Thursday, December 29, 2011

We've moved!

Guess what, dear listeners? We're moving to TUMBLR! Find our new blog at thewitchinghourkwcw.tumblr.com. Same handle, different host.

The Witching Hour has been on Blogspot for a lovely year and a half. However, the times are a changin’ and we’ve decided to move everything over to Tumblr. We’re also switching podcast hosts, but more on that later.

The witches are on winter break, providing Sara the perfect opportunity to transfer everything over. You’ll still be able to visit the old blog here at thewitchinghourkwcw.blogspot.com, but we've transferred all the old content to Tumblr, too!

For the next month or so, we'll continue to post things here, each time with a reminder to check us out over at Tumblr. But after that, 'twill be the end of our Blogspot blog.

Cheers,
sara+mehera+claire

Saturday, December 24, 2011

and a partridge in the whomping willow tree!

Happy Christmas everyone!

We now present our semi-annual holiday show! hooray! so get your Weasley sweaters on and pop open a butterbeer, because The Witching Hour is about to get COZY.

So make sure you tune in to catch (a possible shortened version of) the holiday show! and as always, we hope you have yourselves a Harry little Christmas (or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Solstice or whatever other excellent holiday you celebrate).

Also, a few announcements: As our closest followers may notice, this posting is out of order. Sara's way behind on the podcasts (as usual) so we're gifting you all this episode as it is, after all, Christmas.

After that, there will be some big changes coming to TWH! We're switching podcast hosts, and we'll soon be moving our blog to tumblr. Look for that, and the rest of the episodes from season 4 in the next few weeks.

Season 4 - Episode 14 - And a Partridge in the Whomping Willow Tree

"The Cold Wild Yonder" by Oliver Boyd & the Remembralls
"Xmas Rules, Voldemort Drools" by Harry & the Potters
"Christmas at Hogwarts" by Hungry Hungry Hippogriffs
"My Wish List" by MC Kreacher
"Help Me Hagrid" by Justin Finch-Fletchley & the Sugar Quills
"Have Yourself a Harry Little Christmas" by Gred & Forge
"Drop the Needle, it's Christmas" by Dumbledore
"Yuletide Anthem" by Kwikspell
"Seasonal Depression" by the Whomping WIllows
"A Ministry-Approved Christmas" by Peeved
"So Much Love" by Snidget
"I Need Some Mistletoe" by Neville Longbottom
"The Twelve Days of Wizard Christmas" by Gred & Forge
"The Sweater Song" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Happy Christmas Day" by Oliver Boyd & the Remembralls

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Harry and the Potters take over The Witching Hour... at the witching hour!

Dear listeners,

Finally!! Our special one-hour episode with Harry and the Potters is now available here, and on iTunes!


Backstory: The guys came to Whitman and performed on Saturday, Oct. 29. After the show, we snuck up to the KWCW station and did a special show, 12 - 1 am. They picked the tracks, told some jokes about Walla Walla, took some calls, and generally had a blast.

In fact, they had such fun that we should offer our apologies for the poor audio quality at points—the guys were just super excited and making the levels crazy. I did a bit of editing, but c’est la vie. ENJOY!

Here's a sample of the guys' selections:

  • Hot Chocolate
  • Fugazi
  • Weezer
  • Clarence Clemens & the Red Bank Rockers

And Jacob: We're still wondering. Did Bobby ever get his prize?

Woah.

It's been over 10 years since the release of the film version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Begin chills now...

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Dear Mr. Potter

This is so terribly belated, I knoooooow! Sorry, dear listeners! (My computer crashed. Sympathy plz?) But finally, we present to you our special episode devoted to Dear Mr. Potter, the book that collected fan letters written to the characters who changed their lives—Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Luna and the others. In the episode we read a few of the letters, talk about role that HP and the fan culture has played in our own lives, and play some sweet meta-wrock (that is, wizard rock about wizard rock and wizard culture!) Speaking of which....

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Dear Mr. Potter

"The Leaky Con Theme Song" by the House of Black & Swish and Flick
"Potter Addict" by the House of Black
"Wizard Rock Heart Throb" by the Whomping Willows
"I'm Bringin' Sneakoscopes" by the Sneakoscopes
"Wizard Rock Twist" by the Remus Lupins
"This is Never Going to End" by the Parselmouths
"Post Potter Depression" by Lauren Fairweather
"Rock with a W" by Buckbeak's Flight
"Big Magic Wreggae Party" by Mimbulus Mimbletonia
"For Jo" by RiddleTM
"Open Letter to the Entire Wizarding Community" by the Whomping Willows
"Wrock Fan Girl" by the House of Black
"My Parents are Muggles" by Seen and Unforeseen
"Like It's Quidditch" by the Station
"Book 6 Made Me Cry" by Danny Dementor
"Bring Back Richard Harris" by Harry Potter and the Magic of Music
"Needlessly Complicated" by the Butterbeer Experience
"House Song" by Ministry of Magic

Friday, November 11, 2011

Deathly Hallows part 2 now out on DVD!

Get your copy today! Just don't spoil the special features for us—we haven't been able to see them yet.

xoxo
TWH

Monday, November 7, 2011

Wizard update!

Sorry for the sluggishness of this blog, dear listeners. Blame Sara and her wacky schedule! At any rate, we've got a few exciting things to share with you in the coming weeks, such as:
- Scans of last week's press coverage of the Witching Hour! (See below)
- A link to another Pio article—this time, about Harry and the Potter's magical performance at Whitman. Love those guys!!
- Hopefully the last few podcasts (Dear Mr. Potter, A Hogwarts Halloween, and today's show, The Mystery Hour featuring Theo Pratt of the Freestyle Mystery Tour) will be up in the next few weeks. We also did a SPECIAL live show with Harry and the Potters after their performance, so we'll have that one up too!
- A new photo of us with HATP!


Click the article to view larger!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wizards in the news

Wowee, lots of press coverage for The Witching Hour this week! We were in our college's newspaper not once, not twice, not thrice, but FOUR TIMES! It's almost like people know who we are, crazy~~

First, we were interviewed in an article about our radio station, KWCW, and its involvement in the Walla Walla community. Second, we were voted the most-listened-to program on KWCW! (Thanks, listeners, for voting!) Third, we were featured as the KWCW show of the week in the A&E section, and mentioned along with HATP in the Pio Picks, a list of must-do events for the upcoming weekend.

Of course, much of this coverage has to do with Saturday's HARRY AND THE POTTERS show, but we'll take what we can get.

So pick up a Whitman Pioneer today on campus, or visit their website to read all about us!

Here are the links:

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Harry and the Potters THIS SATURDAY

That's right, listeners! The moment is very nearly here. Harry and the Potters will be at Whitman this coming weekend.

