Q&A with Lazerbeak: Music, Munchies and Lavabangers
Behind five furiously bouncing emcees that make up Minneapolis hip-hop collective Doomtree, stands Lazerbeak – rocking with equal fervor. The super producer creates in-your-face beats for the Doomtree, for P.O.S. and Sims, solo material and a project with Mike Mictlan called Hand Over Fist. Only months after the release of Doomtree’s critically acclaimed No Kings, Lazerbeak released his second solo record, Lavabangers. Tastemakers sat down with Lazerbeak before Doomtree’s raucous… continue reading
A Q&A with Joe Nice
On paper, Joe Nice and dubstep are a bit of an odd couple. While dubstep has found success in understatement – bare percussion, minimalist sub-bass, and a squinty, red-eyed gaze – Joe Nice thrives on a bold personality, off-beat catchphrases, and a contagious enthusiasm for music. Sporting an easy demeanor, a bald head glistening with sweat, and a steady stream of conversation, he helps fill in the blanks left… continue reading
A Q&A with Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem/ The Horrible Crowes)
As the bearer of good news, Brian Fallon shared the night with some fans in AfterHours for a solo acoustic performance. If this year’s release of his project, The Horrible Crowes’ album Elsie was not enough to keep fans satisfied, he announced that night that The Gaslight Anthem’s new album will be released sometime this summer (2012). As such a busy writing year for Fallon, he only showed the upmost… continue reading
A Q&A with: White Arrows
White Arrows were kind enough to sit down with me after their gig opening for The Naked And Famous. The L.A based band easily claimed their territory as a band to watch with their beach infused electronic rock. Between the Hawaiian shirts, raw energy, and their down to earth nature, White Arrows won the Paradise over that night. The White Arrows is Mickey Schiff (frontman), Henry Schiff (drums), J.P. Caballero… continue reading
A Q&A With Will Dailey
Heard one singer-songwriter, heard ‘em all, right? Not so fast. While Will Dailey is often labeled with the singer-songwriter title, the Boston-based artist identifies more strongly with rockers like John Lennon or Tom Petty. That rock and roll vibe peeks out from behind every folksy tune on Dailey’s new album Will Dailey and the Rivals, making him much more than your average singer-songwriter. Tastemakers caught up with Dailey to talk… continue reading
Revisited: A Q&A With Coheed and Cambria
With Coheed and Cambria being back in the news, it seems appropriate to revisit this interview with the band’s guitarist, Travis Stever, from last year. Since 1995, Coheed and Cambria have been melting faces while telling the story of The Amory Wars, an epic series created by singer and mastermind Claudio Sanchez. The story of Coheed and Cambria is a theme that unifies the band’s albums and solidified them as a true concept… continue reading
Dirty Dishes: Q&A at B.O.M.B. Fest
The Dirty Dishes have made quite a stir in Boston over the last year. Between rocking the Converse sponsored stage at SXSW, being hand-picked by Passion Pit as one of Boston’s best bands, and being nominated as a “Best New Act” by The Phoenix, the group has garnered more than their fair share of attention. Playing their own brand of brooding shoegaze, The Dirty Dishes walk the tightrope between the snarl… continue reading
BRAHMS on Brahms
You know that dead German guy whose name you’ve heard but don’t really know his music? Yeah, this isn’t him. BRAHMS is a hot new trio out of Brooklyn. On the surface they may seem to have a lot in common with the typical music coming out of Brooklyn, but look deep down and you will see why BRAHMS is not Yeasayer or Animal Collective. BRAHMS is BRAHMS. Which I… continue reading
Asobi Seksu: A Q&A
After recording and touring for an entirely acoustic album, Asobi Seksu return to their noisy-shoegaze-pop roots with Fluorescence. Before embarking on an American tour, guitarist James Hanna spoke with Tastemakers about returning to an electric sound, bringing their newest album together, and an especially waterlogged experience had while touring Asia. Tastemakers Magazine (TMM): Your last two albums, Hush and Rewolf, were both called departures from what you broke out with… continue reading
Kate Cooper (An Horse): A Q & A
The Australian band, An Horse, is only made up of Kate Cooper and Damon Cox, but the full rich sound they craft makes for something so much more than one could imagine a two-member band to be capable of. The soaring, sincere choruses and the confidence of the two as they opened for acts like Silversun Pickups, Tegan and Sara, Kaki King, and Death Cab For Cutie, have caught the… continue reading
IAMLOVEDRUG: And You Can Be Too
Hailing from Alliance, Ohio, Lovedrug has formed a strong brotherhood through years of arduous touring and disappointing label support. Now they are forgoing major support and taking contributions of any size to fund the recording and production of their upcoming fourth album. With the help of PledgeMusic, they’ve created the IAMLOVEDRUG movement. Tastemakers Mag: Tell us about your new record and the IAMLOVEDRUG effort. Thomas Bragg (bass): We met, we… continue reading