AltWeeklies Wire
Acid Rock Gets a Contemporized and Melodic Twistnew
Ethan Miller of Comets on Fire records a third album with his earthy and eclectic project, Howlin Rain.
East Bay Express |
Dave Gil de Rubio |
06-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Dave Alvin Remembers His Pal Chris Gaffney With a New Tribute CDnew
Singer-songwriter Dave Alvin remembers his pal Chris Gaffney onstage and on disc.
OC Weekly |
Matt Coker |
06-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Architects Prepare to Work Their Fourth Release All Summer on Warped Tournew
If ever an album title summed up the makers, it's the Architects' fourth record, The Hard Way.
The Pitch |
Peter Rugg |
06-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Les Claypool Spins Stories of Pigs, Puke and Pinotnew
After a two-year gestation period, Claypool is getting ready to release the first few cases of Purple Pachyderm Pinot Noir, his initial venture into the boutique-wine business and his seventh solo release, Of Fungi and Foe.
The Georgia Straight |
Alexander Varty |
06-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Daedelus Embraces a Quiet, Close-Listening Approachnew
Since his 2001 debut, the prolific Santa Monica native has sampled literally thousands of records for his own releases, but his producer's work ethic has yet to translate into the lifeless tracks that run rampant in the computer-music scene.
The Georgia Straight |
Martin Turenne |
06-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Isis Balances the Ferocious and the Serenenew
Wavering Radiant's quieter passages are transcendent enough to suggest that singer-guitarist Aaron Turner is just as happy lost in the middle of nowhere as he is soaking up the maddening roar of modern civilization. That turns out to be exactly the case.
The Georgia Straight |
Mike Usinger |
06-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Songwriter Todd Snider Gets the Band Back Togethernew
"This will be the first time in 10 years we've all played together," Snider says of his upcoming performance with the Original Nervous Wrecks. "We'll play mostly stuff off [my] last three records, but we'll do a few oldies and probably take some requests."
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
06-19-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Suddenly, Hip-Hop Can't Hate on Soulja Boy's Swagnew
The spoils (and spoilers) of success were expected. But who knew he'd earn credibility, too?
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ben Westhoff |
06-18-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Occidental Brothers Share Their Love of West African Musicnew
To say the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International plays African music is accurate, but rather vague. Considering that Africa is the world's second-largest continent and contains dozens of countries and countless musical styles, that's a broad generalization.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Deer Tick Channels Country & Classic Rock Rootsnew
For a relatively new band, ass-kicking expectations are high. Recently, Deer Tick was named the No. 1 act to claw through the chaos at SXSW 2009 by Rolling Stone, and NBC newscaster Brian Williams selected them to appear on his Web-only show, BriTunes.
Boise Weekly |
Tara Morgan |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Toshio Hirano, the Tokyo Yodelernew
Hirano is a poorly kept secret who nonetheless provokes the protective nature of his followers. The night I was at Amnesia, one young fan showed concern that I would increase Hirano's exposure, shaking his head and saying, "But he's our local treasure."
SF Weekly |
Jennifer Maerz |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Toshio Hirano
The Stitches' Obsession with Punk's First Wave Has Made Them a Fan Boy's Dreamnew
While it's been fifteen years since the release of the Stitches' raucous first single, "Sixteen," and about a decade since they were at the height of their career, the Southern California band hasn't strayed from punk's debaucherous ethos, and continues to sporadically traverse the world's dingy bars.
East Bay Express |
Dave Cantor |
06-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Willy Northpole Wants Hip-Hop Fans in Phoenix to Feel 'Tha Connect'new
In the increasingly formula-following rap game, Phoenix rapper Willy Northpole likes to do things a little differently.
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
06-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Mac Lethal Prepares to Go Straight for the Heartnew
The funny, emotional, shit-talkin' white-boy rapper who's admired almost as much as he's despised has been making a living off his music in a way that runs against music-industry wisdom, which, given the state of the industry, is exactly why he's successful.
The Pitch |
Jason Harper |
06-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Pilot Cloud Weathers the Storm and Shines 'In Transition'new
When they talk about creating their debut album, Justin Lerner and Nick Biscardi of Pilot Cloud sound coolly calculating.
Philadelphia City Paper |
John Vettese |
06-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