WHO: Harry and the Potters, of course!
WHAT: Wizard rock
WHERE: Reid Coffeehouse
WHEN: Saturday October 29, 9 pm
WHY: Magic~*~*~*

Saturday, October 22, 2011

angst of a phoenix

Another week, another podcast. And this week Sara and Claire cover all the angsty-est topics that ever were whined about.

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Angst of a Phoenix

"Angsty Wizard Summer" by Bella's Love
"Emo Guy" by the Moaning Myrtles
"Keeping Secrets From Me" by Harry and the Potters
"End of an Era" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"Teenage Werewolf" by the Remus Lupins
"Seasonal Depression" by the Whomping Willows
"These Dreams are Dark" by Harry and the Potters
"Helena's Story" by the Butterbeer Experience
"I Couldn't Kill Albus Dumbledore" by Draco and the Malfoys
"The Year Harry Went Emo" by Peeved
"Bridge to the Other Side" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"Old Enough to Die" by Ministry of Magic
"Don't Throw that Book" by the Moaning Myrtles
"I Miss You" by the Purebloods
"For Those Who Are Desperate, For Those Who Are Lost, For Those Who Have Acne" by Bella's Love
"Ode to Lav-Lav" by Roonil Wazlib
"Lavender's Lament" by the Bezoar Project
"Fawkes' Lament" by Talons & Tea Leaves
"The Dark Lord Lament" by Harry and the Potters
"Dean Don't Push Me" by Ginny and the Weasleys
"Occlumency Lessons" by the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office
"The Blood of a Prince" by Harry and the Potters
"Lily (The Sweetest Torture)" by Narcissa Black
"The Godfather" by Harry and the Potters

Monday, October 10, 2011

#occupygringotts on TWH

This past Saturday, Harry and the Potters contributed to the #OccupyBoston protests, part of the larger #OccupyWallStreet movement, in their own magical way. Drawing parallels to the Potterverse, they declared an #OccupyGringotts movement, as described on their tumblr.

In this spirit, TWH joined in this week with an entire episode dedicated to a discussion of the wizard economy, Gringotts, social movements, government, media and the larger "-isms" addressed by JKR.

We spun tracks primarily from the first and second volumes of Wizards and Muggles Rock for Social Justice and Rocking Against Voldemedia, which both supported the Harry Potter Alliance, the #1 Harry Potter social justice activist group, which we've talked about on several occasions.

But on to the podcast...

Season 4 - Episode 5 - #occupygringotts

"Money for Christmas" by the Gringotts Goblin Choir
"Voldemort Controls the Media" by Roonil Wazlib
"My Dad is Rich" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Your Family is Poor" by Draco and the Malfoys
"What up, Hogwarts?" by Big Whompy
"It's Quite Alright" by Catchlove
"Friends" by the Cedric Diggorys
"Werewolf Rights Now" by the Remus Lupins
"United We Fight" DJ Luna Lovegood
"Fang (Keeps Peeing in my Lake)" by the Giant Squidstravaganza
"Save the Quibbler" by Gred and Forge
"Eff the Ministry" by Justin Finch-Fletchley
"Goyle's Pants" by Draco and the Malfoys
"The Rebel Call" by the Whomping Willows
"Part-Werewolf for Hire" by Gred and Forge
"Woe is Me" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Maybe Kreacher Will Bring Me a Sandwich" by Harry and the Potters
"Here's the Scoop" by DJ Luna Lovegood
"(Never) Do What You're Told" by the Remus Lupins
"Owl Post Strike" by the Owl Post and the Mudbloods
"Don't Believe It" by Harry and the Potters
"Quick Quotes Quill" by Tom Riddle & Friends
"Potterwatch Episode 294" by the Sneakoscopes
"Howl at the Moon" by the Moaning Myrtles
"Sniffle My Niffle" by the Nifflers
"I'm in Love with the World" by the Pizookies
"A Werewolf, A Willow" by the Remus Lupins
"Potterwatch" by Catchlove
"Jerry the Goblin" by Tom Riddle & Friends

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Harry and the Potters @ Whitman

As many of our dear listeners know, we had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Paul and Joe DeGeorge of Harry and the Potters this past June before their Ride The Lightening performance in Portland. All summer we dragged the excitement out as we talked and talked and talked about what amazing guys they are. But seriously. Genuine and absolutely hilarious, the duo had some great things to say. For this week's show, we combined the interview with some of beloved, but lesser played, Harry and the Potters tracks and talked a bit about the origins of the Witching Hour. Really, our existence is all thanks to these two, the accidental founders of the wizard rock genre.

You'd think it really doesn't get any better... until it does! After a bit of Witching Hour magic, Whitman Events Board and our radio station, KWCW 90.5 FM Walla Walla, have secured a SPECIAL WHITMAN SHOW this coming Halloween weekend of Harry and the Potters! Hurrah! More details to come, dear (local) listeners.

So, without further ado, a REAL, actual, not deleted proper podcast!


(all songs by HATP unless otherwise noted.)
"Harry Potter"
"I Am A Wizard"
"Wizard Chess"
"Song for the Death Eaters"
"Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock"
"This Book is So Awesome" by Ministry of Magic
"Taking You 2 Skool" by Dumbledore
"Haircut"
"The Enchanted Ceiling"
"Stick it to Dolores"
"We Are Wizards" by MC Kreacher
"Maybe Kreacher Will Bring Me A Sandwich"
"Never Going to the Bathroom Again"
"The Blood of a Prince"
"Accio Hagrid"
"The Missing Arm of Victor Krum"
"Save Ginny Weasley"
"Save Ginny Weasley from Dean Thomas"
"Dumbledore's Army" (live)
"The Fourth Triwizard Champion"
"These Days are Dark"


(Both photos by Ben Hovland.)

Monday, September 26, 2011

Birds & boys

This week we're back and chatting all about relationships in the Potterverse. Our inspiration for the theme, as many have guessed, is from the HATP song, "Hermione's Birds and Boys." We talked a bit about the Hermione-Ron-Lavender triangle, the Harry-Ginny-Dean story, Fred-George-Angelina, Lily-James-Snape, Neville and Luna, Bill and Fleur, Draco and Pansy, and more! The love never stops her at The Witching Hour. Although sometimes it's unrequited. And sometimes.... it's un-podcasted. It's all Sara's fault guys!! I accidentally deleted the file. I am the worst. I know. But here's the track list anyways...?

