John Dugan

Q&A: Lute master Jozef Van Wissem and director Jim Jarmusch craft cinematic, medieval soundscapes

Jim Jarmusch has a very particular sensibility in his films. It stands to reason that his music with lutenist Jozef…

Q&A: Portishead producer Geoff Barrow on hip hop, krautrock, and film scores

Portishead producer Geoff Barrow is a multi-talented guy. We talked to him about drum beats, production philosophy, and his many…

Interview: Dinosaur Jr.’s chemistry, formula, and pursuit of perfection intact on I Bet on Sky

On its third album since reuniting with its original lineup, Dinosaur Jr. is as relevant as ever — and still…

Interview: Bloc Party on new frontiers, life after hiatus, and a return to Bloc rocking

Following the release of Four, Bloc Party front-man Kele Okereke talks about genre frontiers, avoiding repetition, and how easy it…

Review: Bloc Party’s Four

After a hiatus that saw front-man Kele Okereke testing the solo waters of R&B-inflected electronics, London indie outfit Bloc Party…

Review: Beachwood Sparks’ The Tarnished Gold

With 11 years between albums, psych-country outfit Beachwood Sparks is none the worse for wear on The Tarnished Gold, a…

Review: Giant Giant Sand’s Tucson

If you are Howe Gelb, of the long-running Arizona-based Giant Sand, recording an expansive country-rock opera was on your bucket…

Review: The Hives’ Lex Hives

Rather than succumb to a world-weary serious rock effort, Swedish garage quintet The Hives has sharpened its attack and sweetened…

Review: Sigur Rós’ Valtari

Sigur Rós is at its most ethereal with Valtari — a hook-less, subtle album that even faithful fans likely will…

Review: Damon Albarn’s Dr. Dee

Over the past dozen years, Blur/Gorillaz leader Damon Albarn has branched out in exciting new directions. Now he has created…

Review: Nick Waterhouse’s Time’s All Gone

Don’t let the Buddy Holly spectacles put you off San Francisco’s 25-year-old Nick Waterhouse, a retro enthusiast and record-digging DJ.…

Photos: The Vaccines at The 100 Club (London, UK)

Earlier this month, London slash-burn pop band The Vaccines brought a bit of on-stage chaos back to the heralded stage…