Interviews

Since 1976, Harvey Pekar’s intimate worldview has been captured and published in his own comic book American Splendor. The first comic book of its kind, it truly is nothing more, and nothing less, than the everyday that is Harvey Pekar. And now that unique, and at the same time universal perspective of the 9-5 working man negotiating his way through the ordinary and absurdity of life is on silver screens across the country.

The Dandy Warhols bring a sound and style derived from a wide array of music’s past – the junk-culture references of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, the glamour/flamboyance of Duran Duran, and the seductive swagger of the Rolling Stones.

Since Allan Woody

The recent surge in singer-songwriters has given pop music a certain level of respect it once had, before losing it to over-sensationalized choreography and flashy outfits for teens. The acoustic rhythms and lyrical sincerity of the genre are free from the over-produced work more elaborate pop-rock stars inevitably succumb to. While still simple in structure, this reflection back to the roots of songwriting has resurrected an industry plagued with turmoil and profit-loss with it’s little touch of integrity. And now, as The Incredible Moses Leroy is beginning to prove, the category no longer must be synonymous with a solo mic and acoustic guitar, but free to embrace all of our creative contemporary outlets.

First time director, Catherine Hardwicke, has created an unrelenting portrait of adolescent culture, being widely herald as the next Kids. Where its predecessor was an inside peek into urban teen life, Thirteen was co-written by 13-year-old Nikki Reed, enabling the film to intimately capture the essence of contemporary struggles young girls must face, as they strive to be independent women still innocently enrolled in Middle School.

While he is certainly a household name as the bass player for Phish, Mike Gordon’s interests and passions range far beyond just playing the four string with one of the world

Once again, Keller Williams

Conscious hip-hop, combining steady beats and heavy rhythms, with political and social commentary may not be a new phenomenon. But with artists such as The Roots and Talib Kweli gaining momentum to new live audiences outside the hip-hop realm, it

If we learn from times of hardship more so than in times of joy, the founding members of Blues Traveler should be members of Mensa. Enduring a motorcycle crash that almost took the life of frontman John Popper, followed by angioplasty, major industry struggles, and the tragic death of bassist Bobby Sheehan, they were inevitably brought to a fork in the road, where one path went to what could have been, and the other straight ahead to reinvention. Truth be told, they chose the latter.

Over the course of four records, Sacramento, California based rockers Cake, have fashioned their knack by releasing intelligent, cynical, offbeat and one hundred percent eclectic rock and roll. From the hit singles, “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” to their quirky arrangements of well known tunes, to continually surprising the ears of their listeners with novel sounds, Cake always remains fresh.

Blending native percussive instruments with contemporary, unconventional materials, Cyro Baptista is redefining the role of the modern drummer by bringing rhythm back to the communal language it originated from. Since arriving from Brazil, Baptista has performed with numerous world renowned musicians, and now focuses his energy on his own project, Beat The Donkey.

With an extensive career that stretches far and wide beyond his Bela Fleck & the Flecktones fame, including award winning solo albums and his own touring band, The Mu

After 30 years in the entertainment business, Ira Opper is finally seeing his life

Two young college grads, Mike and Nathan, decided to put off starting careers and take a cross-country road trip to discover if there truly was “more to life.” Only instead of driving around waiting for the great epiphany, they decided to seek out people from all walks of life and ask them how they got to where they were today.

Director of NPR

With a recent record release and a new band

Writing songs that explore the back roads of American music, and launching these traditions in adventurous new directions, Jay Farrar continues to reinvent his own sound with his latest release – Terroir Blues. With the launch of his own record label, Act/Resist Records, and the reissue of Uncle Tupelo

In just under three years, Robert Randolph is already breaking new ground within music circles that thrive on forging ahead. His unique playing style is certainly bending the rules of the pedal steel guitar, and his live shows are often powerful occasions, but his gifts go further than the notes. By taking the celebratory spirit of his church beginnings, and moving it from the pews into the clubs, Randolph, along with the appropriately entitled – The Family Band- is unleashing a fresh brand of “positive soul rock,” that strives on making people feel good.

Drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr. has illuminated the music of a surprising diversity of musicians that include: Elvis Costello, Santana, Lionel Richie, and Smokey Robinson.

Guster has come a long way from their days in the early 90