Archive: 2015

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic is making its return to Austin, Texas this summer.  The legendary Willie Nelson plays host to one of America’s most celebrated festivals, as the 4th of July Picnic returns to the Austin area for the first time in five years.  Joining Willie at this year’s party is a cavalcade of his […]

[rating=8.00] Early on in Going Clear, HBO’s shocking exposé on the hidden truths of Scientology, it’s posited that to work through Dianetics—“church” founder L. Ron Hubbard’s seminal work and cornerstone of the group’s philosophy—is to work through the mind of Hubbard himself. The line itself feels almost throw away at first; a simple observation serving […]

Raised amid the Bay Area’s rich musical culture, Monophonics have proudly carried on the tradition of the psychedelic soul music native to their hometown. Monophonics was formed in 2005, and since then the band has created a signature psychedelic soul sound, impressing audiences with their energetic live show. Originally an instrumental ensemble, the last two […]

When Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds recorded their sophomore record, Pound Of Dirt, frontwoman Arleigh Kincheloe learned something very important about herself as a singer. “I learned a lot about my voice and I learned how to accept who I am as a singer and what that means,” she told me back then. “I […]

Photos by Cathy Poulton of Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA on 3/12/15.

Tweedy hit up “Conan” and performed “World Away” from Sukierae (check out the sticky bass line) further emphasizing all that’s “dad rock” with son Spencer. Conan O’Brien has a connection with Tweedy as he recently appeared in their Nick Offerman directed video for “Low Key.” “Places You Will Go,” the latest track from Patrick Watson’s […]

John Medeski is keeping busy. In late February, the jazz-funk heavyweight and member of Medeski, Martin & Wood spent some time at his alma mater giving a master class, participated in a program celebrating the diverse heritage of jazz, and played two sets in Cambridge, Massachusetts to kick off a tour with his newest project, […]

Ladies in comedy are nothing new. Established acts have been paving the way for future generations since the genre became popularized in mainstream media. Continuing the upward momentum towards equality in pop culture is the shift in celebrated entertainers. While established acts like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, and Joan Rivers have […]

[rating=5.00] If there’s any system in America that deserves to be taken down by the sword of comedic insight, it’s the prison system. America, land of the free, boasts the highest number of citizens incarcerated in the developed world, and that number is growing all the time. With a system as blood-thirsty as the American […]

As the weather and city are clearing up I’m starting to realize just how long I’ve been sick for. I’ve had the brutal head colds, stomach viruses and even a scare of infestation, but I’m talking about actually being sick. Sick of hearing that everything “Is so great, I love it”. What happened to the […]

Fare Thee Well isn’t the only Dead-related happening coming to Chicago this year. A new auction will give Deadheads a chance to own historical memorabilia from the band. In celebration of the Grateful Dead’s 50-year legacy, former employees and friends of the Grateful Dead are bringing the most extraordinary private collection of Dead-related memorabilia ever at […]

Chuck had a pretty good showing in this week’s episode of ‘Better Call Saul’ — at least by his standards.

[rating=6.00] Across six albums, twin brothers Gary and Ryan Jarman, with younger brother Ross on drums, have channeled fuzz and melody from the Weezer and Flaming Lips records they worshipped as teens. That’s nothing new. But what’s remarkable about the Cribs, an English trio now living in Portland, is that they’ve attracted many of the […]

When Dave and Phil Alvin reunited for the Grammy nominated Common Ground last year, it gave longtime fans of the duo the warm and fuzzies. A collection of Big Bill Broonzy covers was what brought them back together to record their first studio collaboration since the 1980s. At a recent show at Brooklyn’s Bell House, […]

[rating=6.00] Notwithstanding a theory that the standard album would be more potent with a third of its sixteen tracks subtracted, Van Morrison’s new album Duets: Re-working the Catalogue isn’t quite as cynical a ploy to widen his audience as the subtitle suggests. Nevertheless, in collaborating on a selection of songs suggested by the man himself […]

If there ever was a record shop where everybody knows your name, it might be Pure Pop Records in Burlington, VT. In fact it shares a distinctive downstairs entry way, identical to the set of the fabled NBC show Cheers. In the city that gave us Phish and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Pure Pop […]

Leon Bridges made his network television debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden on Wednesday night March 25th. The soul singer from Forth Worth, Texas made a big impression at last week’s South By Southwest festival in Austin and his debut album is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2015.

[rating=8.00] From the electric guitar licks that give you your first taste to the chaotic percussion that kicks in shortly after, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s new record will have you in a vice grip so funky, you’ll submit willingly to its force. Freedom Tower – No Wave Dance Party 2015 is just that: a force, […]

Partisan Records is excited to announce the June 16 release of the new highly anticipated Heartless Bastards record. Titled Restless Ones, the album is the band’s fifth and was produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen, Swans). Restless Ones was tracked in August 2014 during a 10-day session at El Paso, […]

Believe it or not, the Grateful Dead had a far-reaching influence that stretched way beyond their inner circle of improvisational minded bands.  Since playing their first shows 50 years ago the Dead have earned their place in the lexicon of culture as perhaps the quintessential American band. In light of their final shows, which take […]