Featured Gallery Music Ph.D. in Funk-ology: Chromeo

August 10, 2011 - 10:37 am

Of all the performances at Saturday’s HARD Summer Music Festival, Chromeo was responsible for rallying the masses into an energetic frenzy more than any other act. The project, composed of P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) on keyboards, synth, and talk box and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) on guitar and lead vocals pride themselves on creating a dance-worthy eclectic sound which they affectingly refer to as lovers funk.

Prior to show time, P-Thugg set up equipment for the gig as Dave 1 invited ChinaShop into his trailer for a preshow chat. In the calm before the Chromeo-induced storm, Dave revealed the genesis of the duo’s “ridiculous” nicknames, his persistence for finishing up his Ph.D., and discussed the surreal experience of being personally invited to jam in the home of Darryl Hall.

Read the full story

Gallery Music Deerhunter: No Headlights Here

July 1, 2011 - 12:30 pm

Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox is not a shy man. Standing 6′ 4″ tall and almost too skinny for words, he is a perfect rock and roll skeleton… And it’s not from drugs or anorexia. Bradford suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome, a disease characterized by abnormally long limbs that makes carriers susceptible to cardiovascular disease. Bradford’s early life was plagued by ridicule and shame for his “strange” look. Pain I’m sure that feeds his art to this day, and he is the person (and performer) he is today because of it. And his presence is the perfect match for Deerhunter’s aberrant sound.

Read the full story

Music Freelance Whales: Sonar Sounds

June 30, 2011 - 12:35 pm

Ambient and engaging, sneaking up on you like a strong cocktail and unfolding into banjo rhythms and interesting instrumentation. The music is endearing, lush and like a summertime breeze, it gently builds and crescendos throughout the span of a single song. Plus they have a song called “Generator First Floor” which I like… a lot.

Read the full story

Gallery Music A Modest Big Boi Thinks Outside of the Box

June 28, 2011 - 2:08 pm

It seems that these days, Big Boi is collaborating with everyone… well not just everyone, pretty much the coolest most, keep you on your toes-iest artist like Modest Mouse and Janelle Monáe. Oh, and it seems he’s got a sweet spot for the banjo, telling fuse interview blank that he is itching to get down with Mumford and Sons (I know, kind of awesome hah), and to boot, we might have some new Outkast coming out soon (although Big Boi has been reluctant to “let anything out of the trunk” just yet). I guess we’ll just have to stay tuned.

Read the full story

Gallery Music The Strokes Leave Them Numb

June 24, 2011 - 9:47 am

When The Strokes formed in 1998 they were a bunch of privileged New York kids with famous friends. Their sound was irreverent and admittedly unpolished and both critics and fans alike couldn’t get enough.

The casual vocal stylings of lead singer Julian Casablancas soon incited a movement. Considered creators of some of the best pop songs ever recorded, I have to admit I originally wanted to hate them. I first learned of The Strokes and their ilk by watching bad reality TV. After hearing their massive pop smash, “Last Night” I secretly purchased This Is It and begrudgingly listened to it…again…and again.

Read the full story

Gallery Music Eminem Ends Bonnaroo With a Bang

June 20, 2011 - 11:12 am

Eminem was slip-sliding away there for a minute. Self-admittedly his last CD was “eh,” his personal life was a bad soap opera and drugs where his number one activity. When he got sober, he grew up. I’ve heard Dr. Drew, of Celebrity Rehab fame, often say that you are stunted at the age that you start to heavily do drugs and you never really emotionally advance from that place until you are willing to quit. Well Dr. Drew, our little Marshall’s all grows up!

Read the full story

Gallery Music Florence and the Machine: Making Music out of Madness

June 17, 2011 - 7:03 am

Florence and the Machine may be a lot of things; mood makers for hipsters, sincerely passionate musicians, theatrical showman. But they never fail to engage the audience and enliven the soul. Florence (Welch) has a distinct vocal style that envelopes you like a wool blanket. While its inviting and warm, it also gets under your skin.

She admits that her best writing often happens when she is tired or drunk. Her ability to tap into that subconscious space and express it is powerful, moving and decidedly on point.

Florence and the Machine at Bonarroo 2011 Read the full story

Gallery Music Intellect and Emotion: The Head and the Heart

June 17, 2011 - 6:00 am

“Oh no, not another Avett Brothers wannabe, Mumford look alike,” you might say on first listen to Seattle based The Head and the Heart. They share a lot of similarities with the aforementioned bands i.e. “rootsy” Americana drenched, harmony infused songs, acoustic instrumentation, hand percussion, etc… (not always a bad think, by the way i happen to love those to bands and the simplicity, authenticity and emotion conveyed in the songs simple treatment). And like it or not, The Head and the Heart is one of this generation’s emerging Alt-Americana mainstays.

Read the full story

Music Summer Festival Breakdown

June 1, 2011 - 2:13 pm

walebamboozle2010-5

Summer is known for short shorts, windows down, overpriced ice cream stands and of course, Summer Music Festivals. Whether you are a fan of Dirrrty South Hip Hop, East Coast Ragers, West Coast Dubstep or any of the other awesome styles in the middle let’s face it, summer’s the perfect time to sample all the different flavors. To help you and your friends in your quest for the perfect summer festival we’ve broken down a few of our favorite summer festival’s with line ups and locations that are sure to please the music lover’s soul.

Read the full story

Music Matt And Kim Force Cheer Upon You With Upcoming “Sidewalks” Tour

April 19, 2011 - 11:09 am

Matt & Kim 2011

Sometimes you need a break from Radiohead and Sea Change. Sometimes you just want to smile, be silly and jump in the air. Well, happy, catchy music with an irrefutable giddiness is the breed of melody Matt & Kim make. And if your face muscles need a workout, they will be your Richard Simmons. Hell, you might be sore for days after catching a show from this Brooklyn duo. If any of this rings your bell, peep the tour dates below and get your smile on.

Read the full story