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Recent Music FeaturesThursday, November 19 2009
Reuben Butchart [New York]The former pianist for Antony & the Johnsons "awakens" with his most elaborate solo work yet.... and it features a plastic bag! Here's the story behind Reuben Butchart's boundless creativity. Wednesday, November 18 2009
The Gospel According to Butch: Part 2—The PerformerThe ever-prolific producer/songwriter Butch Walker notes how live shows lack a genuine mystique these days, his secret for surviving a tour, and why he'll probably never see Third Eye Blind in concert again ... Friday, November 13 2009
Re-Meet the Beatles: PopMatters Salutes the Still Fab FourA comprehensive look at the history and impact of the Beatles over 7 days. This section resumes with new essays next week.
Wednesday, November 11 2009
The Gospel According to Butch: Part 1—The ProducerButch Walker talks with PopMatters about the music industry, the problems that young bands frequently succumb to in the studio, and why it's more important to write songs than design T-shirts. Thursday, November 5 2009
Nirvana: BleachStarting with Nevermind, Kurt Cobain intentionally simplified his compositions in order to emphasize their pop components. Less song-focused than later Nirvana works, Bleach acts as an interesting showcase of the band’s musical chops. Tuesday, November 3 2009
Get Holy: An Interview With John Darnielle of the Mountain GoatsUpon the release of the Mountain Goats' latest album, the band's founder and songwriter talks about the literary influences on his prolific output and the biblical theme of his latest opus. Monday, November 2 2009
10 Rules on How to Sink or Swim at CMJThough several bands demanded double-takes, and many impressed, there were no obvious standouts at this year's CMJ. Instead, our writers found bands that exemplified standards for success, and failure, putting together ten rules on how to sink or swim at CMJ. Sunday, November 1 2009
Old CanesStealing Kurt Vonnegut books? Getting choked up during M*A*S*H? Appleseed Cast frontman Chris Crisci talks about all of these things and more as his folk-affected side-project releases their second album. Wednesday, October 28 2009
20 Questions: Fuck ButtonsStealing penguins! A secret connection with Garfield! Dropping fruit pastille in the primordial ooze! Experimental UK noise duo Fuck Buttons discuss this and more. 
Running the Voodoo Down: An Interview with Meshell NdegeocelloWith a new understanding of herself (and a new album to go with), the innovative singer Meshell Ndegeocello freely talks about some of her controversial lyrics, her deepest inspirations, and how she's reached a point where she doesn't need to prove anything anymore ... Tuesday, October 27 2009
The Deafening Quiet of Kings of ConvenienceErlend Øye chats with PopMatters about the influence of French house music, his hatred of flutes, and why his dashing musical partner is such a hit with teenage Korean girls. Monday, October 26 2009
Bored New World: How the Zach Braff Prototype Is Slowly Killing American MusicNatalie Portman popped headphones onto Zach Braff's head and said, "This song will change your life." The resulting sound was not only that of carefully composed dullness, but of a million wealthy white kids investing in dull acoustic music to soundtrack their own romantic melodrama. Friday, October 23 2009
PopMatters @ 10PopMatters celebrates its birthday this week with a series of essays on cultural changes over our 10-year lifespan. Today: Mark Reynolds on "The Long and Short of Long-Form Journalism" and Nikki Tranter on "Exit from Nowheresville: My 10 Years with PopMatters". Tuesday, October 20 2009
Magazine: The Correct Use of SoapMagazine's The Correct Use of Soap is such a wayward, iconoclastic record, so willfully out of kilter with its own time, that its sound-world and emotional landscape remain unique in pop. Thursday, October 15 2009
The Ever-Shifting, Hour-Glass World of Loudon Wainwright IIILoudon Wainwright III has recently undertaken the ambitious task of writing songs that Charlie Poole might have given voice to had he not sabotaged his own career trajectory. 
You Only Live Once: An Interview With Nancy Sinatra"When I die, I already know what my obituary will be, 'Frank’s daughter died with her boots on!' Ha.” Wednesday, October 14 2009
AnvilStill riding high off of the success of their acclaimed documentary (and likely Oscar-nominee), the founders of Canada's famed metal trailblazers Anvil sit down to answer 20 Questions about family, weed, and a surprising love of Star Trek ... Tuesday, October 13 2009
Space to Breathe: An Intimate Chat with AirWith the release of Air's fifth full-length album, J.B. Dunckel discusses his experience working with Nigel Godrich, his desire to score the next Bond film, and his fear that in the future, anyone can sound like Elvis. Monday, October 12 2009
The Myth and the MachineThe overlapping narratives of Nine Inch Nails within the control of the recording industry and Western culture moving through the Information Age combine in the band’s music as a sonic collage questioning the role of man in the machine. Thursday, October 8 2009
Sun, Sweat and Tears: Three Days at the Austin City Limits FestivalPopMatters takes a look at how a disparate array of acts fared in Austin’s playpen of mud, the blood, and the beer. |
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