Q&A
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Q&A: Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience on ‘Clash of the Cover Bands’
Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience, courtesy. Brent Meyer plays keyboard, guitar and sings in Strangelove: the Depeche Mode Experience. Strangelove recently appeared on the E! Network’s “Clash of the Cover Bands,” where they defeated the competition and now have a chance to be selected to perform on “Tonight Show…
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Q&A: Matt Nathanson going back to the ’90s with remake of U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’
Matt Nathanson Bay area musician Matt Nathanson was nice enough to take a break from a family vacation to speak with RIFF about his newest release, a song-for-song cover of U2’s Achtung Baby (timed with the 30th anniversary of that album). For Achtung Matty, Nathanson reunited virtually with long-time collaborator Aaron Tap.…
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Q&A: The ‘untidy soul’ of Samm Henshaw comes from many influences
Samm Henshaw, courtesy. You may know U.K. musician Samm Henshaw for his catchy 2018 song “Broke,” or his recent joyous gospel-flavored collaboration with EarthGang, “Church.” Speaking with Henshaw, you can’t help but root for the guy. Humble and engaging, the neo-soul singer is the kind of person who just…
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“Hamilton” actor Marja Harmon (Angelica Schuyler) on returning to the stage
“HAMILTON,” courtesy Joan Marcus/Broadway San Jose. Before regathering at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre in July to rehearse and re-kick-off their tour, the last time the cast of “Hamilton” had gathered in the same room was on March 11, 2020. “Hamilton” Running through Sunday, Oct. 31 Center for the Performing…
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Q&A: Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards learns to go with the flow
Heartless Bastards, courtesy Aaron Conway. Erika Wennerstrom has been fronting Heartless Bastards since 2003. The Austin roots-rock band’s sixth studio album, A Beautiful Life, which came out Sept. 10, is some of her strongest material since 2012’s Arrow. On it, she ponders the value of taking chances, materialism, enlightenment,…
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Q&A: Molly Moore focusing on herself in life and new music
Molly Moore performs at BottleRock Napa Valley at the Napa Valley Expo on Sept. 4, 2021. Adam Pardee/STAFF. NAPA — After Molly Moore first moved from New York to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time music career, besides the more typical work waiting tables, she’d pick up numerous odd…
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Q&A: Chris Pierce opening hearts and changing the face of Americana
Chris Pierce performs at BottleRock Napa Valley at the Napa Valley Expo on Sept. 5, 2021. Adam Pardee/STAFF. Chris Pierce has been busy. Between his Americana-flavored trio Leon Creek, his soulful collaboration with Sunny War (War & Pierce), and his hard-hitting blues-folk solo album American Silence, it’s surprising he…
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Q&A: Work ethic pays off for former auto dealership porter JJ Wilde
JJ Wilde performs at BottleRock Napa Valley at the Napa Valley Expo on Sept. 4, 2021. Adam Pardee/STAFF. NAPA — Building momentum off a tremendous run of success, including three No. 1s in her native Canada and a JUNO Award for Rock Album of the Year (becoming the first…
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Q&A: Nick Urata of DeVotchKa on how the pandemic reaffirmed his priorities
Nick Urata of DeVotchKa performs at SXSW in Austin, Tex. in 2011. Jane Hu/STAFF. Denver quartet DeVotchKa may not have released an album in three years, but its members have stayed busy, even during the pandemic. Violinist Tom Hagerman dove into the Suzuki method, teaching the instrument to children,…
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Jerry Harrison, Adrian Belew and Turkuaz reimagine the Talking Heads’ ‘Remain In Light’
Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads (second from left) and Adrian Belew (second from right) perform with Turkuaz. Courtesy Michael Weintrob. Guitarist Jerry Harrison has wanted to play Talking Heads songs again for a very long time. He didn’t want them to break up in 1991. After the band…
