Interviews
A collection of interviews and Q&As published between 2005 and 2024.
- Culture Bully’s Best of 2006 Guest Posts ()
To close the year out, Culture Bully solicited contributions from artists sharing their year-end lists, reflecting on their favorite things of 2006. Best of 2006: Daniel Toccalino of Leopold & His Fiction At one point or another I devoted an immense amount of attention, in some form or another, to each of these songs. I […]
- Ben Kweller Interview ()
Finding the most critical acclaim from his most recent self titled album, singer/songwriter Ben Kweller now looks to take a rest from touring before continuing the international leg of his endeavors next year. While latest album interrupts his past writing process by completing a shift towards a fuller, complete musician, he still seems able and […]
- Sean Hawryluk (of Ladyhawk) Interview ()
Ladyhawk is one of a the rising number of bands this year that has seemingly hit highs as response to fan support which has come in the form of online feedback and generous praise of the band’s live show. As the distinction between hype and merit is agonized over and examined in detail Ladyhawk pay […]
- Laurie Shanaman & Aesop Dekker (of Ludicra) Interview ()
Black metal is a strange thing, to a certain sects of fan it can take on entirely different meanings and embody a completely different lifestyle. Take a comparison between the Norwegian band Immortal and San Francisco’s Ludicra for example. Essentially, there is no comparison to be made yet both are termed black metal. One grew […]
- J-Sun Atoms (of the Upsidedown) Interview ()
With the effects of 2004’s Dig! still reeling throughout modern rock, The Upsidedown serve as the link between new and old; between neo-psychedelia and modern garage. Forming over the course of a few years following the break-up of shoegazers The Bella Low lead singer J-Sun Atoms and the other members of The Upsides look to […]
- Whiskas (of ¡Forward Russia!) Interview ()
One of the brightest groups to survive this past pre-SXSW hype, all members in tact, are Leeds’ ¡Forward Russia! who have branded such distinct tones that they honestly bear no one on one comparison with any of their contemporaries; granted they sound like a lot of bands combined, but yet they stand alone as something […]
- Ari Up & Tessa Pollitt (of the Slits) Interview ()
Finding a balance between the crass sounds of punk and dub long before bands such as The Clash formulated the blend as commercial, The Slits now seek to reclaim their sound and place in history with a return to both the studio and to touring after a twenty five year hiatus. In doing so an […]
- Chris Chu (of the Morning Benders) Interview ()
Berkeley, California’s The Morning Benders play a simplified rock sound that plays to the hearts of modern indie and pop fan alike. Having been a band for roughly a year lead singer Chris Chu harmlessly harmonizes over playfully Voxtrot-like anti-ballads with both innocence and a maturity of where exactly the band fits within the realm […]
- Nathan Willett (of Cold War Kids) Interview ()
There has been an increasingly bitter debate between members of mainstream media outlets and those who describe themselves as apart of the blogosphere concerning the relevance and necessity of both sides. Some claim that mainstream media, including much of print media, is going the way of the dinosaur in the sense that it gives a […]
- Janie Porche (of the Bound Stems) Interview ()
The Bound Stems are a Chicago-based band that bum-rushed internet outlets through a variety of contemporary grassroots promotional methods, which ultimately served to support the band through non-traditional means. Without completely excluding mainstream outlets members of the band each contributed to contacting a large number or internet outlets which resulted in a variety of high […]
- Mattie Safer (of the Rapture) Interview ()
The Rapture have taken the reigns as model leaders for whatever term you might apply to their scene; but whatever you do, be sure that you don’t call it dance punk. The band has taken post-punk and squeezed it through a funky electronic frosting bag, delivering it as a smooth clash that lands somewhere between […]
- Subhumans (Canada) Interview ()
Punk. It has changed from a term labeling a condensed segment of society’s outcasts to that which labels pop culture accessories and commercial music. Heralded Vancouver first wave punk icons, the Subhumans, reignite its reputation with the recent release on Alternative Tentacles, New Dark Age Parade. The album serves as the reuniting element to a […]
- Nicolay Interview ()
Netherlands-born producer/performer Nicolay recently stepped into strange territory with the release of his recent album Here. It serves as his first solo endeavor and glides through ambient instrumentals feathered with collaboration heavy bangers. His music stands as somewhat of a high ground street opera, serving as a window into the diary of a man who […]
- Jim Noir Interview ()
Manchester-native Jim Noir’s recent solo release on Barsuk is the culmination of many great things. Ultimately what shines through however is Noir’s tremendous ability to excel while undoubtedly hiding within his music. Many examples within Tower of Love prove that Noir allows much of his lighthearted songs to take precedent over his individual talent. Jim […]
- Patience Hodgson (of the Grates) Interview ()
Building a lively reputation for the band in its native Australia, The Grates found great success including nods from Australia’s national radio station Triple J and the Australian Recording Industry Awards (ARIA). The band is completing the North American leg of its current tour which corresponds with its album’s recent release in the States. Singer, […]