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Birds & boys (no podcast)

"XOXO Gossip Witch" by the First Task is Dragons
"Portkey to Your Heart" by Into the Pensieve
"Smoochy Smoochy Pukey Pukey" by Harry and the Potters
"Won Won" by Gred and Forge
"Ode to Lav Lav" by Roonil Wazlib
"Hermione's Birds and Boys" by Harry and the Potters
"Hey Hey Ron" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Accio Love" by Ministry of Magic
"Krum" by Justin Finch-Fletchley
"Pansy (You Are the Girl of My Dreams)" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Pansy, Please?" by Hawthorn & Holly
"Potions, Dancing, Hexing & Romancing" by Justin Finch-Fletchley
"Save Ginny Weasley from Dean Thomas" by Harry and the Potters
"Oh, Ginny!" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"Love, Ginny" by Obliviate!
"Bill's Hot Girlfriend" by Gred and Forge
"No Matter How Far (I'll Always Love You)" by Talons & Tea Leaves
"Lily" by Ministry of Magic
"A Pensieve Full of Unrequited Love" by the Mudbloods
"Werwolf Love" by Tonks and the Aurors
"Love Song for Professor Lupin" by the Parselmouths
"In Which Draco and Harry Secretly Want to Make Out" by the Whomping Willows
"Dumbledore's Gay (and that's OK)" by Justin Finch-Fletchley
"Come on Angelina" by Gred and Forge
"Ollie Won't You" by Wrackspurt!
"Phoenix Tears" by Harry and the Potters

And, since you couldn't hear the announcement on air...
HARRY AND THE POTTERS ARE COMING TO WALLA WALLA! They will be performing at Coffeehouse at Whitman on October 29 at 9 pm. Halloween weekend, yes! Tune in Monday October 3 for a HATP-themed show, where we'll be playing clips from this summer's interview.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Deathly Hallows finally reviewed... but not podcasted (oops!)

Dear listeners,
We're really, really sorry, but due to a technical difficulty we don't have a podcast for Monday's second episode about Deathly Hallows part 2. Alas. However, things should be working fine next week, not to worry. And if you'd like to know the tracklist, it is as below:

"The Boy Who Lived" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"My Ear is Not Here" by Gred and Forge
"The Tent" by Harry Potter and the Magic of Music
"So This is It (Take Off This Locket)" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Don't Leave" by Ministry of Magic
"Hermione's Song (You & Me)" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"Potterwatch Episode 294" by the Sneakoscopes
"The Peverell Story" by the Butterbeer Experience
"Dumbledore" by Harry and the Potters
"My Baby" by Ministry of Magic
"We are the DA" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"The Second War" by Into the Pensieve
"Fred's Dead" by Gred and Forge
"Open at the Close" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls

And most importantly, STAY TUNED next Monday for a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT at the end of the show!!!!

Monday, September 12, 2011

End of an era (or is it?)

We're back for another season!!!! Yay yay yay wizard rock! Wizard rock forever!

The Witching Hour has loads of new music, stories, and more to share with you, dear listener. We'll be talking about Pottermore, reviewing Deathly Hallows part 2, airing our interview with Harry and the Potters, and hopefully getting into some super sweet discussions about the Potterverse, as usual.

This week we answer Oliver Boyd's song "End of an Era" with a resounding "Hey, no it's not!" Sure, things are changing, some aspects of wizard culture are changing, but it's not the end, not yet. But we still love the song.



So without further ado, the first episode of our FOURTH season:

Season 4 - Episode 1 - End of an era (or is it?)

"Harry Potter and the Remix of Death" by Mike Relm
"End of an Era" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"Wizard Party Forever!!!" by the Whomping Willows
"A Phoenix Lament" & "Epilogue" by Ministry of Magic
"This is Never Going to End" by the Parselmouths
"The End" by the Remus Lupins
"When the Lights Go Out" by the Whomping Willows
"Post Potter Depression" by Lauren Fairweather
"Into the Night" by Ministry of Magic
"Hallelujah (The Boy That Lived)" by Talons & Tea Leaves
"Save Ginny Weasley from the House of Awesome" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"My Dad is Rich" by Draco and the Malfoys
"The Firebolt (2010)" by Harry and the Potters
"House Elft 4 Life" by MC Kreacher
"Underwater" by the Giant Squidstravaganza
"Prefects are Hot" by the Moaning Myrtles
"For Those Who Are Desperate For Those Who Are Lost For Those Who Have Acne" by Bella's Love
"Problem Solving Skillz" by Harry and the Potters
"Insufferable Know-it-all Hermione Granger" by Gred and Forge
"Caught in your Devil's Snare" by Into the Pensieve
"Expelliarmus Kid" by Peeved
"Your Flying Car" by the Whomping Willows
"Whatever You Like" by DJ Ronald B
"The Weapon" by Harry and the Potters

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Wizhop, wizblues, wizard punk and more: TWH summer mixtape, vol. 2

This month's mixtape is all about re-thinking wizard rock. The movie may be out but this is not the end! We've got some great wiz hop (formerly referred to as wrap—we picked this new and improved term up from Joe DeGeorge) as well as new wrock wrenditions, some recent releases and updates on old favorites by the likes of Draco and the Malfoys and Harry and the Potters.

You can download the mixtape here.

Enjoy the tracks!

"House Elf 4 Life" by MC Kreacher
"Broomsticks and Apparations" by Fawkes
"B.Y.O.W" by Danny Dementor
"Like a Horcrux" (artist unknown)
"We R Lightning Scars" by Alex Carpenter feat. Kri$tina
"Occlumency Lessons" by the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office
"Alohomora" by Pogo
"Party All Night" by the Whomping Willows
"Pixie Funk" by the Blibbering Humdingers
"The Firebolt (2010 version)" by Harry and the Potters
"My Dad is Rich" by Draco and the Malfoys
"The Art of Parseltongue" by Hawthorne and Holly
"Worth Fighting For" by the Butterbeer Experience
"Angsty Wizard Summer" by Bella's Love
"Hallows" by Andy with an M
"Hallelujah (The Boy Who Lived)" by Talons & Tea Leaves

Monday, August 1, 2011

Pottermore registration

Hey listeners! You can now register for Pottermore! Visit the FAQ on the website to learn more.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

If you know what's good for you

... then check out this article about the power and future of wizard rock, dear readers. Saw it via Harry and the Potters' summer tour tumblr.

Excerpt:
Harry and the Potters jump between all these levels, singing about events and emotions, but also releasing their own albums and booking their own tours while organizing human rights projects through the charity they co-founded, Harry Potter Alliance. This connection to human rights is common. I listened, for example, to an entire compilation of Wizard Rock bands like Roonil Wazlib and the Whomping Willows singing about independent media. Their Voldemort is Rupert Murdoch. In fact, I’m pretty sure they’re just singing about Rupert Murdoch. Why, then, don’t they just sing about those things? Why marginalize yourself within a fan community? For one thing, marginalization isn’t a side effect, it’s the point. The Rupert Murdoch references aren’t just trading fictional evil for real evil: The books themselves contain a strong DIY message — when Harry is persecuted by a corrupt government, his friends turn to an independent zine and pirate radio to exonerate him. The community around Wizard Rock rewards the same spirit in their bands.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

So, dear listeners, what did you think of the final film? There's a million different reviews out there—from Rotten Tomatoes calling it "97% certified fresh" to Slate's hilarious "Harry Potter Virgins" piece to Ralph Fiennes' Guardian-published defense of ole Voldie as "just lonely" and Wired's take on the "5 Characters who Overshadowed Harry" (well Snape, duh).

