabama:

https://median.emerson.edu/embed/35687/

And to hear about why the Boston Marathon is so significant from a foreign perspective, listen to the full interview with runner Diego Vanesuela from Chile, South America:

https://median.emerson.edu/embed/35689/

   Click play below for video.

Running feet. Sounds of explosion. Frantic cries. All this occurred when two bombs were set off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring over two hundred. Though it has been one year, it still seems like yesterday to many. With the  anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing comes many emotions throughout the city and worldwide. Pain, sorrow, and grief for the losses, along with kindness, care, and pride as we move forward.

All of this was felt as the city commemorated the events of that fatal day. On April 15, exactly a year after the Marathon bombing, a special memorial service was held at the Hynes Convention Center. Speeches were given by former mayor Thomas Menino, Vice President Joe Biden, Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Marty Walsh, along with survivors Adrianne Haslet-Davis, Patrick Downes, and many others. A running theme of the event was strength by community and the courage to move on. Performances were given by Boston Children’s Chorus, The Boston Pops Orchestra, and gospel singer Renese King.

Outside, a moment of silence was shared throughout the city. Church bells rang and the national anthem was sung as the American flag was raised. Despite the wind and rain, people gathered by the finish line and all along Boylston Street to commemorate.

All over Boston, people and places showed their support. The Old South Boston Church hung the original flags from the Marathon, storefronts had yellow and blue balloons, restaurants offered specials, and uplifting messages were shown on posters everywhere.

At the Boston Public Library, a special exhibition displayed objects and memorabilia from last year’s memorial. Beautiful and touching, photographs from the Marathon and hand-written signs by children with uplifting messages filled the room. In the center were pairs of athletic shoes left at the memorial by runners to show their respect. To the side were the four crosses made for the four fatalities of the bombing. In one area stood trees where visitors could write a message on a piece of paper with string and hang them on the branches.

Over at the Boston Common, giant canvases were spread over the grass. Each canvas was from a different state or part of the world and had messages of support and love for Boston. The canvases ranged from sports teams such as the LA Dodgers to fraternities and sororities. The project was created by America 4 Boston Prayer Canvases. Founder of the project Kari Wagner says her goal was to create a project everyone could participate in to show their compassion and resilience. She believes it also symbolizes our unity as a country.

All these dedications and events held in light of the Boston Marathon bombing’s anniversary send a very special message: when terror strikes, we fight back. Nothing can take away from the love and unity that has come from humanity through the disaster. This one year anniversary has shown that with tragedy comes compassion and kindness. For every person that seeks to destroy, there are thousands of others ready to rebuild.

Their name is The Districts, and if you haven’t listened to them yet, you should probably start now.

The 4-man band stopped by the WERS 88.9 studio today to play a couple of songs in honor of Live Music Week. This past January, The Districts released a self-titled EP featuring five tracks. The EP included some older songs as well as some new ones and was released through Fat Possum Records. Their current tour called for two stops in Boston, and our radio station was excited to have them come in and perform.

Sporting pullovers and jeans, the band sat down with their respective instruments and made themselves at home. A ‘rock, paper, scissors’ match was held to determine who got the last water bottle (drummer Braden Lawrence did, despite doing a thumbs-up instead of a rock symbol). The members all joked and smiled with one another as they warmed up.

This cheery atmosphere transferred over to their music as The Districts began their performance. Lead singer Rob Grote described their sound as a “mash-up of blues, folk, and rock.” The first song they played, “Rocking Chair,” began with sweet sounding guitar strokes. After a few seconds, Grote’s vocals kicked in, taking the room by storm. The sounds of “Rocking Chair” were transcending and dream-like, elevating beyond expectation. The band joined in harmony for a series of “oooo”s and upbeat “wooo!”s between verses. Maracas and bells accompanied the more traditional instruments, making for a unique sound. 

Surprisingly, this was the first time the members of The Districts had visited Boston, let alone WERS. Being from a small town in Pennsylvania, the band agreed that getting to travel to new places and do what they love has been truly rewarding. They were excited to get out and tour and noted that “Waking up in a different place every day keeps you on your toes. There’s no time to dwell, only to move forward.”

The second song the band played was titled “Stay Open.” Guitarist Mark Larson joined in with Grote on vocals for this one, their voices harmonizing and creating soaring melodies as they sang lines such as “Stay open / To catch my fall / … Won’t give my love for free / Please, take it from me.” Grote writes the lyrics for the band’s music and draws inspiration from “reflections on experiences and their emotional impacts.” The live acoustic version of the song was reminiscent of a wildflower blooming in the desert, a warmth strong enough to thaw the bitter cold of this winter day.

The band has been enjoying their current tour with White Denim, playing packed shows with positive audience responses. Their favorite song to perform on stage is actually a new one titled “Chlorine.” The band loves playing new music live, stating that it “feels fresh” and is a nice change of pace. This is good news to fans who are eagerly anticipating new music from The Districts. The band has a busy next few months ahead of them, making stops all across the country and even the UK. They will be touring with Dr. Dog this summer and playing at big name music festivals such as Sasquatch, Shaky Knees, and Boston’s very own Boston Calling.

At the end of their performance, The Districts thanked WERS and quietly packed up. Still lingering in the studio was the impact of their glorious acoustic session. The band was almost ready to leave, but not without a mutual declaration of “Boston rocks!”

Be sure to keep up with The Districts and listen to Live Music Week on 88.9 WERS.

We were honored to have Haerts visit the WERS 88.9 studio to give a special performance for Live Music Week! Hailing from Germany, England, and the US, the members of Haerts may come from different places, but they share the same passion for music. The band performed songs from their EP Hemiplegia and gave us some insight on what we can expect from them in the future (hello full length album and new tour dates!). Be sure to see the band in concert when they visit a city near you and to tune into 88.9 WERS to hear more Haerts. Also remember to visit www.wers.org to donate to the station and help support Live Music Week.

Albert Hammond Jr. brought the energy to Brighton Music Hall as he played before an eager Boston crowd. If his name sounds familiar, that’s because you may know him from a little band called The Strokes. He plays guitar in The Strokes and also sings in his solo career. Albert played a variety songs from his 2 solo albums, Yours To Keep, and ¿Cómo Te Llama? , as well as newer material off of his recent EP, AHJ. The atmosphere of the venue and the crowd was intimate, sharing a feeling of personal connection between those standing below and Albert himself. The set design appeared to be less-is-more, with simple red lights illuminating the stage for the full duration of the set. There is no denying that the show was highly entertaining – between the goofy faces Albert made, those infamous dance moves, and a hot pink bra being thrown on stage (which hung proudly on a band mate’s guitar for the rest of the set), it was easy to sing along and bond with others in the crowd. Audience favorites seemed to be “St. Justice,” “The Boss Americana,” and Hammond’s most famous, “In Transit.” After the show, Albert changed into a black jacket imprinted with his initials “AHJ” and the canine that appears on the album cover. He was kind enough to stick around and chat with fans and meet every person who waited. He is just as personable and goofy off stage as he is on. It is the combination of that bright personality mixed with extreme musical talent that makes Albert Hammond Jr. a successful soloist – not just “that dude from The Strokes.”

WERS had the pleasure of welcoming Massachusetts native Will Dailey to our studio. Dailey has scored wins from the Boston Music Awards a grand five times: for Best Male Singer-Songwriter in 2006, 2009, and in 2012, and for Album of the Year and Artist of the Year in 2014. His rich vocals and contagious energy served as evidence of his worth in such successes. Check out upcoming tour dates here.