ARTS Pick: Rebecca Rego and The Trainmen
Stories often become more profound when coupled with the upbeat mix of dueling guitars—at least that’s the case with the music of Rebecca Rego and The Trainmen. Borrowing from country […]
Interview: Sam Beam a.k.a. Iron and Wine expands his repertoire
A friend of mine once fell asleep at an Iron and Wine show. By the time the opener had finished and Sam Beam started in with his lullaby-like tunes, my buddy […]
Interview: Fitz and the Tantrums look to reclaim early success
Fitz and the Tantrums just seem to have a way of finding the spotlight. Remember that video where they were all on those treadmills? Oh, that wasn’t them? My bad. […]
ARTS Pick: Jeremy Messersmith
Since The Alcatraz Kid was released independently in 2006, Jeremy Messersmith has been praised for his elegant and literate songwriting style. While love songs and lullabies are not new territories for […]
Melanie Martinez hopes to sidestep the reality competition label
I was convinced that Taylor Hicks would not only win the 2006 season of “American Idol,” but would also become wildly successful as a recording artist. I was so convinced of […]
Clean listening: Local program aims to erase profanity from music
Have you ever really stopped and listened to lyrics like those in Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” or Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty?” It’s startling when you hear some of the words […]
Joyful noise: Supportive, hands-off approach allows kids to find their own way in music
John D’earth was about 4 when his father—“a great listener, but not a musician”—taught him an important lesson about making music. He was at his grandmother’s house. He toddled over […]
ARTS Pick: Vampire Weekend
With it’s recent Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, Vampire Weekend bites into a variety of styles with inspiration from Afro-pop and rock music of the past. Formed in […]
ARTS Pick: Miss Brown to You
The Oklahoma duo Miss Brown to You featuring Mary Reynolds and Louise Goldberg plays a mix of jazz and folk in songs that are endearing and serene. Both musicians employ […]
ARTS Pick: Dead Fame
The brooding tones of electric synth may exude the soul of the ’80s, but there’s nothing retro about the music of Dead Fame. Spiking its music with elements of modern […]