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“Give it up, or lose it completely,” sings Annie Stela on “Clean It Up,” my favorite track off Hard City, one of two EPs that Stela is releasing this year.  For most of Stela’s career as a musician, she’s chosen to give up plenty of things, but not what she was born to do: write songs. It’s this Annie Stela that makes me smile—the independent champion who refuses to quit.

Spiritual Rez is a Reggae Horn Funk Dance Party that has been tirelessly touring the country while commanding an extremely positive and high energy sound. Since 2003, the band has shared the stage with internationally touring acts such as Culture, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Buffett, Israel Vibration, Buju Banton and Jamaican Legends The Skatalites.

With their sophomore album Salvation is a Deep Dark Well, a headlining tour and frequent festival appearances, The Builders and the Butchers are getting their sound around.  Originally formed in Alaska, the band started with the idea of playing "death themed songs" on the streets of Portland, Oregon to gain a following. Though they still keep their dark nature, they have certainly moved on to bigger venues and larger shows. Glide recently talked to front man Ryan Sollee about his peculiar creative endeavor.

Dethklok's mere presence in any one location for an extended period of time brings fans to their knees, because of their godliness. And I got to interview them.  Dethklok is:  Nathan “Tonto” Explosion – Frontman and Visionary, Skwisgarr Skwigelf – Lead Guitar, Toki Wartooth – Rhythm Guitar and Keys, Pickles – Drums and William Murderface – Bass.

I admit it: I came late to the game.  Only a couple of years ago, a friend suggested The Avett Brothers’ Emotionalism as the next album I should buy.  Priority number one.  And when I say “suggested,” I mean threatened my life if I did not obey.  He, like all newly won Avett disciples, was eager to spread the good word about the trio’s inimitable cocktail of musical genres propped up by poignant lyrics and the ability to flat out jam.  Despite arriving to the party seven years late, I fell hard and fast for Seth Avett, Scott Avett, and Bob Crawford (and frequent touring fourth member, Joe Kwon).

Returning to solo work as the Raconteurs take a break, Benson is back with a new album entitled My Old Familiar Friend that showcases his unshakeable instinct for crafting powerpop gems.

These days Rob Marscher is a proud member of Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu’s touring band. Although laying down dub reggae grooves is a bit of a departure from Marscher’s improvisational/jazz routines, he’s keeping active and relevant to a new beat.

Formed in Los Angeles five years ago by founders Ben Grubin, lead singer, and Jeremy "Jerm" Reynolds on bass, Hockey is now based in Portland, Oregon as a quartet with Brian White on guitar, and Anthony Stassi on drums. Mind Chaos was released independently, and the group signed to Capitol late in 2008. The album will be remixed and remastered, with new songs added, for the August 25th, 2009 international release.

“Once I thought, without a doubt, I had it all figured out,” Jeff Tweedy of Wilco sings on “Solitaire,” a standout track off Wilco (the album). Yeah, I could have picked a hundred or so other lines by Tweedy to highlight here—that’s what makes writing about his words so difficult. But, that’s the one that speaks loud and clear to me today. Because about eight years ago, Jeff Tweedy taught me that, when it comes to music, you never have it all figured out.

Elephantbear, fronted by the promising young songwriter and guitarist Mike Pedersen, has already won comparisons to artists like Snow Patrol, Ben Lee, and the Foo Fighters because of their smartly written, deftly executed, and highly original brand of rock.

Gallows are a Hertfordshire, England punk band was founded in 2004 by Laurent Barnard of My Dad Joe, Stuart Gili-Ross of Winter In June and Lee Barratt of Never the More.   Their debut album, “Orchestra of Wolves,” was released independently in the UK only, but re-released nationwide in 2007 through Epitaph Records after landing in the lap of Brett Gurewitz.  The band also won a Kerrang! Award for “Best British Newcomer” later that same year.

I was listening to M. Ward's version of Daniel Johnston's “Story of an Artist” today and it got me thinking about what motivates me to do this. Over and over again, I've put my mining helmet on and went with glowing eyes into that great unknown. The process is no fun for me. I'll be honest with you about this. It's hell. I can never quite put a finger on what draws me in. It's an irresistible urge for me. Almost as if my chest fills with reverb and my mind offers a conversation in words fit for a postcard. But that's only half of it—that's a rush.

