Archive for June, 2011
Sara Bareilles
“I know when a tune is done because it’s that same feeling as knowing you’re on to something when you’re starting a song. There’s that little period of time after a song is done when you want to make tweaks and adjustments. But I’m not very precious about those things, choosing one word over another. […]
Jim Lauderdale: Reason and Rhyme
Americana music hero Jim Lauderdale is back to pure bluegrass on “Reason and Rhyme,” a collaboration with lyricist Robert Hunter. It’s the perfect showcase for Lauderdale’s ‘grass-with-a-twist sensibilities.
Van Morrison
“There’s no difference between lyrics and poetry. Words are words. The only difference is the people who are in academic positions and call themselves poets and have an academic stance. They’ve got something to lose if they say it’s all poetry; if there’s not music to it, and you have to wear a certain kind […]
Rickie Lee Jones
“Songs are architectural, living, changing aural environments. It’s difficult to disassemble them. Some lines are just a part of your life—you sing them over and over again. But for the most part, the songs that I don’t use don’t get found anywhere. They are rather developers, things that lead to other, better songs, hopefully. But […]
Ben Harper
“It’s one thing to be a songwriter, but I’m about to go online and have some discussion about artwork. It’s okay that it takes more than songwriting [to be an artist]. That’s a funny thing about living in L.A. and Hollywood. Hollywood loves its accomplished, but it loathes its ambitious. Which I find an odd […]
Pink
I remember watching Star Search when I was 9 and saying, “God, if I don’t make it this year, I’m done.” They were only cute up until they were 9! I thought, “If I hit 10 next year and I haven’t done any of this shit, my life is over.” At the same time, I […]
Graham Colton: Pacific Coast Eyes
Graham Colton’s new release showcases his ability to reflect life through art and form an emotional connection with his listeners.
Phil Collins
I remember people saying that was the Peter Gabriel drum sound, but I was the guy who played that stuff on the third album, “Intruder” and all that. It was as much mine, because with that kind of drum sound, you’re composing [sings drum beat from “Intruder”]. That was me, you know? I came up […]
Bruce Cockburn
When I went to Baghdad I ended up being introduced to this young oud player—an Iraqi guy who’d studied in Egypt. He sang in Arabic, and played really quite beautifully. And then it was my turn, so I pulled out the dobro and just started screwing around thinking that I would sort of work my […]
Michael Franks: Time Together
Iconic jazz singer-songwriter Michael Franks is back with his first CD in five years, and his timeless sounds unfold like a summer vacation.