Take one of the best rhyme flowing freestylers, hook him up with an equally talented hip-hop producer, mix and match delicious beat samplings, and stir sufficiently throughout the course of a decade. The result: Atmosphere – a premier Minneapolis underground rap alliance initially revealed on a few impressive homespun…
Interview: Ratatat Taps Into Orchestral Roundabout
Growing up in Shelton, Connecticut, 15 minutes outside New Haven, guitarist Mike Stroud experimented with four-track recordings during high school, frequented local shows, and went to New York City whenever possible to catch cool bands. He attended Skidmore College, met Cleveland-raised keyboardist/programmer Evan Mast and by 2001 they’d conceive formative…
Shooting From The Hip: Doin’ The Notwist As Summer Ends
As my summer of ’08 concludes and the body surfin’ waves at the Jersey Shore and Sunset Beach come to a close and the feel good memories slowly recede into the deep recesses of my mind, there’s a few truly fine musical remembrances that stick out. Some were from…
Shooting From The Hip: Dr. Dog & R. Stevie Moore Take Over The Bowery
Outlandishly primal studio wiz, R. Stevie Moore, a reliable elder statesman given serious adoration from youthful headlining Philly sextet, Dr. Dog, made the most of his commencing opportunity this comfy summer’s eve at Bowery Ballroom. Though generations apart, Moore and Dr. Dog share a love for elliptical ‘60s-styled rock…
From The Underground: Illuminating ‘Pot Culture’ Guide Hits Streets 4/20
I first met Pot Culture author/CelebStoner host Steve Bloom at, ironically enough, a first anniversary party for co-author Shirley Halperin’s now-defunct indie rag, Smug (one of my early writing gigs). It was a fortuitous night down in the Bowery at CB Gallery (an extension of illustrious dive, CBGB’s), since Bloom…
Rooney @ Izod Center
E. RUTHERFORD, NJ—Refreshingly eclectic Cali-pop quintet, Rooney, served up a rewarding half-hour set for the screeching girlie masses flocking the Meadowlands-based Izod Center on this cool March evening. Supporting ’07’s stimulating sophomore set, Calling The World, these courteous Beatles enthusiasts kept the estrogen-loaded Jonas Brothers crowd happily entertained in anticipation…
Rooney: Interview With Robert Schwartzman
Sharing a mutual admiration for classic rock and roll at Winward High School, Rooney front man Robert Schwartzman and classmate, bassist Matthew Winter, honed their craft alongside Santa Monica Crossroads student, guitarist Taylor Locke. Son of Rocky actress, Thalia Shire (“yo Adrian!”) and younger brother of famed actor (and Phantom…
Interview: Thurston Moore Discovers ‘Trees Outside The Academy’
In his late teens, entrepreneurial Connecticut-raised guitarist-vocalist Thurston Moore was determined to go city bound, experience the wondrous joys New York afforded and obtain a modicum of prosperity. There, he met his attractive leggy flaxen- blonde life partner, Kim Gordon, plus a few explorative youths, who’d mutually get involved professionally…
Thurston Moore: Trees Outside The Academy
Watching Thurston Moore caterwaul around on stage, climbing on amps to get just the right angle for a certain feedback out of his pickups, even this far into his career, it seems like a different person than the man who wrote this album. Maybe it was.
It was certainly another…
The Heartless Bastards @ Maxwell’s
HOBOKEN, NJ—Before opening for seasoned high-profile troubadour Lucinda Williams at Radio City Music Hall, upstart Cincinnati trio The Heartless Bastards seized the stage two nights hence inside Hoboken’s hallowed backroom landmark, Maxwell’s. Taking advantage of transitory headlining status, the powerhouse blues-y triad delivered a well-received hour-and-a-half set filled to the…
