A majority of the messages from ‘Freedom Of Choice’ in particular promote values that elevate our humanity above money interests. This is not too far from values espoused by mainstream radio preachers in California today.
Planet Neil’s “Influencer (No. 1)” is all about the value of communication and creating positive outcomes in a social media career.
Peter Gabriel’s ‘US’ hit me different right away. Here is a man who takes the chance of being vulnerable, putting his loneliness and disconnection up front.
‘I Often Dream Of Trains’ is just Hitchcock and piano, guitar, occasional harmonica and sax. It’s his third solo album after leaving the Soft Boys, and an example of what’s called psych rock, a genre in which you might wonder if the artist is ok, but his songs are so special that they justify his existence.
Like an unloved relative hauled away to be warehoused, in 2017 the city of Baltimore removed four statues in the secrecy of night: The Confederate Soldiers and Sailors, The Confederate Women Of America, The General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson Double Equestrian, and a statue of chief justice Roger B. Taney. All four of these are now on display at the exhibition MONUMENTS, sponsored by MOCA at The Geffen and THE BRICK.
‘Blood and Chocolate’ finds Elvis Costello spitting out stories about betrayal (“Poor Napoleon”) confusion and loss (“Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head”), anomie and crime (“Battered Old Bird”), and simmering desire (“I Want You”).
The paintings at The Cheech Marin Center For Chicano Art And Culture celebrate family, they celebrate neighborhoods, and they place faith and history into contemporary settings that bring them into the light.
(Header image features art by Frank Romero, Jaylen Pigford, Josué Ramírez and Cande Aguilar.)
Back in the Middle Ages, centuries before Marvel and DC superheroes gave the simpler aspects of our imaginations the comforting idea that virtues could prevail, images like ‘Archangel Michael Directing The Fall Of The Rebel Angels’ by Dominico Beccafumi helped people cope with the slow pace of reconciliation.
The Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an, China, which are leaving the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana on Sunday, carry lots of storytelling weight. As works of art, they tell us a lot about human nature.
Most people who knew about the album True Colors by the New Zealand band new wave band Split Enz knew about it from the single “I Got You.” I heard that song my junior year of high school. It had everything – melodic hooks, polished performances, unique sounds.
From the album “Drums and Wires,” the song “Making Plans For Nigel” was so uniquely crafted that it tickled new places in my eardrums and my imagination.
The dramatization of Mary as a fallen woman possessed by seven demons, along with the suppression of her Gospel, is problematic.
This was eight years after the king fell. We saw it coming, they might have said. All those gospel albums, really beautiful. Biblical comparisons were part of the plan when the media dubbed him The King in 1956.
The ways that art challenges us to break away from the routine banality of everyday life is the reason these artworks exist.
When Warhol started mass producing other people’s works (many of them without copyright approval, in lawsuits that are still shaming his reputation today) that pretty said it all about the economic incentive as a power to erase true value in art.
Like an art critic wearing tinted sunglasses to the Louvre, I apparently saw something that wasn’t there when reviewing ‘Don’t Leave Your Mistakes Unattended.’
Gilles Snowcat is a man who cares about music. And like anyone else, he’s figured out that if he wants to stay on top of things and keep making music, he’s got to own up to the error of his ways.
With more texture and passion than melody, the new single by Dropsonic, titled ‘Honeytrap’ is a gorgeous, dirty and powerful song about the push and pull of desire and tragedy. It’s a song filled with […]
You won’t be surprised to hear that the new Stylistics album, Falling In Love With My Girl, produced and co-written by Cridland, is pitch perfect.
When I saw Tom Cridland and his Tom’s Elton Tribute last summer at the Mission Theater in Fallbrook on August 3, I had the chance to sneak backstage and ask him a few questions.
Walking down Hollywood Blvd on any given day or night, you usually find dozens of abandoned, neglected souls. The average suburbanite might cringe at the smell, the horrid display of emotional poverty. What might our reaction to Vincent Van Gogh have been, particularly if we had not understood or viewed his art?
