Music
Essays, blog posts, playlists, and more focused broadly on music. For more playlists visit my Spotify profile.
- Shawn Hewitt “Spare Hearts” Review ()
The booming pop spectacle “Keep Them at Bay” opens Torontonian Shawn Hewitt’s debut album, Spare Hearts. Above all else, the record showcases Hewitt’s vocal potential, his range expanding and contracting throughout each of the album’s 11 tracks. Produced by Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene) and John O’Mahoney (Coldplay), Spare Hearts continually teases depth but ultimately wades in a […]
- Clapperclaw Critics’ Pick ()
The second annual Clapperclaw Music & Arts Festival will cover two floors of Minneapolis’s Sound Gallery. Co-organizers Dom Davis and Matt Perkins both described the event as something creatively distinct from last year’s, with Davis adding, “Our focus this year was expanding within a single location, shaping the intensity of last year’s two days into a sharpened […]
- Medeski Martin and Wood “Free Go Lily” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, Chris Wood describes how Medeski Martin and Wood describes how an old field recording influenced the group to make something old, new […]
- Oldfolks Home “I Hate Dell” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, Ricardo Lopez of Winnipeg’s Oldfolks Home describes the song that may forever remove the group from consideration for a Dell sponsorship. On […]
- Morgan Nagler (of Whispertown 2000) Interview ()
Culture Bully’s Chris DeLine recently caught up with Whispertown 2000’s Morgan Nagler, the singer taking some time to address a number of questions revolving around the group’s latest release Swim. The two discussed the band’s ongoing relationship with a number of Los Angeles-based artists, including Jenny Lewis, the band’s unusual approach to booking shows, and […]
- Dungen “Satt Att Se” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. For this installment, Dungen’s Gustav Ejstes describes the first song from the band’s latest release 4. Ejstes explains the transformation the song made […]
- of Montreal on Minnesota Public Radio ()
Prior to the band’s show at Minneapolis’ historic First Avenue this past Saturday, Of Montreal stopped by The Current to perform a three-song studio set. Last October Kevin Barnes and Bryan Poole sat in for a trio of acoustic songs featuring a track that was scheduled for, but left off Skepetal Lamping, “Feminie Effects,” as well as The Who’s “The […]
- Ryan Adams and The Cardinals “Cardinology” Review ()
As an artist Ryan Adams has often displayed characteristics suggesting struggle within his own reality, something that many have faulted him for. Even through times of relative insanity however, he still continued to offer examples of sensibility within his music. But on Cardinology, the music is almost too sensible. As matter of fact, to some […]
- Frida Hyvönen Interview ()
Prior to crossing the Atlantic for a few select US dates, Frida Hyvönen and Culture Bully’s Chris DeLine discussed a few brief topics in a quick interview; touching on her aversion to the idea of being just another Scandinavian blonde and getting drunk in Italy. Hyvönen’s new album, Silence is Wild, will be released State-side […]
- Smashing Pumpkins “Tarantula (Jimmy Kimmel Live)” Video ()
Along with guests Tom Arnold and Shea Whigham, Smashing Pumpkins stopped Jimmy Kimmel Live this past Friday, playing the show off the air. Rather than performing its new single, “G.L.O.W.,” the band stuck with “Tarantula” from last year’s Zeitgeist. “G.L.O.W.” debuted almost two weeks ago on Chicago’s Q-101 and will see its official debut with the release of the Guitar Hero […]
- The Pica Beats “Poor Old Ra” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. In this edition Ryan Barrett of The Pica Beats contrasts his typical approach to writing songs with that used while writing the band’s […]
- Sune Rose Wagner (of the Raveonettes) Interview ()
The Raveonettes have just released Beauty Dies, the group’s third in their ongoing series of fall EPs. Following the release of their September release, Sometimes They Drop By, Culture Bully’s Chris DeLine caught up with Sune Rose Wagner to discuss the series. The band will be hitting the road in the new year following their […]
- Scott Weiland Endorses Obama ()
Continuing the trend of alternative rock relics unnecessarily announcing their political agendas, Stone Temple Pilots’ frontman Scott Weiland has endorsed Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Describing his decision Weiland said, “Barack Obama is the leader, the listener and the visionary with international respect to take us from the depths of where we are today and bring us to a new place […]
- R.E.M. “Until The Day Is Done” ()
“This is not a show” reads a sign featured in the video for “Until The Day Is Done.” Despite the suggestion, the video for R.E.M.’s fourth single from its “comeback album” Accelerate features concert footage taken from a Dublin show this July. The video’s black and white footage contrasts the superstardom that the band has long since […]
- of Montreal “Skeletal Lamping” Review ()
There is a high degree of whimsy that accompanies each new of Montreal release, one that is evidenced by the overwhelming sexuality of the records, and one that is certainly apparent in the band’s new album, Skeletal Lamping. Driven by a sexual freedom, singer Kevin Barnes’s lyrical candor can often be as overwhelming as his […]
- Culture Bully’s Donors Choose Blogathon ()
