The tale of Tristan Prettyman that occurred in the half a decade between her last LP, Hello, and her third, and latest, Cedar + Gold (released last October) sounds like a thing of blockbuster cinema and New York Times bestsellers.  A bit bored with the life of a successful...

Disregarding the Elvis Presley musical…“Blue Hawaii” would seem to reference some utopia/dystopia… That, combined with the fact that the band’s upcoming, sophomore effort, is titled Untogether, should make them a musical wet dream for existentialists and social scientists.  Montreal male/female duo Raph (whom you may know as a member...

Is it just me, or has a recent wave of child-star-turned-cool-adults made the designation of “child star” at least slightly less lame?  Alexz Johnson is currently best known for writing brilliant pop tunes with a soul that resembles, in equal parts, that of the Motor City and Nashville… (She...

“I’m challenging myself to be myself as much as possible,” Kacey Johansing tells me.  The San Francisco musician is describing for me her current approach to performing live.  However, the sentiment would also seem to ring true to her sophomore LP, Grand Ghosts, which she is self-releasing next Tuesday,...

Like so many great electro-pop duos, Sally Shapiro first came together while singing Christmas carols… Okay, so maybe their backstory isn’t so common… But neither are their methods.  Sally Shapiro is one lovely and anonymous blonde chanteuse (who prefers to just go by Sally Shapiro) and producer Johan Agebjörn,...

Calling to interview a musician and being told that they’re currently looking at your site is a bit like calling a potential date and being told that they’re currently checking out your sex tape… Okay, so that may be a little melodramatic, but it certainly adds pressure.  However, Kendall...

Marriages began about a year and a half ago, with Emma Ruth Rundle, Greg Burns, and Dave Clifford of post-rock outfit Red Sparowes.  Their debut EP, Kitsune, produced by Toshi Kasai, was released last May on Sargent House.  While the band has seemed to most regularly find themselves sharing...

My Gold Mask are many of my favorite things: cold, dark, quite sexy, but, conventionally speaking, also quite scary.  My Gold Mask is vocalist Gretta Rochelle and guitarist Jack Armondo. Their Leave Me Midnight comes out next Tuesday, February 19th.  The album is hauntingly dripping with eroticism.  It bolsters...

“I love Heart.  Heart is like the ultimate sister babes… This new band, Bleach.  I’m a huge fan of theirs… The Staves.  They’re awesome… The Jackson 5.  Oh my god, the Jackson 5 are the shit,” proclaims Alana Haim.  I have just asked her to reflect on her own,...