Monthly
File: December 2011
The cover photo on Taylor Swift’s Holiday Collection – lying apparently topless on a futon while clutching a guitar – set a new low for increasingly tossed-off seasonal albums. Seeking to inject some life into winter music, we asked our staff to dig up the best of what’s around.
Gear: December 2011
If you’re somewhat obsessive about backing up your hard drive on your iPad or laptop, but have a problem constantly reconnecting cables while shuttling between work, home, or the recording studio, Seagate may have an answer with its wireless Goflex Satellite, a wi-fi version of its backup hard drive.
Media: December 2011
Q101 may have flipped its format in July, but the music rocks on at www.q101.com. The busy website features streaming music, entertainment, and information aimed at alternative-rock fans.
Studiophile: December 2011
STROBE RECORDING in Chicago is hosting Strobe Sessions #43 a live, in-studio performance on December 15th with appearances by Brokeback and Electric Hawk, an instrumental power trio from Chicago, featuring guitarist Michael Burns, bassist Graham Mclachlan, and drummer Noah Leger.
Sweet Home: December 2011
Texas-born Chicago-based vocalist Sharon Lewis has been a fixture on the blues scene since the ’90s, playing with everybody from Dave Specter to Harmonica Hinds. But her Delmark debut, The Real Deal (Delmark), brings together all that experience in one multi-layered package. Backed by her hard-driving band Texas Fire, Lewis manages to craft a well-rounded, […]
Cover Story: Mastodon
The Skye Is Falling It’s 9:30 p.m. on a Friday. Mastodon drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor is having dinner in his hometown of Atlanta at a joint called The Rusty Nail. With his wife. Illinois Entertainer is interrupting. Obviously.
Interview: Judas Priest
One Last Time Ozzy Osbourne. Kiss. The Ramones. Ministry. And, of course, Cher. It’s not a game of “one of these things is not like the other” (um, Ozzy?), but a list of artists from whom Judas Priest are straining to create some distance. Yes, the November 12th date in Hammond is part of the […]
Interview: Bill Wyman
The One Who Got Away Walking away from what some consider to be the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band might seem like a shocking and perplexing decision. But when speaking with Bill Wyman about his retirement from The Rolling Stones to form The Rhythm Kings, it was simply a matter of personal preference.
Interview: Madina Lake
After The War When one mentions Disneyland, perhaps the most immediate connotation is “The happiest place on Earth” – a location built around innocence and happiness where one can engage in childlike celebration.
Around Hear: November 2011
Local Band Reviews You don’t find many musicians revving-up their professional musical careers after 50, but Bill McAlister is that anomaly. With a voice that’s a dead ringer for Waylon Jennings, McAlister strips his country music down to its simple beauty plus a few outlaw-era blemishes along with his band I-57 South on Illinois Opry.
Caught In A Mosh: November 2011
Jagged Blue Pill I’m tired of writing introductions. It’s harder than you think. The Q&A portion is all done and ready to roll, but I still have to come up with some sort of synopsis of the who, what, when, why, and where the interview even exists.
Digital Divide: November 2011
As anyone who has ever held a job for more than a week can tell you, the workplace sucks. Oh, people may tell you that they love their work and love what they do and couldn’t see themselves doing anything else and blah blah blah
Hello, My Name Is Lykke
Q&A with Lykke Li IE: People are excited about your cover of “Unchained Melody.” Lykke Li: They [Triple J Radio] called me at like 12 in the morning, and they were like, “Pick a cover!” And oh, God!
File: November 2011
To The 13 Björoughs Most Americans know Björk as that girl who showed up to the Oscars in a swan dress. Rebranding was in order and, several years down the line, the former Sugarcube’s ninth outing, Biophilia, has been billed as the world’s first “app” album.
Gear: November 2011
Nady Systems AxeHead Portable Amp Despite a flurry of portable guitar-amp apps aimed at iPhone and Android users, Nady Systems believes its new AxeHead portable amp has a place in your pocket.
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