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Tom Waits: The Gravel-Voiced Troubadour’s History and Best Songs
Tom Waits follows the gravelly-voiced musical path of blues and jazz vocal greats like Howlin’ Wolf and Louis Armstrong. Defying musical category, Tom also tips his well-worn hat to rock, experimental...
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The Soul of Indie Rock: The Black Keys
The Black Keys lead the pack in today’s rock-n-roll culture. This duo from Akron, Ohio have been playing blues-soaked garage rock since 2001. Their sound has become more progressively catchy and even...
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Music Quote: Billie Holiday on Being Original
“If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling. No two people on Earth are alike, and it’s got to be that way in music or it isn’t music.” -Billie Holiday Jazz legend Billie Holiday...
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The Orchestral Psychedelic Rock of The Joy Formidable
Psychedelic rock band The Joy Formidable holed up in the tiny town of Casko, Maine to create the new full-length Wolf’s Law. The Welsh/English band had a lot to live up to, since the success of their...
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Macklemore: The Seattle Rapper’s History and Best Songs
Macklemore and his collaborator Ryan Lewis wrote the song “Thrift Shop” because they thought it would be fun to make the video. A few years ago I interviewed Macklemore in person for KEXP...
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The Soul Electricity of Pop-Rock Band Fitz and The Tantrums
After their last tour in 2012, Fitz and the Tantrums wrote 40 songs in 3o days. The The band’s second full-length record More Than Just a Dream drops May 7. The Los Angeles band’s retro-soul-rock sound...
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DJ Calvin Harris Sings To Club Beats: Latest Full-Length Features Florence
DJ Calvin Harris breaks the unspoken rule that DJs should not sing to their club beats. Bravely stepping up with a headset microphone and simple, catchy love songs he has now become a worldwide...
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The Cure: History and Best Songs
The Cure are one of the great U.K. rock pop bands. Influenced by the savage punk era, the post-punk sound keeps the angst and adds sophisticated melodies and instruments. Robert Smith leads all of his...
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Musician Quote: The Clash’s Joe Strummer On Being Tough
“The toughest thing is facing yourself. Being honest with yourself, that’s much tougher than beating someone up. That’s what I call tough.” - Joe Strummer from New Wave Punk Rock Explosion. The Clash...
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Disco Loop + Soul Singer + Robot Suits = Daft Punk’s Video for “Get Lucky”
Resistance is futile. Legendary French electronic duo Daft Punk have been blowing minds in the underground electronic and worldwide pop music scenes since 1997. The first single from their forthcoming...
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Top Ten Posts on Soulful Alternative
1. Macklemore: The Seattle Rapper’s History and Best Songs 2. The Soul of Rock: The Ramones! 3. Florench Welch Vs. Mick Jagger in a ‘Gimme Shelter’ Vocal Battle 4. Family Dance Mix: 20 Tracks for Kids...
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Janelle Monae: New Song “Q.U.E.E.N” Featuring Erykah Badu
In her trademark black and white suits, Janelle Monae brings dance, theater, film and art to her videos. A master of songwriting and singing, her futuristic sound encompasses soul, hip-hop and rock...
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Best of Thievery Corporation: Rob Garza’s Summer Mixes 2013
D.C. duo Thievery Corporation have made internationally-flavored and political-themed tracks for over a decade. One of my top 10 records of all time is their release Richest Man in Babylon. Trip-hop...
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Happy Birthday Sid Vicious! A Tribute To The Sex Pistols
With only two years and one studio album, the Sex Pistols made themselves punk royalty. In a riveting feat the first commercially successful punk band soared to the top then self-destructed as nations...
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The Warm Psychedelic Sounds of Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo can play a range of styles, from innocent to edgy, lighthearted to dark. Their best sound is from their psychedelic phase in the late 90s. On the record I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One...
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Grouplove’s Latest Hedonistic Dance Single –“Ways to Go”
File under “guilty pleasure.” Grouplove’s dance pop is anything but complicated. Frontman Christian Zucconi’s vocal style ranges from angsty folk to pop feelgood to sedated punk rocker. Robotic and...
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M.I.A. Releases Gold Edition of “Bring the Noize” Video
Formerly a refugee from Sri Lanka, musical legend M.I.A. is undeniably now a citizen of the world. She leaps over musical and physical boundaries, challenging the status quo with her lyrics, loops and...
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Diplo Wakes Up the Dance Floor with Summer Single “Crown”
Simple summer pleasures… Diplo’s propulsive, warm, satisfying new single “Crown” hit dance floors across the planet this week. International sensation Diplo A.K.A. Wesley Pentz was born in Tupelo,...
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The Latest Track from Basement Jaxx: “What A Difference Your Love Makes”
Basement Jaxx’s new soul-meets-house dance track could be their best yet. “What a Difference You Love Makes” is not only propulsive, but the message and beat are inspiring. Simon Ratcliffe and Felix...
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The Heartbreakingly Beautiful Songs of Jazz Legend Billie Holiday
Jazz Legend Billie Holiday referred to all of her songs as “the blues.” She talks about them here and performs her classic “Fine and Mellow.” One of the saddest stories in music history, Billie Holiday...
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