AltWeeklies Wire
A University Press Gives Legendary Mag No Depression a Second Chancenew

Can this new model work for other struggling magazines, music or otherwise?
Kaia Wilson Shakes Loose Romantic Notions and Tender Thoughtsnew
Kaia Wilson demonstrates the flipside of the impassioned yelping she lent to The Butchies and Team Dresch.
Tags: Godmakesmonkeys, Kaia Wilson
The Urban Sophisticates Stretch Their Boundaries on 'Classic Material'new
Though the move toward more traditional production bridges the Sophisticates back across the gap toward mainstream hip-hop, there's still plenty of variety on Classic Material.
Big Pooh Strikes Out Solo on 'Rapper's Delight'new
Rapper Big Pooh's mixtape is the Little Brother emcee's latest litmus test for a serious solo career post-Little Brother, if that day ever comes.
How Blag'ard Survived Brushes With Fame, F-150s and Fatherhoodnew
Blag'ard's injuries have been numerous and fancifully acquired. The Chapel Hill duo of singer/ guitarist Joe Taylor, 36, and drummer Adam Brinson, 26, seems destined for near-misses and closeness-to-catastrophe.
INDY Week |
Brian Howe |
10-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The High and Mighties Might as Well Call Their Reggae 'Retread'new
Like every other group currently commercializing a pop reduction of reggae, Chapel Hill band The High and Mighties cites Bob Marley as its forefather.
Pity for Black Kidsnew
The internet is a filterless radio, and bands like Black Kids don't stand to win.
INDY Week |
Robbie Mackey |
09-25-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Black Kids, Partie Traumatic
A Second Look at Ben Folds Five's 'Reinhold Messner'new
At the time of its release, Reinhold Messner -- 11 largely interconnected songs stretched over 40 minutes -- was panned by many critics.
Silver Jews' David Berman Wants His New Songs to be Instructivenew
It's surreal -- but not in the usual Silver Jews way -- to encounter these wholly irony-free lyrics from Berman.
INDY Week |
Randy Bickford |
09-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Mac McCaughan: Through with Portastatic?new

For the time being, Portastatic is McCaughan's songwriting vehicle. But there's no telling if or when he'll put that vehicle on blocks, and get himself something new to fiddle with in the garage
INDY Week |
Chris Parker |
09-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Even Indie Rockers Want the Remixnew
In that, the remix form is just about the most populist genre imaginable, which raises the question: Why did it take indie rock, a nominally populist genre, so long to catch up with it?
Tags: indie rock, remixes
Who's Next on the Resurrection List for Rick Rubin?new

We're passing along the five worst (best?) candidates for a Rubin-esque overhaul.
INDY Week |
Chris Parker |
09-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
If James Jackson Toth is Sell-out Freak-folk, Keep It Comingnew

Outsider figurehead Devendra Banhart may date Hollywood actress Natalie Portman, and CocoRosie may have nabbed a multi-page spread in a July New York Times Magazine. But don't expect the beloved beardos and weirdos to be on sale at Wal-Mart summarily.
Little Brother Reworks 'Justus'new

The duo is re-releasing it in retail form with 16 full-length songs, omitting much of Mick Boogie's superfluous cascade of DJ punch-ins, shout-outs and drops.
Lois Deloatch Educates with Her Tribute to Oscar Petersonnew
Deloatch is more than a jazz singer. Her fluid interpretation of a vocalist's role transcends being only a medium for the music. She often becomes a caretaker of the music's history, an advocate of its redemptive power.
INDY Week |
Chris Toenes |
08-25-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews