Eddie Ciminelli

Features

“A Language That Nobody Else Could Understand”: An Interview with Elbow

With their new album The Seldom Seen Kid fresh on shelves, the guys in Elbow sit down with PopMatters to reflect on the losses, tragedies, and hopes that got them to where they are now, all while celebrating the music that continues to unite this group over nearly two decades of existence. [26 August 2008]

Everybody Enduring: An Interview with Sam Prekop

Over the course of 14 years, the Sea and Cake has quietly established itself as a Chicago institution. [3 January 2008]

A Constant Questioning: An Interview with Spencer Krug of Sunset Rubdown

The key member of Sunset Rubdown and Wolf Parade matches his ambition with his humility. And his coffee. [26 November 2007]

It Always Rains in Their California: An Interview With Menomena

From perilous weather to zealous computer-lovers to instrumental dance accompaniments, the band persists. [6 February 2007]

Kill the House Lights: An Interview With Britt Daniel

Spoon's frontman explains his involvement with the new film Stranger Than Fiction and his love for an unlikely soundtrack. [17 December 2006]

Five Really Strange People: An Interview with TV on the Radio

As the band delivers its best record yet, at least one member wonders if there's something more to do. [27 November 2006]

Singing Along With Your Walkmen

These Brooklyn softies are in great danger every day. [1 January 1995]

The Siren Interviews

VHS or Beta's Mark Palgy feels good to not have to be all business.

The Siren Interviews

Mates of State go from inception to conception (and beyond).

The Siren Interviews

Ambulance LTD's Darren Beckett just wants a free hat and a new album.

The Siren Interviews

We gave our correspondent Eddie Ciminelli a tough job for the Siren Music Festival on July 16 in Coney Island. We asked him spend a day in the sun listening to music and drinking free beer. And, oh yeah, if you come across any bands, say hi to them for us. Amid the festivities, Eddie managed to sit down with three of the festival's more engaging acts -- pop duo Mates of State, dance-rockers VHS or Beta, and Brooklyn's own Ambulance LTD -- as they take a deep breath (and some swag) from the festival.

Finding a Prickly Place in History

Porcupine Tree's Steve Wilson won't take it with him, and that's just fine.

Enter the Junior Boys

You might not recognize their faces, but their sound will stick with you.

Time to Practice Your Latin

Electrelane sticks to one language in breaking down life and music outside Brighton.

Leaders of a Powder Blue World: An Interview with Elbow

Elbow takes some time to show us a high-class hangout, but end up proving they've stayed grounded.

The Lovely Lovelies

Dandy Warhols singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor is a lazy hack.

The Goal Achieved: An Interview with Matt Costa

Despite a gift for words, the singer-songwriter can't explain how things have turned out like this for him, not that he's complaining.

Staying Awake But Not Down

Calla's Aurelio Valle chases the 'real things in life' and manages to avoid becoming depressed about them.

Exotic Animals and Southwest Spice

Calexico's John Convertino on working with more -- and fewer -- artists.

Giving It Back to the Kids

Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew takes a bubbly approach to making an album under the microscope.

Reviews

Animal Collective: 14 August 2009 - Brooklyn, NY

I am unaware of any band these days that is constantly pushing themselves creatively as much as Animal Collective. [25 September 2009]

All Points West Music & Arts Festival

Anchored by Radiohead sets on the the festival's first two nights, the inaugural All Points West was a Thom Yorke fan's dream and a commuting nightmare. [10 September 2008]

Ambulance LTD

After battling back following the desertion of his band mates, as well as a bankrupt record label, Marcus Congleton and his latest incarnation of Ambulance LTD faced their biggest test -- the talkative Bowery Ballroom crowd. [3 September 2008]

Destroyer

A Destroyer song can take off in any direction at any given time, often leaving its audience too bewildered to understand exactly what Bejar is getting at. This device, however, seems to work in his favor. [6 June 2008]

Boredoms perform 77Boardrum [2007 Rewind]

Japanese noiseniks Boredoms make history, pounding the ground between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges alongside 77 indie and avant-garde scene stalwarts. [19 December 2007]

Animal Collective

Half of the crowd has already experienced a night with the Animals and left forever changed. The other half is hoping to join the converted. [26 November 2007]

