Author Archives: Roman Gokhman
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INTERVIEW: Grace McKagan ready to turn up the noise with her next phase
Grace McKagan, courtesy. When her punk band the Pink Slips broke up during the early part of the pandemic and Grace McKagan set out as a solo artist, she wanted to show off a different, softer side of her music. Her first solo EP, 2022’s Heart of Hearts, showed…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Kings of Leon unwind on ‘Can We Please Have Fun’
Kings of Leon, “Can We Please Have Fun.” The last the world heard from Kings of Leon, the Southern rockers had scrapped the remainder of a 2021 tour to grieve the passing of their matriarch, Betty Ann Followill. What began as a hopeful post-lockdown return dissipated like the sun’s…
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Abracadabra: Craig David back in his ‘R&B bag’ of tricks for new music
Craig David, courtesy. More than two decades after his breakout debut album, Craig David still holds dear his role in taking the underground genre of U.K. garage and bringing it to the masses, not only in his native England but also to the U.S., where it fits right in…
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REVIEW: Enhypen looks ready for its ‘Fate’ at Oakland Arena
Enhypen performs at Honda Center in Anaheim on April 24, 2024, courtesy Belift Lab. OAKLAND — Judging by enthusiastic crowd reactions, which included ear-piercing screams, massive singalongs and plenty of creative homemade signs throughout Oakland Arena, it appeared as though the Friday Enhypen performance was the most anticipated K-pop…
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INTERVIEW: Danville native Grace Bowers, 17, burning bright as guitar virtuoso
Grace Bowers, courtesy. The next generation’s star of American rock, blues and funk guitar is a 17-year-old high school junior from the East Bay town of Danville. Grace Bowers at BottleRock Napa Valley 12:30 p.m., Friday, May 24 (Festival runs May 24–26) Napa Valley Expo Tickets: Sold out. Grace…
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Obituary: Southern rock icon Dickey Betts, of Allman Brothers Band, dead at 80
Guitarist Dickey Betts performs with the Allman Brothers Band in New Haven, Conn. on Sept. 15, 1975. Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns. If it weren’t for Dickey Betts, there might be no Chris Stapleton, Black Crowes, ZZ Top or even Lynyrd Skynyrd as we know them. The singer and guitarist,…
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INTERVIEW: NorCal singer-actress Dylan Conrique ready to pull on her cowboy boots
Dylan Conrique, courtesy. Even with the allure of Hollywood calling, Dylan Conrique feels more comfortable in tiny Loomis, east of Sacramento, with her family’s animals and her friends nearby. That’s why despite having 2022 single “Birthday Cake” being certified gold, working with iconic pop producer Max Martin on her…
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REVIEW: The Sonics make one last boom in San Francisco
Dusty Watson (drums) and Rob Lind of The Sonics perform at Moore Theater in Seattle on April 2, 2015. Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images. SAN FRANCISCO — “Guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it,” Marty McFly told a stunned and silent…
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System Of A Down and Deftones highlight post-Outside-Lands concert in GGP
Attendees at Outside Lands in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park watch an artist performing on the Polo Field on Oct. 30, 2021. Courtesy. Another Planet Entertainment on Tuesday announced its long-rumored Golden Gate Park event that will follow Outside Lands: A day-long concert featuring System Of A Down, Deftones,…
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Interview: Alice Merton leans into big personal questions on ‘HERON’
Alice Merton, courtesy Elias Koehler. Alice Merton never harbored dreams of superstardom. Then, “No Roots” came along and accelerated her music career in unexpected ways. But along with the success and radio airplay, it brought pressure. Fans were suddenly expecting an album, and she only had a handful of…