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News

“Covers of Covers” – Under the Radar’s First Album Is Out Today – Stream or Buy It Now

Covers of Covers Out Now via American Laundromat; Some Proceeds Benefit Sweet Relief

Mar 04, 2022

Covers of Covers, our first album, came out today on CD and digitally via American Laundromat. You can stream it now. You can also buy it directly from American Laundromat, via Bandcamp, or on Amazon. Today we posted a track-by-track article on the album, in which all 20 artists discuss their contribution. More

Under the Radar Announces “Covers of Covers” Album, Shares Grandaddy and EMA Tracks

Covers of Covers Due Out March 4, 2022 via American Laundromat; Also Features Cassandra Jenkins, Alex Lahey, Peter Bjorn and John, Hatchie, Nation of Language, Cults, Kevin Drew, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Girl Ray, Piroshka, and More

Dec 21, 2021

Under the Radar is proud to announce Covers of Covers, which is the magazine’s first ever album. In honor of our 20th anniversary we approached some of our favorite musicians and asked them to cover any song by any artist who had been on the front or back cover of our print issue over the years. Covers of Covers is due out March 4, 2022 via American Laundromat, but today we are sharing two of its tracks: Grandaddy’s cover of Metric’s “Blindness” and EMA’s cover of Modest Mouse’s “Trailer Trash.” More

EMA Shares New Song “Dark Shadows”

Outtakes From Exile EP Due Out February 2 via City Slang

Jan 11, 2018

Singer/songwriter/guitarist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) released a new album, Exile in the Outer Ring, back in August via City Slang and is releasing an accompanying EP, Outtakes From Exile, on February 2 via City Slang. Previously she shared EP track “MopTops (Twist While the World Stops).” Now here’s another cut from the EP, “Dark Shadows,” which was originally written for the film 20th Century Women but not actually used by the filmmakers. More

Jan 05, 2018

It would be inaccurate to say a lot of us started 2017 with optimism overflowing, but there was a certain relief at having put 2016 to bed. While the misery of a Trump White House still lay ahead, some comfort came from sweeping away the detritus of that car crash of an election. More

EMA Announces New EP and Shares New Song “MopTops (Twist While the World Stops)”

Outtakes From Exile EP Due Out February 2, 2018 via City Slang

Dec 13, 2017

Singer/songwriter/guitarist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) released a new album, Exile in the Outer Ring, back in August via City Slang. Now she has announced an accompanying EP, Outtakes From Exile, and shared a new song from it, “MopTops (Twist While the World Stops).” More

Eight Best Songs of the Week: The Horrors, Destroyer, The National, Moses Sumney, and More

Plus Cut Copy, Marlon Williams, EMA, Liam Gallagher, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Aug 11, 2017

This week we’re either on the brink of war with North Korea or not really that close, depending on which cable TV talking head you listen to and how much you trust President Trump to keep his cool (oh, oh, we’re in trouble then). So while we are still clear of the nuclear blast zone (for now), let’s soak up the past week’s best new tunes. More

Listen: EMA - “Blood and Chalk”

Exile in the Outer Ring Due Out August 25 via City Slang

Aug 08, 2017

Singer/songwriter/guitarist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) is releasing a new album, Exile in the Outer Ring, on August 25 via City Slang. Now she has shared another song from the album, the slow-burning “Blood and Chalk.” Check it out below, followed by her upcoming tour dates. More

Watch: EMA – “Down and Out” Video

Exile in the Outer Ring Due Out August 25 via City Slang

Jul 19, 2017

Singer/songwriter/guitarist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) is releasing a new album, Exile in the Outer Ring, on August 25 via City Slang. Now she has shared a video for “Down and Out.” Alicia J. Rose directed the video, with features Portland, OR performance artist Taj Bourgeois as well as EMA. More

Under the Radar Announces Summer 2017 Issue with Grizzly Bear on the Cover

Issue 61 Also Includes Interviews with The War on Drugs, The National, Broken Social Scene, Slowdive vs. Ariel Pink, Phoenix, Beach House, and Much More

