Jul 02, 2007 By Jim Scott Web Exclusive

Few lyricists today weave a story as intricate and involving as Will Sheff, lead singer and songwriter (not to mention sole constant member) of Okkervil River. More

Jul 02, 2007 By Gary Knight Jason Falkner

It takes roughly 2,200 people to fill the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, and a full house would just about satisfy Jason Falkner’s modest commercial ambitions, if he ever gets the chance to play there. More

Jul 02, 2007 By Lily Moayeri Web Exclusive

The titles of Ulrich Schnauss’ three albums: 2001’s Far Away Trains Passing By, 2003’s A Strangely Isolated Place, and 2007’s Goodbye, make it seem as if the German-born producer is a very melancholy individual. More

Jul 02, 2007 By Lorraine Carpenter Rufus Wainwright

“If you think the world of pop is difficult in terms of finding your voice, well, in opera it’s practically impossible!” So says Rufus Wainwright about his recently penned opera, Prima Donna. More

Jul 02, 2007 By J. Pace Minus Story

With My Ion Truss, Lawrence, Kansas’ Minus Story have left behind their trademark “Wall of Crap” home recording approach. Assisted by producer John Congleton, whose credits include Modest Mouse, Explosions in the Sky, and many more, the band entered the studio to emerge with their purest, most dynamic recording to date. More

Jul 02, 2007 By Jim Scott Arthur & Yu

The debut of Seattle-based Arthur & Yu, In Camera, is the first album to emerge from the heralded Hardly Art label. But rather than a orgiastic, bombastic showy premiere, Arthur & Yu have made the kind of music that feels as though it’s being played right in your living room…If your living room was around in the late-’60s and was especially suited to wonderfully intertwining male-female vocals. More

Jul 02, 2007 By Lily Moayeri Web Exclusive

Brothers Tom and Alex White state their allegiance to their hometown of Brighton strongly. Along with Matthew Twaites and Mathew Priest, they function as The Electric Soft Parade. More

Jul 02, 2007 By J. Pace Rogue Wave

Rogue Wave’s third studio album, Asleep at Heaven’s Gate, due in September, finds the band with an unlikely new home—Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records. It’s the end result of a tumultuous year marked by loss, kidney replacement, a lineup addition, and fatherhood. More

Jul 02, 2007 By J. Pace Battles

Scheduling mishaps. They happen. For example, one might prepare a set of questions for a phone interview with Battles bassist/guitarist Dave Konopka only to have them answered via email by Battles drummer John Stanier. The result is just as informative—until you get to the questions about John Stanier, of course. Then things get silly. More