AltWeeklies Wire
Ukulele Prodigy Jake Shimabukuro Is Still Flying Highnew
For ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro, it all began with an innocent little YouTube video. Four years later, Shimabukuro is still following an upward trajectory, setting himself apart as an intense, disarming, and enigmatic performer.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Andrea Swensson |
03-04-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele music
The Seasoned Men of Horse Are Making the Best Music of Their Lifenew
U.S. Metal takes a time-tested, bare-knuckled approach to the type of metal that's built on driving riffs and double kicks, resulting in a taut, classic, thrash sound that nods to vintage Pantera.
Westword |
Dave Herrera |
03-02-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Stephen Rippy Sets 'Halo Wars' High Scorenew
Just as there's a market for Swedish klezmer-punk or smooth jazz or comedy rock or Josh Groban, there's a market for video-game scores, bootlegs of which sell like, um, action figures at comic and sci-fi conventions. Those who keep tabs on such things sweated Stephen Rippy's score for the Xbox release Halo Wars.
Dallas Observer |
Robert Wilonsky |
03-02-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Dexateens Stay True to Punk and Country Rocknew
The band has been bringing its mix of loose, Stones-like swagger, punk energy and southern rock to music clubs throughout the southeast for more than 10 years. As they move into their second decade, the group is working to build on its history through regular shows and new recording projects.
Jackson Free Press |
Larry Morrisey |
03-02-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Is The Game Over?new
In a phone interview, he insists his latest album, L.A.X., will be his final one, and he sounds as if he's fishing for praise when he explains why: "'Cause, see, you guys don't need me anymore. You got all these other wack rappers that you love so much."
Phoenix New Times |
Ben Westhoff |
02-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
J. Mascis Takes Off His Guitar and Sits Behind the Drums in Witchnew
Once you get Mascis talking about drumming, he grows (comparatively) animated. As renowned a guitarist as he's become, drums are his first and truest love.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Michael Alan Goldberg |
02-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
A.A. Bondy Prefers Recording in Barns to Fiddling with Computersnew
There are two types of successful indie-folk musicians: the kind that takes your breath away, and the kind that breaks your heart.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
02-20-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jessica Lea Mayfield Has a Lifetime of Experiencenew
Jessica Lea Mayfield can sound as old as the earth, bearing the wisdom of generations in her placid voice. But like the very best pop music, Mayfield's songs are motored by the hopes and desperation of adolescence, which stands to reason: She's only 19.
The Portland Mercury |
Ned Lannamann |
02-19-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jayhawks Flocking Together Once Againnew
Founding members Mark Olson and Gary Louris rekindle their musical partnership.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Andrea Swensson |
02-18-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Soul-Searching Songwriter Stays True to Her Artnew
Carrie Newcomer is the kind of songwriter's songwriter whose work is as deeply emotional as it is beautifully crafted.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
02-17-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tiny Notes: Philip Glass, In Burstsnew
Small man on the stage. Hunched over a bit. High, squeaky voice, hanging face. Series of pieces, he says, from 1988. Notes repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and veer slightly and repeat and repeat and repeat.
North Bay Bohemian |
Gabe Meline |
02-12-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Deathgrind Group Shows Lots of Love to Animals and Lots of Scorn for the Human Racenew
Extreme-metal bands are not exactly known for being sensitive to animal issues. But Cattle Decapitation is far from your average deathgrind act.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
02-12-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Axe to Grind: Heavy Metal in New Orleansnew
Internationally known New Orleans metal bands power what's still a locally underground scene.
Gambit |
Alison Fensterstock |
02-11-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jazmine Sullivan Makes the Jump from Black Lily Prodigy to Grammy Phenomenonnew
Sullivan's voice is a window-frame-shaking, drawn-from-the-depths alto she still manages to bend and tease with ease, splashing across tracks like a smooth stone across a still pond.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Drew Lazor |
02-10-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
What Makes Cornbreadd Runnew
If Cornbreadd didn't already exist, some MTV programming executive would have had to make him up. On record, he can be as grimy and ghetto as they come, but he delivers even his harshest rhymes with the kind of charisma that elicits a chuckle instead of a gasp.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
02-10-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