Jul 18, 2017

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Summer 2017 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar’s app and the magazine app Readly. The print version has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon (as well as available soon digitally via the magazine app Zinio). The issue features Grizzly Bear on the cover. More

Nine Best Songs of the Week: St. Vincent, Midnight Sister, Broken Social Scene, and More

Plus The National, Temples, Widowspeak, Deerhoof, Girl Ray, EMA, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Jun 30, 2017

Despite leading up to a long holiday weekend, it was a packed week for great new songs. Quite a few notable artists shared new songs this week, including Arcade Fire, St. Vincent, The National, Liam Gallagher, Neil Young, Mogwai, Weezer, Broken Social Scene, Toro Y Moi, and more. More

Jun 30, 2017

As crazy as political life may be in the US, Britain has its own problems after voting a year ago to completely reshape the country by leaving the European Union. Lias Saoudi of Fat White Family and The Moonlandingz joins us this week to discuss Brexit before we throw in healthcare reform, travel bans, cancelled festivals, and Glastonbury. More

EMA Shares New Song “Down and Out” and Announces Co-Headlining Tour with The Blow

Exile in the Outer Ring Due Out August 25 via City Slang

Jun 27, 2017

Singer/songwriter/guitarist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) is releasing a new album, Exile in the Outer Ring, on August 25 via City Slang. More

Jun 23, 2017

Foxygen released a new album, Hang, back in January via Jagjaguwar. Now they have covered Jessica Pratt’s “On Your Own Love Again.” Listen to it below. The song is part of Amazon’s Songs of Summer original playlist. More

Five Best Songs of the Week: alt-J, EMA, Kirin J Callinan, Washed Out, and Ride

Plus a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

May 26, 2017

To help you sort through the multitude of new songs released in the last seven days, we have picked the five best. Below that we have also highlighted other notable new tracks shared this week. This week was light on exciting new songs, likely due to the impending long Memorial Day holiday weekend, but there were still pleasures to be found. More

EMA Shares a Video for New Song “Breathalyzer”

Exile in the Outer Ring Due Out August 25 via City Slang

May 24, 2017

Singer/songwriter/guitarist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) is releasing a new album, Exile in the Outer Ring, on August 25 via City Slang. Previously she shared a lyric video for its first single, “Aryan Nation.” More

Apr 19, 2017

Singer/songwriter/guitarist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) has never shied away from political music. Just recently she contributed a new song, “Stand With You (Song for Ghostship),” to the “Our First 100 Days” anti-President Donald Trump project. More

EMA Shares New Song, “Stand With You (Song for Ghostship),” for Anti-Trump “Our First 100 Days”

"Our First 100 Days" Will Include a New Song Every Day for the First 100 Days of Donald Trump's Presidency

Mar 14, 2017

“Our First 100 Days” is an anti-President Donald Trump project. The good folks behind the “30 Days, 30 Songs” anti-Trump campaign during the election have teamed up with Secretly Group for “Our First 100 Days.” More

Nov 20, 2015

EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) has done the score for a new indie horror movie fittingly titled #Horror. Today she has shared “Amnesia Haze,” the first taste of her score, which you can listen to below. Tara Subkoff wrote and directed the film that stars Chloe Sevigny, Natasha Lyonne, Timothy Hutton, Taryn Manning, and Balthazar Getty. More

EMA Responds to Mass Shooting Epidemic with “Active Shooter” Song and Video

"Angry white boys get uptight/Got no right to end a life"

Oct 13, 2015

EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) hasn’t been one to shy away from political statements. Now she has shared a new song and video that comments on the mass shooting epidemic that’s been afflicting America and garnering more and more attention of late. More

Listen: EMA – “Black Boys on Mopeds (Sinéad O’Connor Cover)”

The Musician’s Take on the Ferguson Police Brutality

Mar 11, 2015

In 1999 Sinéad O’Connor released “Black Boys on Mopeds,” a haunting song about police brutality. In light of the Ferguson unrest, EMA recently recorded a droning version of the track. More

Nov 25, 2014

EMA’s The Future’s Void is surely one of this year’s most thought-provoking and simply all around best albums (we gave it an 8.5/10), but one can’t help but think that despite receiving its fair share of acclaim the record’s been just ever so slightly overlooked. We’ll see how it fares come the time for everyone’s best of the year lists, but in the meantime we have the new video for “3Jane.” More