Boredoms + 77 Drummers perform 77Boardrum

Japanese noiseniks Boredoms make history, pounding the ground between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges alongside 77 indie and avant-garde scene stalwarts. [29 August 2007]

The National

The last time I caught the National, they were playing second fiddle to their opener, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Oh, how the tables have turned... [15 June 2007]

FEST FLASHBACK: Bonnaroo 2006 feat. Tom Petty, Ben Folds, Bright Eyes, Beck, and Radiohead

The education that begins today and continues long after the guitars have gone quiet. [5 June 2007]

Air

When asked to describe the type of music that French duo Air creates, I often find myself at a loss for words. It’s like trying to explain the concept of love to a child. [18 May 2007]

Arcade Fire

There's nothing like spending Valentine's Day out in the cold... [8 March 2007]

Andrew Bird

Violin plucker and inspired indie songster Andrew Bird previews tunes from his upcoming Armchair Apocrypha LP. [31 January 2007]

Yo La Tengo

Spinning rims, 22-ouncers, and a lesson on listening. [22 October 2006]

Yo La Tengo

Spinning rims, 22-ouncers, and a lesson on listening. [28 September 2006]

Sunset Rubdown

'You look like Magnum PI!' and other veiled compliments for Spencer Krug. [25 September 2006]

Junior Boys

'How come Canadians are so much cooler than us?' [6 September 2006]

Bonnaroo 2006: Day 2 Feat. Buddy Guy, Beck, and Radiohead

Our education begins today and will continue long after the guitars have gone quiet. [18 July 2006]

Bonnaroo 2006: Day 1 Feat. Andrew Bird, Ben Folds, Bright Eyes, Tom Petty, and My Morning Jacket

It's unclear whether or not Ben Folds' routine is a warning about the misuse of drugs. If it is, it's clearly falling on deaf ears.

Bonnaroo 2006: The Journey

High above the ground with tons of machinery in tow, I don't have blind spots -- I am blind. [17 July 2006]

Cat Power and The Memphis Rhythm Band

A man only meets a few women who have the power to completely and utterly ruin him. [23 June 2006]

Elbow

supporters may be content to keep their favorite British import to themselves, but when I see that pile of unsold tickets, it makes me want to shout. [11 May 2006]

Ben Harper

Amongst his contemporaries, Harper belongs to a small club that still recognizes the importance of returning to one's roots, ie small, intimate venues. Thank God. [28 April 2006]

Langerado Music Festival Day Two Featuring Wilco, Robert Randolph, Keller Williams, and The Secret M

G. Love, B. Love, and prayers from a nondenominational pulpit. [6 April 2006]

Langerado Music Festival Day One, featuring the Flaming Lips and Ben Harper

Bad backs, great glass, and the tragedy of the big, bad bunny suit.

Mogwai

These people died so I could live. There is no remorse, because I am alive. [27 March 2006]

The Walkmen

New songs, old haunts, and an end to worry. [6 February 2006]

The Black Keys

. [23 November 2005]

Sigur Rós

washes up on our shores to kick off their North American tour. [28 September 2005]

The National + Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

One should be wary of the New York hype machine - it's a beast... [23 September 2005]

Magnolia Electric Co. + Grand Buffet

The Birthday incident and the return of the 'Farewell Transmission'. [13 September 2005]

Spoon

If I were Britt Daniels I would love to kick Coldplay's Chris Martin in the face. Somebody needs to. [27 June 2005]

Pinback + Aqueduct

For a band that knows exactly how to get itself onto lovers' mixtapes, Pinback sure needs some help choosing its opening acts. [9 June 2005]

TV on the Radio

How do you mobilize a community comprised of young artists more concerned with nurturing voice than elevating it in protest? Throw a badass benefit concert. [18 May 2005]

Joseph Arthur

It only makes sense that such earnest, vulnerable music comes from a person who can make you feel out of place. [16 May 2005]

The Fiery Furnaces + Dios Malos

The Friedbergers have something to prove tonight. I'm still working through my feelings about Blueberry Boat. [26 April 2005]

Doves

show would be atop a New York City apartment building, under glowing wires and a canopy of stars... [5 April 2005]