It's autumn now, which means colorful leaves, pumpkin spiced everything, and quality films parading around, hoping to get the attention of The Academy! Lucky for us music fans this year, so many of these movies center around some of our favorite artists - Joan Jett! Freddie Mercury! Hell, even Bradley Cooper looks like he can... Continue Reading →
5 Things About Opening Acts That Just Baffle Me
Serving as the warm up band at a concert—what a thankless job that’s gotta be. No one’s there to see you. Few people there have probably even heard of you, let alone care that you’re sweating buckets up there on stage. But hey, you have to start your career somewhere. I’ve seen my share of... Continue Reading →
Come My Lady, You’re My Butterfly: What a Glorious Piece of Trash That Crazy Town Song Was
Hoo boy was the turn of the century a doozy of a time for pop music. I was a tween, which is ideal considering Britney and Christina were just breaking out, BSB and NSYNC were holdin' strong, and the songs "Summer Girls" by LFO, and "All Star" by Smash Mouth (yep, what a concept) were at... Continue Reading →
I Come From a Band Down Under: Five Australian Bands You Should Know
The idea for this blog post came shortly after my fairly recent discovery (via Steven Hyden’s Minneapolis-based Celebration Rock podcast) of the Australian rock band Gang of Youths. With their catchy, who-wouldn’t-like-this? perfect little rock songs and a fully-formed image, it was initially surprising to me that I’d never caught wind of these dudes before.... Continue Reading →
Christian Joy: (Not Just a) Seamstress for the Band
(Header photo: Christian Joy, left, with Karen O, right.) Costume designer Christian Joy's clothes are not exactly what you'd find in an American Eagle or a JCPenney's. They're made of leather and plastic and all kinds of unconventional materials that are shimmery and day-glo They're beaded and feathered, draped with yarn and pounded with grommets... Continue Reading →
Julie & Hannah Discuss Their Strange, Unexplainable Love of Bon Jovi
My childhood friend Hannah and I decided to sit down and talk recently about the love we had, as 12- and 13-year-olds, of the band Bon Jovi. In the videos posted below, you'll learn the answers to such exciting questions as: - What item of furniture did we decoupage pictures of the band onto? -... Continue Reading →
I Challenged Myself to a 30-Day Music Challenge (Which Isn’t at All Sad, Right?)
I've seen people on social media take part in these 30-day music challenges before, but sadly no one has ever challenged me. So I challenged myself! Pathetic? Sure. Fun? Yep! Also, it turns out, the most challenging part of all of this was being allowed to pick only one song for each. Many of these... Continue Reading →
We’re Not Worthy of: Sheer Mag
Welcome to We're Not Worthy, a new feature on the blog where I'll be showcasing an amazing up-and-coming band or artist you really need to check out. I'll give you the basics right here and then send you on your merry way. In the words of Wayne and Garth: "We're not worthy! We're not worthy!" Who: Sheer Mag... Continue Reading →
Duet Go Breaking My Heart: My Favorite Female/Male Pairings
In celebration of the new Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile duet album, Lotta Sea Lice, I put together a playlist of some of my personal favorite female/male duets from the past 50 years. Some duos harmonize while some trade off on vocal duties. Some are romantic and some are (like in the case of a... Continue Reading →
Serenity Now: A Playlist For When You Can’t Remember the Last Day There Wasn’t a Big Horrible News Story and All You Need Is To Freaking Relax For a Minute
"Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves Let me forget about today until tomorrow" Stressed? I feel ya. It's been rough lately. Just when you start to mentally process one scandal/mass... Continue Reading →