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3 Songs From the 60s That Were Written About Real Relationship Drama
An American Songwriter feature revisits three well-known 1960s songs, showing how each was rooted in the songwriters’ real romantic relationships rather than pure invention. It highlights how personal heartbreak and complicated unions became creative material for some of the era’s most influential musicians, offering fans insight into the true stories behind familiar lyrics. The Beatles’…
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Brandi Carlile Reschedules Her European Tour Citing “Personal Circumstances”
Brandi Carlile has postponed her UK and European tour dates, originally planned for this autumn, to spring next year, citing unspecified “personal circumstances”. The singer-songwriter announced the change on Instagram, admitting she had felt “profoundly anxious” about sharing the news and acknowledging it would be disappointing for fans, particularly those who had arranged international travel…
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RUSH Drummer ANIKA NILLES On GEDDY LEE And ALEX LIFESON: ‘If You Know Those Two Guys, They Are So Funny And They’re So Human’
German fusion drummer Anika Nilles has spoken about joining Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson on the band’s “Fifty Something” tour, discussing the challenge of stepping into the role left by the late Neil Peart. In a new interview with Thomann’s Drum Bash, she described approaching the material with care and respect for Peart’s legacy…
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How Keith Richards inadvertently ruined The Byrds’ 1968 album: “That was the end”
The article argues that Keith Richards indirectly disrupted The Byrds’ work on their 1968 country-rock album, *Sweetheart of the Rodeo*, by becoming close to the group’s newest and most influential member, Gram Parsons. Parsons’ growing interest in spending time with Richards and Mick Jagger coincided with his departure from the band, leaving The Byrds without…
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3 Rock Songs From the 1970s That Hardcore Fans Love More Than Casual Listeners
This is a light entertainment listicle from American Songwriter highlighting three well-known 1970s rock tracks that dedicated fans rate more highly than casual listeners tend to. Rather than obscure deep cuts, these are established staples in their artists’ catalogues that don’t get the same radio-friendly recognition as other hits, and the piece frames them as…
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Deltarune’s ‘The Third Sanctuary’ is an affront to time signatures, and also one of my favourite songs in a videogame ever
The article is an opinion/appreciation piece from PC Gamer praising “The Third Sanctuary,” a music track from Toby Fox’s RPG Deltarune, for its unconventional and constantly shifting time signatures. The writer frames the track as a standout example of ambitious videogame composition, arguing that its rhythmic complexity makes it one of the best pieces of…
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The 1991 tour that got George Harrison to quit smoking: “Eric suggested it”
George Harrison had been a smoker since he was 12 and struggled to quit for decades, but a 1991 tour of Japan with Eric Clapton finally set him on the path to giving up. Harrison had long been reluctant to tour after The Beatles split, playing only occasionally in the following decades, so the shows…
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3 of the Best 90s Bands That Gen Alpha Might Not Listen to but Really Should
An American Songwriter article highlights three acclaimed 1990s bands that younger listeners, particularly Gen Alpha, may have overlooked despite their significant chart success and cultural impact. The piece argues that while grunge and industrial rock enthusiasts remain familiar with these acts, casual or younger listeners might only know individual songs or, in the case of…
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Take a first look inside Leeds’ major new revamped music venue TESTBED
Leeds venue TESTBED is set to reopen next month following a major overhaul that has significantly expanded its footprint and capacity, cementing its status as a leading multi-purpose space in the city since it first opened in 2021. Founders Laura Wellington and James Abbott-Donnelly oversaw the redevelopment, which introduces new features including a 360-degree crowd…
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Every Baby Boomer Alive Remembers These 4 Classic Pop Jams From 1969
An American Songwriter feature revisits four pop and soul hits from 1969 that it argues remain instantly familiar to baby boomers, spotlighting a year the piece credits as a particularly strong one for soul, disco and rock crossovers on the charts. The list serves as a nostalgic round-up rather than breaking news, drawing on chart…