Interview: Y La Bamba’s Luzelena Mendoza
Y La Bamba comes out of Portland, Oregon, and the boundless, profound creativity of Luzelena Mendoza. Nurtured by parents who immigrated from Mexico, and the communities surrounding her, time saw her bring in an artistic family of seven musicians for the creation of their stunning 2010 album, Lupon
INTERVIEW: FELIPECHA
Back in 2007, I discovered hip-hop producer Wax Tailor‘s “Que Sera” in a Ninkasi (think Rock Bottom or The Great Dane). Soon thereafter, Tales of the Forgotten Melodies had me spinning, especially “Our Dance” featuring Charlotte Savary. Word got out she also performed in another grou
Review: Sundowner – We Chase the Waves (2010)
Chris McCaughan is the mainstay that has connected the masts of Chicago punk since before 1996. Emerging in Tricky Dick and post-Slapstick The Broadways, Chris found his songwriting stride with The Lawrence Arms. Always encapsulating Chicago winters and hardships with an urban optimis
Review: Y La Bamba – Lupon (2010)
Lightning struck twice this year. Once during “My Darkness“, and the latter soon thereafter in watching easily the most beautifully orchestrated video of the year. Y La Bamba came coincidentally at the same time Nick Jaina performed in a small housing cooperative in Madison, however the form
REVIEW: ANNA VOGELZANG – SECRET CEDAR ROOM EP (2010)
The transition between city and slow-going urban went rather quickly; from downtown Chicago to Madison. Up until this August, decisions on where I live are generally taken based on two factors: food and music. Chicago? Music, home food. Milwaukee? Brats, the Rave and Turner Hall. Lyon
ON THE HORIZON: LISSIE AND “BULLY”
Rock Island does not have anything going for it in Illinois. It is the final gasp of breath before you plunge across the border on I-80 and into that corn stalk heaven of Iowa. So it comes as a surprise to find Lissie, breaking waters in the UK, happened to sprout out from those farmlands and [&hel
Review: Mumford & Sons – Love Your Ground EP (2008)
Up until recent, Mumford & Sons has been that still, crystal clear water. After their recent touring stints, people have taken to the band so that they’re starting to take their course into the currents of music. The London-based folk and bluegrass outfit, briefly, is on the heels of
Review: Laura Marling – My Manic And I EP
This year’s Mercury Prize in the UK was given to Elbow‘s The Seldom Seen Kid (Geffen Records, 2008). While it is a fine album who’s flourishes grow subtly over time, it failed to immerse the listener as the melodious music of Laura Marling does. Laura is a young folk singer-songwriter f