For fans of progressive rock, the decade from 1970 to 1979 has always stood as the heyday of the style, when virtually all of the elements fell into place. English and American bands are best known, but in other countries around the world, similar kinds of innovation were flourishing; in Sweden, the young men who called themselves Trettioåriga Kriget produced several albums that caught the attention of listeners outside their native land. The band remained active until 1980, but the turn of the century saw them getting back together and making new music. » Read more (Posted by Jon Davis 2019-01-22)
We last spoke with drummer Paul Sears about ten years ago, and when that interview was recently posted on the site, it was apparent that an update was in order. While The Muffins may be no more, Sears has been very active musically, and there was a lot of catching up to do. » Read more (Posted by Jon Davis 2018-01-29)
A lot of has happened to Proud Peasant since we introduced you to them in 2014. Now they are in the middle of recording their second album and we wanted to bring everyone up to date, plus introduce you to the band members. First, we’ll hear from leader Xander Rapstine (guitars, vocals, and composer) on what has happened over the past three years and his plans for the future. » Read more (Posted by Henry Schneider 2017-11-22)
With a recorded career stretching back to the early 70s and including many luminaries, Adam Rudolph surely qualifies as one of the most prominent percussionists in jazz. He was at the forefront of fusing African sounds into Western forms, and he’s led many innovative and creative ensembles. He has also developed a concept of rhythm that is a synthesis of many styles from around the world and written about it in the book Pure Rhythm. » Read more (Posted by Jon Davis 2017-09-18)
In this or any other musical era, the band Alex's Hand stands out as different. Very little about them, from the music they play to the convoluted story that has taken them from Seattle to Berlin, conforms to expectations or standards. "Fiercely independent" is an understatement of their attitude. I've been a fan since I first saw them in a dive bar in Seattle, and have kept up with them ever since. I caught up with them from Berlin via email. » Read more (Posted by Jon Davis 2017-08-04)
Another of Austin’s best-kept musical secrets in its growing community of musicians who are constantly pushing boundaries is progressive art rock musician Sam Arnold. Here is another chapter in Exposé’s continued efforts to bring this music to a larger audience. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing Sam Arnold’s efforts with Opposite Day and his new project Sam Arnold and the Secret Keepers. So I wanted to learn more about the man behind the music. » Read more (Posted by Henry Schneider 2017-06-30)
On the upper floor of a large garage on back side of the property, equipped better than most commercial garages might be, we walk up a long stairway and open a red door with something scrawled on it. This is Randy Graves’ world class recording studio, where he and drummer Kyle Nish have been working on the latest Kalaban release, Edge of Infinity. These days it’s more of a project than a working band. If there were a need to play live, musicians would have to be hired to play the various parts, but at this point Graves and Nish are content to simply create music in the studio and record it. Tonight is a special night, they are working on a long piece of music (as yet untitled) destined to be used as the soundtrack for a motor sport racing DVD, filmed on the Bonneville salt flats west of the Great Salt Lake. » Read more (Posted by Peter Thelen 2017-06-22)
Among the many groups that have originated with Robert Fripp’s Guitar Craft seminars, Zero Times Everything stands as an outlier. While there are guitars involved, the music is largely electronic, with programmed percussion parts, heavily processed sounds, and sampled voices. About as far from the California Guitar Trio (for example) as you can get, at least on the surface. » Read more (Posted by Jon Davis 2017-05-19)
For about ten years now, Jack o' the Clock has been turning heads and ears with their singular style of music, which takes in elements of classical music, folk, and rock, combining them with a heavy dose of "It's so crazy it just might work!" Leader Damon Waitkus has assembled an ensemble who demonstrate that formal musical education does not always kill creativity, blending bass guitar and drum kit with violin, bassoon, hammer dulcimer, and countless other instruments common and obscure. » Read more (Posted by Jon Davis 2017-05-09)
As if we needed more proof that creative music can spring up outside the so-called cultural centers of the country, we have Human Ottoman, a trio from Portland, Oregon. Grouping together drum kit, vibraphone, and cello is unconventional enough, but they take it to another level by writing music that contains elements of jazz, rock, and electronics combined with reckless abandon and an adventurous spirit. To say they sound like no other band is not hyperbole, but simple statement of fact. » Read more (Posted by Jon Davis 2017-04-14)