Like many California cities hit hard by the real estate crash, Indio (near Palm Springs) has been forced to make steep cutbacks to avoid bankruptcy. But unlike other cities, Indio hosts the highest-grossing music festival in the world — Coachella — which wraps up this weekend. It has made city leaders eager to capitalize on [...]
Chris Brown Showcases Vocals, New Introspection On 6th Album, ‘X’
March 26, 2013 | Posted by
“We made it like the club in the studio!” Chris Brown tells Rolling Stone of the party-hearty process behind recording his upcoming album, X. “We’d have people come in, turn the lights off and play all the music. It was a good way to gauge people’s reactions.” That bumping atmosphere belied the singer’s newfound introspection: [...]
The Improbable but Increasing Influence of NPR Music
March 15, 2013 | Posted by
The cluttered corner of an office on the fifth floor of NPR headquarters hardly suggests a coveted music venue, but the band Lucius is thrilled to be here. On a winter afternoon, the up-and-coming five-member group, led by singers Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, performs a spirited four-song set for about 30 network employees who [...]
New Children’s Book Introduces John Coltrane’s Life, Music and Spirituality
October 19, 2012 | Posted by
Sometimes, when you lose almost everything as a child, a lifeline appears that restores your faith and re-ignites your spirit. For John Coltrane, that lifeline was the saxophone, and the musical dreams it inspired. Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane’s Musical Journey (Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)-written by NY Times-bestselling author Gary Golio (JIMI: Sounds Like A Rainbow) and [...]
Houston Person: The Tenor Sax Legend Has a Prolific Catalogue of Albums That Keeps on Growing
October 11, 2012 | Posted by
Houston Person has made more records than you. Exactly how many more, it’s tough to say. But consider this: The soul-jazz innovator has been on this earth for 77 years, and he figures he’s released at least that many albums under his own name. A tenor saxophonist of serious renown, Person first gained recognition as a recording artist [...]
Rihanna Knocks One Direction from Top of Charts
October 1, 2012 | Posted by
One Direction was sitting on top of the charts because of their single “Live While We’re Young” but they were knocked out by Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” “Diamonds” was originally slated to be released next month but Rihanna decided to move the date up and announced the new single last week. After it was released to the [...]
Taliban Beheads 17 in Afghanistan for Holding a Party
August 27, 2012 | Posted by
The Taliban beheaded 15 men and 2 women in an Afghanistan village for holding a party that included music and possibly dancing, which are prohibited by the Taliban. “I can confirm that this is the work of the Taliban,” the Helmand provincial governor’s spokesman Daud Ahmadi told AFP. “Two women and 15 men were beheaded. [...]
Jay-Z and Kanye West Rock ‘N***as In Paris’ 12 Times at Paris Show
June 19, 2012 | Posted by
Jay-Z and Kanye West played their track ‘N***as In Paris’ 12 times at their show in the French capital last night. The rappers have been performing their signature track an increasing number of times during their ‘Watch The Throne’ tour, culminating with a personal record of 12 times at their most recent show. Introducing the [...]
BeatStars: It’s Like an iTunes for Beats
June 13, 2012 | Posted by
With the new music industry taking a shift to virtually obsolete release dates and on-demand music services, the ever-growing need for high quality (and affordable) music production is at an all-time high. In comes BeatStars, a digital production marketplace where singer/songwriters, producers, and vocalists can collaborate and monetize their compositions. BeatStars claims to have the [...]
Thoughts From A “Nice Guy” – 10 Songs Inspiring Female Relationship Questions
May 2, 2012 | Posted by
Hey Folks, I just wanted to introduce myself. I am the “Nice Guy.” You probably know me. I usually talk to you after work so you can vent and then go talk or be with the person you really want to be with. You usually tell me we need to find you a nice girl [...]
