It’s stunning, the difference between a singer like Jesy Fortino, who writes and sings her own songs under the name Tiny Vipers, and a singer like Jessica Simpson or even Amy Winehouse.
Sole is Back, and He’s Not Alone
After two tours and an instrumental album under the name mansbestfriend, Tim Holland is ready again to reprise the role of Sole, ranting, rambling rapper extraordinaire. Ever the picture of unorthodoxy, Sole reappears this time accompanied by Orlando three-piece Skyrider and a record he calls his “comeback.”
Weekly Burlesque: Paste Won’t Keep Your Pasties On
People always ask questions about pasties. They are, after all, pretty peculiar articles of clothing in spite of being some of the most traditional items in most neo-burlesquers’ wardrobes. As far as I know, they are unique to burlesque — at least in terms of dance costuming.
Cashback Makes Viewers Ask for its Namesake
Coming as a big-budget story masquerading as an indie flick, Magnolia Pictures melodrama Cashback attempts to dupe moviegoers into attendance with one slightly interesting aspect: its protagonist, collegiate artist Ben Willis (Sean Biggerstaff), takes up a late-night shift at a grocery store and pretends that he can stop time.
Mirah and Spectratone Internat’l: Share this Place
In collaboration with string group Spectratone International, folksy songwriter Mirah‘s latest work is a concept album of sorts — and in an age of digital downloads and iTunes singles, a concept album this well developed is hard to come by.
We Are Standard: 3.000V-40.000W
On We Are Standard‘s debut album, 3.000V-40.000W, the chorus to “The Pill Song (Wowee)” reads like an abridged mission statement: “We play it loud so you can feel us / To turn you on and turn you loose / We all got those ups and downs / But we’re here so feel the groove / We don’t want to take you down / We want you to dance around.”
Hello, Please! Examines the Cult of Cuteness
Matt Alt, co-author of Super #1 Robot and frequent contributor to Otaku USA, wants you to know about Japanese pop culture. Specifically, he wants you to know that it’s alarmingly, almost upsettingly, cute. Alt teamed up with Hiroko Yoda to bring you a collection of photos, titled Hello, Please!, exploring all that is kawaii, the cultural phenomenon that has sociologists around the world scratching their heads.
Kieran Hebden Shakes the Man’s Sunburned Hand
Sunburned Hand of the Man, the genre-defining psych folk collective lead by John Moloney, is ready for yet another release this year. Not surprised? That’s probably because Sunburned Hand of the Man can’t go more than six months without putting out a new album. Maybe this will surprise you: their new album, Fire Escape, was produced by Kieran Hebden of Four Tet.
Commentaries on the Golden Path: The Golden Condor
Some of my finest childhood memories are from the days I would opt out of school. I would either be sick or exaggerate the mild discomfort I felt, con(vinc)ing my mind and my parents that I was really ill.
Mancino: Manners Matter
Like a gooey plate of macaroni and cheese or re-runs of “The Simpsons,” there’s something comforting about a bright and bouncy pop record. Manners Matter, the debut full-length album from Brooklyn trio Mancino, is a prime example of this with all its jangling guitars, playful rhythms, two-part harmonies, and familiar yet vibrant joys.
John Zorn Throws Benefit for Jewlia Eisenberg
This Sunday, July 22, experimental jazz legend John Zorn will hold a benefit for vocalist Jewlia Eisenberg, the leader of musically and ethnically diverse act Charming Hostess (shown left), at his New York club, The Stone.
DeVotchKa Update: Album in Early ’08
When we told you last week of the news concerning Southwestern indie heroes DeVotchKa — the release of How It Ends in Europe and tour dates both in the U.S. and abroad — there was not yet word of work on a forthcoming full-length album. But as you can tell from this here update, that’s no longer the case!