"I'm Loved on All Sides": An Interview with Yola

British singer-songwriter Yola talks to PopMatters about emerging from a lifetime of straitened circumstances and emotional challenges to make 2019's most promising debut, Walk Through Fire.

Recent

Timuel Black Tells His Remarkable South Side Chicago Story in 'Sacred Ground'

The esteemed oral historian, Timuel Black, turns the microphone around to capture his amazing journey through 20th Century black America in Sacred Ground.

Books

Nate Wooley Explores a Frozen Interior on 'Columbia Icefield'

Jazz trumpeter Nate Wooley's quartet tackles a big landscape, a big reaction, and a big chill on the complex and patient new album, Columbia Icefield.

Music

Jessica Hopper's 'Night Moves': Prose Poetry for the Punk Rock Masses

Jessica Hopper's Night Moves is a dozen thorny roses for the city that keeps blowing its windy-ness beneath her darkly comic wings.

Books

And the Kids Revel in the Strength Derived From Defeat on 'When This Life Is Over'

And the Kids' When This Life is Over contributes to the annals of popular culture representing melancholy while situating the band alongside the likes of Sylvia Plath, Robert Smith, Tennessee Williams, and a cadre of other artists and musicians hectored by dejection.

Music

James Yorkston Takes a New Road on 'The Route to the Harmonium'

Esteemed Scottish folk singer-songwriter James Yorkston heads into midlife with The Route to the Harmonium, and no has affection for what he sees.

Music

Yola's Vocals and Songwriting Are Showcased on Her Strong Debut 'Walk Through Fire'

Yola's solo debut, Walk Through Fire, soars to showcase her dynamic and captivating vocals while delivering an evocative and playful mix of retro country and soul.

Music

"I'm Loved on All Sides": An Interview with Yola

British singer-songwriter Yola talks to PopMatters about emerging from a lifetime of straitened circumstances and emotional challenges to make 2019's most promising debut, Walk Through Fire.

Music

But a Dream within a Dream: Luigi Bazzoni's 'The Possessed'

The Possessed (aka Lady of the Lake) is a feverish dream-narrative in which the protagonist is often literally fevered and dreaming, yet he jerks awake more often than people in a Brian De Palma movie.

Film

Yola's Staggering Voice Fuels Powerful Americana

Yola's New York City debut at Rockwood Music Hall showcased songs from her forthcoming album Walk Through Fire.

Events

Craig Wedren Offers Meditative, Experimental Video and Discusses His Work (premiere + interview)

Craig Wedren discusses his latest round of projects, including a new photo book, an upcoming tour with the Messthetics, and his latest video "2Priests".

Music

'Shape of Light' Shines in the Space Where Photographic Art Bleeds into Wider Art

There's a wealth of work on display in Shape of Light, from the Tate Modern's exhibit, perhaps one of the finest general collections of abstract photographs currently available in print form.

Books

Joe Fiedler Brings Together Jazz and 'Sesame Street' on 'Open Sesame'

The playful, daring trombonist Joe Fiedler combines his day job as music director/arranger for Sesame Street with his art. The result is joyful and bold on Open Sesame.

Music

Markers Challenge the Boundaries of Drone Music on 'Heaven in the Dark Earth'

London duo Markers strike a balance between their love of melody and structure, and the abstract touch of experimental ambient music on Heaven in the Dark Earth.

Music

Smithsonian Folkways Presents 'The Social Power of Music'

Curated by Smithsonian Folkways, The Social Power of Music is a dynamic and rich exploration of music's ability to connect and disrupt political, social, and cultural impasses.

Music

Adia Victoria Raises Her Voice With Release of 'Silences'

Self-taught musician Adia Victoria who sings and plays the blues discusses in this in-depth interview what it took to find a voice that had been silenced.

Music

Driftwood Captivate in the Dreamy Sway of "Lay Like You Do" (premiere)

A hidden gem of Driftwood's trademark live shows for some time, the band finally cuts a studio version of "Lay Like You Do" for their new album, Tree of Shade.

Music

Pop Ten

The 70 Best Albums of 2018

Jackie Chan's 10 Best Films

The 20 Best Folk Albums of 2018

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 1: 100 - 81

The 25 Best Electronic Albums of 2018

Collapse Expand Pop Ten

Mixed Media

Collapse Expand Mixed Media

PM Picks

Collapse Expand Pm Picks