Six Songs to Hear Today | Sept. 10, 2018

Another day, another crop of new songs to get you through. Here's a six-pack of sounds to stream: 1 | Canadian punks Fucked Up offered up the typically fierce House...

KEN mode | Loved

I forget when I first encountered KEN mode singer-guitarist Jesse Matthewson. But I remember where it happened. It was in the studio of UMFM, the campus radio station at...

Big Red Machine | Big Red Machine

Some bands embody their names. Others contradict them. Big Red Machine clearly and deliberately fall into the latter group. With only two members, BRM are anything but big. They...

SXSW Reveals Initial Speakers for 2019

I remember when you used to have to wait until January (or even later) for South by Southwest to announce their keynote speakers. Not any more. For those who...

Egypt Station & In the Blue Light | A tale of two Pauls

Growing old gracefully can be a challenge for anyone. It can be even more difficult for pop stars — a virtual minefield of embarrassing outfits, age-inappropriate duets, plastic surgery...

R.E.M. at the BBC | Press Release

Forget Radio Free Europe — here's R.E.M. at the BBC. This fall, just in time for your holiday shopping, the beloved Athens rockers are releasing a massive box set...

Indie Roundup | Sept. 8, 2018

Every day I get press releases from indie bands with new songs, albums and videos to hype. Here's the latest batch: • Tokyo Police Club share the video for their...

The Lemon Twigs | Go To School

Well, this is truly bananas. In more ways than one. For their much-anticipated sophomore album, retro-pop duo The Lemon Twigs — aka Long Island wunderkind siblings Brian and Michael D'Addario...

Walter Lure & The Waldos | Wacka Lacka Loom Bop a Loom Bam Boo

If Johnny Thunders were alive today, he'd probably be trying to bum money off Water Lure. And why not? You could make the argument that Lure owes him. After...

Ian Gillan & The Javelins | Ian Gillan & The Javelins

Everyone has their own definition of classic rock. Including classic rockers like Ian Gillan. Deep Purple's longest-serving frontman may have spent the bulk of his musical existence belting out...

Ghostland Observatory | See You Later Simulator

It's always later than you think. Especially when you're gone. Look no further than Ghostland Observatory. It's been five years since this Austin electro duo went on an extended...

Primal Fear | Apocalypse

Judas Priest can only make so many albums. And only so many more albums. Which is why the world needs bands like Primal Fear. For those who can't get...

Tony Molina | Kill the Lights

It's said brevity is the soul of wit. Turns out it goes pretty well with indie-pop too. Especially when Tony Molina is at the controls. Like Guided by Voices'...

3.2 | The Rules Have Changed

First there was 3. Now there is one — singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robert Berry. Prog fans may remember him from 3, his short-lived, long-forgotten 1980s trio with none...

Musicians I Love to Interview – Or Not

When you write about music for as long as I have — more than 35 years and counting, off and on — you end up interviewing your fair share...

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