Painter, poet and musician Joni Mitchell turns 75 years old today. Her artistry has encompassed pop, rock, folk and jazz, earning varying degrees of praise and criticism, especially for her more experimental, jazz-centric works, but she remains, unquestionably, one of the most influential songwriters of the past 50 years. Born …
Read More »Josh Fauver, Former Deerhunter Bassist, Dead at 39
Josh Fauver, the former Deerhunter member who served as bassist during the Georgia band’s ascension to indie rock stardom, has died at the age of 39. Deerhunter revealed on social media that Fauver had died; a representative for the band confirmed the death. No cause of death was announced. “Very …
Read More »Willie Nelson to Return to 'Austin City Limits' Following Nine-Year Gap
In the 44-year history of Austin City Limits, no artist has personified the music series’ eclectic, freewheeling spirit more fully than Willie Nelson. Having launched the pilot episode of the long-running PBS show with a performance in the KLRN (now KLRU) studio on the University of Texas campus in 1974, …
Read More »Margo Price, Ryan Bingham Sing 'For What It's Worth' With Stephen Stills at Beto Rally
Stephen Stills, Ryan Bingham, Hayes Carll and the Flatlanders were among the artists performing at a Get Out the Vote rally in Irving, Texas, on Tuesday night in support of U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke. The concert also included some special guests, from Margo Price to Nathaniel Rateliff, both of …
Read More »Vince Staples Announces Surprise Album Coming Friday
UPDATE: Hear Vince Staples‘ new project,FM!, below. Produced by Kenny Beats and Hagler, the 11-song set features guest appearances from Jay Rock, Kamaiyah, Earl Sweatshirt, Ty Dolla $ign and Tyga. *** In a surprise, slightly obtuse statement on Twitter, Vince Staples announced he has new music arriving on Friday, November …
Read More »Kanye West Designs Shirts for Campaign Encouraging 'Black Exit' From Democratic Party
Kanye West has designed a line of shirts supporting a campaign that encourages African-Americans to part ways with the Democratic Party. The shirts endorsing “Blexit” – or “Black Exit,” modeled after the British slogan trumpeting their departure from the European Union – debuted Saturday at the Young Black Leadership Summit …
Read More »Kah-Lo Aims to Expand Possibilities for Nigerian Musicians With Riton Collaboration
Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah-Lo has had success with conversational club music, but she understands why listeners tend to lump her songs in with afrobeats: That minimal, swaying, polyrhythmic strain of pop that’s become an “explosive industry” in her country and hit the charts in London, Paris and elsewhere. “It is great …
Read More »Jason Isbell at the Ryman: Rock Star Moves on Second Night of Residency
Jason Isbell initially reached a broader audience as a third guitarist and sometimes songwriter in the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers, adding a fresh perspective and voice to their albums Decoration Day and The Dirty South. Those rock credentials were on full display for the second night of Isbell’s 2018 …
Read More »'The Voice' Recap: Fairy Tales and Possum Praising
With Battle Rounds for Season 15 of NBC’s The Voicenow in full swing, the decisions are getting tougher as the teams whittle down to their strongest competitors. Monday night’s episode featured a double shot of battles between talented young females, with the judges forced into choosing one but dropping the …
Read More »'It Was Agony': Ozzy Osbourne Explains Staph Infection That Derailed Tour
Ozzy Osbourne knew he had a problem when he saw that his right thumb had swollen to “the size of a fuckin’ lightbulb.” After a Salt Lake City gig earlier this month, he had trouble putting on a thumb ring he regularly wears. The digit got larger overnight until it …
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