Volume 2: Jason Collett
A few years ago, my long distance friend and fellow music-obsessed freak set me up on an aural blind date. Considering that Andy had introduced me to and received frank feedback from me on a number of potential gentleman suitors (Joseph Arthur, Mason Jennings, Jesse Malin) by that point in time, he had a right to be confident – alright, overly confident – that this blind date would result in a long lasting relationship.
Volume 1: Steve Earle
I’m going to take you back a bit. Not back when Steve Earle was a guitar town hero in Nashville, hung up on heroin, behind bars, or even “just another country-rock artist.” I’m going to take you back when I first heard a Steve Earle song.
The Trolleyvox
n today’s modern digital downloading/streaming age of MySpace, iTunes, and Amazon providing listeners snippets and downloads of single songs, the concept of an "album," for many, has lost its plot. Believe it or not, there are still a few artists who are present their art through the musical translation medium of an "album." Philadelphia’s Trolleyvox is one of those few
His Name Is Alive
By the time you’re finished reading this, Warn Defever of His Name will have probably recorded a new album. The experimental rock band from Michigan have been around since 1990, landed on a handful of different labels (Silver Mountain Media, 4AD, Ryko, Sony, High Two, Kill Rock Stars, Warner Bros) and have released ten albums, including two in 2007 – Xmmer and High Two; the later is the band's tribute to free jazz saxophonist Marion Brown.
Martin Sexton: Spreading Seeds (INTERVIEW)
You can excuse Martin Sexton for being a little tired these days. Sexton’s been touring these United States and the UK since April behind his latest album, Seeds. And aside from spreading good music, the singer/songwriter is also spreading environmental awareness by making the nine-month run a “green” tour.
Through the Sparks
With year end best of lists being cluttered with The National, Spoon and Bruce Springsteen, there is a band out of Birmingham, Alabama, Through the Sparks, whose Lazarus Beach certainly deserves some attention. Through the Sparks is a collaboration of long time friends that involve James Brangle and Jody Nelson, who began writing and recording with longtime friends and collaborators Nikolaus and Thomas Mimikakis and Greg Slamen in early 2004.
The Radishes
The Radishes are a San Francisco/Los Angeles based band with an attacking sound that has been described as Nirvana meets Motorhead. Although musical comparisons are easy to come by, cocalist/guitiarst Paul Stinson likens it as White Stripes meets the Stooges meets NIN. Not too shabby. Toss in the Radishes fiery vocals and their ominous song-writing with loads of pop, punk and metal, and you have an act that could be headlining the big festival stages if they weren’t doing it the small “Do It Yourself” route, in part due to Stinson's self admitted "laziness."
Reid Genauer Doesn
In the course of a half-hour we discussed some more pertinent topics with Reid, including but not limited to Radiohead’s label-less album, the reunion of the original members of Strangefolk at their tour manager’s recent wedding, the experience of an asskicking in business school, the joy of fatherhood, the awesomeness of chick books and much more. It’s unabridged, so make yourself comfortable, but it’s a great read…
Page McConnell Plays Tribute to Elton John
After working hard on recording and then touring behind his first album, Page McConnell is ready to unwind a bit this fall. While McConnell doesn’t have any tour dates booked, he will be making his Carnegie Hall debut during an Elton John and Bernie Taupin tribute on October 10th. Page was kind enough to speak with us about the Elton/Bernie tribute, personal highlights of this past year, and what’s next for the Chairman of the Boards.
Jam Cruise 6 – Sailing Green & Sustainable Jan 4-9, 2008
Setting sail January 4-9, 2008, Jam Cruise 6 features Warren Haynes, Michael Franti & Spearhead, the Funky Meters, Galactic, Soulive, Yonder Mountain String Band, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and the Everyone Orchestra feat. Steve Kimock, Jon Fishman and Jeff Coffin. As we look forward to setting sail, Ann keeps us afloat and educated on her efforts to keep the cruise close to 100% green and sustainable.
Stars of Track and Field – A Few Moments with Kevin Calaba
Stars of Track and Field is a three-piece indie pop band from Portland, Oregon. Paying reference to their elders of indie genre, their name is in reference to the Belle and Sebastian song of the same name found on their 1998 album – If You're Feeling Sinister. Glide recently met up with the Stars of Track and Field after their Seattle date and had the chance to talk with frontman Kevin Calaba. The conversation spanned songwriting, life on the road, and politics.