- dj BC Interview ()
Reviving underground eminence with his recent ragtime/hip hop set, Wu Orleans, Boston based bootlegger Bob Cronin, aka dj BC, takes a tip from his past releases and once again changes the ever shifting view on what is possible within the confines of mash-ups. Cronin established himself within the mainstream with his release of The Beastles […]
- Steven Slingeneyer (of Soulwax) Interview ()
Soulwax has taken many shapes and forms over the years, varying between an electrolush club hopping dance troop to mash-up forerunners to chic post new-wave rockers. Nite Versions proves to be somewhat of a return to the basic Soulwax sound, before the 2 Many DJs side project took over, before band members came and went, […]
- Philip Patrick (of the American Black Lung) Interview ()
Tucson post-hardcore band The American Black Lung combine gritty vocals with a guitar that cuts through any and all nonessential filler. Forming in 2001, the band recently found themselves staring down the sun during its month-long stint at this summers Warped Tour. Recently finishing the band’s latest album …And They Rode Their Weapons Into War, […]
- Kenyata Sullivan (of The Majestic Twelve) Interview ()
One of my favorite albums this year has been the Majestic Twelve’s Schizophrenology. It touches on an absolute select feeling which embraces change in contrast to a voice angrily minimizing those endorsing opposing views. The album inspires through amazing musical experiences with actual feelings of love at the lyrics’ core, coinciding with political rants fueled […]
- Gary Numan Interview ()
Gary Numan is an icon within the realm of synth pop and industrial music. Generally considered an originator for his work in the late ’70s, Numan now takes his minimalist creationism to a new heights within the realm of dreamy, moody electronic based industrial. With his latest release, Jagged, Numan futher proves that his star […]
- Jamie Morrison (of the Noisettes) Interview ()
The Noisettes are a band that have seen a sharp increase in popularity due to a brash bluesy sound that contrasts with a pounding fever of grrrl power and punk fury. With a laundry list of notable mentions including numerous pieces in NME the Noisettes have struck a chord with critics and audiences alike, which […]
- Chris Kinnon (of Lions in the Street) Interview ()
Lions in the Street are one of those bands that you can’t help but enjoy. There is a great divide between groups who dabble as a full blown rock n’ roll machine and those who live it, Lions in the Street is the latter. Presenting a ying to the Toronto art-band scene’s yang, this Vancouver […]
- Eric Pulido (of Midlake) Interview ()
Midlake is a strange band, being one that is truly deserving of being at the center of attention within the realm of today’s indie rock scene. The band’s latest release The Trials Of Van Occupanther has been target to overwhelming acclaim. It could be likened to a completely pure retrospective effort, one that perfectly bridges […]
- Keith Nelson (of Buckcherry) Interview ()
Buckcherry hit the top of mainstream rock charts with its single “Lit Up” in 1999 but failed to follow the single and album up with anything that brought much mainstream attention. Shortly after the release of the band’s 2001 album entitled Time Bomb the band broke up, with lead singer Josh Todd pursuing a solo […]
- Ane Brun Interview ()
Norwegian born singer/songwriter Ane Brun has one of the most unique voices of the year within the realm of indie folk and not surprisingly, she attributes much of that to her influences. Influences including everyone from Ron Sexsmith to Jeff Buckley, Ani DiFranco to M. Ward. For the record, she digs indie folk. In this […]
- Ken Jordan (of the Crystal Method) Interview ()
The Crystal Method typically steps outside of the given borders within modern electronica, and have historically done so, especially with releases such as 2004’s rock-tinged outlet, Legion of Boom. Most recently The Crystal Method have recorded Drive, the first of its kind, a 45 minute cross training mix exclusively through iTunes and Nike. In this […]
- Jon Weisnewski (of Akimbo) Interview ()
Though Akimbo has maintained a reputation for being one of the strongest Northwestern hardcore bands for some time, the band has been together for roughly eight years, it has gone through a number of difficult line-up changes (ten members have called themselves members of the group throughout the years) and as a result found itself […]
- Henry Binns (of Zero 7) Interview ()
Electronic crooners Zero 7’s recent follow up to the highly acclaimed 2004 album When It Falls, The Garden, touches on a unique blend of suburban beats and grassroots tones. Throughout the development of the group’s sound came a tendency to rely on the plentiful resources of other musicians to add a diverse tone to the […]
- Mike Patton Interview ()
Mike Patton has one of the most expansive bodies of work in modern rock music, ranging from the now defunct multi-platinum selling Faith No More to recording with the thunderous math/noise rock band the Dillinger Escape Plan to multiple guest spots with avant jazz composer John Zorn. His most recent project, Peeping Tom, reveals collaborations […]
- Jemina Pearl & Jonas Stein (of Be Your Own PET) Interview ()
Be Your Own PET is one of the most exciting bands I’ve heard recently. The group of teenage rockers got together at the Nashville School of the Arts in 2002 and have already played some of the world’s most exclusive festivals and shows. Recently I was able to bounce a few questions off of guitarist […]