AltWeeklies Wire
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
The Late, Great Isaac Hayes: 1942-2008new
He's gone, all too soon. The powerfully built Hayes died Aug. 10, probably from a stroke, while working out on a treadmill in his suburban Memphis home. He was 65.
Tucson Weekly |
Tom Danehy |
08-21-2008 |
Music
Tags: Isaac Hayes
Now a Free Agent, Bilal Has More Love for Salenew
He shot Interscope to the left when the label shelved his 2006 sophomore album, Love for Sale. And now that he's independent, and resolutely so, he's composing most of his new material on Garage Band. Bilal likes it that way.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
08-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Sublime Vacuum Rock of the Vivian Girls and the Crystal Stiltsnew
Crystal Stilts and Vivian Girls are two of the most exciting and, yes, wholly original bands around today. Both take feel-good pop sounds from the '60s and '80s and fuck with them, turning them on their head.
Baltimore City Paper |
Mike McGonigal |
08-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
How Classical Composer Nico Muhly Became an Indie-Rock Darlingnew
And learned to hate Sasha Frere-Jones.
Seattle Weekly |
Brian J. Barr |
08-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Get Out of Our Van! Where Bands Play, Thieves Follownew
Recent notable ripoffs of touring bands' gear show that musicians make ideal targets for a quick theft.
The Coast, Halifax's Weekly |
Sean Flinn |
08-18-2008 |
Music
Gay Rappers Carry the Torch for Bounce, but Not Everyone's Comfortable with Thatnew
At the end of the day, the sissies enjoy an uneasy acceptance, both for carrying bounce's torch and, of course, for keeping the dance floor jumping with women. But in the working-class African-American South, male homosexuality can be a difficult identity to maintain.
Gregg Perloff Is the New Bill Grahamnew
How his Another Planet Entertainment beat the competition to host the epic Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival.
East Bay Express |
David Downs |
08-14-2008 |
Music
VJ-turned-archivist Dan Woods Tapes Men That Make the Whole World Singnew
The Ponyrock zine founder as compiled the ultimate indie rockumentary with no background in journalism or filmmaking. Then again, the unaffiliated press shouldn't land a chat with James Murphy in the first place. Nor Sonic Youth. For Kraftwerk, the New York Times should doubt its chances.
Willamette Week |
Jay Horton |
08-13-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Just How Texan are Hayes Carll and Miranda Lambert?new
Unlike the Outlaws or Lovett/Griffith/Earle cadre, this bunch doesn't socialize regularly or share a common background. They're all Texans, indisputably, but even how much that has to do with their current success is open for debate.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Rising Detroit Rap Star Invincible Creates Sonic Calling Card from Activism & Dissentnew
Here's the deal: Invincible is one of the best emcees in the country, as many will tell you, gender notwithstanding, though the odds are stacked against her: 1) She's a woman working a male-dominated genre 2) She's gay and 3) She's overtly political -- her sympathy for the Palestinians, and politicking in a pop world often spells fiscal failure.
Metro Times |
Brian Smith |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Weird Al' Yankovic Dares to be Honest About 'Straight Outta Lynwood'new
"Longevity" is not a word we usually associate with novelty artists, but "Weird Al" Yankovic has trumped his Dr. Demento peers by releasing twelve albums and capturing three Grammys since 1980.
Riverfront Times |
Ryan Wasoba |
08-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Weird Al Yankovic
Dr. Dog is Big Newsnew
In the last few years Dr. Dog have performed the national anthem at a Phillies game, been remixed by Beck, toured Europe and Australia, sold out the TLA and been mooned over by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell in The New York Times. They've come a long way from singing Beach Boys songs at parties.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Doug Wallen |
08-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jazz Trumpeter Amir ElSaffar Builds a Bridge to Iraqnew
ElSaffar's suite Two Rivers forges a singular fusion of jazz and Iraqi classical music -- and reconciles his roots in the process.
Chicago Reader |
Peter Margasak |
08-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Rules for Surviving All Points Westnew
After years of hauling to California, the U.K., Austin, Tex., and everyplace in between, a music festival with real teeth is finally coming to New York.
New York Press |
Crispin Kott |
08-07-2008 |
Concerts
