AltWeeklies Wire
How DJ Shadow Helped Man Mantis Embrace Instrumental Hip-Hopnew
What sets instrumental hip-hop apart from just beats?
Dumate Brings Together Underground Hip-Hop and Street Rapnew
It seems that backpack rap is alive and well in Madison. That's thanks in part to dumate, the five-person hip-hop collective that performs with sharp rhymes, sizzling samples and progressive themes.
Isthmus |
Jessica Steinhoff |
04-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Hardly a Tale of Redemption: Deleted Scenes' 'Birdseed Shirt'new
At first glance, thanks to song titles such as "Got God," "Mortal Sin" and "Deacons," it seems like Deleted Scenes' debut album, Birdseed Shirt, is going to be some kind of Christian rock compilation. Once you stop judging the album by its cover, though, it's clear that the four-piece probably isn't jammin' for J.C.
Marty Finkel is Chasing the Melodiesnew
Finkel's new album The Good Life is a collection of 14 alt-country and rock songs that establishes him as one of the best new music artists in Madison.
Isthmus |
Rich Albertoni |
01-12-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Good Life, Marty Finkel
Pigeon John Breaks the Rules of Hip-Hop and Winsnew
Pigeon John claims to be an average Joe, the kind of Taco Bell-eating, Xbox-playing guy that only John McCain couldn't relate to at least a little bit. He's got a gift for language, pop hooks and wisecracks that brings together people who might never interact otherwise.
Isthmus |
Jessica Steinhoff |
11-03-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Madison Seeks MOH-Better Muzaknew
The city of Madison is moving forward with a plan to drop the hideous, heinous, god-awful hold music on the city's phone system.
Will Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Musicians Strike?new
After seven bargaining sessions, the WCO's 34 core musicians and the WCO aren't close to hammering out the terms of a new contract. In fact, musician representative Todd Jelen says that the players became so discouraged with the WCO's unwillingness to bargain on key issues they requested that a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service join the proceedings.
Fleet Foxes is Closing the Generation Gapnew
The Seattle quintet embodies the new pan-generational trend in indie music.
Isthmus |
Rich Albertoni |
07-21-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Fleet Foxes
The Von Bondies Aim for Immediacynew
Jason Stollsteimer is famous as the guy that Jack White of the White Stripes once slugged in a barroom fight. He's also well known as frontman of the Von Bondies, the Detroit garage-rock band that formed in 2000. I recently talked to Stollsteimer about the band's upcoming album.
Isthmus |
Rich Albertoni |
05-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Von Bondies
There's No Inspired Drive to Express Something on 'Gravity'new
The fact that I know just how good the Old 97's can be explains part of the fierce disappointment I felt spinning my way through these 13 new tracks.
Tags: Blame It on Gravity, The Old 97's
Matt Pond PA to Break Up, but No One Will Leave the Bandnew
Pond has announced plans to end the musical project he began in Philadelphia 10 years ago. Then he'll team up with the same four guys to record and tour as the Dark Leaves. Call it a gimmick, but to Pond it's all about shaking up the band's artistic balance of power.
Isthmus |
Rich Albertoni |
04-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Laurie Anderson: Queen of Quirknew
The pop-tech performance queen's subversive stories speak truth to power.
Isthmus |
Susan Kepecs |
04-14-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Laurie Anderson
Trent Reznor Dreams Up a Remarkable Way to Sell Albumsnew
With its web-based, pay-what-you-want distribution of In Rainbows, Radiohead demonstrated that it's easy for established acts to take control of their own releases. Now Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor has one-upped the Englishmen.
Tags: Nine Inch Nails
Brother Ali Deals with Life as an Outcastnew
He may be an albino and legally blind, but what defines this 29-year-old hip-hop artist from the Twin Cities is a gift for fighting his way to musical redemption.
Isthmus |
Rich Albertoni |
03-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Brother Ali