EMA Shares New 9/11 Themed Song, “False Flag”

Her “lost generation take on 9/11”

Sep 11, 2014

EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson) has premiered a new song called “False Flag.” The song was shared today on the thirteenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, which was no coincidence as its lyrics tackle the 9/11 attacks. More

Watch: EMA Makes Her TV Debut on “Letterman”

The Future’s Void is out now on Matador

Aug 27, 2014

Last night EMA made her television debut, stopping by The Late Show With David Letterman to perform The Future’s Void cut, “Neuromancer.” More

EMA Announces Tour Dates

The Future’s Void Is Out Now On Matador

Jul 24, 2014

EMA will be hitting the road in support of her excellent sophmore album The Future’s Void. C More

Mar 31, 2014

Like deeply felt emotions mixed with 1990s-style crashing guitars and ominous, future-cult themes? Great! EMA’s sophomore album The Future’s Void is streaming now. More

Listen: EMA – “3Jane”

The Future's Void Streets April 8 On Matador

Mar 27, 2014

EMA’s sophomore album The Future’s Void is out on April 8. We’ve already heard the “Satellites” and “So Blonde.” Today the musician released a new track called “3Jane.” More

Under the Radar’s SXSW Parties Start Today - Come See EMA, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Future

12 - 6 PM at the Flamingo Cantina - Today's Lineup Also Features Casual Sex, Connan Mockasin, Lost in the Trees, and Saintseneca

Mar 12, 2014

Under the Radar’s SXSW 2014 parties kick off today at the Flamingo Cantina (515 E. 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701, on 6th Street and Red River). EMA headlines today’s party and the lineup also includes The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Future Islands, Connan Mockasin, Lost in the Trees, Casual Sex, and Saintseneca. More

Under the Radar’s Three SXSW Day Parties to Feature Charli XCX, EMA, Future Islands, and Many More

Lineups Also Includes We Were Promised Jetpacks, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Connan Mockasin, Arthur Beatrice, Gruff Rhys, The Mary Onettes, Small Black, Thumpers, Woman's Hour, and Others

Feb 28, 2014

Under the Radar magazine is excited to reveal the full lineups, poster, and set times for our three SXSW 2014 day parties, taking place on Wednesday, March 12, Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14. Lineups include Charli XCX, EMA, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Future Islands, Connan Mockasin, We Were Promised Jetpacks, The Mary Onettes, Small Black, Thumpers, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Arthur Beatrice, Gruff Rhys, Woman’s Hour, and many others. More

Feb 26, 2014

Though she has already maneuvered through the media crush for one highly acclaimed album2011’s Past Life Martyred SaintsErika M. Anderson (aka EMA) has yet to learn the art of the carefully evasive interview. More

Feb 25, 2014

On April 8 Erika M. Anderson, a.k.a. EMA, will release her sophmore album The Future’s Void. More

Jan 21, 2014

Musical artist Erika M. Anderson, a.k.a. EMA, has opened the promotional floodgates of her upcoming sophomore album The Future’s Void. More

Dec 11, 2013

Making a return after her 2011 debut Past Life Martyred Saints, Erika M. Anderson, a.k.a. EMA, has announced that she will release her sophomore follow-up this spring on her label home, Matador. More

Protest Sign Auction Ends In One Hour!

Your Last Chance to Bid on Autographed Protest Signs Made by Tegan and Sara, Janelle Monáe, Death Cab, Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, Okkervil River, and others

Oct 23, 2012

Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction ends in one hour at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others. More

Protest Sign Auction Ends Tomorrow at 2:00 PM EST

Bid on Autographed Protest Signs Made by Tegan and Sara, Janelle Monáe, Death Cab, Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, and others

Oct 22, 2012

Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction ends tomorrow, Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others. More

Bid on Autographed Protest Signs Made by Tegan and Sara, Janelle Monáe, Death Cab, and more

Protest Auction Ending Tuesday, Also Features Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, and others

Oct 21, 2012

Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction is now on and ends Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others.

