Archive: 2021

Going back to 2015, the duo Shovels & Rope have a habit of sneaking out a brilliant collection of covers under the moniker Busted Jukebox to fans when they least expect it. Coming four years after the second version, Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent stealthy put out Busted Jukebox Volume 3 last week, complete […]

Travis Atria’s writing has been translated into multiple languages and has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, The Believer, Wax Poetics, as well as other magazines and newspapers. His first book, Traveling Soul, the definitive biography of R&B legend Curtis Mayfield, written with Mayfield’s son Todd, was recognized with an honorable mention by the Society of Midland Authors (past […]

Singer-songwriter Joyann Parker turned heads with her 2018 debut Hard to Love and returns with even more fervor on Out of the Dark. Minneapolis-based Joyann Parker is a classically trained pianist with a degree in music from the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse. She sang in church and in wedding bands before she was struck […]

Over the last few years, Norwegian songwriter and producer Tuva Hellum Marschhäuser has proven herself a master of crafting songs that capture a special atmosphere in her sound. As Tuvaband, she writes songs that are airy, ghostly, and effortlessly cinematic. With her new album Growing Pains & Pleasures, she’s set to take her songwriting to […]

The Drives formed in early 2017 around bedroom recordings of Andrew Levin and Casey Chen. After Geo Botelho joined the band later that year, The Drives started gigging around Southern California and developing an online buzz. Check out the raw and intoxicating new single, “The Comedown” (below) from The Drives. With striking guitar color cutting across a thick bottom of drums and bass, “The […]

Today, Menahan Street Band has released the crushing new single, “The Starchaser,” off of their upcoming album The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band, out February 26 via Daptone Records – their first album in over nine years. “The Starchaser” follows the scintillating single “The Duke” and lustrous “Midnight Morning.” “The Starchaser” pounds the pavement […]

Les Claypool releases the short film “Precious Metals” today, co-starring Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo and directed by Claypool’s son Cage. The film originally screened at this year’s virtual NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show and is presented by EMG Pickups. “Precious Metals” was shot at Claypool’s estate in Northern California and concludes with an epic dueling bass performance by Claypool and Trujillo. “As a veteran […]

Paul Leary’s first solo album, The History of Dogs, was released way back in 1991 and now the follow-up Born Stupid arrives during the strange haze of early 2021. The Butthole Surfers guitarist waited 30 years to use his dark humor, creepy carnival vibes, and orchestrated sweeping sounds to address everything from mass consumption to […]

Jon LaDeau is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Over the past 12 years, he has toured internationally in support of four solo albums, shared festival bills with Jeff Tweedy, Emmylou Harris, Sturgill Simpson, and Commander Cody and has toured nationally as a sideman with Kelli Scarr, April Smith and The Great […]

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2021 Nominees and this list is as diverse as any year with many urban and soul artists making their case to win induction. Jay-Z, Carole King and Tina Turner are among those up for induction this year in the big album sales realm while radio […]

Rhiannon Giddens’ new album They’re Calling Me Home, recorded with Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, will be released April 9 on Nonesuch Records. Giddens and Turrisi, who both live in Ireland when they aren’t on tour, have been there since March 2020 due to the pandemic. The two expats found themselves drawn to the music of their native and adoptive countries of America, […]

DL Rossi knows a thing or two about songwriting and making magnetically melodic songs with a graceful storytelling touch. In 2019 let it all pour out in the name of survival on A Sweet Thing, where Rossi had learned the hard way in the wake of a very painful divorce- that you can’t rush recovery. On […]

Julez and The Rollerz, formerly known as “Julez,” are releasing their first two tracks this winter, “In Secure City” on February 26 and “Knocks Me On The Floor” April 2 via Party Mermaid Records as digital downloads and via streaming services. This eccentric trio of Southern California Rock n Rollers are comprised of singer / […]

Singer/songwriter Mat Weitman, operating under the moniker Hotels on Mars, is releasing his first solo album, Grief Museum, on February 12th from Styles Upon Styles Records. The first single released into the wild, “Worst Year on Record” gives a pretty accurate preview of the ideas and musical approaches you’ll find on the album, but I […]

Led by keyboardist Robert Glasper the super group R+R=NOW turned heads with their 2018 studio debut, Collagically Speaking (covered on these pages) for its unprecedented blend of jazz, R&B, electronica, and hip-hop grooves. In October of that same year Glasper had a month-long residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC, on several nights […]

In the latest Wannabe, artist Chris Prunckle offers his illustrated commentary on Can’t Complain, the latest album from ska-punk rockers Kill Lincolk, in his signature six-panel comic strip form. Click on the image for full resolution (best viewed on desktop):

Renowned vocalist and guitarist Allan Harris’ Kate’s Soulfood is a series of spirited, soul-drenched ten tracks that pay emotive homage to Harris’ home of Harlem, NYC. Showcasing his brisk baritone and deft songwriting ability, Harris’ fourteenth release as a leader paints a vivid portrait of his vibrant neighborhood that draws heavily from a deep well of childhood memories, as […]

Movies are a great way to spend an hour or more on your couch or your bed. It’s a simple yet guilt-free treat you can reward yourself. It even gets better when you get to watch with your friends or family. Thanks to a variety of cable television packages, you can do so whenever and […]

Where once was Superwolf, now roam Superwolves, the new album and demon spawn of Matt Sweeney and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, out digitally April 30th on Drag City and available physically on June 18th. Today marks the arrival of their new single “Hall of Death,” (below) which follows “Make Worry For Me.” Sweeney and Will Oldham (aka Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) wrote “Hall Of Death” with visionary Tuareg guitarist and producer Ahmoudou […]