Aug 01, 2010
By Chris Tinkham
Issue #32 - Summer 2010 - Wasted on the Youth
Born in 1980, Sara Quin was too young to experience the juggernaut that was Phil Collins during the mid-1980s. As a solo artist and the lead singer of Genesis, Collins became a persistent hit-maker and pop culture presence, from his chart-topping theme song to the 1984 film Against All Odds and his 1985 transatlantic Live Aid performances, to the use of “In the Air Tonight” on Miami Vice, and the Genesis track “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight” in Michelob commercials. More
Aug 01, 2010
By Jim James
Issue #32 - Summer 2010 - Wasted on the Youth
Making sure I had properly saved my game, I pushed the power button on my Nintendo Entertainment System to bring that day's Legend of Zelda adventures to a close. When Zelda disappeared, there was a man staring at me from the TV—a sharp-dressed man in a fine suit with his black hair slicked back, eyes searching for something beyond me at that time. Special Agent Dale Cooper—he spoke to something in me that was “good.” Something that wanted to know the truth about what all those grownups were doing. More
Jul 29, 2010
By Hays Davis
Issue #32 - Summer 2010 - Wasted on the Youth
Musicians reflect on their first concerts. Includes stories from Tegan & Sara, Camera Obscura, Girl Talk, Owen Pallett, Art Brut, The Hold Steady, MGMT, Broken Social Scene, Ariel Pink, !!!, Mew, Real Estate, The Dears, Vivian Girls, Mayer Hawthorne, The Drums, Telekinesis, Fuck Buttons, El Guincho, and more. More
Jul 28, 2010
By Matt Fink
Web Exclusive
Damian Abraham (aka Pink Eyes) doesn’t figure to be the type of person who gets starstruck easily, having earned his reputation with fearless and frenzied performances as the burly frontman of Toronto’s Fucked Up. But when speaking with Devo vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mark Mothersbaugh, Abraham is all nervous energy, unleashing a cascade of words that tangle and circle back on themselves, and winding through explanations of his introduction to Devo through his dad’s record collection to the origins of the Pink Eyes moniker and the evolution of his prodigious beard. Eventually, he settles and gets around to actually asking Mothersbaugh some questions, revealing himself to be a pop music scholar with an encyclopedic knowledge of rock history and Devo’s place in it. With Devo’s Something for Everybody—their first new record in 20 years—taking them everywhere from The Colbert Report to Live with Regis and Kelly, Abraham offers a refresher course on why Devo still matters in this uncut transcription of their interview (a shorter version of which appears in our Summer 2010 issue). More
Jun 21, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
The music of Icelandic collective Seabear does nothing to counter the common misconception that all the country does is pump out ethereal harmonies with otherworldly grace. The Jónsi-recommended band has gathered a string of positive reactions from fans and press alike for charming recent release, We Built a Fire, their first since bandleader Sindri Már Sigfússon expanded the project from a solo affair to full band. Under the Radar caught up with bandleader Sigfússon via email, who told us about his forays into visual art, a childhood filled with Michael Jackson, and the (potential) calming effects the new album might have on misbehaving kids. More
May 06, 2010
By Hays Davis
Web Exclusive
Regardless of their slow-burning momentum in the U.S., Doves have taken their time over the years to craft a four-album catalogue of solid, memorable, guitar-driven pop-rock songs. Always a considerably bigger act on their home turf, Doves' last album, 2009's Kingdom of Rust, missed the number one spot by a hair of Lady Gaga's head, as Jez Williams explains in our interview. The band plans to take an open-ended break before plotting their next move, but in the meantime, the new The Places Between: The Best Of Doves provides an excellent career placeholder. In our interview with Jez Williams, he reflects on various moments in Doves' career. More
May 05, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
Earlier this year Sigur Rós bandleader Jónsi Birgisson released Go simply under his first name. The nine-song solo outing is filled with vibrant colors, dense orchestration, and Jónsi's ethereal falsetto. The music inspired an equally theatrical stage show, featuring sets and visuals from Fifty Nine Productions. Under the Radar caught up with Jónsi at Coachella where he told us about his new solo sound, surprising dream collaborators, and the unexpected bands he enjoyed growing up. More
May 04, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Web Exclusive
Former Under the Radar "Pleased to Meet You" artists Local Natives have been busy. No longer Los Angeles' little secret, since the release of harmony-filled debut album Gorilla Manor, the quintet has been constantly touring, both at home and abroad. Under the Radar caught up with Local Natives at Coachella for a laugh-filled chat about learning on the road, life after day jobs...and Kathy Bates. More
