Clichés are basically the exact opposite of a box of chocolates: you always know what you’re gonna get next. The key to making clichés work in songwriting is to couch the clichés in a bunch of other interesting stuff so that they’re not all that important to the song, in the end. This is a lesson I learned last night, watching Jason Isbell give a fantastic performance upstairs in Whelan’s. Supporting act for the night…
As if it wasn’t enough her recent “Two Suns” rocked every inch of my body, Natasha Khan, more know after her Bat for Lashes moniker, is back on ZME with yet another incredible cover. Some time ago she covered Bruce Springsteen, then The Cure and now southern rockers Kings of Leon, namely “Use Somebody” off their Only By The Night. Yet again, she manages to turn the track upside down, giving it her own take….
In his latest video, for what seems to be the title track for his upcoming new album, Neil is featured in a one-shot position, listening to music on his headphones, plugged-in into an apple. He then bites it, after chanting “I’m a big rock star” (indeed you are, sir!) – quite a nice allegory to our modern day iPod, iPhone and other Apple gadgets, that today’s music enthusiasts use. “My sales have tanked, but I…
Here’s a sweet performance by Iron & Wine, playing a live version of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” a few nights back on Jay Leno. In a characteristic Sam Beam way, the whole experience was relaxing, eerie and pleasant. Proof again that he’s just as good both on stage and in the studio. Off his critically acclaimed, 2007 released “The Shepherd’s Dog.”
Yes, I know this has been all over the Internet this past summer, but I’ve just found out about it a few minutes ago and thought it would be awesome to post it. I’m talking about Radiohead (half of it actually – Thom and Johnny) and their cover of Portishead’s “The Rip,” off this year’s awesome comeback album, “Third”. The song’s acoustic nature and the video’s casual setting (try to ignore the MAC) makes the…
There are billions of unsigned and indie artists to be found online. Some are worth a listen, others are interesting but not quite there, but the vast majority is trying too hard to find the elusive new sound and thus burying themselves into experimental oblivion. Songwriters are always a penny a dozen, even cheaper than guitarists or out-of-tune bass players. Nevertheless, effective songwriting is a question of angle and attitude. A good story needs not…
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Just a few weeks after finishing his US ‘green’ tour, the Sweedish acoustic maven Jose Gonzalez is ready to hit the road once more, this time for a summer excursion across the whole of North America. The tour kicks of on june 13th with an appearance at the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival in Manchester, TN. Additional festival appearances include the Sled Island Festival, in Calgary on June 28th, the Ottawa Blues Festival on…
Al Byrne
Tibi Puiu
Vitor Cunha
Andrei Mihai