AltWeeklies Wire
Brit Cult Fave Holly Golightly Tries it Twangynew
By her own admission, Holly Golightly isn't overly familiar with country music. But that hasn't kept her from affecting a twang and recording Dirt Don't Hurt, a rootsy album of hayseed duets with her partner in musical crime, Lawyer Dave.
NOW Magazine |
Tim Perlich |
11-10-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Nightwatchman Gives Tom Morello an Activist Outletnew
As much as Tom Morello enjoyed his stint with Audioslave, the post-Rage Against the Machine band he founded with Chris Cornell, Cornell's scorching, introspective arena-rock left Morello hungry for the activism of his previous band.
Shepherd Express |
Evan Rytlewski |
11-10-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Linda Ronstadt's Heart Lies in the Dusty Expanses of the American Southwestnew
While it's rock 'n' roll that has elevated Ronstadt to the musical heights she has reached, she is also one of the industry's most versatile performers, having successfully embraced folk, country, big band, jazz, and even Cajun music.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Brett Leigh Dicks |
11-10-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Arizona, Linda Ronstadt
The Elusive Van Morrison Sits Down to Talk About the Alchemy in His Pastnew
When it was announced that Van Morrison would close out the Hollywood Bowl's fall season with two nights of concerts at which he would perform his seminal 1968 album Astral Weeks from cover to cover, some longtime Morrison fans might have wondered if the mercurial Irish singer-songwriter was taking the piss out of them.
L.A. Weekly |
Scott Foundas |
11-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Keeping it Simplifiednew
Ever heard that old saying, "K.I.S.S. — Keep it simple, stupid"? Not that any of the four members of Simplified are stupid by any means, but they've been keeping it simple, and it works. The band has created a solid fan base in Charlotte and is slowly growing in popularity in other Southeastern markets.
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Jeff Hahne |
11-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Vic Chesnutt and Elf Power Team Up for 'Dark Developments'new

The most recent chapter in Chesnutt's life is a collaboration with fellow Athens, Ga., band and Elephant 6 members Elf Power, who back Chesnutt's songs so naturally that Chesnutt and Elf Power have to think a bit to remember how they all began playing together in the first place.
Tucson Weekly |
Annie Holub |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Deerhoof Stays Beautifully Quirkynew
On Offend Maggie, the band adds some muscle to its usual eccentric tunes.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Decemberists Take a Working Vacationnew
For The Decemberists, some of the indie-pop world’s most talented practitioners, "time off" this year has meant tackling the grand and unwieldy genre of rock opera.
New York Press |
Amre Klimchak |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Iraqi Oudist and Composer Rahim AlHaj Spreads Peace and Compassionnew
While countries around the world are in turmoil, their music lives on in refugee status. It makes sense, but it does rattle one's sense of cultural authenticity and what that means in the modern day. How does Iraqi music change when the musician doesn't live in Iraq anymore?
East Bay Express |
Tom Chandler |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Los Cenzontles Blends the American Experience with Traditional Roots Musicnew
The Bay Area's brilliant-hued musical aviary boasts dozens of rare and exceptional hybrid ensembles, but none have risen from humble origins to scintillating creative heights like Los Cenzontles.
East Bay Express |
Andrew Gilbert |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
New Dad Sam Prekop on the Sea and Cake and His Newbornsnew
This is Prekop's first time back on the road since the birth of his twins, and as much as a handful as two newborns surely are, Prekop admits that leaving them behind for a few weeks will be a touch difficult.
New York Press |
Brian Heater |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Grey Anne's Debut Sparklesnew
Anne Adams is sort of the Cinderella of the Portland music scene. She's a fascinating and mercurial personality, as direct and sharp in person as she is charming and personable when she performs.
Willamette Week |
Brandon Seifert |
11-05-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Duncan Sheik Jumps from Rock to Broadway and Backnew
Sheik is touring on the heels of winning a Grammy and two Tony Awards for writing the musical score for the recent hit Broadway musical Spring Awakening. He collaborated with lyricist Steven Sater and composed the original score.
Charleston City Paper |
T. Ballard Lesemann |
11-05-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The South Rises Again with Dead Confederatenew
These are hard-drinking, hard-living Southern boys with names like Walker and Hardy, but they'd still rather drink bourbon in a dive bar with a toothless gent than hang out with Paris Hilton.
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
11-05-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Dead Confederate, Wrecking Ball
Austin's The Sword Worships the 'Gods of the Earth'new
When a band titles its debut Age of Winters and follows it up with a record called Gods of the Earth, the road's pretty much been paved for the kind of meal you're to be served. The dueling guitars, meaty, brimming with confidence, attack from all sides.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
11-05-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Gods of the Earth, The Sword