A sign broadcasting this word hung on the studio wall while Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, and Jocie Adams, the three members of The Low Anthem, recorded Oh My God, Charlie Darwin. A Hebrew expression taken from John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, the word literally means “thou mayest.” The translation implies that there is some choice involved in whatever matter is at hand: thou may or thou may not. The Low Anthem’s speedy evolution from a local Providence, Rhode Island band with a grassroots attitude to international critical darlings hints that a lot of people have collectively decided The Low Anthem may.

You might remember George Stanford as the former member and lead vocalist for Townhall. With influences that range from Paul Simon, Bob Marley, Tom Petty, The Band, Hank Williams and everything in between, Stanford might sound more like your itunes playlist.  Although he describes his sound as American, pop and soul, Stanford has paved his way forward as the first artist on the revived classic Smash/Mercury Records label.  His first full-length record, Big Drop showcases his pure and soulful voice and a collection that listeners risk truly missing out, if they don’t take the chance to listen. Glide’s Melissa Brodeur recently had a chance to toss some questions Stanford’s way.

Just two brief days before the upcoming Northwest String Summitt, Glide Magazine got a unique opportunity to check in and chat with one of the two producers of the festival, Greg Friedman about what the festival is all about, what exactly goes into making it all happen, and what are his favorite memories from the last eight years of working the magic behind the scenes.

Even in today’s era of downloading individual songs, I still somehow obsess over the fine art of album sequencing. A recent example of its effectiveness can be found on Wilco’s latest, where the Chicago band pairs the insane ending of “Bull Black Nova” with the immediate acoustic relief of “You and I.” It’s like the two Excedrin that you down after the quick onset of a headache has taken over your body and thoughts—there is still rage, but you know the end is near. Singer-songwriter Jason Karaban’s newest project, a three-song EP titled Mayfly, is a lot like those two Excedrin—it comforts and kills the pain of the past with a perfect and promising dose of simplicity.

For those looking for a smaller more community based festival, aside from today’s 50,000+capacity events, Liberate offers 20+ live bands and electronic music until sunrise, two nights of free camping, yoga, healing arts,a children’s tent, bonfires, fire dancers, Artists Market, art demonstrations, organic food and local beer, Eco and Nutrition Workshops, nature trails, and more good stuff.   This year’s lineup includes: The New Deal (two sets), Ryan Montbleau Band, Orchard Lounge, Rubblebucket Orchestra, The Brew, Nate Wilson Group, Spiritual Rez, Ded Sessions, Roots of Creation, Twiddle, Strength in Numbers, Jeff Bujak, Greyspoke, DJ Monaco, WAGAN, The Human Canvas, and Band of Gypsies (the Jimi Hendrix Tribute. 

At first listen, Regina Spektor’s music sounds fantastical, with her buoyant voice, backed by piano runs, escaping far, far away from reality.  However, the listening experience is a lot like opening a little girl’s music box.  The spinning, red-haired ballerina at center stage pirouettes in time with the twinkling melody, and at first the dance feels inviting and at last, eerily affecting.  The music box’s whimsy masks its ability to actually influence an audience, but then its power takes hold.  It’s not just fun anymore…it’s something more.

Most recently  Jennifer Hartswick has been playing as a member of Van Ghost,  the brainchild of Chicago indie promoter Mike Berg.  Self-described as “classic or folk rock,” the heart of Van Ghost’s songs lie in the interaction between Berg and Hartswick, as her powerful vocals and elastic trumpet phrasing leave the audience intrigued and captivated. In anticipation of a sparkling "Jennifer Hartswick" billed performance at Burlington Vermont’s Discover JazzFest, Glide caught up with Hartswick..

Sharing the same name with a certain “shoeless” baseball player, Joe Jackson has probably suffered a time or two from an identity crisis. For this Mr. Joe Jackson, the English singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist, he’s probably fine that his otherwise common name provides him a sense of creative freedom.