NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | Music | Profiles & Interviews | AAN.org

Slim Twig Insists That It's Only Rock and Rollnew

The articulate, soft-spoken 21-year-old Slm Twig has ridden a wave of underground hype over the past few years, but now he's getting positive reviews in the mainstream press, too. Not bad for someone who freely admits he's not much of a musician.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 05-29-2009 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Contempt!, indie rock, Slim Twig

Philly Electro Mavericks Pink Skull Keep It Live and Dirtynew

Unlike many live electronic acts, Pink Skull tend to stay fairly close to the original arrangements. They still leave some room for improvisation, but the overall structure of the songs is locked down in advance, which keeps things concise and focused.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 09-22-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Pink Skull

Kansas City Art Punks Ssion Go Popnew

Ssion, coming from an art background, are an over-the-top multimedia extravaganza featuring synchronized video projections, edgy theatrical performances, crazy costumes and an upcoming full-length movie to accompany their recent album, Fool's Gold (Sleazetone).

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 06-30-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Kansas City, Fool's Gold, art punk, electro punk, Sleazetone, Ssion

South Rakkas Crew Balance Hipster Hype with Dancehall Reggae Respectnew

One minute they're putting out riddim records featuring some of the biggest names in reggae and the next they're dropping futuristic dancehall electro on Diplo's Mad Decent label.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 05-12-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: dance music, dancehall, electro, South Rakkas Crew

Slugging It Out in NYC Clubs Pays Off for DJ Eli Escobarnew

In the aftermath of the indie dance scene has helped open doors for people like Escobar, who can churn out hipster-friendly remixes with the best of them but also has the DJ skills to make his living playing big mainstream clubs as well as cool kid parties.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 04-18-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: clubs, DJs, dance music, DJ Eli Escobar, indie dance

Kid Sister’s Kanye Bouncenew

Chi-town rising star Melisa Young makes the most of unlikely Kanye West boost.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 01-11-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Kid Sister

Disco Love Affairnew

Andy Butler connects the classics with contemporary club sounds.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 12-14-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Norwegian DJs Do It Differentlynew

Oslo-based cosmic disco specialist Prins Thomas (aka Thomas Hermansen) makes grooves that most would describe as odd and unusual.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 09-28-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: DJ Prins Thomas

M.I.A. Turns Visa Woes into Dancefloor Glorynew

Of all the collaborators and guests on the post-colonial hip-hop hot shot's new album, one looms a bit larger than the rest -- the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 08-24-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: M.I.A., Kala