But what did you think? And almost as importantly, did you dress up?? We'd love to hear your comments here or on our Facebook page.

Although the ladies of The Witching Hour were all apart—Mehera in Seattle, Claire in Portland and Sara in Walla Walla—we did our best to keep the show's spirit alive wherever we were. We don't want to give away too much now, but you'll certainly get our opinion of the last film when we're back on air this fall.

Here's a peek of how we celebrated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow, Part 2:


Dolores UmbridgeSnape's patronusNagini with her dear friend Bellatrix

Monday, July 11, 2011

Wrockin' through July: TWH summer mixtape, vol. 1

Here's another exciting summer update:

We will be releasing two summer mixtapes of wrock. July's theme, is, of course, Deathly Hallows-themed. And August is all about brand new wrock, which will include some excellent MC Kreacher, Blibbering Humdingers, Fawkes and tons more!!

We meant to hype this a bit earlier but things got crazy, as they always do, and so it's without further ado that we present the first mixtape. It's especially designed to help you wrock out while in line for HP7p2. (Or any day, really.)

But srsly. Be sure to listen to this on Thursday. Tears will be shed. So. many. tears. But remember—that's not always a bad thing.

You can either download it here from MediaFire, here, or by subscribing to The Witching Hour podcast!

And the tracklist:

"End of an Era" by Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"The Phoenix Lament" and "Epilogue" by Ministry of Magic
"Wizard Party Forever!!!" by the Whomping Willows
"Marauders Forever" by the Remus Lupins (in honor of the end of TRL's live performances)
"No Matter How Far (I'll Still Love You)" by Talons & Tea Leaves
"Penelope" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Ballad of Ron and Hermione" by RiddleTM
"Needlessly Complicated" by the Butterbeer Experience
"Sacrifice" by Stephanie and the Quaffles
"When the Lights Go Out" by the Whomping Willows

Love,
Mehera, Sara & Claire


Look for the second mixtape in mid-August. When our podcasting software decides to work again, we'll have the last show of season 3 and the Harry and the Potters interview for you, too. Then, before you know it, we'll be back in September. It's just like magic!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

The Remus Lupins to perform their final show

Dear listeners, it is with heavy hearts that we announce to you that this Thursday, July 15—the premiere of Deathly Hallows Part 2—will also be the final performance date for the Remus Lupins.

Sara learned this from a Facebook status of Alex Carpenter... and with a bit more digging came across a newly-created Remus Lupins tumblr which details the decision and the future of the band. You can read more there, but here's an excerpt from the post Alex wrote:
In my younger and more vulnerable years, I learned a lesson that I have been turning over in my head ever since. I was told that “All Good Things Must Come to an End” It has always had a melancholy charm to me, the fact that the most important things in our lives are defined by their inherent temporariness. It is knowing that something will eventually end that gives things enhanced meaning, it is the constant comprehension that the moments that we live in need to be appreciated because they will not last forever that makes them powerful. As incredible of the concept as forever is, I think that knowing that an extraordinary experience is finite makes it far more special.
If you'll be at LeakyCon 2011, that's where it will be, so definitely don't miss out. And if you won't, be sure to celebrate TRL with a song or two.

It's a sad moment for a wizard rock radio show like ours because, with the conclusion of the film series, this could be the beginning of the end for many wrock bands. The future is certainly a foggy one, and Alex has a point... all good things do eventually come to an end.

Well, The Witching Hour has this to say to you, Alex: the shows may end but our CDs will be played till they wear out.... and then we'll buy new ones from you online!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Wizard rock greatest hits

Courtesy of Harry and the Potters.
Tune in this week for Mehera and Claire's favorite wizard rock songs of all time! This is the last regularly scheduled podcast of season three, but keep checking in with The Witching Hour throughout the summer for some exciting updates.

As a matter of fact…. in just a few weeks, we will be releasing Part 1 of our interview with Paul and Joe of HARRY AND THE POTTERS! That's right, guys, the one, the only, the original wizard rock band and the boys who brought it to life. We caught up with them in Portland on their Ride the Lightning tour on topics like the new movie release, Dear Mr. Potter, and more.

On top of that, we'll be SOLVING the mystery of Justin Finch-Fletchley and the pizza obsession! We chatted briefly with Justin in Portland and he finally answered why, why, why he's so into pizza.

So, without further ado, here's the tracks for the newest podcast:

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Greatest Hits

"XOXO Gossip Witch" by the First Task is Dragons
"Alohomora" by Pogo
"I'll Follow Their Son" by the Remus Lupins
"Problem-Solving Skillz" by Harry and the Potters
"My Dad is Rich" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Animals That Have Left Me" by the Mudbloods
"Trains, Doubts and Dreams" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Portkey into Your Heart" by Into the Pensieve
"The Boy Who Lived" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Taking You To School" by Dumbledore
"Bookworm" by Roonil Wazlib
"I Believe in Nargles" by the Whomping Willows
"Loosen Your Tie" by the Remus Lupins
"Hey Hey Ron" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Just a Hufflepuff" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Made to by a Gryffindor" by the Nifflers
"Pizza in the Hall" by Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills
"Accio Love" by Ministry of Magic (acoustiatus version)
"Pretty Girl" by Peeved
"Meet Me on Diagon Alley" by Ministry of Magic
"House of Awesome Theme Song" by the Whomping Willows
"Save Ginny" by Harry and the Potters
"Pensieve Diggory" by Ministry of Magic
"Eulogy, Book IV" by Philsopherock
"Woe is Me" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Come On, Angelina" by Gred and Forge
"Who Are These Boyz?" by the Parselmouths
"Caught in Your Devil's Snare" by Into the Pensieve
"Underwater" by the Giant Squidstravaganza
"Bravest Man I Ever Knew" by Ministry of Magic
"The Burrow" by RiddleTM feat. the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office
"I Am A Wizard" by Harry and the Potters

Monday, June 27, 2011

Pottermore

Have you heard? Jo has released the news on her exciting new project, "Pottermore."

We recommend the links below to get the full details.
Are you planning to sign up? What do you think of the name—weird? fitting? awesome? Share with us @ thewitchinghour.kwcw@gmail.com!

