Interviews

With a loyal following growing bigger by the day and talk of record deals on the horizon, Tea Leaf Green is poised to make the jump from successful regional band to national touring act. Glide’s Andy Tennille caught up with guitarist Josh Clark to discuss their sudden impact.

The Moistboyz are loud, punchy, no frills rock ‘n roll filled with pissy lyrics and
muddy guitars distorted beyond recognition. But what is left out of this picture is a band trying very hard to separate themselves from their “primary” acts – Ween and The False Front.

It goes without saying that Nada Surf’s brand of punk-pop-rock should have them paired with today’s hot ticket melodic rock bands like Death Cab for Cutie and The Shins. Their latest release- The Weight is a Gift – may be their ticket back to the forefront.

It

Over a decade after the release of their breakthrough debut, the two remaining members of the California quartet are still finding ways to reach out to their hip-hop loving, Visine toting fans.

What started out as British Invasion inspired cover band, the Redwalls are progressing with a fusion of soulful 60’s influences and garage rock energy. Although they peg R&B legends The Temptations as influences along with the Beatles, the Redwalls strive to mesh their own individuality within the classics.

Aside from the academy award, established acting career, esteemed directing work, acclaimed screenwriting, notable pitching arm and the enviable Angelina Jolie connection, Billy Bob Thornton also happens to be a lifelong musician and songwriter. And that

David Gans knows his Grateful Dead: The radio show he hosts, the beloved “Grateful Dead Hour,” is still broadcasted on KPFA 94.1 in Berkeley, California and syndicated nationwide. However, the show itself is but the tip of the iceberg in Gans’ music career.

If you

Stepping away from his regular band, ThaMuseMeant, singer/songwriter Nathan Moore teams up withThe Slip, to rejuvenate Surprise Me Mr. Davis, a whimsical band that grew out of a Boston blizzard a few years ago.

The John Butler Trio are Australia

In The Reins, the seven-song EP that resulted when Howard Greynolds encouraged the two bands to meet up, reads like a wedding invitation: this is what happens when like-minded souls merge brainpower, share a collective moment of romance and allow it to blossom into a deep and meaningful relationship.

CBGB, the club Hilly Kristal opened in 1973, which would eventually become known as the birthplace of punk, is facing it’s possible last days. In conflict with the Bowery Residents Committee over back rent and impending rate hikes, the club’s lease expires on August 31st. And while efforts are made to save the historic venue, the future of the seminal club remains unknown.

Charlie Musselwhite is as blue as blues can get. Armed with road tested vocals and killer harp licks, Musselwhite is one of the most celebrated artists to ever count off a shuffle. The past year has been no exception as he took home three prestigious W.C. Handy Awards.

Matt Hales is Aqualung, or at least the most vital part of the English based band. Drawing vocal comparisons to Thom Yorke and musical hints to Coldplay and Keane, it’s been the “year of America” for Matt and his four-piece band, as they’ve traveled the U.S. for the better part of 2005.

In the past few years, Widespread Panic has endured their share of grief, uncertainty and exhaustion. A break from the road was more than deserving, and in late March, the Athens, Georgia six piece returned from a 15 month hiatus clearly rejuvenated.

Widely touted as the best bassist currently walking this earth, Victor Wooten possesses the flexibility and eccentricities of a chameleon and the precision of a laser-guided bomb. Together, Wooten consistently amazes audiences with his virtuosity and vision.

Medeski has never been contained by one set of musical values, which is why, when the announcement came from Ropeadope records that he would be collaborating as both producer and guest on a record by Sacred Steel legends the Campbell Brothers, it was hardly surprising.

If you

Every music scene needs at least one person like Sufjan Stevens