AltWeeklies Wire
How Jack Johnson is Making Musicians, Venues and Fans Rally 'Round the Earthnew
While playing mellow campfire rock to sold-out crowds worldwide, Jack has been fostering a message of environmental responsibility, giving support to regional and international nonprofits, and teaching the masses that small steps toward a healthier future make all the difference.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Matt Kettman |
08-25-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Now a Free Agent, Bilal Has More Love for Salenew
He shot Interscope to the left when the label shelved his 2006 sophomore album, Love for Sale. And now that he's independent, and resolutely so, he's composing most of his new material on Garage Band. Bilal likes it that way.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
08-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Sublime Vacuum Rock of the Vivian Girls and the Crystal Stiltsnew
Crystal Stilts and Vivian Girls are two of the most exciting and, yes, wholly original bands around today. Both take feel-good pop sounds from the '60s and '80s and fuck with them, turning them on their head.
Baltimore City Paper |
Mike McGonigal |
08-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
How Classical Composer Nico Muhly Became an Indie-Rock Darlingnew
And learned to hate Sasha Frere-Jones.
Seattle Weekly |
Brian J. Barr |
08-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
VJ-turned-archivist Dan Woods Tapes Men That Make the Whole World Singnew
The Ponyrock zine founder as compiled the ultimate indie rockumentary with no background in journalism or filmmaking. Then again, the unaffiliated press shouldn't land a chat with James Murphy in the first place. Nor Sonic Youth. For Kraftwerk, the New York Times should doubt its chances.
Willamette Week |
Jay Horton |
08-13-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Just How Texan are Hayes Carll and Miranda Lambert?new
Unlike the Outlaws or Lovett/Griffith/Earle cadre, this bunch doesn't socialize regularly or share a common background. They're all Texans, indisputably, but even how much that has to do with their current success is open for debate.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Rising Detroit Rap Star Invincible Creates Sonic Calling Card from Activism & Dissentnew
Here's the deal: Invincible is one of the best emcees in the country, as many will tell you, gender notwithstanding, though the odds are stacked against her: 1) She's a woman working a male-dominated genre 2) She's gay and 3) She's overtly political -- her sympathy for the Palestinians, and politicking in a pop world often spells fiscal failure.
Metro Times |
Brian Smith |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Weird Al' Yankovic Dares to be Honest About 'Straight Outta Lynwood'new
"Longevity" is not a word we usually associate with novelty artists, but "Weird Al" Yankovic has trumped his Dr. Demento peers by releasing twelve albums and capturing three Grammys since 1980.
Riverfront Times |
Ryan Wasoba |
08-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Weird Al Yankovic
Dr. Dog is Big Newsnew
In the last few years Dr. Dog have performed the national anthem at a Phillies game, been remixed by Beck, toured Europe and Australia, sold out the TLA and been mooned over by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell in The New York Times. They've come a long way from singing Beach Boys songs at parties.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Doug Wallen |
08-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jazz Trumpeter Amir ElSaffar Builds a Bridge to Iraqnew
ElSaffar's suite Two Rivers forges a singular fusion of jazz and Iraqi classical music -- and reconciles his roots in the process.
Chicago Reader |
Peter Margasak |
08-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
South African Hip-hop Hero Tumi Goes Solonew
Tumi has the verbal dexterity of Pharoahe Monch and the lyrical clarity of Nasir Jones. His moniker often gets bandied about in "who's the best MC?" conversations across the globe.
NOW Magazine |
Addi Stewart |
08-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The State of the Pink Spidersnew
After flirting with fame and fortune, Nashville's most decadent local rockers The Pink Spiders lost a major-label deal and two of the three founding members -- so now what?
Nashville Scene |
Cody De Vos |
08-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Pink Spiders
Apple Miner Colony Induces Mellow Mayhemnew
The group is a fresco, a mixed and matched selection of strings, brass, electric and acoustic instruments sweeping with ruddy choruses, that hold the audience's collective attention above the spectacle of witnessing such a large band at play. The live show and the band's recently released album confirms that relevant and soulful music is alive and well in Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Gabe Gomez |
08-01-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Prids Crash. The Prids Survive.new
"We were driving and a tire blew. I struggled to correct it and the van started fishtailing. I just couldn't get it."
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
07-31-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Prids
What Laura Says Brings Together Baroque Pop and Rustic Folknew
What Laura Says is really the product of two different bands -- an offbeat pop duo called What Laura Says Thinks and Feels, and a dirty blues trio, called the Expatriates.
San Antonio Current |
Gilbert Garcia |
07-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