Friday, June 24, 2011

These Days are Dark

Courtesy of Mugglenet Screencaps
Grab some tissues before you listen to this episode, dear listeners. Finally, we present the second-to-last podcast of Season 3: The Deathly Hallows revisited, a heavy dose of the Butterbeer Experience, the Hermione Crookshanks Experience, Ministry of Magic and more. A reflection on the books and the first movie, it prepares you (and the DJs!) for the July 15 film release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Deathly Hallows Part 2

Before anyone starts weeping, let's get to the tracks:

"For Jo" by RiddleTM
"Needlessly Complicated" by the Butterbeer Experience
"These Days are Dark" by Harry and the Potters
"Goodbye Privet Drive" by Ministry of Magic
"So Long and Goodbye" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"The Seven Potters" by the Remus Lupins
"Falling Sidecar" by Ministry of Magic
"The Ministry is Fallen" by Ministry of Magic
"At the Ministry" by the Butterbeer Experience
"Voldemort Controls the Media" by Roonil Wazlib
"Don't Leave" by Ministry of Magic
"So This is It... (Take Off This Locket)" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Godric's Hollow" by Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons
"The Peverell Story" by the Butterbeer Experience
"In Which I am Wrong" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Potterwatch" by the Basilisk in Your Pasta
"Penelope" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"This Town" by Ministry of Magic
"The Rebel Call" by the Whomping
"Call to Arms" by Ministry of Magic
"The Second War" by Into the Pensieve
"Confessions of the Half-Blood Prince" by Into the Pensieve
"Open at the Close" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Harry Potter is Dead" by Ministry of Magic
"Expelliarmus Kid" by Peeved
"The Phoenix Lament/Epilogue" by Ministry of Magic

Monday, June 20, 2011

Adventures with Harry P

This time last month, Sara took a journey to some of the key places in the cities of Edinburgh, Oxford and London—key places in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. This is her account of her adventures there.

A book series that has played a profound role in my childhood and that continues to impact my life today, Harry Potter, as we all know, is like none other. Thus I wanted to take some time to reflect on the places I visited. I've already collected the photos in a Flickr set here.

In Edinburgh

The Elephant House

First up was the so-called birthplace of Harry, of course. It was in this cafe that JK Rowling sat for long hours, writing out the first draft of the book. According to interviews, Jo was on a train when the idea of Harry first came to her, but I was on more of a pilgrimage, not an attempt to recreate her life, so lunching at the Elephant House was more than exciting enough. The food was really great and the cafe itself was overwhelmingly unaffected by its literary claim to fame. That was, until you got to the toilets. They were fantastic. Someone seemed to have pasted magazine cut-outs of all the HP actors on every inch of them, and fans who came to the Elephant House for the same reason as I had scrawled their affections for JKR all over the walls and door. Some thanked Jo for changing their lives, others wrote their favorite quotes or moments from the books, yet others wrote their own names and date of visit. I knew immediately what I wanted to add: ÏŸ THE WITCHING HOUR ÏŸ WROCK ON, HARRY!





Greyfriars Kirkyard

Located directly behind the Elephant House, this graveyard provided Jo many names for her books—Potter, Granger, Moody, McGonagall, and most notably, Tom Riddle. My friend Michaela also has a habit of borrowing names from the deceased and employing them in her plays, and I thought of her as I wove through the rows of headstones.


City Hall

The next stop was city hall, to appreciate the Edinburgh Award, a prestigious civic achievement award given to JKR in 2008, 17 years after moving to the city and 11 years since the publication of the Philosopher's Stone. The same award has been presented to the likes of Annie Lennox and Ian Rankin.

As it turns out, she actually has quite small hands.


The Balmoral Hotel

The final destination in Edinburgh was, fittingly, where Jo completed the final words of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and later left a note in Sharpie on the marble bust in her hotel room. It was crazy to go from the beginning—the modest Elephant House—to the end—glitzy Balmoral Hotel—in two days. It was crazy to think how Jo's life, not just her fans', was revolutionized by the publication of her books.

In Oxford

Christ College

By which I mean HOGWARTS! One of the many colleges at Oxford University, Christ College is where C.S. Lewis once taught mathematics, and where the Great Hall and other parts of Hogwarts Castle were set and filmed for the Harry Potter movies. Although now occupied by non-magical students and decorated rather differently, it was a very overwhelming feeling to be in a place that felt simultaneously so significant and yet so familiar. I did not shed a silent, happy tear while there, in case you were wondering. We came just after lunch, and the tables were all set just like at a Great Hall feast. There was even a head table for the professors. The old guard standing there even asked me if I saw any of the paintings move.

As it turns out, many other sets of the film were at Oxford, including the Hospital Wing and library, but I only had a bit of time and couldn't participate in a tour that took visitors to sights such as these. Alas, next time.











In London

Cecil Court and Leadenhall Market

An entire day was devoted in London to seeing Potterish things.

Top on the list were two areas, Cecil Court and Leadenhall Market, which JKR used to visit and inspired the idea of Diagon Alley. Indeed, both were very peculiar places full of dusty, old shops selling vintage prints, wine-filled chocolates, old-fashioned clothes and ancient-looking books. Sadly, I didn't find any treasures worth buying, mostly because the shopkeepers on Cecil Court were about as friendly as someone from Knockturn Alley—not Diagon Alley. We ran away rather quickly.


Movie locations: King's Cross, Gringotts, the Ministry of Magic and the Millenium Bridge

Next on the list was a number of top London movie spots. My train from Edinburgh came in to King's Cross, and I about died twice. The first time, because I was in King's Cross. The second time, because I learned that construction at the train station had closed all platforms between 8 and 11. That includes platform 9 and 3/4, in case you were wondering. Instead, it had been relocated to outside King's Cross station, simply a giant poster attached to half a trolley cart. Nonetheless I got the photo...

I also visited the Australia House, where Gringotts interior shots were done, although it was a Saturday so I couldn't get in, alas.

Slightly more exciting were the exterior shots for the Ministry of Magic, taken at Great Scotland Yard near Trafalgar Square. Yah know, where the trio abducts ministry officials and Mr. Weasley takes Harry to his trial.

After that was the Millenium Bridge, which is epically destroyed by Death Eaters in the beginning of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It's a beautiful bridge, dedicated (unsurprisingly) in 2000, and quite sturdy if you ask me. I checked.



And so ended my UK adventures with Harry P. It was amazing to see in person many of these places that had occupied my imagination for so long, but at the same time, it helped me realize that, despite my fascination with British culture as a kid, it is very much an ordinary place and Edinburgh and London cities with many ordinary features. They have shops and people and restaurants and places of employment and schools and streets and government just like anywhere else.

Well, and wizards, too. That will always be special.


