UB40‘s Terence Wilson, better known by his stage name Astro, passed away on Nov. 6. at the age of 64. His group broke the news in a statement yesterday, writing: “We are absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Astro has today passed away after a very short illness. […]
This article originally appeared in the August 1993 issue of SPIN. Polly Harvey is standing in the rain, in the middle of a generic English small-town shopping street. The 23-year-old singer is wearing a plush fake leopard-skin coat, her usual Olive Oyl bun let loose into barely restrained curly waves. She is bone-tired, fed up with […]
Leonard Cohen has been a huge inspiration for me as a songwriter. But in a different way than most other artists or bands, which one might otherwise regard as obvious direct musical “influences” on my band Communions. Although our music isn’t rooted in folk—post-punk, Britpop and alt-rock are perhaps our biggest genre influences—the influence of […]
The first time I heard a Leonard Cohen song was through the surrogate voice of a dear friend, Jason P. Grisell, in Venice, CA circa 1991. Sitting on the sidewalk hunched over his beat-up acoustic guitar wearing an army green parka in the middle of a hot summer day, Jason sang an unforgettable version of […]
Tragedy struck at the Astroworld festival last night when a crowd surge resulted in the death of eight people and at least 300 injuries. The festival’s founder Travis Scott issued a statement on Twitter in light of the incident. “I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families […]
Travis Scott‘s Astroworld festival ended in devastation last night when the crowd began to surge forward at an alarming rate, leaving eight people dead and 300 injured. In light of the tragedy, the Saturday portion of the Houston-based festival has been canceled. “Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family tonight – especially those we […]
It’s October 2015 and around 1:30 in the afternoon at the Austin City Limits Festival. An early day set at an event like this usually requires strength to mobilize. But my friends and I are standing in the pit, excited to see one of the ACL’s best rising new bands on the bill: British indie-rockers, […]
Taylor Swift has yet another massive project this year. One of her most beloved songs, “All Too Well,” is getting a short film adaptation, written and directed by Swift, who will also co-star in the production alongside Stranger Things star Sadie Sink and fresh off an appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Teen Wolf actor Dylan O’Brien. […]
In response to Texas’ recent law restricting abortion rights, Sonic Youth have unearthed two live records from their archives that will benefit abortion rights groups in the state. Both shows were recorded in Texas, and in a statement announcing the releases, the group said “abortion is embraced as health care and a human right.” Sales […]
A few Fridays ago, Green Day released a version of “Basket Case” that was taken from a 1994 BBC Session. Today, Green Day unveiled a new song titled “Holy Toledo!” that was produced by the band and Butch Walker. “Holy Toledo!” is part of the upcoming movie soundtrack for Mark, Mary & Some Other People, a new […]