In October 2008 Culture Bully published a 60 hour blogathon as a fundraiser in support of music development and literacy within the Twin Cities. In the process of doing so, the site solicited reflections, music, and essays from local artists who spoke to the following question: “How did you get into making music, and how […]
- Ilhan Ersahin (of I Led 3 Lives) Interview ()
Ilhan Ersahin is one of the three well respected jazz soloists who have come together as I Led 3 Lives. Also including Juini Booth and Jochen Rueckert, the trio’s focus touches on a sound that incorporates drum-n-bass-styled electronica into their jazz mainstay. Ersahin and Culture Bully’s Chris DeLine recently discussed the formation of I Led […]
- Coltrane Motion “They Can’t Mic The Deep End” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Michael Bond of Chicago’s Coltrane Motion steps in for this edition, describing “They Can’t Mic The Deep End,” a track from the band’s […]
- Merge Records releases details on 16-disc box set ()
In preparation for next Summer’s “Merge Fest,” Merge Records will be releasing Score! Merge Records: The First 20 Years. The box set’s first fourteen discs were assembled by a host of high-profile curators including Peter Buck of R.E.M., David Byrne and Zach Galifianakis. The remaining two discs in the subscription-only set collect covers and remixes by non-Merge artists […]
- Blender lists the “100 Greatest American Albums” ()
Blender has compiled and released a list of the “100 Greatest American Albums.” While lists of the sort have never been universally appeasing, by overlooking so many keystone American musicians it is one of the most controversial in recent memory. Paul Westerberg questions “the veracity of this list,” and after reading it you might have a lot […]
- Leopold and His Fiction “Come Back (Now That I’m Here)” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, Daniel James of Leopold and His Fiction introduces a track from the band’s new album, Ain’t No Surprise. Throughout his description, James […]
- Best Buy offers CD/vinyl pre-order option for “Chinese Democracy” ()
Solidifying the most recent rumblings surrounding the release of Chinese Democracy, Best Buy is now offering fans the opportunity to pre-order Guns N’ Rose’ new album via the retailer’s web site. While many details are still scarce, the retail giant has announced that as a part of its exclusive distribution rights, the album will be offered […]
- Moby “Ooh Yeah!” Video ()
A video accompaniment for “Ooh Yeah!,” one of the better tracks from Moby’s recent Last Night album, has just been released via Mute Records. The Matteo Bernardini-directed clip was the winning entry in a recent contest sponsored by the web-video site Vimeo. While the video reflects a 1970s-themed porn shoot, it is more of an […]
- Everclear “Jesus Was a Democrat” ()
Everclear, who haven’t posted a single on any American chart since 2003, have followed up this year’s covers album with yet another unnecessary release, “Jesus Was a Democrat.” The song specifically takes aim at Americans who love Jesus but hate non-whites. And apparently, according to Alexakis, such people are not Democrats. “Jesus didn’t look like […]
- Bjork feat. Thom Yorke “Nattura” ()
With tribal drums that put “Love Lockdown” to shame, Björk’s charity collaboration with Radiohead’s Thom Yorke was finally revealed yesterday as it leaked on the internet. In the track, Yorke’s moans and airy howls illuminate drummer Brian Chippendale’s blazing beat, the product being a sound that is a far cry from the duo’s previous collaboration […]
- T.I. rules Billboard, stresses over court ()
T.I. currently ranks first and second on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Live Your Life” (featuring Rihanna) and “Whatever You Like,” both from his third straight number one album, Paper Trail. CNN recently profiled the rapper, discussing with him his recent seven-month house arrest, his forthcoming jail sentence and his work towards completing his court ordered […]
- M.I.A. feat. Pharrell, Rye Rye “Paper Planes (Diesel XXX Party)” ()
M.I.A. , N.E.R.D. and RYE RYE play ‘PAPER PLANES’ @ Diesel XXX NYC Party N.E.R.D.’s Pharrell Williams and Baltimore MC Rye Rye joined a visibly-pregnant M.I.A. on stage for a performance of “Paper Planes” at Diesel’s XXX party this past weekend. The set was M.I.A.’s first since announcing her “retirement” at this year’s Bonnaroo festival. Due in […]
- Tunde Adebimpe “Unknown Legend” (Neil Young Cover) ()
Along with Robyn Hitchcock, composer Zafer Tawil and a number of others, TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe has recorded a song for the soundtrack to Rachel Getting Married. And for his contribution Adebimpe quietly covered Neil Young’s “Unknown Legend,” a track from the icon’s 1992 Harvest Moon. The near a capella cover comes in great contrast to the […]
- Smashing Pumpkins “G.L.O.W.” ()
Smashing Pumpkins recently announced that the band would take part in the release of Guitar Hero World Tour by offering a few tracks as an expandable content pack for the game. While not the first band to participate in the series, the news did reveal that Smashing Pumpkins would be the first to debut a single through Guitar Hero. The single, […]
- Britney Spears “Womanizer” Video ()
Dawning a short black wig, leather pants, a chauffeur’s uniform and at times nothing at all, Britney Spears returns with a video for her new single “Womanizer.” As unnecessarily sexual as it is a display of feminine power, the video serves as a motion to reclaim the pop spotlight that was once hers. Since last […]