*************

Look for another podcast later this week!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Have Yourself a Harry Little Christmas... in June

Happy anniversary of the end of the Second Wizarding War! Well, not quite. That day was May 2, 1998 and this podcast is coming out in June. Blame DJ Sara——Mehera and Claire recorded the show on May 2 but it is only now being released. Perhaps it is for the best. You might be a bit more emotional right now if it truly were the 13th anniversary of the death of so many of our favorite HP characters. Although, as Mehera notes, it's only six more years till the epilogue occurs... if you do the math, some of our new favorites (*cough*ALBUSSEVERUS*cough*) have already been born. But I digress.

This week is our bi-annual holiday show, featuring songs from charity wrock compilation albums. There are some really great songs packed in here, so don't miss out!

Season 3 - Episode 11 - A Very Harry Christmas

"Drop the Needle, It's Christmas" by Dumbledore
"It's Not Christmas" by the Moaning Myrtles
"Have Yourself a Harry Little Christmas" by Gred and Forge
"Light the Castle Up" by the Remus Lupins
"House Elf Party" by the Blibbering Humdingers
"My Wish List" by MC Kreacher
"Christmas Shopping for Dobby" by Harry and the Potters
"All I Want for Christmas" by Draco and the Malfoys
"An Epic Christmas Tale, Chapter 3: We Lift Each Other Up" by the Mudbloods
"Decorate Me" by the Whomping Willows
"Yuletide Anthem" by Kwikspell
"Money for Christmas" by the Gringotts Goblin Choir
"Hogwarts Lullaby" by the Veelas
"The 12 Days of Wizard Christmas" by Gred and Forge
"Nothing to Fear" by Ministry of Magic
"Seasonal Depression" by the Whomping Willows
"The Sweater Song" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Wizard Chess" by Harry and the Potters
"Christmas with the Weasleys" by the Remus Lupins
"The Cold, Wild Yonder" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Celebrate the Day" RiddleTM
"It's Snowing" by Catchlove
"Spread the Pureblood Cheer" by the Purebloods
"Voldemort's Secret Santa" by Seen and Unforseen
"When Bellatrix Came Over for Christmas/What?!" by Harry and the Potters
"Help Me, Hagrid" by Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills
"Magical Christmas" by House of Black
"X-mas Rules, Voldemort Drools" by Harry and the Potters
"Happy Christmas Day" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Happee Birthdae TWH blog!

The Witching Hour's blog is one year old today! Just like Harry when ol' Voldie killed his parents! Okay, perhaps not an appropriate simile. But you get the picture—our little radio show has grown so fast. It seems only yesterday that The Witching Hour was only a dream, and here we are about to interview Harry and the Potters, the founders of the genre for which we exist to promote.

A million heartfelt thanks to everyone who's read the blog, listened to the podcast, supported us and encouraged us.

xoxo

Sara, Mehera & Claire

Friday, June 10, 2011

Interview of the century

Hey dear listeners, remember that time we told you Harry and the Potters were coming to Portland?

WELL GUESS WHAT!

THEY AGREED TO BE INTERVIEWED FOR THE SHOW!

Harry and the Potters is the greatest band of all time.

If you have any questions for them, please send them along to thewitchinghour.kwcw@gmail.com or post them on our Facebook group! You've only got about a week and a half to do so.... so get on it!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Wrock wrenditions, upcoming cons, and more!

This week on the Witching Hour we play some new and old wrock "wrendition" favorites—coupled with some wrock that focuses specifically on the wizard wrock genre and a discussion on Harry Potter conferences. If they intrigue you, the next Wrockstock is this Halloween in Missouri, LeakyCon 2011 is over the weekend of the release of Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 in Orlando, and next year is Ascendio, also in Orlando. Interested? It's never too late to get involved in an online Harry Potter community! (Except maybe in the case of this year's LeakyCon, as conference tickets are starting to sell out!)

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Wrock Wrenditions & Meta-Wrock #3

But to get to the music.... this week's songs are:

"99 Deatheaters" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Weasley Family" by the Holyhead Harpies feat. Catchlove
"Eulogy, Book VI" by Philosopherock
"We're the Students at Hogwarts" by Catchlove
"I'll Follow their Son" by the Remus Lupins
"Whatever You Like" by DJ Ronald B
"Like It's Quidditch" by the Station
"Ginny is a Punk Rocker" by the Whomping Willows
"I've Just Seen a Witch" by Madam Pince and the Librarians
"Hey Remus" by the Whomping Willows
"This Book is So Awesome" by Harry and the Potters
"This Book is So Awesome" by Ministry of Magic
"In Which Draco and Harry Secretly Want to Make Out" by the Whomping Willows
"Draco and Harry" by Into the Pensieve
"Wrock Fangirl" by House of Black
"This is Never Going to End" by the Parselmouths
"Rock with a W" by Buckbeak's Flight
"Big Magic Wreggae Party" by Mimbulus Mimbletonia
"I'm Bringin' Sneakoscopes" by the Sneakoscopes
"Bring Back Richard Harris" by Harry Potter and the Magic of Music
"Wizard Rock Heartthrob" by the Whomping Willows
"Thanks for the Potter Puppet Pals" by Harry Potter and the Magic of Music
"Potter Addict" by House of Black
"For Jo" by RiddleTM
"Wizard Rock Twist" by the Remus Lupins
"Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock" by Harry and the Potters


Edit: Sorry guys, it looks like I accidentally published the "raw" version of Wrock Wrenditions & Meta-wrock #3. You may need to re-download it if you want to hear the pretty-fied, quality version in iTunes or above. (I've fixed the link so it plays the right one!)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Harry and the Potters: SUMMER TOUR!

Courtesy of Harry and the Potters.


Good news, dear listeners!

Harry and the Potters are going on a summer tour! At times they will be joined with their friends Justin Finch-Fletchley, the Whomping Willows, and Lauren Fairweather, as well as others along the way. Mehera, Sara and Claire will be attending their June 21 show at Backspace in Portland, and Mehera will be at the Seattle Public Library show on June 24, too. Join us and RIDE THE LIGHTNING!!!!!!

For exact details, dates and tickets, visit their website.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

... And we're back.

Sorry for the delay on the podcasts, friends. TWH's resident podcaster, Sara, was travelling extensively, moving into a new apartment, blah dee dah, but now she's back, and ready to share the latest and greatest of this spring's wizard rock! Look for a new episode this week!

And in other news, we've updated our Facebook group. You should be able to see it on the left side of your newsfeed, hurrah!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

A Day at Hogwarts

Dear listener,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress


FIRS' YEARS THIS WAY!

OMG you guys, you've been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! in honor of your acceptance, we're doing a show to help you get in the mood for things you might encounter at Hogwarts, like people from different houses, difficult classes, Quidditch games, and so much more.

