READ IT AT LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE (in print too)
Coachella is right around the corner and good grub awaits. I talked to Short Order chef Christian Page and Sweet Clementine’s pops boss Layne Eiler about the relatively fresh phenomenon of fine dining and epicurean snacks coming to a music festival near you. If you’re actually going to Coachella (I am), look for the next hot Buzz Bite while some band plays in the background. :/
I banked a bunch of live reviews for Diffuser down in Austin for SXSW, but I also had a few chats. Interviewed Avid Dancer’s Jacob Summers about the marines, drumming, and Christian rock. Spoke to the men of Mew about their long hiatus and new LP. And talked to Foo Fighters bassist Nate Mendel about his new band Lieutenant, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Dave Grohl.
Every few weeks, I visit NPR member station KPCC to talk about new music on Take Two. This time I covered fresh folksy releases from Sufjan Stevens (Carrie & Lowell), and Laura Marling (Short Movie). Shout out Steve Hochman. Shout out stalkers. Listen in here:
We’re back with “Tuesday Reviewsday” for KPCC’s Take Two. My usual crit-friend Shirley Halperin joins and my picks are damn solid: Will Butler’s Policy, and Matthew E. White’s Fresh Blood. The former is a member of Arcade Fire. The latter named his album after boners. True story.
READ IT AT BILLBOARD (in print too)
As part of their “Double Threats” cover story, Billboard had me chat with Jack Black. It’s only a shame they couldn’t run the whole transcript. I mean, he told me how to cure cancer, end war, and beat all video games by stroking a guitar, but I guess that doesn’t transfer to the page.
READ IT AT BILLBOARD (in print too)
Music is weird. Prince Royce is a huge star in the Spanish-language market now eyeing crossover success with English-speaking audiences. The thing is, he was born in New York. Spanish is his second language. English is Royce’s mother tongue, but career-wise, he’s starting from scratch. Well, unless you count that Snoop Dogg collaboration and the army of label handlers stressing over his every move. Somehow, they let me go to vocal lessons with the guy.
Every few weeks I hit KPCC’s Take Two show to jaw-jack about new music for the “Tuesday Reviewsday.” Here’s me talking about two left-of-center albums deserving your ears: Slutever’s Almost Famous, and the Amazing’s Picture You. Stream the talk (with Shirley Halperin) right here:
READ IT AT BILLBOARD (in print too)
Stow your preconceived notions of what makes a pop star. These five young women of color broadcast a message of inclusion, plus have hit singles (“BO$$”, anyone?) and Barbie dolls made in their image. We met up in a Hollywood hotel, then at their dance rehearsals the next day.
Another “Tuesday Reviewsday” hit (pow pow) for KPCC’s Take Two show. This time: Howlin’ Rain’s Mansion Songs and Cotillon’s, er, Cotillon. Listen in via the player below:
Made it into Modern Farmer right before the big shakeup—my editor published this, and walked two days later. This piece is close to my heart, and not just because it features one of my favorite humans, William Ryan Fritch, plus two other dudes I deeply admire: the Books co-founder Nick Zammuto and Monome inventor Brian Crabtree. It’s about the collision of old world and new—the fact that modern technology affords us the opportunity to live off the grid. This means artists and aesthetes like these can set up shop in spaces far more conducive to inspiration than the urban environs. I hope this can evolve into a bigger project for me and photographer Nathaniel Wood, who shot Willow and Jaden Smith about an hour before we road-tripped in his Prius to the chicken-rich farmlands of Petaluma. (Sorry about the dog bite, buddy.) Continue reading
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