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Interview: Tony Scalzo of Fastball

4 July 2025

Fastball vocalist/bassist Tony Scalzo discusses their latest album and tour, and the band’s career overall

Elegance meets eloquence: getting to the heart of the music of Anastasiya Bazhenova

3 July 2025

Anastasiya Bazhenova is a classical pianist originally from Russia, now based in Norway. She trained in one of the top Russian music schools and later graduated with a Master’s degree from the Norwegian Academy of Music. Her artistic focus is one of creating concept-based concert programs — each performance is built as a narrative, not just a set of works. She has a very personal visual and emotional style on stage — minimalist, serious, and elegant.

Interview: Smut

2 July 2025

With a sound anchored in ’90s alt-rock, Smut’s newest album, Tomorrow Never Comes, aims to be your favorite album of 2025. Working with producer Aron Koybayashi Ritch, the Chicago-by-way-of-Cincinnati band was able to polish their sound while recalling their early punk rock roots. Both figuratively and literally, Smut has discovered their voice and should wind up on many end-of-year lists.

Taking bluegrass to pastures new, a quick catch up with Ben Wright of Henhouse Prowlers

2 July 2025

With a new album out and just back from a successful trip spreading bluegrass music to the most interesting and far-flung destinations, I caught up with Henhouse Prowler’s founding member/banjo player/co-vocalist Ben Wright to find out more.

To date, the Hensouse Prowlers have toured 29 countries on 5 continents working with the U.S. State Department and their own nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors. The group’s experiences with people and musicians across the globe have shaped their worldview and bolstered the bridges they establish between cultures. For this troupe, the work doesn’t end at their musical craftsmanship – they are actively striving toward a kinder, interconnected world.

Interview: Ashton Nyte of The Awakening

29 June 2025

The Awakening frontman Ashton Nyte discusses the band’s latest album, upcoming tour dates, and his fascinating career overall

Interview: Cindytalk

29 June 2025

Cindytalk leader Cinder discusses the recent reissue of the band’s seminal debut album, Camouflage Heart

Interview: Daisy the Great

27 June 2025

Daisy the Great sharpen their sound and expand their vision on their third full-length, The Rubber Teeth Talk. With soaring harmonies and sharp songwriting, Kelley Dugan and Mina Walker reflect on the band’s evolution and the sparks that ignite their lyrics.

Interview: Angelo Moore (Fishbone)

27 June 2025

The world needed a new Fishbone album, and the influential ska/punk/funk band has delivered with Stockholm Syndrome, the first full length since 2006. As always, Angelo Moore’s lyrics are as honest and – at times – brutal as one might expect, Moore’s never been known to hold back or sugarcoat the world he lives in. Taking aim at the Joker-in-Chief and the current state of the country, Stockholm Syndrome is both a welcome return and a reflection of matters that hit close to home.

Interview: Curt Kiser (Carriers)

25 June 2025

CarriersCurt Kiser reflects on a decades-long music career shaped by chance encounters, creative persistence, and the realities of service-industry day jobs. He talks about landing a deal with Brassland Records, how his lo-fi demos became a debut album, and the balancing act of chasing artistic fulfillment while paying the bills.

Interview: Elijah Johnston

20 June 2025

Elijah Johnston’s journey from DIY Bandcamp releases to a debut with Strolling Bones culminates in Stupid Soul, an album he describes as “record store music,” a blend of Americana and power pop designed for your turntable. Johnston shares how he got a record deal, the art of album sequencing, and the importance of allowing for experimentation and improvisation in the studio.

Jeff Shelton of The Well Wishers

Jeff Shelton: Power Pop Aficionado

19 June 2025

“California native Jeff Shelton is not your average musician. At any time, he is involved in multiple projects that explore different facets of his best loved musical genres.”

Under the covers in New Orleans: Catching up with Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth

18 June 2025

With a new album, Cover Yo Ass! on its way and another blinding performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, it seemed the perfect time to catch up with Fred LeBlanc, the band’s lead singer and drummer and find out more about the illustrious and fun Cowboy Mouth.

Catching up with Travis Johnson of Activity

6 June 2025

On their third album in five years, Activity’s blend of experimental and electronic textures explores the depths of alienation and despair, yet manages to uncover unexpected flashes of hope. Travis Johnson discusses the tragedy that hangs over the album, balancing the band amongst other interests, and his interest in political conversations.

