Features
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Mon Laferte rises from Chilean reality show to rock powerhouse
In the United States, we tend to assume that we have the best of the best, or if not, that the best of the best come here. And it’s often a good assumption; we’re also…
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Music the only thing that matters to the Fratellis’ John Lawler
Five albums in with his band, The Fratellis, singer-guitarist John Lawler has still avoided writing any songs about himself or the people in his life. The Fratellis Blood Red Shoes 8 p.m., Monday, April 30…
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Toronto’s Seaway out to prove pop-punk is alive and kicking
Even without taking Seaway‘s residence on Berkeley label Pure Noise into account, the Bay Area remains prominent to the band’s history. The punk rock tradition of brazen attitude over airtight performances keep the Toronto band enthused…
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NYC funk and jazz band Ikebe Shakedown leaves the story open to interpretation
As Ikebe Shakedown’s Nadav Nirenberg talked about his band over the phone last week, a kaleidoscope of muffled horns echoed in the background. The funk band was in the middle of a recording session at…
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Getting “sticky, sweet and a little gross” with Tame Impala’s Jay Watson on GUM
Not only is Jay Watson an accomplished musician, but he’s also the type of person to become distracted by a daddy long-legs mid-conversation and embark on a rescue mission, scooping it up with an empty…
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Art of War: The Vaccines turn to ‘Combat Sports’ for new album
Following the tour supporting third album, English Graffiti, English indie rock band The Vaccines decided the 2015 LP was an ill-advised attempt to be something they were not. The journey back to their sweet spot was…
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Still glowing: Kate Nash returns with new album and new season of hit show
If someone asked Kate Nash, five years ago, whether she would resort to wrestling if all of the singer-songwriter and actress’ other career options ran dry, she would have no idea what he was…
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Oakland’s Ghost & The City mind-meld for new EP
Although Ash Maynor started Ghost & the City in 2008, the current incarnation of the soulful jazz and trip-hop group is essentially a new beast. The large lineups of session musicians are no more, and…
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‘Everything is fine’ with INHEAVEN’s first U.S. tour
When INHEAVEN frontman James Taylor hears that his band sounds like a cross between Sonic Youth, Slowdive, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Smashing Pumpkins, My Bloody Valentine and Nirvana, he treats it as a compliment. The…
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Courtney Marie Andrews looks to the ‘Kindness of Strangers’
When Courtney Marie Andrews decided to leave Phoenix, at 16, to pursue a career as a travelling musician, many of her early tours took her up the West Coast, through San Francisco. The soulful folk…
