music Tag

Alter egos: A lot of stars have them. Beyonce has Sasha Fierce, David Bowie had Ziggy Stardust and now, apparently, Nick Cannon has Conner Smallnut. And people aren’t impressed. Cannon, who is set to release a new album titled, “White People Party Music” on April Fools’ Day, has caused a bit of a stir over the past few days, posting photos and videos of himself in whiteface and skater attire on Twitter and Instagram. Captions underneath the posts include hashtags like “FarmersMarket,” “GoodCredit,” “BeerPong,” and “CreamCheeseEating,” and introduce the pastyRead More

Rock and roll has always been a bit of a boy’s club, but don’t tell that to Alex Kandel, frontwoman of Kentucky’s Sleeper Agent. The rooftop lounge of Hollywood’s Bardot is packed with bodies and the stage seems impossibly small for the six-piece Bowling Green outfit, yet Alex still commands the room, bounding through the band’s energetic twist of alt-rock like a young, fiery Joan Jett.  Backed by real-life fiancé Tony Smith on guitar and vocals, she and her scrappy band of misfits turn it way past eleven after openerRead More

It was a passing conversation that led me to an interview with Denver DJ Treyy G. I was talking to a co-worker about a shared love for EDM and he mentioned that he knew Treyy and I suggested doing an interview, and a few weeks later, here we are. Trey Garrett is 20 years old. He has tattoos on every inch of his body (that I can see), and large gauges in his ears. Tall, but slim, he might look intimidating to some, but the second he opens his mouth,Read More

However, for those of you purists out there, great rock n’ roll music is still out there for those of us who are willing to seek it out. In fact, in my humble opinion, there are several contemporary bands that are churning out some of the best rock music ever produced. The improvements in technology over the last few decades has led to lots of watered-down, autotuned nonsense, but it has also improved the sound of rock music. Without further ado, here are five bands that can still rock outRead More

“So…what kind of music are you into?” It’s a stock question everyone uses to pry open that door of awkwardness in class or at a party. It could mean anything from “I’m bored and this silence makes me uncomfortable,” to “let’s bang in the bathroom between stats and psych.” It’s a safe conversation starter and it has the potential to make you feel instantly connected to someone if your playlists are divinely synced up (oh my gosh, you’ve heard of the Front Bottoms, too?) It also let’s you find out inRead More

For years he’s been known as the millionaire in blue jeans, a hero for the working class.  So maybe it’s fitting that Bruce Springsteen paid humble tribute to Lorde’s diamond-in-the-rough hit “Royals” at his show in Auckland, New Zealand two nights ago.  While not the best cover of the teenage superstar’s calling card, it makes a moving acoustic ballad that could easily have been recorded in the Boss’ early days. “Long ago I was the next big thing,” he adds in his trademark rumble.  And it’s true.  Big things haveRead More

We could all take a lesson from Rose. Even though she never thought she’d have to let go of Jack, every once in a while, letting go is all there is left to do. Here are a few things we should let fall to the bottom of the sea, gone forever. 1. Safari Besides their private browsing (ahem) is there any use for this truly awful browser? It might have been a step up from NetScape but it comes in far below Firefox, Chrome and, yes, even Internet Explorer. ForRead More

For every Nickelback and Green Day that dominates the airwaves, there are countless bands that seem to be forever stuck in the underground – a kind of beer-soaked, pool hall purgatory.  Life there is an endless cycle of supporting Paramore on their latest tour and playing covers (because no one came to hear your music anyway). But just because the Average Joe off the street hasn’t heard of a band doesn’t mean they deserve obscurity.  For some reason or another, some of history’s best musical acts have flown under theRead More

Overrated bands don’t start out that way.  There’s always the trickle of promise as they emerge from the underground, a whisper from mouth to blog that there’s some fresh, talented blood on the music scene.  But like Frankenstein’s Monster, good bands can stray from their hopeful path and prey on a few villagers along the way. The list of overrated bands is exhaustive and very much subjective, but there are definitely some acts that induce earbleeding more than others.  Too bad every radio station insists that they’re the one youRead More

The big day is here, guys. Valentine’s Day. Or, as I like to call it, “Girls are Feeling Romantic and Horny,  Therefore You Better Get Laid” Day. Yes, no matter your relationship status today – whether you’re single and free, tied down, or out in the wild in-between – as a man, you should be doing everything possible to make this evening a memorable one. While your girlfriend, date, or girl you pick up at the bar will appreciate the flowers, dinner, or, for the last option, the shot of Burnett’s,Read More

The temperature is sub-zero as I head to the Four Seasons in Denver for my interview with Jordy van Egmond.  It’s 11:15 p.m., and Jordy is supposed to start his set at Beta Nightclub at 12:30. Still, he has agreed to chat with me, despite the hour and freezing Colorado weather. Jordy is only 21 years old, but he has achieved things DJs double his age can only dream of- he made his debut at Ultra last year when Hardwell invited him on stage to play their new song “NeverRead More

In the world of professional sports, a dislocated knee could mean the end of a career.  For a certain Los Angeles-based electropop quartet, however, it was only the beginning.  “It’s been a trip,” muses frontman Ryan Daly.  “We never thought a year ago that things would have blown up so quickly.” The Slidebar in downtown Fullerton is packed, but somehow I’m able to hear him over the roar.  The KROQ Locals Only Show is already in full-swing, but we still have a few solid hours before Parade of Lights takesRead More

I truly believe that the hallmark of any great artist, of any great musical outfit, is the ability to evolve musically, to grow personally, and to have every new album serve as a showcase for that latest great step forward. There is little more impressive than progress. Against Me!‘s latest album, the deeply personal Transgender Dysphoria Blues, not only represents a bold new step for the band and frontwoman Laura Jane Grace – it represents a colossal step forward for the LGBT society, and hell, the American public at large. If TransgenderRead More

The Sasquatch Music Festival lineup for both Memorial Day Weekend AND Independence Day Weekend 2014 has been announced! Get the FIRST look at the lineup on Writtalin!  Read More

Ahh…the Super Bowl. If you’re anything like me, it’s a time for merriment, poor eating habits, a chance to see David Beckham running half-naked, and, best of all, a kickass halftime performance. Bruno Mars was the league’s pick for 2014 and yet, regardless of the artist’s proven talent and popularity, many critics questioned whether the fresh young performer was ready to live up to the likes of last year’s show brought to us by the amazing Queen Beyonce. After delivering a killer performance complete with drum solos, heartfelt messages fromRead More