Season 3 - Episode 9 - A Day at Hogwarts

"Taking You to School" by Dumbledore
" by Harry and the Potters
"Hogwarts Here I Come" by Into the Pensieve
"What Up, Hogwarts?" by Big Whompy
"We're the Students at Hogwarts" by Catchlove
"Trains, Doubts, and Dreams" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Potions, Dancing, Hexing and Romancing" by Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills
"House Song" by Ministry of Magic (and friends!)
"Go Go Gryffindors" by the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office feat. Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"In Which Green is the Best Color" by the Parselmouths
"We are Ravenclaws" by DJ Accio
"For all the Hufflepuffs" by the Remus Lupins
"Problem-Solving Skillz" by Harry and the Potters
"Pick Me in the Classroom" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Pretty Girl" by Peeved
"Bookworm" by Roonil Wazlib
"History of Magic" by Gred and Forge
"Potions Yesterday" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Divination" by Gred and Forge
"APWBD" by the Remus Lupins
"My Baby" by Ministry of Magic
"Sybill Trelawney" by Catchlove
"Snape" by the Remus Lupins
"Captain of Gryffindor" by the First Task is Dragons
"Gryffindor Rally Cry" by Ministry of Magic
"Broomstick" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Chasin' Snitches" by the Cruciatus Curse
"SPEW" by Harry and the Potters
"Prefects are Hot" by the Moaning Myrtles
"Loosen Your Tie" by the Remus Lupins
"Hogsmeade Hop" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Yuletide Anthem" by Kwikspell
"Hogwarts Lullaby" by the Veelas

Saturday, April 23, 2011

From school dances to first dates, class bullies to the most evil wizard of all time...

Courtesy of WarnerBros.
This week The Witching Hour investigates the events of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Discussing topics like the Yule Ball, the death of Cedric... and then Sirius, the DA and introduction of countless wonderful characters like Luna Lovegood and Nymphadora Tonks, this is a show you won't want to miss!




Season 3 - Episode 6 - Books 4 & 5

Part 1: Book 4
"Triwizard Tournament" by Harry and the Potters
"Cedric" by the Moaning Myrtles
"Bonjour Fleur" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Krum" by Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills
"Durmstrang Boy" by the Parselmouths
"It's Dragons! It's Mermaids! It's a Maze!" by the Mudbloods
"Potter Stinks" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Quick Quotes Quill" by Tom Riddle and Friends
"Ravenclaw Seeker" by Remedial Potions
"Cho Chang" by the Mudbloods
"The Yule Ball" by Ginny and Weasleys
"The Yule Ball" by Harry and the Potters
"Yule Ball" by the Fleur Delacours
"The Real Mad-Eye Moody" by Philosopherock
"Eulogy, Book IV" by Philosopherock
"Pensieve Diggory"
"Woe is Me" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls

Part 2: Book 5
"The Year Harry Went Emo" by Peeved
"Stick it to Dolores" by Harry and the Potters
"U Down w/the OOTP?" by Dumbledore
"Aurors for the Win" by Tonks and the Aurors
"Dumbledore's Army" by Harry and the Potters
"We are the DA" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"The Human Hosepipe" by Harry and the Potters
"Lovegood (Acoustiatus version)" by Ministry of Magic
"I Believe in Nargles" by the Whomping Willows
"Bridge to the Other Side" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"I May Lose Everything" by Ministry of Magic

Sunday, April 10, 2011

It's 1975 all over again...

The loneliest Slytherin. Image courtesy of the Harry Potter Wiki
Finally, the latest podcast is out. This week the Witching Hour focuses on the key figures of Hogwarts, 1975: The Marauders, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, as well as Lily Evans and Severus Snape.

We want to dedicate this week's episode to our fan Tabitha for being such a faithful listener! This week's for you!

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Back in the Day (Marauders Era)

This week's tracks:

"My Parents Are Muggles" by Seen or Unforseen (as requested by Jesse!)
"Marauders' Map" by Ministry of Magic
"Baby I'm Back" by the Purebloods
"Great, I'm in Love with a Flower" by Padfoot and Prongs
"The Godfather" by Harry and the Potters
"The Godfather, Part II" by Harry and the Potters
"I Miss You" by the Purebloods
"The Veil" by the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office
"Furry Little Problem" by the Marauders
"Teenage Werewolf" by the Rempus Lupins
"Hey Remus" by the Whomping Willows
"My Teacher is a Werewolf" by Harry and the Potters
"Love Song for Professor Lupin" by the Parselmouths
"Werewolf Love" by Tonks and the Aurors
"Beneath Your Scar" by Muggle Relations
"Peter Pettigrew, that Rat" by Catchlove
"Wormtail Soup" by the Marauders
"Honorary Marauder" by Tonks and the Aurors
"However Far Away" by Ministry of Magic
"Marauders Forever" by the Remus Lupins
"Marauders" by Danny Dementor
"Marauders' Worst Memory" by the Remus Lupins
"Snape's Worst Memory" by the Marauders
"Song of the Doe" by Reflections of Lily
"This Book is so Awesome" by Harry and the Potters
"Dear Mister Snape" by The Cruciatus Curse
"Snape vs. Snape" by Ministry of Magic
"Run Snape Run" by Harry Potter and the Magic of Music
"The Bravest Man I Ever Knew" by Ministry of Magic

Monday, April 4, 2011

Drumroll please....



Yes, it's true: It all ends on July 15, 2011. And it's already less than 100 days until that day rolls around.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

No show this or next week!

... 'cause it's spring break at Whitman. Tune in again on March 28!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Ron.. Ron... Ron WEASLEY (& Dobby too!)


Our utmost apologies for the delays recently! The week before last, Mehera was tragically sick and the show was cancelled. Last week, Sara was traveling. But finally, we're back and happy to present our special show on two of the Potterverse's most lovable characters: Ron Weasley and Dobby the House Elf.

Why these two, you ask? Well, dear readers, just last Wednesday, Ron turned 31 years old! (The math: Harry's parents tombstones say Oct. 31, 1981. Harry was 1 when his parents died, putting his birth at July 31, 1980. Ron, also in Harry's year, had to have been born then on March 1, 1980. School begins in your eleventh year—1991. This confirms outside reports that the books take place in the years 1991-1997. Finally, it's currently 2011… and ta-da! Happy 31st birthday, Ron!)

As for dear little Dobby, estimates by the Lexicon put his death somewhere in March, and so this year, a kind soul created a Facebook event to declare March 1 Dobby Remembrance Day. It caught on, eventually having thousands of event attendees. And so it is.

Now, time for the podcast.