Interview: The Ting Tings

6 June 2025

The Ting Tings (Katie White and Jules De Martino) discuss their latest album, Home

The Centering Sound of Joseph Allred's Old Time Fantasias

2 June 2025

“I feel like I’m trying to protect something about my myself, about my heritage here. I know there is enough goodness in my ancestors to produce me, and I don’t hate myself. I have at points in my life, and it’s taken a whole lot for me to control that and that’s what some of my music is about.” – Joseph Allred

Interview: Young Gun Silver Fox

2 June 2025

Andy Platts and Shawn Lee of Young Gun Silver Fox discuss their decade-long journey as torchbearers of timeless soul, R&B, and yacht rock. The duo opens up about their creative process, the art of authentic songwriting in a world of manufactured hits, and why they’re committed to making full albums when everyone else chases 30-second clips.

Interview: Justin Benlolo (BRKN LOVE)

18 May 2025

Canadian rock trio BRKN LOVE, fronted by Justin Benlolo, delivers powerful arena rock akin to Muse and Royal Blood on their third album, The Program, inspired by a vacation to Charleston, South Carolina. Benlolo discusses where the band finds itself on its third album, translating their energetic sound to a live setting, the necessity of social media, and meeting heroes.

Interview: Pearl Charles

17 May 2025

Retro-modern singer-songwriter Pearl Charles discusses her new album, Desert Queen

Catching up with the Cool kids: A conversation with It's Karma It's Cool

16 May 2025

With a new single out, a new album forthcoming and a new member in the band, it seemed like the perfect time to sit down with the guys from It’s Karma It’s Cool to find out all about these new and exciting developments.

Interview: Barrie Cadogan (Little Barrie & Malcom Catto)

15 May 2025

Between being a notable hired gun (Liam Gallagher, Primal Scream, The The) and composing his own music with drummer Malcom Catto, guitarist Barrie Cadogan has been on some crazy adventures throughout his career. Little Barrie and Malcolm Catto’s most recent album, Electric War, sounds like the psychedelic and funky soundtrack to a ’70s movie performed by the band CAN. Cadogan shares stories about his many collaborations and discusses his favorite albums of all time in this engaging conversation.

Building Momentum: An Interview With Thierry Haliniak of My Raining Stars

12 May 2025

“To really understand my musical journey, you need to know that I grew up in a tiny village in the Yonne region, Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye — a place very far removed from the world of indie pop. Musically, I listened to whatever was playing on the radio, mostly commercial stuff, so when I arrived in Lyon in 1989 to finish my studies, it was a real shock. That’s truly where I discovered indie music, which would go on to change my life.” – Thierry Haliniak

Interview: Neil Arthur of Blancmange

12 May 2025

Blancmange frontman Neil Arthur discusses the band’s upcoming North American tour

Interview: Steve Barton of Translator

9 May 2025

Translator frontman Steve Barton discusses the band’s new live album, Beyond Today: Live at the Farm – San Francisco 1986

Beyond The Plank: An Interview With Dylan Golden Aycock

3 May 2025

“We had a break in Boxmeer, Netherlands for a week and I was really bored so I was coming up with new right hand finger patterns on 12-string in this very weird tuning that is not an open tuning. I figured out the tuning while trying to learn a traditional Irish song called ‘Where Are You (Tonight I Wonder)’. I was just messing around with the tuning since it’s odd and came up with a picking pattern I’d never seen before.” – Dylan Golden Aycock

Interview: Colin Miller

28 April 2025

While Colin Miller and Gary King weren’t family by blood, King’s profound influence on Miller’s life is undeniable, echoing in the country-tinged songs on Losin’. In this lengthy conversation, Miller shares his musical origin story, discusses the role geography plays in his songs, recalls some less-than-ideal tour stories, and details how King’s presence is felt throughout the new album.

Interview: Michael Ciravolo of Beauty in Chaos

18 April 2025

Beauty in Chaos leader Michael Ciravolo discusses the latest releases by his acclaimed dark post-punk collective

Interview: Justin Hayward (former singer/guitarist for The Moody Blues)

17 April 2025

Former Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward discusses his new single and North American tour

Interview: Benmont Tench

13 April 2025

Benmont Tench (former keyboardist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) strikes out on his own with a new solo album, The Melancholy Season

East Meets West: the creative cultural collision that is Paul Cafcae

8 April 2025

In his work, Paul Cafcae blends Americana music with Slavic lyricism and expressive imagery, revitalising traditional roots music with an injection of eastern-European folk. With a bright, entertaining presence he creates memorable experiences for his audiences. Cafcae’s songs are heard on radio stations all over the world.