Capturing a moment of realization that comes too late – though it’s never too late, Female President’s new tune “Oh Darlin’ What Have I Done?” has much to say about the necessary loss and regret that comes with testing boundaries, while finding one’s way in a relationship — or so it seems.
By Keith WalshIn a brand new video by Italian artist Francesca Bonci, One-Legged Heart evokes a dark sentimentality in a melodic techno song with deep deep bass and glitchy electronics. The musical half of this […]
In our interview with The Analog Girl, the Singaporean singer songwriter explains how she found her voice by connecting with her audience.
I had the good luck to virtually meet European New Media Artist Francesca Bonci after I reviewed a song ‘Heaven Forgive Me’ by Federale, featured in a video of her creation. Her innovative visual production style has gained her fans around the world, and afforded her the chance to work with musical artists she admires.
Having traded in his electric guitar for virtual synths, and his confrontational stance for a more reflective one, Neil Dyer just released a beautifully constructed new album, Organic.
One might find that Abusements’ style of pushing back is not only cathartic for the band members , but also a way of mediating socially imposed differences by presenting them in song.
Snowcat’s new single “Tiny Little Ice Cubes” has all the elements of a classic tune, Snowcat style:.
Charles Szczepanek released his song, “For Clementine” about the loss of his canine companion. The emotion is real, and visceral, though tender.
With his organization ‘Stand Up For Mental Health,” David Granirer trains people working through emotional and psychiatric issues to learn the art of stand-up comedy.
In the new video for “Sea Of Eyes” by Pete International Airport, new media artist Francesca Bonci once again flexes her formidable command of digital media.
Tom Cridland sprung a few surprises on me, including his work on the upcoming Stylistics album, Falling Love With My Girl, coming October 11
Bonci’s technique relies on traditional, analog and digital media to create impressionistic scenes filled with light and color.
Traversing through various analog and digital sets and environments on the video for ‘Only You,’ Cameron Lew of Ginger Root seeks meaning in media chaos.
Francesca Bonci: ‘I certainly feel more at ease near artistic movements such as impressionism, which is the triumph of color and light.’
In a song fewer than three minutes, rock band Antler Family channel a lifetime of passion and loss in the new video for “Bring Me Back My Love.”
British fashion designer turned potential superstar Tom Cridland wowed an enthusiastic standing room only-crowd at The Troubadour in West Hollywood last night, with a set of classic tunes and a surprise musical guest, with his act Tom’s Elton John Tribute.
The song is immediately catchy, with buzzy electric guitars, slightly laid back beat, and a soaring anthemic chorus and interesting chordal movement.
On the second album of the highly imaginative Kinnery Of Lupercalia trilogy, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club delivers a powerful, multi-layered narrative packed with commentary about the paradoxes of cultural inheritance.
On the new album by Federale, Reverb And Seduction, heartfelt songwriting meets stylish sound making, in a satisfying ten track set that draws inspiration from classic country rock and European film soundtracks
Kontradikshn, an electronic rock trio, have defied expectations with a live performance with the Glasbena Šola Symphonic Orchestra of Krško.
The new album by Astari Nite, titled Resolution Of Happiness, is filled with wonderfully weird and sincere sentiments.
The Peawees, four guys from an Italian military town, deliver a sound that mixes the energy of vintage rock with spaghetti Western guitar themes and brilliant energy.
“My Lower Self” is the new video single from Blurred Wires, with Sakes channeling his defiance and rage against the changes that come with aging.
I spoke with Perry Blake from his home in Northwest Ireland, where the tranquil environment seems an ideal setting to support the creation of his contemplative musical offerings.
On June 28th, Upright Forms will release their debut LP Blurred Wires, featuring a mix of kinetic, hard guitar sounds, with catchy riffs and beats, aggressively charismatic vocals, and the sound of a poetic heart bursting forth with wordplay and melodies.
With their performance of “In A Quiet Room,” captured live on video on KEXP, shoegaze pioneers The Veldt demonstrate that all of the studio trickery making the elegance of shoegaze possible can be done portably.
