Last month, Mark Knopfler announced an ambitious endeavor: He recruited 54 famous rock guitarists to perform a new version of “Going Home: Theme From Local Hero.” That illustrious crew includes what is reportedly the final recording from the late Jeff Beck, plus contributions from Bruce Springsteen, Slash, David Gilmour, Brian May, Eric Clapton, Sting, Sheryl […]
Karaoke Inventor Shigeichi Negishi Dead At 100
Shigeichi Negishi, the Japanese engineer who invented the karaoke machine in 1967, has died. The Wall Street Journal reports that Negishi actually passed away a few weeks ago, on January 26, of natural causes after suffering from a fall. Negishi was 100. The invention of the karaoke machine is a disputed bit of history. Negishi […]
Paul Simon Picks His Seven Favorite Paul Simon Songs (And The One He Loathes)
I don’t tend to think of Paul Simon as an old man, but the guy has been around since the early ’60s, and he is 82 years of age. It’s nice that the world gets to appreciate a legendary figure like that while he’s still around to see it. The first part of In Restless […]
TOLEDO – “In Yr Head (1818)”
Yes, that’s really the artwork for TOLEDO’s new EP Popped Heart. It is definitely memorable! It will haunt my darkest dreams! The lead single from this project, though, is nice and pretty, as TOLEDO songs tend to be. “In Yr Head (1818)” is presumably the “EDM” song the duo teased on Twitter a few weeks […]
Farseek – “New Short Haircut”
Farseek have been putting out heartfelt, sincere emo since 2015, and I know how that sounds, but believe me: nothing they have ever done has been predictable. Way before “y’allternative” became a popular meme, Farseek was mixing banjos and warm country into their songs that often stretch out into Built to Spill-style jam-fests. Lead singer […]
Malugi, Nils Hoffmann, & Session Victim Threw A German Electronic Music Rave At SXSW
The final energy-drink boost of electricity came from Berlin-based artist Malugi. He was beaming — and I mean grinning and bouncing — under the disco ball galaxy. While shifting levels, his headphone band covered the middle of his forehead like a thin visor. His charisma was so earnest and pure, his energy alone could persuade […]
Ride – “Monaco”
In January, shoegaze greats Ride announced their new album Interplay. They’ve shared the singles “Peace Sign” and “Last Frontier,” and today they’re releasing “Monaco.” “The backing track came from the earlier Ox4 Sound sessions we did and we gave it a demo name of ‘Monaco’ as we were naming these jams and ideas we were […]
Airsoft And Elmos Are Keeping Hattiesburg Weird
Two new EPs (demos?) dropped on the Earth Girl Tapes Bandcamp page this week. Both are extremely worth your time. Earth Girl Tapes, you may recall, is the DIY punk label run out of Hattiesburg, home base for MSPAINT and other weirdo punk bands. Airsoft and Elmos are both bringing unique kinds of off-kilter energy […]
Vampire Weekend – “Classical”
So far Vampire Weekend’s Only God Was Above Us rollout has featured two lead singles and one revealing podcast. Today they’re revealing a third song from the album. “Classical” is a noisy, blustery track with a chaotic horn section that reminds me of Radiohead’s “The National Anthem.” (To be clear, it’s not that crazy.) “Classical” […]
Kelly Moran – “Sodalis (II)”
Last month, Kelly Moran announced a new album, Moves In The Field, and shared its lead single “Butterfly Phase.” Today, she’s back with another track, “Sodalis (II),” a reimagined version of her 2020 track “Sodalis,” which originally appeared on a compilation from Field Works. This one was made with the Yamaha Disklavier, the instrumental inspiration […]