Luka Bloom, Irish Folk-Rock Singer-Songwriter, played The Sharp Theatre for an audience of dedicated fans on Saturday, October 2nd. The venue, a play house with incredible acoustics, nestled in the hills on the campus of Ramapo College was hosting Luka for his New Jersey tour date. “I’ve finally hit it big,” Luka said after rattling off a list of major European cities that he has played at - “I am finally playing Mahwah.”

Luka started his set with several more upbeat selections from his catalog. Following each song was a story about his past that seemed to flow seamlessly into the next song, again and again. Luka discussed topics ranging from his family’s history of being involved with music and writer, to his passion for traveling, cycling and story telling. Luka had a modest stage presence - a small table with a case of flowers, a pitcher of water, and his three guitars. Luka seemed to split partition his set based on which guitar he was using at the time. The first set of songs were much more upbeat, the second set a bit more bluesy and darker, and the third set, upbeat yet again. The commonality between all three sets of songs was a palpable sense of honesty. Luka ended his set on a high note and the crowd gave him a standing ovation. He made a comment about how he should really disappear into the dressing room, change his shirt, and have the audience clap for five more minutes before doing an encore - but then he decided to stay on stage, two hours deep into his set, and play a few more favorites. As previously stated, Luka “has hit it big” - he is able to do what he loves in some of the largest cities in the world and some of the smallest, suburban towns in the states.

As the unofficial leader of the Broken Social Scene collective, Drew has a lot of weight on his shoulders. After a four and a half year “hiatus” in which individual BSS members explored semi solo projects in the Broken Social Scene Presents series (Drew released the Spirit If album and bassist/mulit instrumentalist Brendan Canning the Something for All of Us album) Broken Social Scene emerged rejuvenated with the Forgiveness Rock Record in early 2010. As always, Kevin Drew is an energetic and magnetic frontman, and with Forgiveness Rock Record, the band proves that they are gracefully moving into the next chapter of their career as vital, elder statesmen and women in a crowded indie rock scene.

April Smith’s dad was a rock and roller; April, meanwhile, blends modern and classic pop for a sound she describes as a cross between the Beatles and the Andrews sisters. PopMatters talked to her about her favorite classic songwriters and her dad’s records.

Believe it or not, Kill Rock Stars is coming up on its 20th anniversary next year. Once the home to Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, and Elliott Smith, KRS continues to foster amazing artists like Marnie Stern, Deerhoof, and the Decembrists. PopMatters spoke to KRS’s Portia Sabin and Maggie Vail about feminism and the future of independent music.

Power to the androids!  Self-proclaimed “thrival” Janelle Monáe recently descended upon New York City to preview The Arch Android, her forthcoming follow-up to 2008’s Metropolis Suite I: The Chase, which updates the story of Cindi Mayweather (Android #57821) and her adventures in Metropolis.

At Joe’s Pub, Janelle Monáe possessed even more drive and confidence than her 2008 debut appearances. Her typically epic opening medley was capped off with “Locked Inside”, which wafted over the audience like a salted sea breeze. It’s destined to be the “summer song” of 2010. If Monáe’s performances of “Cold War” and “Tight Rope” were any indication, The Arch Android might even surpass its predecessor as the mirror to Monáe’s genius. With a wink towards James Brown’s histrionics, Monáe knelt on the stage floor with a cape and stirred the audience to a frenzy on the latter tune. Call her The Godmother of Android Funk.