In Part 2 of our interview with Lunear, we get into more details about their work, and some of the challenges to getting heard.
With a rhythm section collaboration going back to the 90s, eccentrically innovative guitar voicings, and the fractured blues vocals of front man Albert Hall, Pittsburgh’s Rated Eye breaks the rules to make distinctively unique rock songs.
In our wide ranging interview, top David Bowie tribute artist Julian Shah-Tayler shares his views on Bowie’s much delayed efforts at staging musicals, shows me some of his gear, disses Mick Jagger and Sting, and reveals his processes recreating ‘Diamond Dogs,’ the first Bowie album that he owned.
On ‘From Above,’ their most ambitious album so far, Europe’s Lunear go even deeper into classic progressive rock sounds and concepts.
Frenchy and The Punk is the duo of Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland, and their new track “Hypnotized” features a cool mix of melody and atmospherics.
In part two of my interview with Jason Sandford, Thalia Zedek, and drummer/vocalist Ernie Kim of the band E, I find out more about the trio’s history, their upcoming European tour, and how they got their unique name.
The concept album ‘All That Should Have Been’ by Night Wilds starts off with spectacle but quickly develops into a collection of ballads and bangers.
On a Zoom call with E’s Jason Sanford, Thalia Zedek and Ernie Kim, we get info about the new album, their sound, and their processes.
With their future funk grooves and intensely introspective lyrics, the tunes by U.S based DJ 3kelves offer a fresh spin on dance music with smooth grooves and a retro flair.
In our interview on the release of The Balboas’ brand-new star-studded set ‘The Pandemic Singles,’ Rich Griffith and I discuss topics ranging from the value of punk rock, the importance of organization to working musicians, and the controversies over diversity in the workplace.
Under the moniker Ska Tune Network, rocker Jer Turner increases all the fun energy of The Cure’s 1992 hit “Friday, I’m In Love” with a ska rendition that’s bursting with musical flavor.
‘The Gift,’a new album by pianist Alise Ashby and cellist Kristin Miller, showcases their talents for composition and performance with 8 minimalist pieces that fill the room with exquisitely gentle tones and timbres.
With The Shadow Majlis debut album ‘The Departure’ singer/songwriter Ali Jafri offers glimpses of his experiences with grief.
On the stunning new album ‘The Departure,’ The Shadow Majlis navigate the strange, unwelcome world of grief.
The restlessly creative singer/songwriter Nick Hudson discovered new inspiration in the geographical and political landscapes of Post-Soviet Georgia. His new album Kanda Teenage Honey finds him in excellent form as a musical tour guide of sorts.
From the longing in Hudson’s powerful voice, to the lovely piano and string work, and the wiser-than-his-age lyrics, “For My Silence” hits all the right notes
In an album that combines melancholia with hope, Onceweresixty draw upon the well of Italy’s profound artistic history and personal experiences to create songs from an active observer’s point of view.
Celebrating her stylish new album, ‘Hex,’ Margot Day of Metamorph shares her life affirming approach to music.
The European duo of Circolo Vizioso is comprised of Tony Scafidi and Paul Geigerzaehler, who create a minimalist sound with an emotional effect that’s much more than the sum of the parts.
I chat with electronic rock trio Agency V: Marie Williamson (vocals), Lloyd Price (synths, programming), and Peter Steer (guitars),
The just released lyric video for “Mazdur,” features band leader Ali Jafri on multiple instruments, including guitars, bass, synth, frame drum, and vocals.
In their brand new version of the classic XTC song “Senses Work Overtime,” Smoke And Mirrors Sound System give this classic tune a wonderfully bright and lovely shine.
Recorded in 2019 but delayed until 2024 by the COVID pandemic, the eponymous album by Antler Family is a powerful 8 track set filled with brilliant performances and production.
Utilizing synths, guitars, and pristine psychedelic production, Sun Atoms present a gorgeous monochromatic video of the song “Ceiling Tiles.”