More

Under the Radar’s Protest Issue feat. Dan Deacon and Tegan & Sara covers hits newsstands next week!

Issue Also Features Ariel Pink, Passion Pit, Wild Nothing, Matthew Dear, Death Cab for Cutie, Janelle Monáe, Andrew Bird, The Drums, Tom Morello, Zola Jesus, Amanda Palmer, and much more

Aug 23, 2012

Under the Radar is pleased to share our election year Protest Issue for 2012, on newsstands next week, featuring two covers with Dan Deacon and Tegan and Sara. The issue features major stories on the music of Occupy and Gay musicians talking about current Queer issues. The issue is now available to buy in the digital/iPad format here. More

Check Out Photos from The Great Escape Festival 2012 - Grimes, EMA, Django Django, and more

Plus: Beth Jeans Houghton, Porcelain Raft, Slow Club, and others in Brighton, England

May 18, 2012

The eighth annual Great Escape Festival took place last weekend in Brighton, U.K., with many amazing bands gracing the local stages in the charming seaside English town. Here’s a gallery of photos from the festival, including photos of Grimes, EMA, Beth Jeans Houghton, Django Django, Slow Club, When Saints Go Machine, Porcelain Raft, and others. More

Watch: EMA - “Take One Two” Video

Supporting Anti-Bully Campaign

Feb 14, 2012

EMA has released a deeply personal music video for “Take One Two” off her critically-acclaimed debut Past Life Martyred Saints. More

Under the Radar Announces Best of 2011 Issue Featuring Three Covers: Bon Iver, M83, and The Horrors

Plus: Florence and the Machine, Beirut, PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, SBTRKT, R.E.M., and more

Dec 23, 2011

Under the Radar‘s Best of 2011 Issue has shipped out to subscribers and will be hitting newsstands soon. The issue features three unique covers, each featuring an artist behind one of our Top 5 albums of the year: M83, The Horrors, and Bon Iver. The issue also takes a look back at other artists who have made a splash in 2011, including Beirut, Anna Calvi, EMA, Florence and the Machine, Gang Gang Dance, Neon Indian, PJ Harvey, R.E.M., SBTRKT, Slow Club, St. Vincent, Summer Camp, tUnE-yArDs, and Yuck. More

EMA Announces Tour Dates For Spring 2012 and Album Reissue

Deluxe Version of Past Life Martyred Saints Out February 7

Dec 12, 2011

Erika M. Anderson, better known as EMA, has announced tour dates for this upcoming spring as well as a deluxe reissue of her debut album, Past Life Martyred Saints. More

Listen to EMA and Male Bonding Cover Nirvana

Split Single out January 6 via Rough Trade/Sub Pop

Nov 14, 2011

EMA and Male Bonding recently recorded their versions of Nirvana songs “Aneurysm” and “Endless Nameless.” We have streams of both. More

Listen: “Angelo” by EMA

Limited 7” Out November 21

Nov 01, 2011

Today EMA released a new track, “Angelo.” The distortion-filled song is a b-side to Past Life Martyred Saints track, “Marked.” More

Oct 27, 2011

Check out photos from Day Five of CMJ 2011 in New York, NY including photos of EMA, Gang Gang Dance, Inc., Radiation City and Kid Savant. Photographer Wendy Lynch Redfern was there to capture the action. See the full gallery here. More

Oct 14, 2011

Check out EMA’s slick cover of Violent Femmes classic, “Add it Up.” More

Watch: EMA - “Marked”

Erica M. Anderson Gets Dark

Sep 20, 2011

Recent Under the Radar Pleased to Meet You artist EMA, aka Erika M. Anderson, has unveiled a stark, black-and-white music video for her track “Marked.” More

CMJ 2011 Announces Initial Lineup – EMA, Dum Dum Girls, Zola Jesus, Wild Flag, and more

Plus: Eleanor Friedberger, Handsome Furs, CSS, Neon Indian, Class Actress, Portugal. The Man, and others

