By Danielle Modica | March 27, 2023
University at Albany’s student-run public radio station, WCDB-90.9 FM hosted their second annual WCDB Fest this past Sunday, March 26 in the campus center ballroom. The festival, celebrating the station’s 45th anniversary, consisted of live performances by local bands, art and food vendors, as well as an awards ceremony celebrating the Capital Region’s finest performers.
WCDB Fest 2023 Poster
Photo Credit: WCDB Instagram / @wcdb_albany
“It's really a pleasure to be able to showcase a lot of the local artists in the scene and give them a platform,” UAlbany alum & WCDB DJ “Ghosty Jam” Rachel Freeman said.
Nominees awaiting the awards ceremony
Photo Credit: Danielle Modica / The ASP
Last year, the fest was held at the Albany Barn, off campus. Though the venue felt more official, according to WCDB General Manager Mehr Sharma, there was a disconnect with the student body.
“On-campus is a lot cheaper, but also we wanted to reach more of the student body and let them know that WCDB is here on campus,” Sharma said. “We're doing awesome stuff to connect with local musicians, visual artists and restaurants, and want to bring the scene to people on campus who may not make it out to shows normally.”
The evening kicked off with an array of local vendors offering a selection of art prints, handmade goods, and food items.
Artist Quill Harrison’s art print display at WCDB Fest (@September_Colors on Instagram)
Photo Credit: Danielle Modica / The ASP
Handmade crochet goods display by Yarn from Jess (@YarnFromJess on Instagram)
Photo Credit: Danielle Modica / The ASP
Three vendors returned from the first fest, including Sharma’s own art under the pseudonym “Autwine,” local “zine,” or self-published magazines HyperSaturation, as well as quick bites from Albany Korean-American restaurant Son of Egg.
Son of Egg table (@Son_of_Egg on Instagram)
Photo Credit: Danielle Modica / The ASP
Capital-Region-based musicians House of Saturn and Cordyceps performed throughout the start of the night, assisting in the transition from vendor fair to awards ceremony.
“There are so many moving parts to this event, making sure to contact nominees and vendors and get the space setup right,” Sharma said. “But we're very excited to see the outcome of all of our hard work. It's been a really big all station hands on project, every DJ has helped out with decorating the ballroom and has been killing it running sound for this event.”
Rising Artist of the Year winner Sir Echo performed immediately after receiving their award, putting on a powerful and animated alt-rock show.
Sir Echo jamming on stage
Photo Credit: Danielle Modica / The ASP
Lead singer Amelia of Sir Echo performing in a holographic tulle mini-dress and platform boots
Photo Credit: Danielle Modica / The ASP
Best Country/Folk Artist Hold on Honeys closed out the night with a soulful three-song guitar and vocal performance.
Hold on Honeys performing
Photo Credit: Danielle Modica / The ASP
WCDB will be hosting a Spring Show on April 21 at WAMC’s “The Linda,” featuring bands Mannequin Pussy, Soul Recipe, and WCDB 2023 Battle of the Bands winner Senior Living. For more information on WCDB, visit their website at WCBDFM.com, Instagram, or tune in to 90.9FM.
See below for a complete list of winners, as well as a gallery of photos from the awards show.
WCDB Awards Winners 2023:
Best Non-WCDB DJ: Tall Ass Matt
Distinguished Honor: “Wheels of Steel” (DJ Kastro, DJ ChizZick, DJ RIDDICK)
Best Punk/Hardcore/Metal Artist: Alliteration
Best Country/Folk Artist: Hold on Honeys
Best Electronica Artist: 100 Psychic Dreams
Best Jazz Artist: Michael Benedict
Best R&B/Funk/Soul Artist: Naomi Onyx
Best Hip-Hop/Rap Artist: Capital City Crooks
Best Alternative Rock/Indie Artist: Lemon of Choice
Rising Artist of the Year: Sir Echo
Song of the Year: “No Escape” by Canella
Album/EP of the Year: “Frames” by Proximity Crush
WCDB DJ of the Year: Mehr Sharma “DJ Spicy Brown”
Artist of the Year: Proximity Crush
Photo Credits: Danielle Modica / The ASP
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