With a popular approach to jazz that exploits electronics as well as the unique emotional and percussive nature of the acoustic piano, French composer and performer Édouard Ferlet creates mesmerizing sounds. We discuss his new album ‘PianoïD²’.
On his soundtrack to the fascinating new film ‘Blood Of The Ancient Vine,’ branded with Icons Of Industry, Montoya and his collaborators João Martins, José Pedro Lima, and Nuno Silva explore the traditional music of The Iberian Peninsula.
The tunes on The Blood Of The Ancient Vine Original Motion Picture Soundtrack are alternately celebratory, reflective, traditional and experimental, characterizing all the depth of wine’s bittersweet nature.
When director Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie were snubbed by the Oscars nominating committee, further controversy ensued. I asked four female musical artists to share their views on Barbie, and got very different takes.
Bursting out of the gates with a powerfully raucous debut titled Five Things, Italy’s punk rock trio Smalltown Tigers have quickly become known for their gritty, hook filled tunes.
‘Koyaasnowcatsi’ is non-ironic take on the complete soundtrack’s 2009 release, with the advantage of Snowcat’s performance skills often taking the place of Glass’ sequencers, as well adding the tenderness of his intentions.
On ‘Privacy Policy,’ her just released 14 track set by Latex Cop, New Orleans-based artist Sara Storm reveals the inspiration she finds in studies of criminal justice.
It’s a fun challenge trying to categorize the new album, ‘Harbour Century,’ by Australian band The Eunuchs.
In a new animated video created by filmmaker Tawd B. Dorenfeld, Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Harry Cloud flexes his awe-inspiring gift for strange sounds with “A Thin Layer Of Slugs.”
Kindred cousins with shoegaze pioneers Cocteau Twins since the late 1980s, American rock band The Veldt just released their shelved debut album ‘Illuminated 1989’ on Little Cloud Records.
The just released Box Of Darkness is a lovely 8-track set released on Optik Muzak. Inspired initially by another U.S.-based electronic musician, Philip Glass, Glass Machine’s songs build on the mysterious, sometimes magical interaction between human, instrument and machine.
I was eager to chat with Levi Oak-Reid myself and get the straight dope. Law Abidin Citiz3n’s ‘SCUM (Self-Centered Urban Male)’ was recorded on Oak-Reid’s 2015 Apple computer with vocals recorded at Old Street Studios, which previously hosted Placebo and Killing Joke.
U.S. rock band Autogramm offers a song and video that are sweetly catchy and charming, with valuable messages, clever hooks, and masterful performances and production. “Born Losers” is from their new album ‘The Humans Can Play.
It’s no surprise then, that BlakLight’s gift to their fans this Christmas is somewhat gloomy. I got the chance to ask synthesist Adam Collier about the release, BlakChristmas, and its two tunes, “Mercy, Lies, Poison, Stain” and “You Will Never Be Alone.”
Just in time for Christmas Day, LA-based singer/songwriter and Bowie tribute artist extraordinaire Julian Shah-Tayler teamed up with jazz bandleader/singer/songwriter Phil Crosby Jr. for a special tribute to a Bowie/Bing duet from 1977.
Roberto Montoya (Icons Of Industry) has teamed up again with his friend Connor Williams, aka RHYS, for this inventive video of the song “Alone” from their ‘Surrender’ EP.
In Part 2 of our interview, Sandy Bell and Jeff LIpstein reveal more recording secrets including how they decided to record at Sterling Sound, talk about the live music scene around Woodstock, New York, and explain that sometimes falling in love with the lead singer is the right thing to do.
With Kaitlynn Autumn and Juliann Frances leading the band, there’s going to be some controversy, not only because Witch Weather are a queer band, but even more so because Kaitlynn is trans.
In my email exchange with singer/songwriter/guitarist Sandrushka Petrova, who leads Descartes a Kant with a captivating theatrical style, I had the chance to find out more about this exciting, innovative band.
Earlier this year, musical and romantic partners Sandy Bell and Jeff Lipstein headed into New York’s Applehead Studios to work on ten tracks that became the album ‘Entelechy.’
