AltWeeklies Wire
Hopi Reggae Artist Casper Lomayesva Brings Redemption Songs to the Desertnew
Because of a shared resistance to tyranny, reggae is wildly popular among Native Americans -- from the Seminole Tribe of Florida to the Hopi of Arizona.
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
10-06-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Two Dance Lables -- Warp and Hyperdub -- Look Back at Their Own Historiesnew
When a record label hits a divisible-by-five anniversary, it celebrates -- especially in dance music, which takes all the parties it can get. And as you'd expect, most of the compilations that ensue tend to be fairly self-indulgent.
Baltimore City Paper |
Michaelangelo Matos |
10-06-2009 |
Music
Dialing Down the Distortion Works Out for Asobi Seksunew
Change is good, but sometimes the subtlest changes yield the most satisfying results. Consider Asobi Seksu’s most recent album, Hush.
The Georgia Straight |
John Lucas |
10-05-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Asobi Seksu, Hush
Tallying Ability Scores in Indie Rock's Mysticismnew
With more indie-rock bands turning to fantasy imagery in their music videos, which ones are serious about their wizardly ways? A 23-year-old fantasy and role-playing expert helps us sort it out.
North Bay Bohemian |
Gabe Meline |
10-02-2009 |
Music
#thissongissogreat: How to Change This Band's Life, in 140 Characters or Lessnew
The Twitter paradigm reverts to the antiquated record-store clerk model, where you discover new music because you trust the person behind the counter who loves something you've yet to hear.
Thrift Store Cowboys Bring Their Semi-Antique Road Show to Townnew
"We started off definitely on more of an alt-country route. It's just kind of evolved over the years. We just play what we play. I don't really know what to call it."
Colorado Springs Independent |
Kirsten Akens |
10-01-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Ghostface Killah Goes R&B on 'Ghostdini'new
Like his excellent 2006 LP, Fishscale, Ghostdini demonstrates Ghostface's uncanny ability to take a single thematic unifier and present it from different angles over the course of an album. What Fishscale was to drug narratives, Ghostdini is to sex jams.
Charleston City Paper |
Bryan Reed |
09-30-2009 |
Reviews
Drivin' N Cryin' Release Their First Studio Album in 12 Yearsnew
"We're really enjoying the fact that people are excited that there's a new record out, and we're really excited that we get to do this again. We don't have any plans to write or record anything in the future. We're just enjoying this moment for what it is."
Charleston City Paper |
Doug Walters |
09-30-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Can Portland Provide Fair Wages for Working Musicians?new
The concept of "fair trade" for music has been bandied about in Portland for a couple years, but the movement is now starting discussions with clubs in hopes of setting a fair wage for all performing musicians, whether they be union or non-union workers.
Willamette Week |
Amanda Ingram |
09-30-2009 |
Music
How Did Drew Cohen Go from a Hip-Hop DJ to Mayer Hawthorne, Soul Man to the Stars?new
Blame it on the times; honky hip-hop's blunt delivery just doesn't seem as likable as a nerd who looks like a Nixon campus-campaign volunteer -- complete with black frames, cardigan sweater, skinny tie, high-water cuffs and all, crooning comfortably in a Pharrell-falsetto against a backdrop of a double chin and double-digit unemployment.
Metro Times |
Hobey Echlin |
09-29-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Good Records Recordings Returns In A Big Waynew
When TVT went under and the Polyphonic Spree's 2007 release The Fragile Army was purchased by digital music label The Orchard, Tim DeLaughter and his wife Julie decided to revert things back to before they went the major-label route.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
09-28-2009 |
Music
Lil Jon Talks 'Crunk Rock,' Pitbull and Fine Winenew
Don't make the mistake of thinking rapper/producer/all-around Svengali Lil Jon is a buffoon. The man behind the blinding grills and creatively shocking lyrical allusions to sex is a shrewd businessman and songwriter who swirls the winds of pop into his own entertainment hurricane.
Miami New Times |
Arielle Castillo |
09-28-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone Finds Himself With Solo Projectnew
With a lion's mane of hair concealing his head and face, Kyp Malone is easily the most recognizable unrecognizable member of TV on the Radio. He also comes across as the most reserved of the five-piece, which isn't to imply that Malone has nothing to say. Quite the contrary.
The Portland Mercury |
Mark Lore |
09-25-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
VIP FTW! Bands are Using VIP Packages to Give Fans More Bang for Their Bucknew
As the music industry struggles to (re)invent itself, more touring bands are tapping a new revenue source: themselves. From European cult bands to arena-size superstars, premium-package ticket deals are an increasingly popular part of the concert-business model.
Riverfront Times |
D.X. Ferris |
09-25-2009 |
Music
Manic Street Preachers are One of Rock's Most Brilliantly Subversive Success Storiesnew
Manic Street Preachers remain a study in contradictions: The Welsh hitmakers have collaborated with Kylie Minogue and been visited backstage by Fidel Castro.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
09-24-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
