Last night after a shoot on the UC Irvine campus, I was met with the distant promise of blistering guitar licks and the steady pulse of drums echoing across the campus. I pictured college kids jamming in some social center, but as I got back to my car, it was pretty clear where the sound
Main Stage act The Ruse is iTunes single of the week!
BCTV Main Stage act The Ruse has gone on to iTunes fame this week with a featured download, “Beautiful Is Gone”. Click on the image to download it free in iTunes: Here’s the same song from The Ruse when they grace the Main Stage: And another, “Swallow You”. This song has a big, early-U2 sound
Metric pioneers mid-level indie success
I got hooked on Metric when iTunes gave away “Combat Baby” as a free track four or five years ago. That song alone keeps me a dedicated fan, even if they never put out another good album again. Thankfully they continue to, and now even without label support, they’re doing well. In fact, no surprise,
Steinbeck predicts rap in “East of Eden”
In 1952, John Steinbeck predicted the rise of rap music in his masterwork, East of Eden. To wit: “You can boast about anything if it’s all you have. Maybe the less you have, the more you are required to boast.” Say what you will, I think he meant dookie ropes and four-fingered rings. “I don’t
David Liebe Hart and Adam Papagan at Echo Curio
The first time I saw Daniel Johnston play, I wasn’t properly briefed on the phenomenon. I only knew everyone in the NYC antifolk scene worshipped this legendary songwriter from Austin. So when an old, obese guy took the stage in sweatpants and a stained t-shirt, singing lyrics like, “the rabbit ate the chocolate rabbit,” I