Aug 10 2011
Listen to the Throne
The music (and film) industry has been undeniably shaken by the digital age. Sure, there are certain bands that quickly and enthusiastically embraced (and therefore profited from) new media. However, I argue that live performance is the saving grace of music. Just like theatre, you can’t replicate the live music experience. Bootleg recordings and concert DVD’s might do the trick, as a movie-play adaptation might, but it’s still not the… continue reading
Jun 29 2011
Nothing Compares
The purple Prince wants cover songs to be outlawed. However, let’s not forget this is the same guy who declared the Internet was “completely over” last summer. I partially understand why Prince is opposed to cover songs, but that’s not to say I completely agree with him. I enjoy a good cover from time to time. To celebrate Prince’s craziness, I have assembled some cover songs that I am quite… continue reading
Photo Review: Soundset 2011
Soundset celebrated its biggest audience this past Memorial Day weekend, with an estimated 20,000 hip-hop fans converging on Shakopee, Minnesota. Two stages played host to more than thirty acts ranging from old school legends De La Soul to Outkast’s Big Boi to recurrent headliner Atmosphere. The festival has steadily grown since its inception in 2008. Organized by Rhymesayers Entertainment from Minneapolis, the event always succeeds in celebrating local Twin Cities… continue reading
Jun 22 2011
Good times…Possibly the Best of Times
I shouldn’t be writing an entire post about a single song, but I will. I shouldn’t be writing about one song. I should be writing about my new obsession with Childish Gambino and his incredibly clever and never-ending pop culture references, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll write about one song. But I won’t tell you what song. If I did, you’d skip this entry and just listen to the song. … continue reading
Soundset 2011 – Fourth Time’s The Charm
From the new school to the old school, b-boy to b-girl, west coast to east coast and everywhere in between, hip-hop culture was on full display last Sunday as an estimated 20,000 fans enjoyed Soundset Festival’s fourth year. The all-day festival was host to more than thirty performances and wrapped up just before the rain started to fall. Artists from all over the country came to unassuming Shakopee, Minnesota to… continue reading
The Slaughterhouse Gallery
Note: Some names have been changed. It began in April as an inspired idea in Brooklyn. It revealed itself in October on Mission Hill: The Slaughterhouse Gallery. With opening night performances by Doctor Jeep, Gentlemen Hall and Bad Rabbits, Boston’s newest DIY venue was born. Conceived by two Northeastern students, the Slaughterhouse Gallery was inspired partly by the thriving music scene in Brooklyn. “I was on co-op in New York. … continue reading
Nov 05 2010
21 Tales of Tastemakers: Colin Peters
It was the sultry summer of 2010 and Tastemakers be praised, I was heading to Bonnaroo. Weeks leading up to ‘Roo I received a constant barrage of emails from public relations geniuses. Of course, every band is ‘the next best thing’ and the ‘one band you must see’ so I was finding it difficult to find a candidate that I would care to interview. Unless you are Jay-Z or Conan… continue reading
Aug 31 2010
Xavier Rudd to Delight the Wilbur Theater
No, you didn’t miss it! Australian singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd will be performing at the Wilbur Theatre September 14th in support of his recent release Koonyum Sun. Rudd’s shows are incredible to watch and an experience all music fans can appreciate. Playing didgeridoos, guitar, drums and vocals, he is a fascinating talent with an interesting style that fuses several genres. Typically a one man show, Rudd will elevate his live show… continue reading
Soundset 2010
For the past two years, I have been threatening to go to Soundset. Unfortunately, the price tag has prevented me from attending in the past. The ticket is only $35, I just happen to be a financially challenged and terribly irresponsible individual. Fear not. This year, armed with a serious camera (not mine) and a badass attitude, I managed to shimmy into the festival on behalf of our beloved Tastemakers…. continue reading
My Bonnaroo Diary
Day 1 Eden Prairie, MN 9:14 AM With hundreds of performances on more than nine stages, and roughly 80,000 music-loving and sweaty bodies, the 9th annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will dominate four days of the hot Manchester, Tennessee summer. Bring it on! Farewell Minnesota, Tennessee beckons. I’m heading to Bonnaroo with my friend Scott. This is the fourth music related road trip I have embarked on with this… continue reading
Best (Worst?) Couple
The United States Department of Justice has approved a merger between the world’s largest ticketing company, Ticketmaster, and the world’s largest promoter and venue operator, Live Nation. The result is Live Nation Entertainment. Many fear the merger will lead to an obvious monopoly. Major artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam opposed the merger. The latter actually sued Ticketmaster in the ’90s for operating a monopoly; a case they… continue reading