The Legacy of Caetano Veloso’s Masterpiece ‘Transa’
Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso’s most celebrated work, Transa, still resonates with audiences young and old 50 years later.
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Beyond Incredible String Band: Seven Songs by Mike Heron
Mike Heron went his own way to take a holiday from Incredible String Band, known for its folk roots, and experimented with rock. Here are seven of his best songs.
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Revisiting Cotton Mather’s Classic ‘Kontiki’ 25 Years on with Robert Harrison
Cotton Mather’s Kontiki sports almost relentless invention, vitality, toughness, brightness, and irrepressible exuberance—a powder keg full of the joy of making music.
Does Gay Fandom Help Pop Divas?
Looking at Rina Sawayama, Azealia Banks, Charli XCX, and Kim Petras’ rise and fall in the charts one wonders – does gay fandom help pop divas’ careers?
K-Pop’s ONEUS Make Gugak Pop
K-pop group ONEUS talk with PopMatters about taking traditional Korean music, Gugak, and mixing it with hip-hop and electronic music to wow fans on their US tour.
Alt-Rocker Justin Mayfield Gives Traditional Armenian Folk Music the Hipster Treatment
Alt-rocker Justin Mayfield talks about Ghedtair Composite, a hypnotic blend of Armenian folk standards mixed with a math-rock meets indie-folk hybrid.
Was Phoebe Bridgers’ SNL Guitar-Smashing Performance More Than Just Imitation?
Initially met with ridicule, annoyance, and even anger, Phoebe Bridgers’ SNL guitar-smashing performance might have Pete Townshend’s art professor applauding from his grave.
Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ and Everlasting Redemption
Thirty-five years later, the redemption narrative driving Paul Simon’s Graceland has expanded to excuse the morally questionable decisions he made in recording the album.
Why Pearl Jam Couldn’t Kill Their Fame
Although Pearl Jam and Nirvana vied for grunge dominance in the ’90s, Pearl Jam valued something much better and more lasting than money and fame.
Brian Fallon on Christmas Music and Faith in ‘Night Divine’
Before he sang about outcasts and shared the stage with Springsteen, Brian Fallon was singing songs like those in his new Christmas album, Night Divine.
Robyn Hitchcock’s Remote Concert “Live from Tubby’s House” Lifts the Spirits
The last live performance I saw before the pandemic shutdown was Robyn Hitchcock. Watching his remote concert from my bed, I can say I enjoyed it just as much.
UK MC Figure of Speech on His Anti-Racist Hip-Hop Album
UK MC Figure of Speech talks about his debut album, a judicious bridging between current affairs and the socially-conscious erudition of hip-hop’s early days.