The term “raw talent” fits New York City singer-songwriter Jay Brannan to a “T.” He admits he knows little about the guitar, in fact he didn’t even know the names of the strings while writing most of his music. And yet, after just a few short years of open mic […]
Tag: album

Press Pass with Kirsten Price
Things have been a little stressful of late for British soul songstress Kirsten Price. So much so, in fact, that she’s already set aside time to lose her sanity.

Press Pass with Year Long Disaster
Critical thought does not often enter into the creative process of L.A.-based band Year Long Disaster. Time and again when questioned about the band’s work on their eponymous debut album, guitarist and frontman Daniel Davies deferred to various forms of the answer “It just happened.”
Press Pass with Band of Heathens
“Organic” is one polite term that could be used to describe the formation of the Austin-based Band of Heathens. “Accidental” is a more blunt, though perhaps more accurate label. Regardless of the adjective, when you listen to the country-rock collective, it’s apparent that any accident that brought songwriters Colin Brooks, […]
Press Pass: Local H
Near the end of an interview that ranges from contemplative to combative, Local H frontman Scott Lucas shares one of his main motivations behind continuing his acclaimed career in music — a fierce desire to show that he and no one else controls his own destiny and shove it […]
Press Pass: Seether
The sailing has never been entirely smooth for South African hard rockers Seether and the recent years have been especially rocky. Guitarist Pat Callahan walked away from the band. Lead singer Shaun Morgan endured a rather public break up with Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee, the co-crooner on Seether’s smash-hit […]
Press Pass: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers
There’s something about air travel that gives Stephen Kellogg pause. When the wheels lift off, so does his mind soaring off into self-reflection. Maybe it’s the proximity to the heavens, or the turbulence that imparts a trepidation that every sip from his mini-Coke can might be his last. Whatever it […]

Press Pass: Shelby Lynne
Shelby Lynne wants no part of comparisons regarding her new album, Just a Little Lovin’, a collection of Dusty Springfield covers. In Lynne’s mind, she bears no similarities to Springfield, the British soul singer who arguably enjoyed the most success of any female member of the British Invasion.

Off Track: Justin Townes Earle
The common perception is that diving into an industry in which your father is famous is both a blessing and a curse. For Justin Townes Earle, son of Steve Earle, that perception holds true, though he’s not too concerned with the latter.
Roger Clyne & Turbo Ocho
Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers might sound a little familiar. Maybe it’s because frontman singer/songwriter Clyne had a hit in the 90’s with a song about stupid people, border guards and Jean-Luc Picard.