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Ron and Dobby

"Alohomora" by Pogo (last.fm)
"The Weasle" by Harry and the Potters
"Wizard Chess" by Harry and the Potters
"Your Flying Car" by the Whomping Willows
"We Save Ron's Life, Part 8" by Harry and the Potters
"Eulogy for an Acromantula" by the Mudbloods
"Follow the Spiders" Harry and the Potters
"The Weasleys" by the Remus Lupins
"Freckled" by I Speak Tree
"I Heart Weasleys" by Ministry of Magic
"The Weasley Family" by the Holyhead Harpies feat. Catchlove and Oliver Boyd & the Rememberalls
"Why Don't We Do It in the Burrow?" by Tonks and the Aurors
"The Burrow" by RiddleTM feat. the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office
"The Missing Arm of Viktor Krum" by Harry and the Potters
"Hey, Hey Ron" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Lumos Flies" by ALL CAPS
"Granger Danger" from A Very Potter Musical Soundtrack
"Accio Love" by Ministry of Magic
"So This Is It (Take Off That Locket)" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Don't Leave" by Ministry of Magic
"Locket" by Creevey Crisis
"Dobby Bang Your Head" by the Blibbering Humdingers
"SPEW" by Harry and the Potters
"House Elves" by Dreary Inferi
"My Wish List" by MC Kreacher
"House Elf Party" by the Blibbering Humdingers
"Evanesco Dobby" by Ministry of Magic


The next podcast, about the Marauders Era, should be out soon! (For realz!)

Friday, February 18, 2011

His eyes are as green as a fresh-pickled toad...

Courtesy of... the magic of Tumblr
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.


Happy [belated] Valentine's Day from your loves at the Witching Hour, and the rest of the wizarding community, too. Here's to hoping it was more love-filled and less awkward than most.

If you're just not finished enjoying V-day, consider reading a hilarious but perceptive article about the singing valentine mystery of The Chamber of Secrets. Oh, Harry Potter Lexicon, you take these things so seriously.

On the Witching Hour, we celebrated in the usual wizard fashion, with singing cherubs and of course romantic and awkward wizard rock. So without further ado...

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Be mine, Valentine

And this week's tunes:

"The Valentine Song" by Ginny and the Weasleys
"Smoochey Smoochey Pukey Pukey" by Harry and the Potters
"Transfigure it Out" by Into the Pensieve
"A Pensieve Full of Unrequited Love" by the Mudbloods
"Lily" by Ministry of Magic
"Oh Great, I'm in Love with a Flower" by Padfoot & Prongs
"Won Won" by Gred & Forge
"Ode to Lav Lav" by Roonil Wazlib
"Lavender's Lament" by The Bezoar Project
"Thank You Amortentia" by Anvil the Hints
"Brokenhearted" by the Hermione Crookshanks Experience
"Hermione's Song (You & Me)" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Whatever You Like" by DJ Ronald B
"Sonorus Love" by Ministry of Magic
"Pansy (You are the Girl of my Dreams)" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Brotherly Love" by Gred & Forge
"In Which Draco and Harry Secretly Want to Make Out" by the Whomping Willows
"Ollie Won't You?" by the Wrackspurts
"Cho Chang" by the Mudbloods
"The Human Hosepipe" by Harry and the Potters
"Dean Don't Push Me" by Ginny and the Weasleys
"Save Ginny Weasley from Dean Thomas" by Harry and the Potters
"Meet Me on Diagon Alley" by Ministry of Magic
"Who are these Boys?" by the Parselmouths
"Secret Kisses" by 142 Staircases
"Love Song for Professor Lupin" by the Parselmouths
"Werewolf Love" by Tonks and the Aurors
"If Loving You is Wrong Then I'm a Werewolf" by Bella's Love
"The Mirror of Erised" by Stephanie and the Quaffles
"I'll Love You Good" by Mimbulus Mimbletonia
"Caught in Your Devil's Snare" by Into the Pensieve

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Harry Potter series wins BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in 2011



Check it out—David Heyman, JK Rowling, most of the directors, Emma and Rupert all turn up to represent the now-OFFICIALLY most important movie series EVER!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Dumbi vs. Voldi

Illustration by Mary GrandPre.
Finally, the Witching Hour is back! We began last week with our show "The Beginning"—unfortunately, we don't have the podcast to prove it. But in week 2, we looked at Dumbledore, Voldemort, and the relationship between these crucial characters.

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Dumbi vs. Voldi

As you may notice, we've switched to a 2-hour format. There's just too much good wizard rock in the world for the Witching Hour to be just one hour, dear listeners! So please enjoy our extra-long playlist:

"Dumbledore ist bei Dir" by Fresh Dumbledore
"On the Other Side" by Ministry of Magic
"The Dumbledores" by Gryffindor Common Room Rejects
"Eulogy Book 6" by Philosopherock
"U Down w/OOTP?" by Dumbledore
"I Couldn't Kill Albus Dumbledore" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Dumbledore" by Harry and the Potters
"Dumbledore's Army" by Ginny and the Weasleys
"We are the DA" by Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls
"Dumbledore's Army" by Harry and the Potters
"APWBD" by the Remus Lupins
"Dumbledore's Gay (and that's OK!)" by Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills
"Bring Back Richard Harris" by Harry Potter and the Magic of Music
"Dumbi vs. Voldi" by Fresh Dumbledore
"The Villain" by Ministry of Magic
"Evil is Sexy" by Voldemort
"Voldemort is Awesome" by Draco and the Malfoys
"Dear Tom" by Ginny and the Weasleys
"Voldemort, Peace Off!" by Basilisk in Your Pasta
"Voldemort Controls the Media" by Roonil Wazlib
"Interview with Voldemort" by RiddleTM
"Voldemort Fan Girl" by the Parselmouths

IT'S COMING!!!!!

Dear listeners,

Sara is editing the new podcast, Dumbi vs. Voldi, RIGHT NOW! Look for it later today.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Bet you didn't know...

Image courtesy of A Fort Made of Books
Fun fact: According to J.K. Rowling's web site, Harry became head of the Auror department in the Ministry in 2007.

Here at the Witching Hour, we love thinking about what our favorite wizard and company might be up to these days... Rufus Scrimgeour was an Auror back in his day, before becoming Minister for Magic. Please, Jo, don't tell us that Harry's going to follow his lead.

A magical blessing to anyone who can tell us how old Harry turns this coming July!

Friday, February 4, 2011

New poster!

The first show premiered last Monday, celebrating the greatest wrock all about Book 1, with only a few mishaps along the way. Unfortunately the most prominent of these mishaps, it seems, was a technological problem-o with the digital file. Alas, we may not have the first one available to our podcasters. Alas! Hopefully everything will be sorted out before the next show.

In the meantime, enjoy this poster, which you will hopefully recognize....

Monday, January 31, 2011

We're back, witches!

And oh how we missed you!

It's time for Season THREE here at the Witching Hour, and we couldn't be more excited to bring you more wizardry, more music, and more love from your usual DJs—plus one more!

As faithful listeners will know, Sara's currently studying in Germany, and none other than the lovely Claire Johnson herself has kindly stepped in to join Mehera in the station.

The new show will be Mondays 5-7 pm PST, beginning TODAY!