The Lost Dark Art of the Mix Tape
Rob Jones looks back longingly to the days of the mix tape, "an artifact of a bygone age, perhaps. But also a lost art form, a dark art of play/record, pause, and fade." [Read more]
I Miss You, Oscar — and Lena and Ella and Joe and Niels-Henning and…
"I’m pretty sure I was born too late," writes Ross Lonergan as he recounts his love for jazz greats like Lena Horne, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Ella Fitzgerald and other members of the pantheon. [Read more]
John Scofield — Scorched — Victoria International JazzFest 2010
“I started out so inspired by my elders, and I got to play with many of the guys I listened to on records, like Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock , and Steve Swallow for that matter. Then you get to pass it on. That’s the... [Read more]
Dr. John and The City That Care Forgot
With a masterful boogie woogie piano touch and a voice brimming with Southern crackle, the infamous Dr. John is a genuine original. He is a living testament to the heritage of incredible cultural and musical diversity in the city of New Orleans. With triumph comes tragedy, and Dr. John, along with countless other artists and citizens, continues to search for balance in the ongoing struggles of coastal Louisiana. [Read more]
Let’s Rock Their World! – Guest Post by David Wish
The United States' largest teacher-led, educational reform movement in music education has been unleashed. David Wish, founder and executive director of Little Kids Rock, talks about the exciting benefits of the “Fifth Stream” of music education in US public schools. Will kids actually get to study at school what they listen to at home? [Read more]
Tarmac Meditations #11 — Morning Dew
"'Walk me out in the morning dew my honey…,' sang the Grateful Dead oh so long ago. It was one of my favorite songs." Michael Lebowitz remembers the song 'Morning Dew' as he heads out on his morning run, barefoot. [Read more]
Sasquatch Festival Changed Me
Jess Howard heads off somewhat halfheartedly for the Sasquatch Festival at the Gorge in Washington State. There, she discovers what life as a human is really all about. [Read more]
Stevie Wonder — Songs in the Key of Life
“The only way that you can really stay innovative in music is to be in love with life. You have to live life to be innovative in music.” ~ Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder is easily one of the most naturally gifted musicians in modern music. In a career... [Read more]
As Loud as They Come: Don Morison and the Wild Story of Donmo Guitars
In a humble backyard abode in South Australia, musician Don Morison has created an industry that has become the talk of the music world – Donmo Guitars. His guitars, with names like Rustbucket and Galvo, are as unique as they come, as loud as they come and in big demand. [Read more]
The Art of Life, Inspired by the Late Devon Clifford of You Say Party! We Say Die!
I met Devon Clifford in September last year. We’d been introduced in passing before, when I was interviewing lead singer Becky Ninkovic for a few stories about their indie-rock/pop/dance band You Say Party! We Say Die! at various shows around Vancouver.... [Read more]
