Story Stop Smiling August 2008 Link Jazz history is filled with examples of Europeans embracing underappreciated American artists. But the circumstances surrounding BYG/Actuel, a short-lived French label dedicated to the late Sixties avant-garde, set it apart. The label’s seminal releases — from trumpeter Don Cherry’s contemplative duets to saxophonist Archie Shepp’s sultry Blasé to sessions […]
Feature Earplug July 2008 It’s not uncommon for DJs to find their names on the charts, but few see themselves listed as author of a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. London’s Ben Watt received the honor for Patient, his 1998 account of his battle with the rare Churg-Strauss syndrome. But then, few […]
Interview Pitchfork July 2008 Link Prague’s Palác Akropolis, the concert venue where the Notwist started it’s current tour, is located in a patchwork neighborhood of slightly faded buildings which sit in the shadows of the Žižkov TV tower, a spaceship-like structure and the lone eyesore in the city’s quaint skyline. It’s a fitting contrast for […]
Feature Prague Post June 25th, 2008 Link His spurs jangling and his hat tilted low, the cowboy snubbed out his cigarette, adjusted his holster and stepped to the line. He wasted little time. His Winchester rifle flashed, coughing up bitter gun smoke and spitting spent cartridges in a wobbly arc toward the back brim of […]
Feature XLR8R April 2008 Link What, exactly, does it mean when you’re 26, it’s 2008, and you still harbor a schoolboy’s crush on Molly Ringwald? If you’re Anthony Gonzalez, the French producer behind M83, it means picking album-cover models is easy. “When we were at the modeling agency in New York, I saw this ginger […]
Interview Earplug May 2008 Ypsilanti, Michigan, resident Todd Osborn is often (semi-jokingly) compared to MacGuyver. Not only has the producer made scores of excellent house, techno, and drum ‘n bass records, but he also once designed weapons for the Air Force (“I truly cannot talk about details of that because of security clearances I’ve signed,” […]
Interview Earplug April 2008 The mosaic of Kieran Hebden’s musical narrative is one of constant, relentless evolution. From his collaborations as part of Fridge to the ever-mutating sound of his Four Tet moniker and his inspired improvisational playdates with legendary drummer Steve Reid, the UK-based producer/performer re-invents any genre he’s exploring. For his expansive new […]
Feature URB April 2008 Link If music trends in Morocco came up in conversation, many Americans might sheepishly inquire if things are still kicking at Rick’s Café. Outside of select examples like Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir,” popular culture in the States tunes out this North African nation’s music. But the cultural exchange rate looks different when […]