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
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
Q&A with Gypsyblood
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m pretty lousy at this whole music journalism thing. I’m impossibly stubborn when it comes to listening to new music, especially with bands I haven’t read anything about, and can be a bit heavy handed with the “next” button on my iPod. In fact, if Tastemakers wasn’t pressed to find an opener for Tastemakers Presents back in August I probably wouldn’t have given… continue reading
Q&A with Wintersleep
Seriously, there’s something about Canada. Maybe it’s the weather, its embrace of the arts, or its vast expanses, but something about the USA’s hat churns out terrific bands. Wintersleep, thankfully, is no exception. Opening with unsettling strings, a lonely guitar riff, and the yelp of Paul Murphy, Wintersleeps latest effort, New Inheritors, is a record that relies on smarts and straight-ahead indie rock instead of gimmicks. This brainy, no frills… continue reading
Nick Pittsinger, Behind the 800% Slower “U Smile” Remix
The term “overnight success” has rarely been so accurately used to describe an individual’s ascent to fame as with Nick Pittinger. When the young producer remixed Justin Bieber’s song “U Smile” by slowing it down 800% the song took the Internet by storm on sites such as Reddit, The Daily What, and Gawker. Pittinger transformed the bubblegum R&B ballad into a swirling ambient piece reminiscent of post-rock luminaries Sigur Ros and Godspeed!… continue reading
A Q&A with Girl in a Coma
Girl in a Coma has had the pleasure to not only meet, but play and tour with many of the artists they grew up listening to. They have been on tour with Morrissey, recently performed with Cherie Currie at SXSW and Joan Jett personally signed them to her record label. They’ve accomplished all of this by doing their own thing. Drummer Phanie Diaz talked with me about how they are… continue reading
The Short Round Sound – Coachella 10/Fang Island
The Short Round Sound premieres this season with a look ahead to Coachella and an interview with Fang Island. Check it out on iTunes here.
The Right Kind of Famous
A Chat with The Airborne Toxic Event As a first time interviewer, my nerves were imploding as the phone rang with a Restricted listing. Mikel Jollett of the Airborne Toxic Event is a brilliant musician, and an intimidating guy for those new to journalism. My heart was pounding as I awkwardly introduced myself to a man confident in his every sense of self. Playing guitar and keyboard while singing lead… continue reading