John Carpenter on the Pleasure of Making Horror Film Soundtracks
The hallowed B-movie director John Carpenter says making film scores with Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies comes naturally. But he still craves the unnatural.
Nick Soulsby
Nick Soulsby is a fairly everyday bloke who hopes to stay that way while never turning the things he loves into things he must do to earn a daily crust. Nick's is the author of five books. Three of his books are focused on the band Nirvana — Dark Slivers (Running Water Press, 2012), I Found My Friends, (St Martin's Press, 2015) and Cobain on Cobain (Omnibus Press, 2016). This was followed by We Sing a New Language: the Oral Discography of Thurston Moore, (Omnibus Press, 2017). His most recent book is SWANS: Sacrifice And Transcendence — The Oral History(Jawbone Press, 2018). In 2014 Nick collaborated with Soul Jazz Records to curate No Seattle: Forgotten Sounds of the North West Grunge Era 1986-97, a release of little known and never before seen bands from the State of Washington's heyday. He also wrote the liner notes to the reissue of The Fire Ants sole 1993 EP release Stripped.
Black Marble’s ‘Fast Idol’ Doesn’t Worship the Past, It Makes It Anew
Black Marble rolls forward growing bigger and brighter in positive ways on the new album Fast Idol, which shows fresh approaches to synthpop.
The Stooges Remained Musically Powerful on the Verge of Total Collapse
These recordings still carry that talismanic “lost album” energy that makes one wonder what a fit and healthy Stooges might have done next.
COVID Ends When Arab Strap Begin Their Show
Arab Strap’s return to touring is a musical triumph as well as a chance for people to breathe together as one after so long in pandemic lockdown.
In Conversation With Arab Strap’s Aidan Moffat
Taking a break from the pleasures of domesticity and enforced confinement, the ever-charming and loquacious Aidan Moffat of Arab Strap speaks with PopMatters of matters large and small, past and present.
Melvins’ ‘Working With God’ Displays a Refreshing Sense of Humor
Melvins come across like a musical Three Stooges on this compact, but cheerful new album in their prolific and storied career.
In Conversation With Arab Strap’s Malcolm Middleton
On the eve of Arab Strap’s latest album, PopMatters caught up with the erudite and thoughtful Malcolm Middleton to consider now, then, and everything in between.
The Videography of Arab Strap in 10 Short Films
Arab Strap produce a concise video accompaniment to their music and art, all on equally compact indie budgets. While the result forms an enjoyable “Greatest Hits of Arab Strap” selection, it’s more than that.
The 10 Key Albums of Arab Strap
PopMatters takes a rapid-fire tour of the ten key releases that every Arab Strap fan should have in hand.
Arab Strap Brighten the Nights with Hope, Humor, and Songcraft on ‘As Days Get Dark’
Arab Strap’s comeback album As Days Get Dark stirs fond memories while making a quantum leap forward.
The Artwork of Arab Strap
The distinct identity of Arab Strap, as an instrumental and lyrical unit, is matched by the visual aspect. The band’s artwork walks a sure-footed tightrope of casual appearance to deliberate effect.