Features
Dr. Dog interview
No Shame In Trying Scott McMicken possesses a long-windedness normally associated with blathering history professors and parents gushing over week-old bundles of joy. It’s a wonder the Dr. Dog guitarist/vocalist can pare his thoughts enough to squeeze them into the Philly-based band’s four-minute-or-less compositions on Shame, Shame — let alone sharing songwriting duties with bassist/vocalist […]
The Felix Culpa interview
Planting New Seeds It’s an unseasonably warm January night at Metro, and the Wrigleyville concert hall is respectably and, surprisingly, full. Respectably because, while not sold-out, the turnout is full of passionate fans, all out to witness the triumphant live return of an act that’s been all but M.I.A. from the local-music circuit for the […]
Cover Story: Experience Hendrix
Standing Next To The Mountain What can possibly be revealed about James Marshall Hendrix that hasn’t already been articulated? Electrified innovator. Arguably the greatest axe slinger of all time. A guitar god gone too soon. An indelible legacy that will live forever. But even the most exalted of rock icons needs a fresh coat of […]
The Avett Brothers interview
Me, Myself, & I Bob Crawford thinks he holds the best job in the world — even if it means driving four hours through a sleet storm just to get home from band practice. “It’s been just phenomenal for me. I get to collaborate with two of the greatest songwriters I know,” he says over […]
H.I.M. interview
Life In Theory And Practive “This particular record is a funny one for me, because when I started working on the first songs, I kind of had lost hope in relationships altogether. I’m a bad boyfriend, let’s put it that way. But then, I kind of fell head over heels for somebody during the process, […]
Studios 2010: Lining Up Your Cue
An IE Panel On How To Survive A Recording Session Hoosiers is one of the greatest psyche-up movies of all time. It’s interesting for this story not because of March Madness, but for how it compares to having a professional recording made. In a crucial scene, Gene Hackman’s character gives his green team a tour […]
Cover Story: Billy Corgan
It’s Only Just Begun If the adage holds true – that “rich is the examined life” – then it’s about time for society, as a whole, to grab its pipe and slippers, curl up in its comfiest recliner, and have a long, hard thoughtful stare into the ice-cold mirror. Chances are, Snow White’s unforgiving Maleficent […]
Joe Pug interview
Messenger Service Joe Pug doesn’t want you to poach his music from illicit Web sites; rather he wants to give it to you . . . for free. And he hopes you’ll share it with others. Simply e-mail the Chicago-based singer/songwriter or sign up for his mailing list to receive sampler CDs meant for your […]
Four Tet interview
In The Moment Talking with Kieran Hebden in the dawn of 2010, it’s evident that the electronic producer known as Four Tet is doing exactly what he wants to with his music and life. Throughout our conversation, this Londoner sounds genuinely enthusiastic about his work and doesn’t talk about “what if” scenarios or dwell on […]
Justin Townes Earle interview
Mainlining Chicago Coming off a meteoric two years – starting with 2008’s stellar, honky-tonkin’ debut, The Good Life (Bloodshot), followed quickly in 2009 by the much more urban-indie Midnight At The Movies and earning both a new/emerging artist Americana Music Award and GQ fashion spread in the process – Justin Townes Earle is at home […]
Cover Story: If We Could Turn Back Time
What does it mean to “make it”? Reality TV and the Internet have mangled the notion of fame, with everyone allowed at least 15 megabytes of it. In music it’s as difficult, maybe even much harder to define. How do you quantify success? Some artists call it Top 10 singles and headlining tours. In the […]
10 For ’10
Yourself And The Air IE takes a look at 10 local artists who’ll look to have their biggest year ever.
OK Go interview
Testify Internet neutrality. It’s a thorny, hotly contested issue that’s divided into roughly two opposing camps: those who believe that broadband speed shouldn’t be altered depending on its content or sender/recipient, and those who insist that it should. Naturally, the average recording artist — who views it as a freedom of speech issue — is […]
The Fold interview
Future Ready Mention Chicago group The Fold in certain circles, and the band might be known for its ties to hometown ’90s punk group Showoff (Fold frontman Dan Castady was the drummer), or recognized for its underground efforts on indie label Tooth And Nail from earlier this decade. Yet it’s The Fold’s latest move no […]
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