Interview: St. Lucia (Video)

St Lucia

Jean-Philip Groebler, lead singer of St. Lucia, has been immersed in music since he was part of a well-known choir in his native Cape Town, South Africa. Since then Groebler has written jingles for numerous commercials and two albums under the St. Lucia moniker. At Bonnaroo, he talks with me about his latest release. Later in the day he joined Halsey on stage for a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Thunder,” which turned into a rain dance as storms interrupted the performance.

Read More “St. Lucia (Video)”

John Feldman Goes Track-by-Track on ‘California’

Blink-182

John Feldmann, who either saved or ruined Blink-182 according to the internet, did a track-by-track breakdown of California with Fuse:

“Sober,” we did with Patrick Stump, who is a good friend of mine. Fall Out Boy supported Blink for many tours. They’re all the oldest friends. I hang out with those guys a lot and he was just kind of here and he had this idea—what could Blink be on modern rock radio in 2016? What does that look like? What does that mean, when there aren’t really live instruments on the radio?

It’s full of little tidbits of information. And typos.

Alicia Keys Not Allowing Phones at Concerts

Technology

Speaking of ways to avoid phones at shows, Alicia Keys has been using the Yonder pouch at her shows. The Washington Post reports:

Dugoni says the pouch serves two purposes. The artist can try out new material without worrying about it being leaked. Fans will also realize that they actually enjoy a show more without constantly filming, texting and Tweeting.

“If you haven’t been to a phone-free show, you just don’t know what you’re missing,” he says. “There’s something about living in real life that can’t be replicated.”

On That Patent to Disable the iPhone Camera

Apple

Lots has been written about Apple receiving a patent that would allow infrared signals to temporarily disable the phone camera. I think Stereogum writer Collin Robertson best expresses my thoughts:

That might be OK … assuming the technology is only used at concerts and doesn’t extend to, like, disabling phone cameras during instances of police brutality and/or sociopolitical/religious unrest.

Most of the time patents never actually lead to shipped products, I hope that’s the case here.