Aug 23, 2011

The CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival has announced their initial 2011 lineup. The event happens at venues across New York City October 18 - 22. Today the CMJ website announced the first round of artists performing this year. The list includes EMA, Dum Dum Girls, Zola Jesus, Wild Flag, Eleanor Friedberger, Handsome Furs, CSS, Neon Indian, Class Actress, Portugal. The Man, and others. More

Watch: EMA Cover Nirvana

Part of a Spin Tribute

Aug 03, 2011

EMA turned her angst towards Nirvana’s “Endless Nameless.” We have the details. More

EMA Announces Fall Tour Dates

Includes Shows with Wild Beasts, CSS, and Washed Out

Jul 26, 2011

EMA has announced new U.S. tour dates for the fall. We have the details. More

Jul 15, 2011

Recently, Zola Jesus and EMA took to the stage at High Noon Saloon in Madison, Wisconsin to cover 1960s classic, “Crimson & Clover.” More

EMA Announces Headline Tour

Dates Begin June 2

May 18, 2011

Wandering troubadour EMA is about to make her way across North America in support of debut album, Past Life Martyred Saints. We have the dates. More

May 04, 2011

With her debut album Past Life Martyred Saints scheduled for release next week on May 9, Erika M. Anderson aka EMA has unveiled a new track from the record called “Milkman.” More

EMA Plots Tour

Joins Kurt Vile and Menomena

Apr 14, 2011

EMA is taking her show on the road. We have the details. More

Listen: EMA’s Take on Danzig’s “Soul on Fire”

Listen: EMA’s Take on Danzig’s “Soul on Fire”

Apr 07, 2011

On the heels of her “California” music, fractured-folk troubadour EMA has covered equally art-damaged singer, Danzig. We have the stream. More

Mar 25, 2011

The final day at Austin’s infamous SXSW Music Festival included performances from Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover), Trentemoller, and EMA. More



Interviews

“Covers of Covers” – Inside Under the Radar’s First Album

Track-by-Track: Each Artist on Their Contribution to the Album

Mar 04, 2022

When hatching plans to celebrate Under the Radar’s 20th anniversary I knew I wanted to go beyond just producing a special 20th anniversary issue. Despite two decades of writing about albums, one thing we’d never done is actually put one out ourselves. Thus I came upon the idea for Covers of Covers. The concept was so perfect and simple that I’m surprised we hadn’t thought of it before. We approached some of our favorite musicians and asked them to cover any song by any artist who had been on the front or back cover of our print issue over the years, including artists that had appeared in group cover shots. More

Sep 01, 2017

Protest is our recurring feature where a musician writes about a political or social issue that interests them and then submits a photo of them holding a self-made protest sign relating to that issue. This issue’s participant, EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson), is no stranger to political songwriting. More

Track-by-Track: EMA on “The Future’s Void”

Erika M. Anderson on Each Song on Her Acclaimed Second Album

Oct 20, 2014

When I first talked to Erika M. Anderson (aka EMA) in the summer of 2012, she had just started the process of sketching out The Future’s Void, the follow-up to her 2011 breakthrough Past Life Martyred Saints. More

Feb 26, 2014

Though she has already maneuvered through the media crush for one highly acclaimed album2011’s Past Life Martyred SaintsErika M. Anderson (aka EMA) has yet to learn the art of the carefully evasive interview. More


Reviews

Apr 04, 2014

William Gibson-a founding father of the now-classic science-fiction subgenre called cyberpunk-has said that SF strain has become a “standard Pantone shade in pop culture.” (The question of cyberpunk’s fate had been posed to him in a fantastic Motherboard article by SF critic-and YACHT member-Claire Evans.) More

Mar 18, 2014

Staff writer Austin Trunick spent six days in Austin, Texas, taking in this year’s South By Southwest. More

May 13, 2011

Some artists make a compelling case for the power of moping. Take fractured folk songstress Erika M. Anderson—who after the demise of droning-folk duo Gowns, regrouped and presented herself as a solo artist,EMA. More

Mar 21, 2011

The fourth and final day of SXSW was highlighted with euphoria, exhaustion, and more fantastic music. Is it really almost over? Have my feet finally fallen off? Did I really get that terrible sunburn? Do I have the energy to see a few more bands? (Answers: Yes. No. Sadly yes. Emphatically yes.) More