‘Ad Astra’ from Black Rose Burning combines top notch musicianship and songwriting with ‘deep’ lyrical themes from sci-fi and personal experience.
After founding a successful fashion label ten years ago and releasing three albums with his roots-inspired rock band The Tomicks, British designer turned singer/songwriter Tom Cridland has traveled the U.S. and elsewhere with Tom’s Elton Tribute. There’s a bit of magic involved as Cridland picked up the drumsticks after encouragement from Nigel Olsson, a luminary of Elton John’s band for more than 50 years.
With a dark, complex sound and lyrics drawn from horror and science fiction films and short stories, Stereo Christ are a duo from Phoenix, Arizona.
As part of the exhibition “Stock Footage And Outakes: A Selection Of Works By Gronk” at Cerritos College in California, legendary Chicano artist Gronk (Glugio Nicandro) chats with visitors while he works on a 32 foot canvas. The mural will be on permanent display at Cerritos College when completed.
The exhibition was curated by Professor James MacDewitt, and is part of the SUR:Biennial, a series founded in 2011, which has 16 exhibitions in 2023 (mostly in Southern California) and returns every two years.
The comic book series “Rebel Grrrls” focuses on the adventures of a female punk band making waves in the Southern U.S., and has fantasy and horror elements in addition to tons of fan service for admirers of rock music and Grrl Power in general.
From early stunts by the collective ASCO, through his 1984 installation for MOCA in Los Angeles and up to the present day, Gronk has created works for gallery, public spaces, and stage, including collaborations with The Kronos Quartet and opera director Peter Sellars.
Manic energy comes through in the work of noise rock duo Mr. Phylzzz. For part two of my interview with guitarist/vocalist Clinton Jacob and drummer Danny Sein, I uncover an unjustified modesty about their musical abilities, as we discuss the state of rock and roll, the importance of unintentionality, and virtues of jazz and electronic music.
From the brand-new album ‘I Feel Like I’m Becoming A Ghost’ comes the exciting video “Halcyon” by New York’s The Sleeping.
Right in the middle of summer, when a little night magic is in order, Margot Day of Metamorph summoned all her familiar spirits to conjure up a powerful new tune, “Woo Woo.” Riffing on themes of witchcraft in a playful way, the tune is perfect for the dance floor with its irresistible beats and sweetly seductive melodies.
In my conversation with singer/songwriter/guitarist Clinton Jacob and drummer/songwriter Danny Sein, I discover a work ethic and a sober mindset at the root of Mr. Phylzzz’ manic, restlessly intelligent sound.
“Strong (You’re Not Alone) evokes dreamy 60s rock, as well as later shoegaze offerings. Some points of reference may be The Doors, Mazzy Star, Jefferson Airplane and Lush.
There’s a new post-punk duo from York, Pennsylvania pushing the envelope with a brand of music that evolved from the new wave and shoegaze on their first EP New Moon, to a heavier sound on their new single “Don’t Need,” which reflects a return to the harder punk sounds they love making in the first place. Kaitlynn Autumn and Juliann Frances of Witch Weather are queer gals doing what they can to challenge the status quo with sounds and lyrics that call us to question the balances of power in our personal relationships.
In various configurations Al Keith, Eric Endo, Mark London Sims, Mark Tyson and Perry Ostrin have joined Dave Wakeling, Eek A Mouse, Wozani, Joe Higgs, and Michael Rose and others to bring reggae, ska, and other chill music to venues worldwide.
There’s a bountiful bloom of cool summer tunes here, from artful indie pop, to proggy jazz, surf rock, punk, shoegaze, all from the finest group of artists this side of summer.
The music of singer/songwriter Al Keith features messages and grooves that inspire hope and change.
With every subsequent new moon, Peter Gabriel began releasing tracks, including varying mixes, from his upcoming new album I/O.
Bolton’s project The Screaming Pope takes an innovative approach to music making, combining popular songwriting formats with analog hardware synthesis, digital computer instruments, along with loops and samples from sound libraries.
