-
Morrissey’s pre-Smiths letters to be auctioned
Letters written by Morrissey before he found fame as the frontman of The Smiths are being sold at auction, offering collectors and fans rare insight into his life and creative development prior to international recognition. The sale underlines the enduring appeal of memorabilia connected to influential musicians, particularly material predating their commercial breakthrough. The correspondence…
-
The “beautiful” 1962 song John Lennon could listen to forever
The article discusses John Lennon’s admiration for ‘Some Other Guy’, a 1962 song by Richie Barrett, which The Beatles regularly performed in their early live sets. It matters because Lennon reportedly regarded the group’s version as one of his most satisfying recordings, illustrating the lasting influence of early rock and roll on his musical tastes.…
-
3 Acoustic Songs From the 1990s That Will Instantly Turn You Into a Fan of Grunge
The article highlights three acoustic grunge performances from the 1990s, arguing that stripped-back recordings reveal the genre’s emotional depth beyond its usual heavy sound. – Alice in Chains’ “Would?” from *Unplugged* (1996) is presented as a sombre tribute to Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood. – Pearl Jam’s “Alive” from *MTV Unplugged* (1992) shows the…
-
Synth historian Oli Freke will spend big on a good bicycle
Synth historian and musician Oli Freke discusses his work on Beat Gems, an upcoming Bjooks coffee-table book charting the history of drum machines. The project matters because it examines how drum machines have shaped musical culture and offers both historical material and practical guidance for users of old and modern equipment. Freke has previously written…
-
ENTHEOS’s CHANEY CRABB Offers Advice To New Metal Bands: ‘Don’t Quit’ And ‘Stay True To Your Vision’
Entheos vocalist Chaney Crabb has urged new metal bands not to give up and to remain faithful to their artistic vision, arguing that persistence and self-belief are essential in an industry where earning a living is difficult. Her comments matter because they highlight the financial and personal pressures faced by emerging musicians, while rejecting outside…
-
It’s Not Easy to Open a New Venue, But That’s Not Stopping These Music Lovers
Mumford & Sons’ Ben Lovett has opened Pacific Electric, a 750-capacity music venue in downtown Los Angeles, despite the financial and regulatory difficulties facing new live-music spaces. He hopes the venue will help strengthen an area near Chinatown and the Los Angeles River that is still recovering from the pandemic, while recognising that cultural development…
-
What song was number one the day the Berlin Wall fell in 1989?
When the Berlin Wall fell on 9 November 1989, the UK number one was ‘That’s What I Like’ by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers. The article uses this contrast between a major political turning point and a novelty pop record to show how ordinary popular culture continued alongside the historic events reshaping Europe. The single…
-
4 of Levon Helm’s Grittiest and Greatest Vocals From His Time in The Band
The article highlights four Levon Helm vocal performances with The Band, arguing that his rough-edged, conversational style gave the group’s songs much of their emotional credibility. It presents Helm as a singer able to convey warmth, mischief, grief and conviction, helping make these recordings especially memorable. – “The Weight”: Helm sings the first three verses,…
-
Kurt Vile & Czarface’s Esoteric Finally Link Up Onstage In Boston
Kurt Vile and Esoteric of hip-hop group Czarface performed together for the first time in Boston, with Esoteric rapping over Vile’s 2018 song “Bassackwards”. The collaboration follows Vile’s public praise for a Czarface/MF DOOM album, and may signal interest in future music between the artists. The appearance took place at the Royale during Vile’s tour…
-
5 Johnny Cash Songs You Must Know To Call Yourself a Fan
The article selects five Johnny Cash songs it considers essential for fans: – “Ring of Fire” (1963), written by June Carter and made famous by Cash’s Grammy Hall of Fame version. – “I Walk the Line” (1956), Cash’s first US country chart-topper and a major breakthrough. – “Get Rhythm” (1969), highlighted as an upbeat Cash-written…