AltWeeklies Wire
Banned in the UK: The Ghosts in Agent Ribbons' Atticnew
With its satin headbands, lacy-collared dresses, and affinity for bluesy ballads, Sacramento duo Agent Ribbons is a modern band yearning for an old-fashioned era.
SF Weekly |
Jennifer Maerz |
10-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
James McMurtry Taps into a Collective Angernew
Singer/songwriter McMurtry had toiled for 15 years, releasing bluesy country-rock albums and playing shows, and was getting discouraged. In advance of the 2004 election, he released the powerful, "We Can't Make It Here Anymore," as a free download on his site, and it launched him into greater prominence.
San Antonio Current |
Chris Parker |
10-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Oakland Band Real Blood Decided to Build its Career Undergroundnew
Despite their penchant for playing illegal shows, the members of Real Blood are hardly rock 'n' roll rebels. Rather, they're responsible, thoughtful musicians who upon careful consideration decided this was the best way to build their band.
East Bay Express |
Nate Seltenrich |
10-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jared Mees' Songs Have Humble Beginnings, But Grand Finalesnew
Mees' songs grow out of the hook, but sheer viral catchiness isn't what he seeks from them: He wants songs you relate to right off the bat.
Willamette Week |
Brandon Seifert |
10-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Bjork Who? Mugison Brings His Nordic Eclecticism Statesidenew
Born Orn Elias Guomundsson (there's a sexy rock-star name), the singer-songwriter was re-named in a karaoke bar while visiting his father in Malaysia.
San Diego CityBeat |
Scott McDonald |
10-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Mugiboogie, Mugison
Nick Lowe Doesn't Party Like He Used Tonew
The "Jesus of Cool" is fine with being almost famous.
San Diego CityBeat |
Scott McDonald |
10-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Nick Lowe
Deerhoof's Buff vs. Buffy Dynamicnew
Chameleon-esque noise-poppers experiment by "recording like a normal band" for its forthcoming release Offend Maggie.
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
10-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Portland's Talkdemonic Gets Darkernew
The easiest way to take the pressure of writing a catchy hook off of yourself is to not write any hooks at all. Talkdemonic has crafted three records of short, punchy songs, most of them under three minutes, that almost never feature repeating parts.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
10-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Talkdemonic, Eyes at Half Mast
Rap-rock Pioneer Everlast Reflecting on That Melee with Eminemnew
Third acts have always been a problem for former House of Pain frontman Everlast. But this third time around might end that streak.
Metro Times |
D.X. Ferris |
09-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Everlast
Detroit Hip-hop Heads Look Back on the 'Hip-Hop Mayor'new
When Michigan Democratic House leader Kwame Kilpatrick was elected mayor of Detroit in 2002, he was readily identified as, for all intents and purposes, a member of the hip-hop community.
Metro Times |
William E. Ketchum III |
09-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Beardcore Pioneer Matt Kadane Enjoys a Moment of Optimismnew
Kadane avoids harmonies -- well, maybe an octave here or there -- on the New Year's self-titled album, just released on Touch & Go. Its delicate arrangements and thoughtful lyrics recall his former band Bedhead, which was often associated with the "slowcore" non-movement.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
09-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: New Year
Toubab Krewe Fuses Western With West Africannew
Yes, Toubab Krewe can, strictly speaking, be called a jam band. It plays the requisite outdoor fests, and it fuses Western rock with world music. But consider this band a moment before you dismiss it as just another draw for the drum-circle crowd.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Andy Mulkerin |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Toubab Krewe
Get Grebo With Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reactionnew
Anyone remember "grebo"?
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Manny Theiner |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Julie Fowlis Brings Gaelic Tradition into the Pop Worldnew
The story of Scottish singer Julie Fowlis neither begins nor ends with that of Angus Alick MacAulay. But, as is the case with all traditional music, to truly understand the tale, one has to dive into the river mid-stream.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Justin Hopper |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Cuilidh, Julie Fowlis
Ben Lee Has Earned His Place as a Youthful Elder of Indie Popnew
Lee was the kid fronting lo-fi garage rock teens Noise Addict when they were signed to a record deal by the Beastie Boys; eventually he rose to international acclaim via a series of stunning yet unpretentious solo records.
Artvoice |
Donny Kutzbach |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Ben Lee, The Rebirth of Venus