As an alternative to the self-serious synthpop that’s plagued the various genres for four decades now, there’s the playful and fun grooves of Planet Neil.
Under the brand Sick Robot, Liam White’s synth pop offers sometimes ironic, sometimes chilling melodic commentary on what the future here and elsewhere may sound like. I queried him at length about Sick Robot’s new release, ‘Technical Ability.’
‘King Size’ is the eponymous album from this Venetian four-piece, featuring gritty guitars, blasting drums and bass, and catchy, melodic vocals.
Kill, The Icon just released their debut EP ‘Your Anger Is Rational.” It was a privilege to dialogue with Dr. Nishant Joshi and quiz him on his experiences and message.
As a Japanese musical artist working in Europe, Sienná brings sounds from a unique perspective to global music. In our conversation, we discuss the inspirations behind her brilliant new album, her composing processes, and the beauty and simplicity of Wabi-sabi philosophy.
When your band has the deliciously strange name Neon Straightjackets, people are going to expect a lot. Fortunately for music fans, this four-piece band from Ohio delivers, both on stage and with their debut long player, ‘Ex-Girlfriends And Ecstasy.’
For their stunning new single and video, Beauty In Chaos teamed up with studio whiz (also based in Los Angeles) Julian Shah-Tayler.
With the release of “Joy Lab”, the first single from the upcoming ‘The Healing Ritual’ Dréa Atkins and colleagues Johnny Moss (bass) and Jasper Cunningham (drums) promise an even more raucous listening experience from Female President.
Blaklight’s daring new album, tHE pADDED rOOM, presents an even darker side than what this prolific California-based synthpop duo is known for.
What if A.I. knows exactly how to create a hand with five fingers, but avoids doing so, to mislead us about artificial intelligence capabilities? That way we’ll all be caught off guard when the computers make their moves to take over the world.
Bowie interpreter Julian Shah-Tayler talks about his new ‘Aladdin Sane’ tribute album, his favorite Bowie albums, and an unexpected reaction to ‘Let’s Dance.’
Following his recent album ‘You’ve Been Unboxing Gilles Snowcat’ the naughty musical character just dived into his archive, to release four newly remastered versions of classic tunes.
Singer/songwriter Sam Palumbo, aka Patch Kid, nails a cool, catchy vibe with his new song and video “Double Knot.” As Palumbo explains, it’s a song about acknowledging that his actions played a part in his own suffering and the end of a love relationship.
From the first moments, the apocalyptic vibe of Dyoxidon’s ‘The Decaying Multiverse’ hits you in the ears with an intimidating wall of sound. Phil Spector productions were nothing like this.
Two new releases – ‘Cocaine Bear’ and ‘Jesus Revolution’– are positioned to compete for the weekend of February 24-26 2023. Today on KWVE radio, the flagship station of Calvary Chapel, listeners were urged to support Jesus Revolution.
Since their debut single “Isolation” in 2020, the electronic music duo BlakLight have proven to be a prolific pair. Comprised of Adam Collier on synths and Brian Belknap on vocals, the act has released a steady stream of singles, remixes and a couple of albums, as well as tracks on compilations.
Julian Shah-Tayler’s ‘Something Borrowed’ features a variety of electronic tunes, as he transforms gems by artists ranging from Prince to INXS, from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Nine Inch Nails and even Bob Dylan.
With a little help from his friends, Martin Bisi turned an abandoned factory in New York into a hitmaking recording facility called BC Studio.
The Tenth Anniversary Edition of Darwin’s ‘Starfishing’ on Bandcamp offers 7 bonus tracks not found on the streamers — Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music.
“We wanted to capture the idea of someone reminiscing about a faded memory,” says Roberto Montoya about the video for “Cedars Of Lebanon.”
In addition to Kelsey Grammer as pastor Chuck Smith, the film features Jonathan Roumie (he played Jesus in ‘The Chosen’) as controversial hippy preacher Lonnie Frisbee.