AltWeeklies Wire
No Doubt Searches for Its Musenew
It was over dinner sometime last November that the seeds for No Doubt’s current comeback tour were first planted.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Aly Comingore |
08-03-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jens Lekman Says Goodbye Sweden, Hello Sunshinenew

Made up of baroque pop arrangements, deeply personal first-hand tales, and obscure samples aplenty, Night Falls Over Kortedala acts as both a near-perfect glimpse into Jens Lekman's world and a far cry from the life he's currently leading.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Aly Comingore |
06-01-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Eric Johnson is Happy to Join the Shins, but He Won't Give Up His Musical Babynew

"There was kind of this idea that people were like, 'Well now you don't have to do that Fruit Bats thing anymore. Good for you! You're off the hook!,'" Johnson says.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Aly Comingore |
02-02-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jason Isbell Goes it Alonenew
Former Drive-By Trucker hits the road in support of his soon-to-be-released sophomore album.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Brett Leigh Dicks |
11-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell
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
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
Katy Perry on Kissing Girls, Dissing Boys and Making it Bignew
Between her hit single and her gossip-fueling relationship, it seems Perry has already reached full-blown pop star status. But the Santa Barbara-raised youngster asserts that her road to fame has not been easy. Prior to recording and releasing One of the Boys, Perry was just another pretty girl struggling to make it in the industry.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Aly Comingore |
06-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Katy Perry, One of the Boys
Los Lonely Boys Make Waves with Their Latest Albumnew
While the Garza brothers might not be a household name, thanks to the 2004 hit "Heaven" their musical alias, Los Lonely Boys, most certainly is.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Brett Leigh Dicks |
06-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Los Lonely Boys, Forgiven
Ani DiFranco: Welcome to Babevillenew
Few would argue that DiFranco is not one of the hardest working women in music today.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Aly Comingore |
04-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Ani DiFranco, Canon
Saul Williams is Busting Out the Boxnew
Be it as a poet or rapper, writer or actor, cultural watch dog or simply a street savvy philosopher, Saul Williams has a voice worth listening to.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ethan Stewart |
03-24-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Saul Williams
Natalie Cole Speaks Out on Music, the Grammys, and Lifenew
Natalie began her career with a lot to live up to, and in the early 1980s the rush of sudden stardom turned into high ups and deep downs by way of a serious drug problem, something that proved to be a difficult and all-consuming obstacle for this driven woman to overcome. She nevertheless managed to come back not once, but twice.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Charles Donelan |
03-18-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Natalie Cole
Songstress Jesca Hoop's Unconventional Risenew
In conversation, the singer/songwriter comes across as decidedly nymph-like, speaking with an accent that sounds much like Elvish despite being raised by a strict Mormon family in Northern California. And from there, her backstory only gets weirder.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Aly Comingore |
02-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Jesca Hoop
Matt Costa Looks at 'Unfamiliar Faces'new
The 25-year-old skateboarder-turned-songwriter's 2005 debut featured a lovable brand of folk-pop and landed him an opening slot on Jack Johnson's globe-trotting tours.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Matt Kettmann |
01-14-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Matt Costa, Unfamiliar Faces
Social Distortion's Jonny Wickersham on His Punk Rock Evolutionnew
While many might carry some preconceived notions about the definition of punk, Social D defies the stereotype by penning a repertoire of songs infused with raw energy and littered with melodic tunes.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Jen Malkin |
01-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Social Distortion
Them Terribles Compete in MTV2's Battle of the Bandsnew
Since signing the band up for the online battle over the summer, the band's gone from one in 4,000 to one in six now vying for the prize, which includes a professionally shot video, a televised live concert, and a good deal of free, MTV-approved PR.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Aly Comingore |
11-19-2007 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Them Terribles