1. American Idol Returns
American Idol is coming back for another season soon, and the judges this year are holding out hope that they’ll find the female winner the show hasn’t managed to produce in the last several seasons. One reason for this,...
2. Hip Hop and Shoes
Since the early 1980s, hip hop and rap music have made more than their fair share of contributions to the evolution of shoe styles. This goes hand in hand with changes in artists, their musical styles, and industry trends. For...
3. Conscious Rapper’s ...
You might say that “conscious rapper” is a vague, overall term for rappers who don’t get into degrading women, gun violence, and drugs. A conscious rapper is one who raps about key social issues, staying positive, and...Take Notice: ASAP Rocky
For the past couple of years, everyone has been talking about how ASAP Rocky is the next big underground rap artist to break through, but for some reason he is still on the cusp. With rave reviews from so many industry enthusiasts, and tracks that more than back them up, you would have expected him to have been taking the hip hop world by storm at this point: (more…)
The Glitch Mob & Phantogram in Asheville
West coast electronic strong holds, The Glitch Mob, are continuing their national tour with Phantogram this weekend in Asheville, North Carolina. Known for its flourishing indie scene, this alternative lifestyles hub located about 2500 feet up in the Appalachian mountains was chosen as the electronic duo’s tour stop because they knew they could attract a very strong crowd. Not only does the atmosphere around Asheville lend itself to unique and energetic crowds, especially in the summer when people are fleeing to the mountains to escape the extreme heat index of well over 100 of the lowlands for a milder version of 90 degree temps, but the downtown venue The Orange Peel has long been lauded as one of the best places not only to see live music, but to perform at as well. In its first three years as a music club, The Orange Peel was recognized as one of the best live music venues in the nation. Featured and highlighted in USA Today, Travel and Leisure Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, Turner South Cable Network, Rolling Stones Magazine, Self Magazine, Cosmopolitan, and most recently, in the May 2011 issue of GQ, the club is known for presenting up and coming new talent as well as showcasing legendary performers.
TV on the Radio Keeps Getting Better
Even though these Brooklyn art-rockers have been around for more than a decade, they somehow have released an album that rivals everything they’ve ever made, displaying expertise and skill that you know they couldn’t have produced as well a few years ago. TV on the Radio’s Nine Types of Light shines in a genre that regularly includes casual listening, background jams and delicate beats that can sometimes leave the listener more absorbed in their thoughts than the songs themselves. Their versatility over the years, with albums switching from minimalist a cappella in Young Liars to political anthems in Return to Cookie Mountain, culminates magnificently in their latest work, reminding us that even the best have room to grow. (more…)
Lollapalooza Still Going Strong After 20 Years
This Chicago music festival has come a long way from its grunge rock mosh pit days, evolving into a cross-genre three day extravaganza. Alternative grunge may have rooted Lollapalooza, but the festival has evolved over time to flow with the industry’s trends and better fit the tastes of the fans, all without losing its integrity. This year, you can see heavy hitting rap acts like Eminem and Kid Cudi, long time headlining rock and roll acts Foo Fighters and Coldplay, or opt to dive into the booming electronic scene, which has an all day rave at Perry’s Stage on the festival grounds. (more…)
Music is our Life
