The Chicago-based Company of Thieves keeps their momentum barrel rolling with a new video for Death of Communication, a song that pinpoints both the breakdown of face-to-face communication and the
In his latest book, Talking to Girls About Duran Duran, a coming-of-age teen memoir set to the music of Duran Duran, Human League, A Flock of Seagulls, Madonna, Lita Ford, other 80s staples, Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield takes readers through his formative years as a loyal devotee to all things New Wave.
In his acknowledgments, Sheffield mentions in passing, “Cheers to those who who remember it differently – as Paul Westerberg would say, your guess is more or less as bad as mine.” Well, herein lies the reason I had so much fun reading this book – which took all of about three days on vacation last week – I remember these things entirely differently. This is not to say I disagree with the viewpoints, but rather I was too young in the 1980s to really debate the merits or cool or lame, punk or new wave, poseur or not.
In fact, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever even talked in any depth with someone who was really into ’80s music, seeing shows, and actually thinking critically about the genres. It’s relatively simple to stumble upon barstool conversations with hardcore fans of ’70s classic rock with epic sagas of seeing Zeppelin at the Garden, Genesis with Peter Gabriel, the original Wall tour, or infinity Dead shows, but what happened to all the die-hard ’80s music fans? I guess they probably all deny it. Well, Rob Sheffield is one of the few, the proud, the remaining and Talking to Girls about Duran Duran provides an often hilarious look at the ’80s from the perspective of a serious, active fan’s perspective with no shortage of self-deprecating humor.
READ ON for more on Rob Sheffield’s book…
The Globes are from Spokane, WA, not usually thought of as a hotbed for fruitful musical collaboration. Young, having graduated from high school in 2007, band members dedicated themselves to pursuing a musical vision that first expanded into a seven piece orchestral and cinematic unit before contacting to the current quartet. Future Self is their first release and retains a certain murky drama that is both musically complex and emotionally accessible.
The Scottish indie band from Glasgow were formed by cousins James and Rab Allan in 2003. The band received critical acclaim for their debut album Glasvegas which was released in September 2008, reaching No. 2 in the UK Album Charts and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in September 2009. Rab sat down before their gig at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago to discuss the new album Euphoric///Heartbreak\.
Frustrating, then, is Holland’s newest work, Pint of Blood. So much of the raw building blocks are present for this to be a superb record. Holland’s voice is in fine form, gliding between thoughts and words, melisma intact, bending and caressing notes to forge them into wholly new beings and shapes. But these songs feel emptier and more hollow than Holland’s previous work.
Peter Case takes nothing for granted, no doubt why he keeps so busy with touring (solo and in collaboration with assorted like-minded musicians), his songwriters workshops, recurring reunions with The Plimsouls and since his recuperation period, the researching of his archives; the first fruits of which are The Case Files collection just out in May. He qualifies as a renaissance man.
Chromeo, is announcing a string of 34 new Fall tour dates, aptly titled the ‘Night Falls’ tour, in addition to their many upcoming festival appearances throughout the globe this year.
M83 announces a North American Fall Tour starting in October. Fans can be the first to purchase tickets on the official website – ilovem83.com – starting July 6th, with a
With a dreaded “indefinite hiatus” looming around the corner, jam titans Widespread Panic will continue celebrating their 25th anniversary with a lengthy fall tour that hits the Northeast, Midwest and the
Counterculture has always fed off of community. It’s the reason why nine-year-olds in California can attempt surfing maneuvers on skateboards and unwittingly start a revolution. A group of people that somehow understands each other amidst the commotion of survival is a rare and powerful thing.
Music is especially responsive to a certain community’s energy. A “scene” develops and musicians are challenged. What you may not know is, a scene is developing among the Pocono Mountains of northeastern PA at a gathering called Equifunk, but this time the musicians won’t be the ones that benefit. This scene is for us, the listeners, and it may just change how we view music festivals.
The community I’m talking about is a summer camp, of all places. Equifunk 2011 will be held August 19-20 on the grounds of Camp Equinunk, and is likely the most intimate musical weekend any fan could dream up. The organizers – who are all former Equinunk campers – have managed to create an all-inclusive weekend of amazing talent, while still capping ticket sales at less than 600. That’s 0.6% of Bonnaroo’s average annual attendance.
READ ON for more about Equifunk…