Rubbish Party, what happens when reincarnated Germanic lords and English gents make music together

8 April 2025

Rubbish Party is an indie-rock band known for their indie rock energy, alternative grit, and synth-rock exploration, with members including Alfred Lavender (vocals/guitar), Edward Clutterbuck (bass/vocals), George Hammich (drums), Evan Von Berg (synthesizer/lyrics/producer), The Crimson Creep (mixer/synthesizer/lyrics/producer), and J. Edwin Galloway (guitar/lyrics/vocals).

Interview: Mike Scott of The Waterboys

4 April 2025

The Waterboys frontman Mike Scott discusses his band’s latest album, Life, Death and Dennis Hopper

INTERVIEW: Cyril Jordan of Flamin’ Groovies

24 March 2025

Flamin’ Groovies leader Cyril Jordan discusses his legendary band’s career, including their 1960s beginnings, “Shake Some Action,” and much more

Interview: Colin Newman & Malka Spigel of Immersion

23 March 2025

The latest Nanocluster release from ImmersionColin Newman (Wire) and Malka Spigel (Minimal Compact) – features a collaboration with ambient country trio SUSS. Newman and Spigel share how this project took shape and what fans can expect from a Nanocluster tour.

Catching up with Aaron Dowdy of Fust

11 March 2025

Offering listeners an exploration of Southern life, encompassing both triumphs and tribulations, Fust’s Big Ugly is a masterclass in songwriting by Aaron Dowdy. Displaying the Southern charm and hospitality you read about, Dowdy discusses his approach to writing lyrics, finding inspiration, and the importance of memories.

Interview: Mike Montgomery (Nervous Verbs)

7 March 2025

After years of playing in bands, collaborating with Kelley Deal (The Breeders) in R. Ring, and recording and engineering bands like Buffalo Killers in the studio he built, Mike Montgomery has finally released a solo album. Pony Coughing, released under the Nervous Verbs moniker, creates an intimate and introspective atmosphere on the melancholic songs that make up the album.

Interview: Horsebath

25 February 2025

Dan Connolly and Etienne Beausoleil shed light on Horsebath’s origins, the wide range of influences on their debut album, Another Farewell, how living in Canada inspires lyrics, and the passion and perseverance that led to a record deal.

Interview: Gino Vannelli

21 February 2025

Gino Vannelli discusses his ultra-personal new album, The Life I Got (To My Most Beloved)

Interview: Shawn Marom (Cryogeyser)

19 February 2025

For years, Cryogeyser was primarily the solo project of Shawn Marom, but their self-titled new album marks a significant shift. Marom explains how bringing drummer Zach Capitti Fenton on board, not only as a band member but also as producer, gave her the creative freedom to fully explore her influences and elevate Cryogeyser’s sound to a whole new level.

Catching up with Jason Singer of Michigander

5 February 2025

Michigander’s highly anticipated self-titled debut album is finally here, fulfilling Jason Singer’s vision of a full-length record and marking a new chapter for the project. From festival stages to hit singles, Singer’s journey has been impressive, but this album proves he’s far from complacent.

A Conversation with Lilly Hiatt

3 February 2025

Steady as clockwork, Lilly Hiatt’s fourth album (Forever) in eight years for New West Records is a charming slice of Southern living based on the day-in, day-out experiences of the singer-songwriter. In this conversation, Hiatt discusses lyrical inspiration, making videos, and the road life of a troubadour.

Interview: Seán Barna

13 January 2025

Singer-songwriter Seán Barna, known for his glam-pop and roots rock music, shifts gears with his new EP, Internal Trembling. This collaboration with members of the acclaimed bluegrass band Hawktail pushs Barna’s songwriting and performance beyond his usual boundaries. In this conversation, Barna shares how the partnership with Hawktail came to be and dives into his relationship with Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz.

Interview: Fredrik Saroea of Datarock

9 January 2025

Datarock frontman Fredrik Saroea discusses his latest solo release, Lucid Dream

Interview: HYDE

11 December 2024

Hyde – the alternative/hard rock superstar who’s sold 40 million albums in his native Japan alone – discusses his latest solo album, Hyde [Inside]