AltWeeklies Wire
Kinch Makes 'Advances' by Giving Their First Album Awaynew
"I think that the option for us was — are we gonna sell a hundred copies to friends and family or get people to listen it, and if they like it, they'll buy stuff from us in the future," says Andrew Junker. "We want to do this the rest of our lives, so giving our first record away is really kind of a no-brainer."
Phoenix New Times |
Serene Dominic |
11-18-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
D.I.Y. Now for the Future in St. Louisnew
The Undertow Collective and Magnolia Summer are using technology to modernize their D.I.Y. creative vision.
Riverfront Times |
Annie Zaleski |
11-07-2008 |
Music
More Wal-Mart Mediocrity, Courtesy AC/DCnew
Lead singer Brian Johnson has stated in recent interviews that Black Ice is the best AC/DC record since he joined the band; perhaps the drugs have finally taken over.
Tucson Weekly |
Jon Hobson |
10-30-2008 |
Reviews
Ringtones Killed the New York Hip-Hop Starnew

While hip-hop in New York may not be dead, exactly, it is (at the very least) gravely wounded. If you're looking where to lay blame, look no further than ringtones.
New York Press |
Matthew Mundy |
10-16-2008 |
Music
Pandora Boxes for Its Life in Congressnew

How the internet radio king harnessed an army of fans to beat back the broadcast radio industry and stay alive.
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
10-08-2008 |
Music
Confessions of a Promo-CD Junkie: Who Will Stop the Music Industry Gravy Train?new

With so much music available at the click of a mouse, do tastemakers really need hard copies anymore? Is it worth the waste?
L.A. Weekly |
Randall Roberts |
09-26-2008 |
Music
How Kid Rock's Rejection of iTunes Let Others Beat Him on the Charts with His Own Songnew

The Hit Masters' version of "All Summer Long" reached number five on the iTunes single-song sales chart. By the end of the week it had outstripped Kid Rock's version on Billboard's Hot 100, peaking at number 19 while the original was at number 25.
Chicago Reader |
Miles Raymer |
09-22-2008 |
Music
Bands On the Road in Hard Timesnew

Nowhere does the old adage about the journey being more important than the destination ring truer than in the average band's tour van. But lately, the cost of taking your act on the road has skyrocketed to the point where it might not be worth leaving home at all.
Boston Phoenix |
Michael Brodeur |
09-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Scarface Opens Onlines Doors for New Artistsnew
He's the owner of and principal investor in www.heregomydemo.com, a new web site that allows musicians — of any genre, not just rappers, he stresses — to upload MP3s, videos, photos, blogs and bios for free, and sample the wares of the site's other members.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
08-26-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Visions of Radioheadnew

Celebrating the 21st century's most interactive band.
L.A. Weekly |
Randall Roberts |
08-22-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Santa Barbara Record Label and Recording Studio Tackle the Corporate Mentalitynew
Behind the scenes at Santa Barbara's Corporate Nightmare Records.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Brett Leigh Dicks |
07-28-2008 |
Music
How Technology is Turning the Tables on the Westernization of Popnew

The exchange of musical ideas between the West and the rest of the world is evolving into a genuine conversation, and that can only be an improvement. The internet may be giving the music industry all kinds of fits, but it's pretty great for the health of music itself.
Chicago Reader |
Miles Raymer |
07-28-2008 |
Music
'Hiding in Hip Hop' Offers a Glimpse of the Troubles of a Young Black Bisexualnew
Dean laments that the world is not yet ready to face the truth about black gay/lesbian celebrities’ sexuality.
NOW Magazine |
Addi Stewart |
06-30-2008 |
Nonfiction
Ingrid Michaelson Knows the Way into America's Heart is Through 'Grey's Anatomy'new
After 25 million viewers heard her song "Keep Breathing" on the hit show's third-season finale, Michaelson's second album shot to indie fame. With no support from a label, Michaelson suddenly was everywhere.
Style Weekly |
Anne Larimer Hart |
06-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Rock On' Takes Us into the Bowels of the Recording Industrynew
The main draw is not the book's humor but its behind-the-scenes tour of the profit-driven, out-of-touch mismanagement of a major record label.