songwriting
Ellis Ludwig-Leone (San Fermin) Talks José González’s Vestiges and Claws
José González knows exactly where he wants to take you. And he’s patient and organized about getting there.
Gretchen Peters Talks the Difficulties of Writing an Effective Love Song
The hit country songwriter notes that anyone can write platitudes, but getting to the heart of true love is hard work.
Elizabeth Morris (Allo Darlin’) Talks Estelle’s True Romance
Estelle jumps from power ballads to early-'90s house to sassy r&b to reggae-pop. But maybe she does it a little too perfectly.
Lou Barlow (Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr.) Talks Beck’s Morning Phase
I don't know if jealousy is the right way to describe how I feel about Beck. He does, however, remind me of my own shortcomings. I don't know if ...
Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes, Swan Lake) Talks Amen Dunes’ Love
When we dream of escaping ourselves, escaping the mundane beginnings that swaddle us, from our earliest embarrassments on into our teenage years...
Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger) Talks Angel Olsen’s Burn Your Fire for No Witness
Having spent the better (obviously the wrong word) part of my listening life in a thralldom to both severe depression and the saddest music I can...
Aaron Beam (Red Fang) Talks Take That’s III
Red Fang’s singer thinks that Take That are clearly talented, but they need some more flavor.
Steve Wynn (the Dream Syndicate, Gutterball, the Baseball Project) Talks Marianne Faithfull’s Give My Love to London
It’s not her broken-hearted best, but the new Marianne Faithfull album still feels like a welcome visit from an old friend.
Holly Miranda Talks Ani DiFranco’s Allergic to Water
Singer-songwriter Holly Miranda assesses the new album by the woman who first inspired her to write a song.
Alanna McArdle (Joanna Gruesome) Talks Grouper’s Ruins
Joanna Gruesome’s singer on the “happy-sad” world of Grouper and the overwhelming power of quiet.
Jana Hunter (Lower Dens) Talks Vashti Bunyan’s Heartleap
The new album by the elder stateswoman of early '70s British pastoral-pop is a quietly defiant rebuke to a lot of things.
John Colpitts (Kid Millions) (Oneida, Man Forever) Talks Robyn Hitchcock’s The Man Upstairs
On his 20th album, Robyn Hitchcock drops the whimsy for a focused meditation on death, love and loss.











