Q&A
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Interview: 25 years on, Chuck D and Public Enemy still fighting the power
Public Enemy, courtesy: David Wong. When Public Enemy burst onto the music scene in 1987, helping to popularize rap (along with the Beastie Boys and Run DMC), socio-politically conscious co-founder and MC Chuck D polarized the country with lyrics that criticized the justice system and the media. White Middle…
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Interview: British quartet Alt-J having fun on the road in America
Alt-J, courtesy. This much is certain about British indie pop quartet Alt-J: When answering questions for a journalist from the road and one of the band members is asleep and unable to defend himself, the remaining three will tease him mercilessly. The unlucky recipient currently is guitarist-bassist Gwil Sainsbury,…
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Interview: Kristen Schaal part of Outside Lands’ spotlight on comedy
Kristen Schaal, courtesy. On-screen, comedian Kristen Schaal is best known for the off-beat, menacing yet lovable roles of band-stalker Mel on the HBO series Flight of the Conchords and, now, the Kenneth-abusing Hazel Wassername on NBC’s 30 Rock. Since first making waves in 2005, she’s had appearances as a…
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Interview: Grouplove goes from Greek isle to concert stage
Grouplove, courtesy. In 2008, painter Hannah Hooper moved from San Francisco to Brooklyn, where she scraped by on infrequent commissioned jobs. It was before she got her big artistic break — not with a brush, but with Grouplove, in front of a microphone. Being in an unfamiliar place during…
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Q&A: How The Pierces broke up for a day, then found international success
The Pierces perform at HP Pavilion in San Jose on April 27, 2012. Following three commercially unsuccessful albums, Alabama-born and raised sisters Allison and Catherine Pierce had decided that a joint music career might not be in-store. The following day Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman called them and said he…
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Q&A: The National bassist Scott Devendorf on making a statement at TIMF
Scott Devendorf of The National performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on April 26, 2014. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune. Cincinnati-via-Brooklyn alt-rockers the National were two shows away from finishing their current tour when they arrived in the soggy Bay Area Sunday afternoon…
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Q&A: Amadou and Mariam make their American entrance
Amadou and Mariam, courtesy. Amadou, the son of a soldier, grew up in the village of Douenza in Mali, in western Africa. That is is 500 miles from the capital city of Bamako; Mariam’s home. He lost his eyesight at a young age due to a congenital cataract. Mariam,…
