Duncan Sheik Readies ’80s Cover Album

First he’s “barely breathing” and getting Grammy noms, then he’s snagging Tonys for the smash Broadway hit musical Spring Awakening, and now he’s traveling back in time to the land of the ’80s?! June 7 will mark the release of Duncan Sheik’s latest album, Covers 80s (Sneaky Records/MRI). After years out of the spotlight working [...]

Ryan Adams Names His Favorite Alt-Country Song

Ryan Adams took to Facebook today to post a video of his favorite alt-country song… and no, it isn’t by Whiskeytown, Jason and the Scorchers, The Jayhawks, Iris Dement or Uncle Tupelo. Adams reserves that honor for “I Remember You,” the 1989 MTV and radio hit from New Jersey hard rock band Skid Row. “This [...]

Heidecker & Wood: TV Guys Do Sunshine Pop

What began as a gag effort ended up a real piece of AM sunshine solid gold. Starting From Nowhere is the result of two T.V. dudes’ foray into some serious pop music, albeit with a dose of underhanded ludicrousness. It could be filed alongside the growing canon of yacht rock revivalists, only Tim Heidecker and [...]

20 Million Taylor Swift Fans Can’t Be Wrong

Panic! At The Disco: Vices & Virtues

World-beating pop-punkers refocus their attack.

Robbie Robertson: How to Become Clairvoyant

Band legend shakes off the weight of expectations.

Foursquare’s Tools For Musicians And Promoters

With more and more emphasis being placed on both location-based social media and group commerce, Foursquare, which launched two years ago at SXSW, is taking steps to incorporate music and live events into their product. The service, which lets users “check-in” at different locations, also awards points and lets users leave tips for other users [...]

Lelia Broussard Covers SXSW For American Songwriter

Back in December, Lelia Broussard wowed us with her cover of the White Stripes’ “Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground.” Since then, a lot has happened for the 21-year-old Louisiana native. Broussard, whose debut album Masquerade was released earlier this month, now finds herself in the Top 8 of the Rolling Stone Cover Contest. Click [...]

Last Night’s American Idol: Best “Candle In The Wind” Ever?

Eleven American Idol contestants tackled the songs of Elton John last night, and tonight, two of them will be voted off the show. Who deserves to go? Not 16-year-old Lauren Alaina. Her rendition of the usually schlocky “Candle In The Wind” was the first time I’ve enjoyed that song in probably ever. Clearly, it’s a [...]

The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards: The Winners Are In

MRG has announced the winners of the 10th annual Independent Music Awards, the “influential awards program for fans and bands.” Among this years’ distinguished winners are Jackson Browne and David Lindley (Live Performance Album for Love Is Strange), Possessed by Paul James (Alt. Country Album for Feed The Family), Darell Scott (Country Album for A [...]